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SARATOGA COUNTY, 



NEW YORK. 



t-^^sWITH^^Sv-i 



itsfraftoiis 'diul |6iogrH|!liiol Slteklie^ 



SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. 



NathjSniel Bartlett Sylvester, 

AUTHOR OF HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF NORTHERN NEW YORK AND THE ADIRONDACK WILDERNESS, 
SARATOGA, AND KAY-AD-ROS-SE-RA, ETC., ETC. 



7v 



PHILADELPHIA: 




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1878.- 



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PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA. 






Entered according tu Act of Cougress, in the year 1878, by 

NATHANIEL BARTLETT 8YLVESTER, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 






PEEFACE. 



Around the name of Saratoga there clusters a wealth of liistoric lore. Since tliis name was first 
transferred from the oral language of the red man to the written page of the white man, in a word, 
from the favorite old iuinting-ground of tiie river hills, first, to the little hamlet of the wilderness, and 
then to the town and county, it has been associated, in peace as well as in war, with the most 
important events which have been chronicled in our country's history. It will, therefore, readily be 
seen that, upon taking up the task of writing the history of Saratoga County, an almost overwhelming 
mass of material presented itself for consideration. In one catalogue of books alone, entirely devoted 
to the subject, or in which important reference is made to Saratoga, there are more than one hundred 
volumes. To all this must be added the vast accumulation of public records in tlie State and 
county archives. Tlie important question then was, not what could be got, but what should be 
taken. A broad field lay before us, filled with mingled tares and wheat, and we must cull from it 
what best suited our purpose. 

Yet in all this vast field of literature, so rich in many things, there was little to be found 
relating to the early settlement of the towns and county. In search of this pioneer history, the public 
records must be searched, the wiiole ground must be gone over afresh. But a hundred years in 
passing had removed three generations of men, and what could once have been so accurately learned 
from living lips, now that those lips are sealed forever, must be gathered by the dim light of 
uncertain tradition. As this is the first history of the county which has been published, it seems to 
us tliat it should be, more tiian anytiiing else, a history of the pioneers. The pioneers of a country, 
those who brave the dangers and endure the toils of its early settlement, be their lives ever so humble, 
are worthy of notice, wiiile those who come after them, be tlieir social position ever so high, cannot 
expect to receive the historian's attention, unless they mingle much in affiiirs, or perform historic 
deeds. It is to the pioneers, therefore, that we have devoted a large part of the following pages. 

In making our selections from tlie public records and in gleaning from the literature of the 
subject we have doubtless often been unwise. Yet we have not attempted to put everything into the 
work that would interest everybody. In gathering material for the history of the early settlements, 
doubtless we have sometimes, owing to the imperfections of human memory, been misinformed as to 
names, dates, and circumstances. There ^^•ere doubtless, too, many pioneers in the "diiferent towns, 
whose names we have not been able to learn, and therefore we give no account of them in these 
pages. The reader should bear in mind that, at the time of the organization of the county, in 1791, 
there were upwards of seventeen thousand people living M'ithin its borders. Of how few of these, 
comparatively, is there now much known ? So our work, like all things human, notwithstanding our 
best endeavors, is doubtless to some extent scored with errors, marred by omissions, faults, and 
imperfections, and we beg the reader to pass them over with indulgent eye. 



PREFACE. 



In pursuing the subject we have selected such topics for insertion as we thought would best illus- 
trate the progress of the people of the county during the century of its growth and development, from 
their rude beginnings in the old wilderness to tlieir present state of enlightened culture and 
refinement. 

To those in different parts of the county wlio have kindly assisted us, — and we would like to 
mention all tiieir names liere, but want of space will not pern\it, and to name a part would seem 
invidious, — to all such we return our heartfelt acknowledgment. 

To the publishers of this volume it is due to say, that they have done everything in their power 
which they could do, to assist us in the endeavor to make it acceptable to their patrons. To do this 
they have spared neither pains nor expense. 

To the writer it has been mostly a labor of pleasure ratiier than of profit. If the reader can 
find anything in it to approve, we are sure his generous commendation will not be withheld. Wliat 
he sees in the execution of tiie work — in what it contains and in what it does not contain — to disap- 
prove, may his condemnation come rather in sorrow than in anger. And now, whether good or evil 

I'eport betide it, the task is done. 

X. B. S. 
Saratoga Springs, X. Y., .July 9, 1878. 



CONTENTS. 



HZISTOK^IO-A-Xj. 





HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTV. 




CHAPTEIt 


PAGK 


CIIAPTKll 




FADE 


XXVI. 


—Statistical Tables 131 


I. 


— Introduction ........ 


9 


XXVII. 


—Biographical Sketches 137 


II. 


— Extent — Original Counties — Civil Division 


10 






III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 


— Topographical Features ...... 

— Geological Outlines 

— The Indian Occupancy ...... 

—Early Explorations— 1 535-1009 .... 


12 

15 
18 
22 


HISTORY OF THE VILLAfJES AND TOWNS OF 
SAKAT0»;A COUNTY. 

Village of Saratoga Springs 14S 


VII. 


— Founding of Albanv, Schenectady, and Montreal — 




Town of 


It It 












. 213 




1614-1662 


26 


Village of Ballston Spa 












. 22S 


VIII. 


—Indian Wars — The Mission of Isaac Jogues — 1642- 
1646 


29 


Town of 


Ballston 
Saratoga 












. 246 
. 259 


IX. 


— French and Indian Wars — The Northern Invasion of 
1666 


32 


•' 


Stillwater . 
Charlton 












. 286 
. 313 


X. 


—French and Indian War of 1689-90 . . . . 


34 




Waterford . 












. 324 


XI. 


—The Northern Invasion of 1693— A Battle in Sara- 
toga 


37 




Ilalf-Moou . 
Oalway 












. 343 
. 35S 


XII. 


—French and Indian Wars— 1709-4S .... 


38 




Edinburgh . 












. 369 


XIII. 


—Last French and Indian War — 1755-03 . 


39 




Malta .... 












. 3Sn 


XIV. 


— The First Period of the Burgoyne Campaign t»f 1777 


43 




Corinth 












. 39! 


XV. 


— The Second Period of the Burgoyne Cam])aign 


53 




Northumberland 












. 401 


XVI. 


— The Third Period of the Burgoyne Campaign . 


60 




Hadley 












. 414 


XVII. 


-The Northern Invasion of 17SU 


70 




Moreau 












. 422 


XVIII. 


—Early Land Grants— 1684-1713 . . . . 


73 




Greenfield . 












. 435 


XIX. 


— Early Settlement — County Organization — Civil Gov- 
ernment and Civil List ...... 


77 




Day .... 

Wilton 












. 454, 
. 462 


XX. 


—Military Rolls 


90 




Clifton Park 












. 472 


XXI. 


— County Societies ....... 


95 




Milton 












. 48.^ 


XXII. 


—The Press of Saratoga 


100 




Providence 












. 495 


XXIII. 


—Saratoga County in the Great Rebellion of 1801 


106 






XXIV. 
XXV. 


^Centennial Celebrations 

—Internal Improvements — Canals, Railroads — 1795- 


120 












1838 


128 


Patrons 


Rkcoud and Diukctor 


T 










. 503 



IIjIjTJSTI?.^TI03SrS. 





PAGE 










Clerk's Oflice and Court-House, Ballston (frontispiece) facing 


itle. 








PAGK 


Map of Saratoga County, colored, by towns . . facing 


9 


Residence of J. H. Farrington . 




facing 168 


Table of Geologic Time s ...... . 


10 


Portrait of Captain J. P. Butler 






{{ 


158 


Plan of Encampment and Position of Burgoyno's Army at 




Views of the (icyser Spring Property 






t( 


161 


Swords' House, Sept. 17 and 19, 1777 . . facing 


60 


Vermont House 






<t 


169 


Plan of Encampment and position of Burgoyne's Army at 




Portrait of Prof. H. A. Wilson . 






ft 


174 


Bra;mus' Heights, Sept. 20, and Oct. 7 and 8, 1777 facing 


62 


'' John V. Howard 






it 


180 


Portrait of Madame lliedesel (steel) .... between 64, 65 


" John Van Rensselaer 






'* 


184 


" Ladv Harriet Ackland (steel) ..." 64, 65 


" Hon. Thos. .1. Marvin (steel) . 






it 


192 


Plan of the Position of Burgoyne's Army, Oct. 10, 1777 facing 


66 


Residence of the late W. L. F. Warren (with 


portraL 


t) 


It 


193 


Map of Saratoga County, 1840, showing patents, allotments, 




Portrait of Charles S. Lester (steel) . 






it 


194 


etc facing 


73 


" James M. Marvin (steel) 






a 


196 


Fac-Simile of Order made by Board of Supervisors, 1791 " 


79 


" Gideon M. Davison 








198 


Portrait of Hon. Reuben H. Walworth (steel) . . " 


137 


" E. F. Bullard (steel) 






facing 1Q9 


" John K. Porter (steel) .... " 


143 


" T. B. Reynolds (steel) . 
" Hon. John W. Crane 






" 


202 
204 


SARATOGA SPRINGS VILLAGE. 




" Ransom Cook .... 








205 


Views of Congress Sjiring Park .... facing 


148 


B. F. Judson .... 








207 


Residence of Dr. T. B. Reynolds .... " 


150 


Samuel J. Pearsall, M.D. 








209 


Portrait of Doanda Risley Putnam . . . between 152 


153 


" Henry W. Merrill . 








210 


" Rockwell Putnam .... " 152 


153 


" Elias Lee Wakcman 








211 


Adirondack Vill.a— Residence of Chas. S. Lester . facing 


154 


" Thomas Noxou 








211 


Residence of W. C. Bronsou . . , , , " 


156 


" Anson M. Boyoc 








212 



CONTEST?. 






Towx or sabato«;a srsixtis. 



3L4J-TA. 
COKI5TH. 






iUO 



S;ha W. • 



A poctzaLfef' Enfts^ 



SARATOGA. 



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CONTENTS. 



biog-i^^i=i3:io^Xj. 



Kouben Jlydc, Walworth 

K«ek C.owvn 

Joliii Willanl . 

NicllMJai^ liall 

Sumufl Young . 

John \V. Taj'lor . 

Jdiriiianus Schu^-Ier 

John K. Porter . 

AVilliam Augustus licoch 

AuguHtuH Jioekcs 

(iidcon Putnam . 

Kockwull Putnuni 

Capt. J. P. liutlur 

Prof. II. A. Wilson 

John V. Howard 

John Van Rensselaer 

Hon. Thomas J. Marv 

William Hay 

Hon. W. L. F. Warren 

Charles S. Lester 

James E. McKean 

Henry Walton . 

Hon. James M. Marv 

(iidcon M. l»avif^on 

John C. Ilultjert 

(ien. Edward Fitch Bullard 

Francis Waylaud 

Miles Beach 

J)r. John H. Steel 

Tabor B. Reynolds, M 

John W. Eddy . 

Oliver L. Barbour 

John A. Corey . 

Joshua Porter 

Hon. .John W. Crane 

Ransom Cook 

Robert C. McEwen, M.D. 

Benjamin F. Judson 

Peter V. Wiggins 

Lewis Putnam . 

Samuel Searing . 

Joshua T. Blanchard 

Samuel .1. Pearsal], M.D. 

Henry W. Merrill 

Elias Lee Wakeman 

Thomas Koxon . 

Anson M. Boyce 

Lucretia and Margaret Dav 

George G. Scott . 

Leverctt Moore, M.D 

Hon. George West 

John W. Thompson 

James W. Ilorton 

Dr. .Samuel Davis 

Elisha Cnrtiss . 

James Mann 

tjeorge G. Ostrandcr 

Joseph Wilbur . 

Andrew Dorland 



dson 



between I 



PAUK 

137 
i:j8 
l.-iS 
HO 
140 
142 
143 
143 
143 
146 
2, 153 



152, l.i.5 
facing 158 
" 174 
" 180 
" 184 
192 
19.3- 
19.3 
194 
195 
1»6 
196 
197 
198 
199 
201 
201 
201 
202 
202 
202 
203 
203 
203 
204 
206 
207 
207 
208 
208 
208 
209 
209 
211 
211 
212 
212 
230 
234 
242 
243 
244 
245 
248 
257 
258 

between 268, 269 
" 280, 281 



facing 



facing 



Hosea Baker 
Daniel A. Bullard 
Samuel .Sheldon 
James H. Dillingham 
William II. Marshall 
William B. Marshall 
William P. Finch 
Hon. Geo. W. Ncilson 
Thomas C. Morgan 
Rev. Stephen Bush 
Joshua Bailey 
Hon. Hugh While 
Canvass White . 
John Cramer 
Samuel Cheevcr . 
Isaac C. Ormsby 
Chesscldcn Ellis . 
Lewis B. Smith . 
Col. E. E.Ellsworth 
Capt. Ephraim D. Ell 
Rev. F. S. Parke 
Judge Lewis Stone 
Augustus L. Stone 
Thomas Mairs . 
James Partridge 
Joseph Ilillman 
N. M. Houghton 
E. W. Town 
Abraham Marshall 
Daniel U. Deyoe 
Isaac Van Dewcrker 
Asa F. Thompson 
A. B. Baucus 
John Harris 
Stephen 0. Burt 
J. J. Wait . 
Austin L. Reynolds 
Hon. Howell Gardiner 
Simeon Schoutem 
Benjamin W. Dyer 
Thomas H. Tomj^kins 
William C. Darrow 
Benjamin S. Robinson 
I. G. Johnson, M.D. 
Nelson D. Morehouse 
Elihu Wing 
Enos Murphy 
John Ham . 
John J. Brill 
Warren B. Collamer 
Adam Mott 
Barney R. Caldwell 
Nicbclas J. Clutc 
Lewis R. Garnsey 
Peter Arnold 
Harlow Van Ostrand 
Isaiah Blood 
Stephen Rockwell 



between 



liicing 



rorth 



facinc 



PACK 

280, 281 
282 
283 
284 
284 
285 
285 
311 
332 
3.36 
337 
338 
339 
340 
311 
342 
342 

between 344, 345 
354 
356 
356 
367 
367 
368 
377 
386 
400 
409 
410 
411 
411 
412 
412 
412 
413 
418 
428 

between 442, 443 
" 442, 443 
facing 444 
451 
451 
452 
453 
453 
453 
461 
468 
470 
471 
478 
481 
481 
482 
482 
493 
494 
facing 496 



facing 



facing 



facing 


















■<i 









--<i 






a: 






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0: 



H I ST O E Y 



OF 



SARATOGA COUNTY, NEAV YORK. 



CHAPTEK I. 
INTRODUCTION. 

I.- SINGULAR GEOGRAPHICAL POSITIO>f. 

Saratoga County, it may of a truth be said, owes its 
historical importance to the striking peculiarity of its geo- 
graphical position. 

From the Island of Montreal, in the River St. Lawrence, 
a narrow depression, or valley, in the earth's surface ex- 
tends due south, on a line aluiost as straight as the crow 
flies, for the distance of nearly four hundred miles, to the 
Island of Manhattan, at the mouth of the Hudson river, 
on tlie shore of the Atlantic ocean. 

This long and narrow valley, which seems to be a deep, 
downward fold in the mountain ranges, separates the high- 
lands of New England from the highlands of New York. 
The summit level of this long northern valley being less 
than one hundred and sixty feet above the level of the 
sea, and lakes and streams of navigable water stretching 
through it either way, it forms a natural highway and 
route of travel between the great valley of the St. Law- 
rence on the north and the Atlantic seaboard on the south. 

From the " sprouts" or mouths* of the Mohawk river, 
nearly in the centre of this great northern valley, another 
long and narrow valley, al.so caused by a downward fold in 
the mountain ranges, extends nearly due west, and reach- 
ing to the basin of the great lakes, opens the way to the 
valley of the Missi.ssippi beyond. This great intersecting 
western valley separates the highlands of northern from 
the highlands of southern New York, and, like the great 
northern valley, i.s also a natural highway and thoroughfare, 
with low summit level, and teeming with the travel of a 
continent. 

Between the nor:hern or Champlain valley, and the 
western or Moliawk valley, and the valley of the St. Law- 
rence to the southwestward, rises the rugged Laurentiaa 

* The Mohawk, just before it flows info the Hudson, separates 
into four .spreadiuf; branches, which the early Dutch settler signifi- 
cantly called Sp>iii/tca, which is from the Danish Spiuiten, or Sa.'con 
Spryttau, from which comes our English word Sproula. — Vide " An- 
nals of Albany," vol. ii. page 226, and " Saratoga and Kay-ad-ros- 
se-ra," by the author, page lU. 

2 



mountain chain of the Adirondack wilderness. Forming 
the backbone of the Atlantic slope of the continent, the 
Apalachian mountain range extends from Nova Scotia on 
the north Uj Florida on the soutli. 

These vast mountain ranges thus present, through the 
whole distance from the northern to the .southern gulf, a 
most formidable barrier between the Atlantic seaboard and 
the great central valleys of the continent. And these two 
deep narrow valleys thus stretching around the Adirondacks, 
and one running north and south and the other trending 
east and west through the State of New York, are the only 
mountain passes that lejid through or over the Apalachian 
mountain range. Everywhere else, from the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, except through these two 
narrow valleys, the traveler must pass over high mountain 
barriers in going to and fro between tlie Atlantic seaboard 
and the basin of the great lakes and the valleys of the 
Mississippi and the St. Lawrence. 

Over the great natural highways and routes of travel 
leading through these mountain passes ran the most im- 
portant of the old Lidian trails ; through them marched 
the armies of the long colonial period ; and through these 
valleys now passes the world's commerce in ce;iseless flow 
from the teeming west into the lap of our State's great 
metropolis, the city of New York, which sits by the sea at 
the foot of the great northern valley, still holding her proud 
position, rendered possible by her great natural advantages 
as the queen city of tlu; New World. 

In the angle formed by the junction of these two long 
deep valleys or passes through the mountain ranges, in 
the angle between the old Indian war-trails, in the angle 
between the pathways of armies, in the angle between 
the great modern routes of travel, in the angle formed by 
the junction of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, lies the 
territory now known and distinguished on the map of the 
State of New York as the county of Saratoga. 

II.— ITS PLACE IN HISTORY. 

It will thus easily be seen that its singular geographical 

position like that of the county of Albany, which lies in 

the opposite southern angle of the two rivers, gives to tlie 

county of Saratoga its important strategical position in 

9 



10 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



time of war, places it al(jnfi tlie jircat centres of traffic and 
travel in times of jieace, and has already given it a long and 
eventful history. 

And it will i|uite as readily also be seen that, in order to 
give an intelligible history of the county of Saratoga, so 
often the theatre of stirring events during the long colonial 
period, some account must be given, more or less in detail, 
of all the numerous expeditions and excursions which, both 
in peace and in war, traversed the great northern and west- 
ern valleys. 

During the indefinite period of the Indian occupancy 
terminating with its discovery by white men, that part of 
the State now called Northern New York was disputed 
ground. The Ak/oiiquin races of the valley of the St. 
Lawrence contended for its possession with the fierce Iru- 
qiiois nations of the valley of the Mohawk and of central 
New York. After its discovery by white men, the French 
allies of the A/(/oiiqiiiiis and the English allies of the Iroquois 
took up and continued the long ijuarrel for its mastery. 
Thus for two hundred and seventy years, during which its 
authentic history runs back before the clo.se of the War of 
the Revolution, there was scarcely an hour of peaceful rest 
unbroken by the fear of the savage invader in these great 
war-w^orn valleys' in the angle of which lies tlie county of 
Saratoga. 

During this whole period it was the midnight war-whoop, 
the uplifted tomahawk, the cruel scalping-knife, the burn- 
ing dwelling, the ruined home, that made the whole country 
a wide scene of desolation and blood. At lenarth this lonsr 
wilderness warfare culminated in the surrender of General 
Burgoyne, on the 17th of October, 1777, at Saratoga. 

From that day, with Lexington and Bunker Hill, with 
Trenton, Monmouth, and Ticonderoga, with Germantown 
and Yorktown, Saralogd will remain one of our country's 
high historic names. 

In the following pages an attempt will be made to trace 
the history of Saratoga County, fi'om its rude beginnings in 
the old howling wilderness of more than two hundred years 
ago, up to times within the ready memory of many men 
and women now living. 

But this attempt is not without many and serious diffi- 
culties. A hundred years even in passing have taken one 
by one all the old .settlers from us, and much that could 
once have accurately been learned from living lips now that 
those lips are sealed forever must be sought in the all-too- 
nieagrc records left us, or we must grope our way for it 
among the conflicting stories of the fragmentary lore of 
uncertain tradition. 



CHAPTER IL 

EXTENT— ORIGINAL COUNTIES— CIVIL 
DIVISIONS. 

I.— BOUNDARIES. 

The county of Saratoga is centrally distant thirty-one 
miles from the capitol at Albany. It is bounded on the 
north by Warren county ; on the east by the counties of 
Warren, Washington, and Rensselaer; on the south by the 
counties of Albany and Schenectady, and on the west by 



the counties of Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton, and 
Hamilton. 

The county of Saratoga is situated between latitude 42° 
47' and 43° 22' north, and longitude 2° 47' and 3° 20' 
cast from Wasliington. Its extreme length from north to 
south is about 43 miles, and its greatest width from east to 
west is about 28 miles. It contains 862 si[uare miles or 
551,680 acres. 

Of this, according to the State cen.sus of 1875, 317,201 
acres are improved land, and 148,218 acres unimproved ; 
there being of the latter 89,192 acres of woodland. This 
enumeration by tie census-takers leaves a remainder of 
96,261 acres to be accounted for, doubtless mostly repre- 
sented by the waste, non-resident lands of the northern part 
of the county lying within the boundaries of the Adiron- 
dack wilderness. The total population of the county in 
1875 was .")5,137. 

In the '■• Revised Statutes of the State" this county is 
described and its boundary lines defined as follows, to wit : 

" The county of Saratoga* shall contain all that part of this State 
bounded, northerly, by the couuty of Warren; easterly, by the coun- 
ties of Rensselaer, Washington, and AVarrcn ; southerly, by a line 
beginning at a point in the middle of Hudson's river opposite to the 
middle of the most northerly branch of the Mohawk river, and run- 
ning thence through the middle of said northerly branch and of tlie 
Mohawk river, westerly to the east bounds of the county of Schenec- 
tady ; then along the easterly and northerly bounds of the said county 
of Schenectady to the northwest corner of said county; then north 
one degree and twenty-live minutes west along a line heretofore estab- 
lished, drawn from a point on the Mohawk river at the northeast 
corner of the tract, granted to George Ingolsby and others, to the 
southwest corner of the county of Warren." 

The line above described as " a line heretofore established, 
drawn from a point on the Mohawk river," and as running 
" north one degree and twenty-five minutes west,'' is inter- 
esting to the student of history as being what is known as 
the " old Tryon county line." 

II.^THE FORM.\TION OF ORIGINAL COUNTIES. 

From the time of the first division of the State into 
counties, under Charles II., on the 1st day of November, 
in the year 1683, until the 24t.h day of March, 1772, all 
the territory lying northerly and westerly of what was 
then the county of Ulster was included in the county of 
Albany. On the 24th day of March, 1772, the vast county 
of Albany was divided, and two new counties set off, namely, 
the counties of Tryon and Charlotte. 

The county of Tryon included all that part of the State 
lying westerly of the aforesaid " established line," which 
ran from the Mohawk, as above set forth, to the Canada 
line, at a point near the present Indian village of St. Regis. 
Tryon county was thus nearly two hundred miles wide on 
its eastern border, and stretched out westward two hundred 
and seventy miles to the shores of Lake Erie. The shire- 
town of Tryon county was Johnstown, near the Mohawk, 
the residence of Sir William Johnson, Bart. It was named 
in honor of William Tryon, the last colonial governor of 
the State. ' 

The county of Charlotte, scarcely less in size than Tryon 

» See Sec. 2, Title I., Chap. II., Part I., N. Y. Rev. Stat. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



11 



county, included within its boundaries all the northern part; 
of the State that lay easterly of the " Tryon county line," 
and northerly of the present county of Saratoga and the 
Batterskill in Washington county. Charlotte county also 
included the westerly half of what is now the State of 
Vermont, and was then the disputed territory known as 
the New Hampshire grants. The easterly half of Ver- 
mont, lying west of the Connecticut river, also claimed by 
New York, and since forming part of Albany county, was 
set off into two counties, — Cumberland, in 17G6, and 
Gloucester, 1770. 

Charlotte county was so named in honor of the Princess 
Charlotte, daughter of George III., or, as some say, of the 
Queen Consort Charlotte, of Mecklenburg .Strelitz. 

The county-seat of Charlotte county was Fort Edward. 
The first court was held in that village on the 19th of 
October, 1773, by Judge William Duer. The first clerk 
of the court was Daniel MeCrea, a brother of Jeanie 
JlcCrea, whose tragic deatli soon after occurred near where 
the court sat. 

On the 2d day of April, 1784, the legislature of the then 
new State of New York passed an act by which it was 
ordained that : 

'* From and after the ])assing of this act, the county of TnvoM shall 
be called and known hy the name of Munigumcri/, and tlte county of 
Chahlotte by the name of Wdnliiiii/lnn." 

" Thus these two counties," says Judge Gibson, in his 
" Bench and Bar of Washington County," " organized origi- 
nally by one legislative act, and simultaneously named in 
compliment to royalty and its satellite by a subsequent legis- 
lative act, after passing through a sea of fire and famine and 
desolation and war, were simultancou.sly born again in a 
baptism of blood, and one of them named after the greatest 
of its slaughtered heroes on the battle-field, Montgomery, 
and the other after the most distinguished of its living 
survivors, the immortal Washingto.v." 

It will thus be seen that what is now the county of Saratoga 
was not set off in the division of the 24th of March, 1772, 
but constituted and remained a part of Albany county until 
the 7th day of February, 1701, when Albany county was 
again divided, being reduced to its present limits, and the 
counties of Rensselaer and Saratoga set oflf. 

Besides the county of Albany there are nine other origi- 
nal counties in what is now the State of New Yoi'k, namely, 
the counties of Duchess, King's, New York, Orange, 
Queen's. Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester. 

These ten original counties were all formed on the 1st 
day of November, 1683, by order of the Duke of York, 
then the sole proprietor of the provinces, and who ascended 
the throne of England on the Gth of February, 1G85, as 
James II., of unfortunate memory. These counties were 
all named after James and his near relatives. 

Thus, the counties of New York and Albany were so 
called in honor of his two titles of the Duke of York, in 
England, and Duke of Albany, in Scotland. 

The counties of Kind's and Queen s (now Kings and 
Queens without the possessive) were named in honor of the 
Duke's royal brother, then King Charles II., and his wife, 
Catharine of Braganza. 



DiicJicKK (now Dutchess), containing also what are now 
Columbia and Putnam counties, complimented James' wife, 
Mary Hyde, Duchess of York. 

Suffolk county was named after King Charles, in whom 
was then vested the title of Duke of Suffolk. This title 
was lost by Charles Grey, father of Lady Jane Grey, in 
consequence of her rebellion. 

Richmond county was named in honor of Charles Lenox, 
Duke of Richmond, a natural son of Charles II., by a 
French woman, Louise de Querouaille. The royal duke- 
dom of Richmond had descended from the brother of 
Henry Stuart, the father of James I., of Etigland, and had 
become extinct on the death of James Stuart, son of the 
first cousin of Charles I. It was then conferred by Charles 
II. upon the son of his favorite mistress above named, the 
ancestor of the present family of Richmond. 

Orange county, then including Rockland county and all 
of the present county of Orange lying south of a line run- 
ning west from the mouth of jMurderer's creek, was called 
in honor of William, Prince of Orange, and his wife, Mary 
of England, the daughter of James, wh(}, with her hu.sband, 
ascended the throne of England as William and JMary. 

In 1683 the younger brother of King Charles had the 
Irish title of tlie Duke of Ulster, and Ulster county was 
named in his honor. The county has since been divided, 
and from it taken the counties of Sullivan, Greene, and Del- 
aware, and the northern part of Orange. On the death of 
the last Earl of Chester, the most important of the peerages 
of the old Norman kings, the title became merged in the 
crown, but was always conferred upon the Prince of Wales. 
As Charles II. had no legitimate son, he himself retained 
the title, and it was also in his honor that the county of 
Westchester received its name . 

But at the time of the division of Nov. 1, 1863, there 
were two other counties made out of what was then con- 
sidered the duke's province of New York, viz., the counties 
of Duke's and Cornwall, and where are they ? The title 
of Duke of Cornwall also remains with the crown of Eng- 
land when there is no Prince of Wales to hold it, and the 
islands on the sea-coast of Maine being claimed by James, 
were erected into the county of Cornwall. Martha's Vine- 
yard and Nantucket islands, also claimed by him, were set 
oft' as Duke's county, tiut Massachusetts, having the pos- 
session of all these Islands, refused to give them up. 
James therefore yielded his claims, and Cornwall and 
Duke's became the lost counties of New York. 

III.— CIVIL DIVISIONS OF SARATOGA COUNTY. 

At the time of the division of the county of Albany, 
and the formation of Tryon and Charlotte counties, on the 
24th day of March, 1772, the part still remaining in 
Albany county, now constituting the county of Saratoga, 
was divided into two districts, the " District of Saragh- 
toga" and the " District of Half-Moon." 

The district of Half- .Moon embraced the present towns 
of Waterford, Half-Moon, and Clifton Park. 

The district of Saraghtoga then contained all the remaining 
north part of the county, embracing the territory now 
divided into seventeen towns. 

On the 1st day of April, 1775, another district was 



12 



HISTOKY OF SAKATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



carved out of the district" of Saraghtoga, and named the 
" District of Balls-Town." 

This new district of Balls-Town then included the present 
towns of Ballston, Milton, Charlton, Galway, Providence, 
Edinburgh, and part of Greenfield. 

What is now Saratoga County remained thus divided 
into three districts until after the War of the Revolution. 

On the 7th day of March, 1788, three years before 
Saratoga County was set off, the name " district" was 
dropped, and Balls-Town, Half-Moon, Saraghtoga, and 
Stillwater were organized as linvns of Albany county; 
and when Saratoga County was formed, on the 7th day of 
February, 1791, these towns, Balls-Town, Half-Moon, 
Saraghtoga, and Stillwater, still remained, forming 
the four mother towns of Saratoga County. The town 
of Stillwater was originally taken off from the Saraghtoga 
District, and when erected included the present town of 
Stillwater, a part of Easton, in Washington county, and 
all but the north part of the town of Malta. 

From these four " motlier towns" of Saratoga County 
other towns have been from time to time set off and subdi- 
vided, until the county contained its present number of 
twenty towns, as follows, viz. : 

Charlton, Milton, and Galwat were all formed 
from Balls- Town on the 17th of March, 1792, and the line 
of Charlton changed in 1795. 

Greenfield was taken from Saratoga and Milton, on the 
12th of March, 1793, having first been called Fcdrfield. 

Providence was taken from Galway on the 5th day of 
February, 1796. 

Northumberland was formed from Saratoga, on the 
16th of March, 1798. 

Edinburgh, as Northfiehl, was taken from Providence 
on the 13th of March, 1801, and its present name given 
April 6, 1808. 

Hadley was formed from Greenfield and Northumber- 
land, on the 27th of February, 1801. 

Malta was taken from Stillwater on the 3d day of 
March, 1802, and that part of Saratoga lying south of the 
Kayadrossera creek annexed March 28, 1805. 

Moreau was taken from Northumberland, on the 28th 
of March, 1805. 

Waterford was formed from Half-Moon, on the 17th of 
April, 1816. 

Half-Moon was changed to Orange on the 17th of 
April, 1816, but the original name was restored on the 
16th of January, 1820. 

V Wilton was taken from Northumberland, on the 20th of 
ApyjJ, ll818. 

CoktNTH was taken from Hadley, April 20, 1818. 

Saratoga Springs was set off from Saratoga on the 
9th of April, 1819. 

Day, as Concord, was formed from Edinburgh and 
Hadley, and its present name adopted, December 3, 1827. 

Clifton Park, as Cliftmi, was formed from Half-Moon, 
March 3, 1828, and its present name given March 31, 
1829. 

In the following pages, after devoting several chapters to 
the general history of the county of Saratoga, from its 
earliest exploration by white men, in 1609, to the present 



time, each of the several towns will be taken up in their 
order, and, so far as it has been possible in the necessarily 
limited space allowed, a history of each will be given. 



CHAPTER III. 
TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 

:.— GENERAL VIEW. 

The .surfiiee of Saratoga County is extremely diversified. 
Towards the north it rises into the rocky crags and towering 
mountain peaks of the Adirondack ranges of the mountain 
belt of the great wilderness. Towards the south it slopes 
into low rounded hills and gentle undulations, bordered by 
long river- valleys. Through the westerly part of the towns 
of Old Saratoga and Stillwater, and easterly of Saratoga 
lake, extends an isolated group of hills which rise to the 
height of some five hundred feet, with rounded summits 
and terraced declivities. 

Along the bank of the Hudson there stretches a broad 
intervale, bordered on the west by a range of clay bluffs 
rising from forty to two hundred feet in height. From the 
summits of this range of clay bluffs an extensive sand plain 
reaches westerly to the foot of the mountain chains, and 
extends southwesterly from the Hudson, near Glen's Falls, 
across the county, a distance of thirty-five miles, to the 
Mohawk, at Clifton Park. This belt of " Saratoga Sands" 
covers the greater part of six townships, of land, viz., Mo- 
reau, Wilton, Northumberland, Saratoga Springs, Malta, and 

Clifton Park. 

II.— MOUNTAINS. 

The great wilderness of northern New York, now oftener 
called the Adirondack wilderness, is an upland region of a 
mean height of about two thousand feet above the level 
of the sea, and comprises greater or lesser parts of eleven 
counties of the State, viz., Saratoga, Warren, Clinton, Essex, 
Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Hamilton, Herkimer, Oneida, 
and Fulton. A line beginning at Saratoga Springs and 
running westerly across the country to Trenton Falls, near 
Utica, on the Mohawk ; thence northerly to Potsdam, near 
Ogdensburg, on the St. Lawrence ; thence easterly to Dan- 
nemora, near Plattsburg, on Lake Champlaiu ; and thence 
southerly to the place of beginning, will nearly coincide 
with the outlines of the great wilderness. 

A few small settlements, confined mostly to the fertile 
valleys of the streams, lie within the boundaries above de- 
scribed. But in many places the ancient woods stretch down 
beyond these lines to the very shores of the water-courses, 
and cast their shadows over the great routes of travel that 
surround northern New York. 

The Adirondack wilderness is quite the size of the whole 
State of New Jersey, or of Vermont, or of New Hampshire. 
To compare it with European countries, it is three-fourths 
as large as the kingdom of Holland, or Belgium, or of the 
republic of Switzerland, whose Alpine character it so much 
resembles. Within the borders of this wilderness are more 
than fifteen hundred lakes and lakelets, and from its moun- 
tain heights run numberless rivers and streams of water in 
every direction. Over it all is spread a primeval forest, — 



HISTORY OF SAEATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



13 



"covering the land as the grass covers a garden lawn, 
sweeping over hill and hollow in endless undulations, 
burying mountains in verdure, and mantling brook and 
river from the light of day." 

The southeastern part of this great wilderness, into 
wliose sombre shades the northern half of Saratoga County 
stretches, is traversed by no less than five distinct ranges of 
mountains. These ranges cover what is known as the 
Mountain Belt of the Wilderness. They run about eight 
miles apart and parallel with each other. The chains are 
not always quite distinct, but often their lateral spurs inter- 
lock, and sometimes single mountains are so vast in size 
that they occupy the whole space between the ranges and 
choke up the intervening valleys. These mountains are not 
regularly serrated, but consist of groups of peaks joined 
together by immense lidges. From the south these moun- 
tains rise continually higher and higher, until at length 
they culminate in the highest summits of the Adirondack 
range proper, the old giants of the wilderness. On every 
hand this mountain belt of the great wilderness presents 
the most striking features of an Alpine landscape. In 
every part are seen towering mountain peaks, deep, yawn- 
ing abysses, gloomy gorges, rough granite blocks, sweeping 
torrents, fresh fountains, and green mountain meadows. 

The five mountain ranges of the wilderness are called, 
beginning with the most easterly one, the Palmertown 
range, the Kayadrossera range, the Scarron range, the 
BoQUET range, and the Adirondack range. Of these 
five mountain ranges two of them, viz., the Palmertoivn 
and the Kayadrossera ranges, stretch a great part of their 
length far down into the county of Saratoga, almost com- 
pletely filling all the northern part of the county with their 
rugged mountain masses. 

palmertown mountains. 

The Palmertown mountain range is the most easterly of 
the five ranges of the mountain belt of the Adirondack 
wilderness. It begins in Sugarloaf mountain, near Ticonde- 
roga, on Lake Champlain, runs down on both sides of Lake 
George, and stretching southward across the Upper Hudson, 
which breaks through it, it extends through Corinth, 
Moreau, Wilton, and Greenfield, and terminates in the 
rocky, forest-covered hills over which North Broadway 
runs in the village of Saratoga Springs. 

At Lake George this range forms the beautiful highlands 
which add so much to its wild and picturesque beauty. 
French mountain, overlooking the old battle-ground at 
the head of Lake George, so rich in historic memories, is 
more than two thousand feet above tide-water. In Saratoga 
County one of the highest peaks is JMount MauGregor, 
while Glen Mitchell lies at the foot of a mountain gap or 
gorge of this range. 

Long before the northern part of Saratoga County was 
settled by white men, tradition says a band of Indians, flee- 
ing from the east after King Philip's war, settled at the 
foot of this mountain range, in what is now the town of 
Wilton, calling themselves Palmertown Indians. From 
them the region round about was called by the earlier 
settlers, soon after the French war, Palmertown. From 
this comes the name Palmertown mountains. 



KAY-AD-ROS-SE-RA RANGE. 

The range of mountains next easterly of the Palmer- 
town range is the Kay-ad-ros-se-ra range. This range be- 
gins on Lake Champlain, near Crown Point, and runs down 
through Warren county into Saratoga County. The 
range enters this county in the town of Hadley, and runs 
through that town and the towns of Day, Edinburgh, 
Corinth, Greenfield, Providence, and terminates in the 
highlands of Milton, Galway, and Charlton. From Sara- 
toga Springs this range is plainly to be seen, filling up the 
southwestern horizon with its dark-green forest-crowned 
mountain masses. This range derives its name from the 
old Indian hunting-ground of which it forms so conspic- 
uous a natural feature. The Hudson winds along for many 
miles in a deep valley lying between the mountain ipasses 
before it turns eastward and breaks through the Palmer- 
town range. The Sacondaga breaks through the Kayadros- 
sera range from the west, and enters the Hudson in this 
valley. The highest peak in this range is Mount Pharaoh, 
whose Indian name is On-de-wa. This mountain is on the 
border of Essex county, and its summit is four thousand 
feet above the sea. 

THE SCARRON (sCHROON) RANGE. 

Across the extreme northwest corner of Saratoga County, 
in the towns of Day and Edinburgh, extends a part of the 
third great mountain range of the Adirondack wilderness. 

This range begins in the promontory of Split Rock, in 
Essex county, on Lake Champlain. Thence it runs down 
through Warren into the southeast corner of Hamilton 
and across the northwest corner of Saratoga, and ends in 
the rounded, drift-covered hills that rise from the valley of 
the Mohawk, in Fulton county. Scarron (Schroon) lake 
lies at the foot of this range in Warren and Essex coun- 
ties, and Schroon river there winds through its deep valleys. 

From this lake and river this great mountain chain de- 
rives its name. The name is now commonly written 
Schroon, but on all the older maps it is written Scarron. 
It is a tradition, which seems well grounded, that this name 
Scarron was given to this lake and river by the early 
French settlers at Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, in 
honor of Madame Scarron, the widow of the celebrated 
French dramatist and novelist, Paul Scarron, who was 
styled in his day " the emperor of the burlesque." 

After her poet husband, who was a paralytic and a 
cripple, died, being still a most beautiful and fascinating 
woman, she captivated even royalty itself by her wondrous 
charms. By some means the young widow became the 
secret governess of the natural children of Louis XIV. by 
Madame de Montespan, and soon became the rival of the 
latter in the afi'ections of the voluptuous and dissolute 
king. After the queen, Maria Theresa, of Austria, died, 
the king made the charming widow Scarron his wife by a 
secret marriage. Louis then settled upon her a large es- 
tate, named Maintenon, and made her Marquise de Main- 
tenon. As Madame de Maintenon, for thirty years she 
controlled the destinies of France. 

But this mountain chain, the lake, and the river bear 
her more humble name, — the name of her poor, brilliant 
poet-husband, Scarron. 



14 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The next two mountain ranges of the wilderness, the 
Boquet range and the Adirondack range proper, neitlier 
of them lie within the bounds of Saratoga County. 

The mountains of the great Adirondack wilderness be- 
long to the old Laurentian system of Canada, and not to 
the Apalachian system of the Atlantic slope, as is by some 
writers erroneously stated. 

A spur of the vast Canadian Laurentian chain crosses 
the river St. Lawrence at the Thousand Islands into 
northern New Y'ork. After, by its rugged, broken char- 
acter, forming the Thousand Islands in crossing the St. 
Lawrence, this spur of the Laurontides spreads easterly to 
Lake Champlain, southerly to the valley of the Mohawk, 
and westerly to the Black river, forming the whole rocky 
groundwork of the upland region of the great wilderness. 
In the interior these mountains rise into a thousand lofty 
peaks, towering above thousands of crystal lakes and " 
emerald mountain meadow,s. 

Prom the high, rounded hills on the east side of Saratoga 
lake, the well-defined ridges of the two great ranges that 
fill up all the northern part of the county with their wild 
grandeur can be distinctly traced. First, the Palniertown, 
ending at Saratoga Springs, and beyond them the Kay-ad- 
ros-se-ra, in bold relief against the western sky, extending 
still farther southward into Galway and Charlton. 

III.— r, I VERS. 

The Hudson river for more than seventy miles of its 
course sweeps along and washes the eastern border of Sara- 
toga County. The Hudson is fed by a system of forest 
branches that spread over the whole mountain belt of the 
Adirondack wilderness, but only one of these main branches 
— the Sacondaga — enters the borders of Saratoga County. 

The Mohnwhs called the Hudson Skd-Hch-la-de, mean- 
ing "the river beyond the open jiiiies." To the Mohaioks, 
when going across the carrying-place from the Mohawk 
river at Schenectady to the Hudson at Albany, the latter 
river was literally " the river beyond the pines," and thus 
they so called it in their language. Its Algonquin name, 
however, was Ca-Jw-tii-ie-a, meaning " the river that comes 
from the mountains lying beyond the Cohoes flills." Henry 
Hud.son, its first white discoverer, translating its Algonquin 
name, called it the " River of Mouutain.s." 

The early Dutch settlers on its banks sometimes called 
it " Tiie Nassau,'' after the reigning family of Holland, and 
sometimes " J'/ic Mauritius" in honor of the Stadtholder, 
Prince Maurice. But it was not called The Hudson until 
the English wrested it from the Dutch, in 1664, when they 
so named it in honor of their countryman, its immortal dis- 
coverer and first explorer. 

The Hud.son is literally a " river of the mountains." It is 
born among the clouds on the shaggy side of Mount Mcln- 
tyre, and in the mountain meadows and lakelets near the 
top of Mount Marcy, almost five thousand feet above the 
level of the sea. The infant Hudson is cradled in the 
awful chasms of the Panther Gorge, the Gorge of the Dial, 
and in the Indian Pass, called by the Indians Da-yali-Je- 
ga-go, '■ the place where the storm-clouds meet in battle 
with the great serpent." 

Near the centre of this wondrous chasm of the Indian 



Pass, high up on the rugged side of Mount Mclntyre, two 
little springs issue from the rocks so near to each other that 
their limpid waters almost mingle. From each spring flows 
a tiny stream. The streams at first interlock, but soon sepa- 
rate and run down the mountain side into the chasm, which 
is here two thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven feet 
above tide. After reaching the bottom, one runs southerly 
as the head-waters of the Hudson, the other northerly into 
the St. Lawrence. 

Upon the south side of Mount Marcy is a little lake 
called " Summit Water" by the old guides, and by Ver- 
planck Calvin, in his Adirondack survey, " Tear of the 
Clouds." This little lakelet is four thousand three hun- 
dred and twenty-six feet above tide-water. It is the highest 
lake-source of the Hudson. 

After thus rising upon its highest mountain peaks, the 
Hudson in its wild course down the southern slope of the 
wilderness crosses four of the mountain chains, which all 
seem to give way at its approach, as if it were some way- 
ward child of their own. 

After bursting through the Palniertown range, its last 
wilderness mountain barrier, it encounters in its more placid 
course to the sea the great Apalachian system of mountains, 
and seems to rend them from top to bottom. Or. rather, 
from the natural head of tide-water, some two miles above 
Waterford, in Saratoga County, the Hudson virtually 
ceases to be a river and becomes an estuary, or arm of the 
sea, in which the tide throbs back and forth, and on whose 
peaceful bosom now float the navies and the commerce of 
th.e world. 

The JMoH.iWK ritek, before it mingles its waters with 
the Hud.son, washes almost the whole southern side of the 
county of Saratoga. The Indian name of the Mohawk was 
Te-uge-ga. It rises on the highlands of the Lesser Wil- 
derness of Northern New York, northerly of Oneida lake, 
near the head-waters of the Salmon river, which runs into 
Lake Ontario. The Salmon river was the ancient River 
de la Famine of the old French explorers. The Cohoes 
falls, in the iMohawk, on the border of this county, were 
called by the Indians Ga-lia-oose, meaning "the falls of the 
shipwrecked canoe." 

The Sacondaga river enters the county of Saratoga 
on its western border, and breaking through the mountain 
barriers crosses the whole width of the county, and enters 
the Hudson on its eastern border. For twenty miles of its 
course before it enters the Hudson there is a reach of .still 
water which is navigable by small steamers. Sacondaga is 
an Indian name, signifying " The river of the sunken or 
drowned lands," in allusion to the large Ylaie, or moun- 
tain meadow, through which it runs just before it reaches 
the border of the county. This great vlaie was the favorite 
hunting-ground of Sir William Johnson, and near it he 
built his two huntinsr-lodtres. called the Fish House and the 
Cottage, on Summer House Point.* 

The Kay-ad-ros-se-ra river is the largest stream 
whose whole course lies within the borders of the county 
of Saratoga. It rises on the southern slopes of the Kayad- 
rossera mountains in Greenfield and Corinth, and running 

*Sce "Trappers of New York," by Jeptha R. Simms. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



15 



tlienec southerly between the nuHiiitaiii ranges, through 
I\IiltoQ to Biillston Spa, it then tui'ns easterly into Saratoga 
lake. From the lake to the Hudson it is known as Fish 
creek. 

The other numerous smaller streams of the county are 
mentioned in the history of the several towns through 
whic-h they run. 

IV.— LAKES. 

The prineipal lakes of the county of Saratoga are now 
called Saratoga lake, Round lake, Ballston lake, and Lake 
Desolation. 

As the old Indian name for Lake Champlain was Cmiind- 
cvi.-gu(tr}iiite, " The door of the country'," and that of Lake 
George was Cuiiidd-eri-dit, '-The tail of the lake," so 
the Indian name for Saratoga lake was Caniad-eri-os-se-ra, 
" The lake of the crooked stream." The name was after- 
wards written Cai-ad-cr-ros-se-fa, and since, Kojj-ad-ros- 
se-ra, its present f<irm. 

The name ' Sharhtlnga. now Saratoga, was never app'ied 
by the Indians to this lake, nor to the great hunting-ground 
in which it lies. Saratoga was the name of the hunting- 
ground along the river hill-sides. 

On some old Dutch and French maps, the Hudson river 
is represented as taking its rise in, and running from, Sara- 
toga lake. Hence it is called on those maps Capi-aqua. 
The Indian name of Round lake is Ta-nen-da-ho-ra, 
and for Ballston LAKE is Sha-neii-da-ho-ra. The sig- 
nification of both of these names seems to be lost. 

Lake Desolation, as its name indicates, is a wild, 
weird body of water, situate on the top of the Kayadrossera 
mountain range, on the border of Greenfield and Provi- 
dence, its waters running, first westerly and then northerly, 
a long circuit into the Sacondaga, within sis miles of their 
source in the lake. The stream was called by the Indians 
Ken-iiy-rt-to. 

The other smaller lakes in the county, like the smaller 
streams, will be described in the history of the several towns 
in which they lie. 

Having thus given some account of the most striking 
topographical features of the county, in the following chapter 
will be found a brief statement of the geological outlines of 
its rocky groundwork and surface soils. 



CHAPTER IV. 

GEOLOGICAL OUTLINES. 

I.— ERAS— AGES— PERIOBS. 

The rocky groundwork which underlies the county of 
Saratoga presents, to the student of geology, many features 
of surpassing interest. Yet all that properly seems to come 
within the scope of this work is a mere (jutlino of the 
subject, so far as it necessarily bears upon the economic 
interests and historical associations of the county and its 
surroundings. And this outline will be confined princi- 
pally to the more striking geologic features of the county ; 
in a word, to the departments oi ithyx!ogr(n>liic and hislovi- 



cnl geology, leaving to the interested stu<lent the no less in- 
viting fields of lilhrj/ogicol and (/y/('/»((V'r/? geology, of which 
the county is so rich in natural illustrations, to be studied 
in the field itself here spread out before him, or in the 
numerous special works devoted to the science. 

The science of geology unfolds to us to some extent the 
mysteries of the world's creation. The earth itself, like tlie 
plant or aninud it sustains on its surface, is a thing of growth, 
of development. The difl^erent periods of this growth and 
development are more or less distinctly marked upon the 
rocky structure of the earth by the various fossil forms of 
animal and vegetable life found therein, and these successive 
periods so marked are termed geologic epochs, times, or 
ages. 

The geologic epochs or ages of the world are distinguished 
by the progressive development of the various forms of 
animal and vegetable life, from the lowest to the highest 
forms of existence. 

The extremely interesting geologic features of Saratoga 
County can be best explained by referring somewhat in de- 
tail to the geologic ages of the world based upon the pro- 
gress of life and living things, and the diflferent periods of 
geologic time marked by these successive ages. 

The subdivisions of geological time are eras, ages, and 
periods. 

The eras are five in number, marked in all by seven ages 
of development in organic life. 

I. — Ancn.EA.v on Eozoic Era. — {The Daicn nf Animal Life.) 
1st. Laurentian Age. 
II. — PALyEOzoic Era. — (Old Life.) 

2d. The Silurian, or Age of Mollusks. 
3d. The Devonian, or Age of Fishes. 
4th. The Carboniferous, or Age of Coal-Plants. 
III. — Mesozoic Era. — [Middle Life.) 

5th. The Reptilian Age. 
IV. — Cenozoic Era. — {liecent Life.) 

6th. The Age of Mammals. 
V. — PsvcHOZOic Era. — {Era nf Mind.) 
7th. The Age of Man. 

These five several eras of geological time and the seven 
successive ages of life development on the earth are well 
represented in the accompanying table (page 1(5), which is 
copied in great part from the one piepared by Prof. James 
D. Dana for his " Manual of Geology." Beginning with the 
oldest, at the bottom of the table, the Laurentian, Silurian, 
Devonian, and Carboniferous periods are represented by 
series of American rocks in the natural order of their for- 
mations. The rest of the series is taken from European 
geology, in which the later ages of the earth's rocky growth 
are far more distinctly represented than in America. 

As no deposited rocky beds are to be found within the 
borders of Saratoga County higher in the series than the 
Hudson river group of slates and shales, the fossils of which 
rise in fact no higher in the scale of being than the Lower 
Silurian age, it will be seen that, geologically speaking, 
Saratoga County is vcri/ old. 

II.-TIIE LAURENTIAN AGE. 

The great Canadian Laurentian mountain system, which 
is so finely developed in nortliern New York and stretches 
its rugged, towering masses far down into Saratoga County, 



16 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



TABLE OF GEOLOGIC TIME. 




Epochs and Sub-Ejiocha. 



rifistucetie, or Post-tertiary. 

Pliocene. 

Miocene. 

Eocene. 



("Upper or White > 
( Lower or Gray. 



Upper Cretaceou; 



Mi'ldle Cretaceous (Upper Green-Sand). 
Liiwer Cretaceous (Lower Green-Saiid). 

Wealden. 

Upper Oolite. 1^";^'^'=' p«r*'^",;'' ^"<I 

( Kmimeridge Clay. 

Middle Oolite, j !\" ^'TJm' 

( Oxford Cliiy. 

Lnwer Oolite. I J'7^.'^'^*'!"^-,.* . 

(Inferior Oolite. • 

Upper Lias. 
Marlstone. 
Lower Lias. 

Kenper. 

Muschelkalk. 

Bunter-saudstein. 



Permian. 



= He Upper Coal Measures. 



14b Lower Coal Measures. 



14a Millstone Grit. 
i:}b Upper. 
V^a. Lower. 



lib Chemung. 
11a Portage. 
H'c Genesee. 
10b Hamilton. 
lOa Marcellus, 

itc Upper Helderberg. 
■9b Schoharie. 
9a Cauda-Galli. 

! Oriskany. 
7 I Lower Helderberg. 
6 Saliferous, 
5d Niagara. 
5c Clinton. 



5b Mfdina. 
5a Oneid;.. 



4b Hudson River. 
4a Ulica. 

(Trenton. 
3b; -l Black Kiver. 

(Birdsej'e. 
3a Chazy. 
2b; Calcit'erous. 
2a Potsdam. 

Laurentian. 



r Line of lat&st r«ck 
--J formationn in Saratoga 
(_ County. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



17 



bei;iii.s on the coast of Labrador near the mouth of the 
river St. Lawrence and extends up along the northern bank 
of the river to a point near the city of Quebec. From this 
point it recedes from the river inland for some thirty miles 
or more until it cros.ses the Ottawa river above Montreal. 
After crossing the Ottawa the chain again bends southerly 
towards the St. Lawrence, and a spur of it crosses the great 
river at Thou-sand Islands into northern New York, and, 
spreading out eastward and southerly, forms the rugged 
mountain system of the Adirondack wilderness. 

The Laurentian system of rocks constitutes the oldest 
known strata of the earth's crust. In the Laurentian rock- 
beds are to be found the remains of life-forms of life's early 
dawn. 

Until within a few years the Laurentian system has been 
termed by geologists Azoic, or without life, but the more 
recent discoveries show evidences of both animal and vege- 
table life in great abundance, but life in its earliest forms. 
It is the prehistoric, mythical era of geologic time now 
called the Archtean, or Eozoic, time,— the time of dawning 
life. 

The Laurentian rocks are mostly of the metamorphlc 
series, related to granite, gneiss, syenite, and the like. But 
they embrace only the most ancient of these rocks, for the 
New England granites and schists belong to later ages. 

Besides true granite and gneiss, there are divrite, a rock 
formed of feldspar and hornblende without quartz, and also 
very extensive ranges of coarse granite-like rocks of grayish 
and reddish-brown colors, composed mainly of crystallized 
Labradorite, or a related feldspar, or this feldspar joined 
with the brownish-black and bronzy, foliated hyperstene. 
These rocks also contain green, brown, and reddish-colored 
porphyry, serpentine, limestone (statuary marble), granular 
quartz, magnetic and specular iron ore, a hard conglomerate 
ophiolites, or verd-antique marbles of different varieties, 
garnets, tourmaline, scapolite, Wollastonite, sphone, rutile, 

graphite, phlogopite, apatite, chondrodltc, spinel, zircon, and 
corundum. 

III.— POTSDAM AND CALCIFEROUS SANDSTONES. 

The rocks next above the Laurentian series belong to the 
Lower Silurian age and to the Potsdam or Primordial 
period. First in order comes the Potsdam sandstone, and 
next above and resting on that is the calciferous sandrock. 
The calciferous sandrock is the grayish rock which underlies 
all the northwestern part of the village of Saratoga Springs, 
and may often be seen cropping out near North Broadway 
in all the upper part of the village. 

A narrow belt of calciferous sandstone, covering Potsdam 
sandstone, extends across the county, lapping over on to the 
lower edge of the old Laurentian rocks. 

In this Primordial period the remains of life appear in 
its lower marine, but not fresh-water forms, in great abun- 
dance. 

These rocks were deposited in the shallow beds of the 
Primordial ocean, when its waves beat along the old Lauren- 
tian shore. 

Alffx, or sea-ioecch, are the only plant forms found in the 
Potsdam sandstone and Calciferous sandstone epochs. 

The animal remains of this period are all marine. 
3 



1. Among Protozoans are found sponges and rhizopods. 

2. Among Rail/'ales are found crinoids, graptolites, and, 
it may be, coral-making polyps. 

3. Among MoHusks are found bryozoans, brachiopods, 
conchifers, pteroyods, gasterpods, and cephalodes, thus 
representing all the grand divisions of moUusk life. 

4. Among Articulates may be found marine worms, 
crustaceans of the trilobite tribes, and ostracoids. 

The most abundant fossils found in the Potsdam beds 
are the brachiopod, genus lingula, and trilobites. The 
trilobites were the largest animals of the seas and highest 
in rank. Of them there were numerous kinds, varying in 
size from the sixth of an inch to two feet. 

IV.— THE TRENTON LIMESTONE PERIOD. 

Next above the Potsdam and calciferous sandrocks there 
appears stretching acro.ss the county a narrow belt of the 
Trenton period. 

First iu order, overlapping the calciferous sandrock or 
abutting against it, come the Birdseye, Black River, and 
Trenton limestones. The Chazy limestone seems to run 
into the others of the group before it reaches the Hudson 
river, on the borders of the county. 

In this period sea-weeds are the only fossil plants. Two 
species are found, the Buthotriphis gracilis and B. succu- 
losus. 

The seas of the Trenton period were densely populated 
with animal life. With the Trenton period first appear 
species of undoubted polyps, the true coral animals of the 
seas. 

The different species of the lower forms of animal life 
shown in the fossils of the limestone period are too numer- 
ous to name in this article. 

v.— THE HUDSON PERIOD OF SLATES AND SHALES. 

Covering all the southeastern part of the county of Sar- 
atoga, as the Laurentian rocks cover the northwestern, lie 
the strata of the slates and shales of the Hudson river 
group. Between these wide beds of slate and shale, and 
the equally wide beds of the Laurentian formation, run 
the narrow strips of the Potsdam calciferous sandstones 
and Trenton limestones. Such, in a word, is the interesting 
geologic situation of Saratoga County. 

The life, both animal and vegetable, of the Hudson 
river period, is quite identical with the life of the Trenton 
period, none of which, the reader will bear in mind, rises 
higher in the scale of being than the sub-kingdom of 
Articulates. 

VI.— THE POST-TERTIARY PERIOD. 

The next period that attracts our attention in studying 
the geology of Saratoga is the Post-tertiary period, which 
ushers in the present state of things on the earth's surface. 

After the highest strata of the Hudson group of rocks 
had been deposited in the primordial ocean's bed, there 
must have been an upheaval of the land above the waters 
in the region of the Hudson valley, leaving these rocks 
high and dry. But countless centuries of time intervened 
before the age of man upon the earth. 



18 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The Post-tertiary period in America includes two epochs: 

1. The Glacial, or that of drift. 

2. The Champlain. 

"Next follows (3) the Terrace epoch, a transition epoch, 
in the course of which the peculiar Post-tertiary life ends, 
and the a<!;e of man opens upon the world. 

The Drifl period is well represented in all the central 
and western parts of Saratoga County. 

The term Drift includes the gravel, sand, stones, and 
boulders, forming low hills, and covering even the moun- 
tain tops in many places. 

The Drift is derived from the rocks to the north of where 
its beds occur, and is supposed to have been transported by 
the ice fields of the glacial period. In many places the sur- 
face rocks of the limestones are worn smooth, and marked 
by the scratches and grooves caused doubtless by the pas- 
sage over them of heavy beds of ice, filled with stones, sand, 
and gravel. 

The Champlain and Terrace epochs are well represented 
in Saratoga County by the extensive beds of what are 
called " Saratoga Sands," and the clay hills of the river- 
valley, which it would seem were deposited along the re- 
ceding shore of a later ocean that had again covered the 
laud during the Post-tertiary period. It is quite evident 
that the long, narrow bed of Saratoga sands, which runs 
across the county from northeast to southwest, was once 
but the shifting sands of the ocean's beach, when its waters 
washed the foot-hills of the Adirondacks, in the Post-ter- 
tiary world. 

. A volume could be written upon the interesting geology 
of the county of Saratoga, of which but a mere outline is 
above given. 

In a succeeding chapter something will be said upon the 
origin of the numerous and wonderful mineral springs of 
Saratoga County, a subject properly belonging to geological 
science, yet so closely identified with the industrial and social 
interests of the people of the county as to make it to them 
a matter of absorbinir interest. 



CHAPTER V. 
THE INDIAN OCCUPANCY. 

I.— SA-RAGII-TO-OA. 

Within the territory now comprised in the county of 
Saratoga once lay the favorite hunting-grounds of the 
Mohawh branch of the Iroquois or Five Nations, of central 
New York. 

One of the most famous of these hunting-grounds was 
called by them Sa-ragh-to-ga, from which the county 
derives its name. 

Among the earliest dates in which the name Saratoga 
appears in history is the year 1684. It was not then the 
name of a town, nor of a county, neither was it the name 
of a great watering-place ; but it was the name of an old 
Indian hunting-ground located along both sides of the 
Hudson river. The Hudson, after it breaks through its 
last mountain barrier above Glen's Falls, for many miles of 



its course runs through a wider valley. After winding 
for a while through this wider valley, it roaches the first 
series of its bordering hills at a point in the stream nearly 
opposite Saratoga lake. This old hunting-ground was 
situated where the outlying hills begin to crowd down to 
the river-banks, and was called, in the significant Indian 
tongue, Se-rach-ta-giie, or the " hill-side country of the 
great river."* 

It has also been said that Saratoga, in the Indian lan- 
guage, means the "place of the swift water," in allusion 
to the rapids and falls that break the stillness of the stream 
where the hill-side country begins on the river."}" 

Then, again, an Indian whose name was O-rou-hia-teJc-ha, 
of the Caugh-na-wa-ga on the St. Lawrence, who was well 
acquainted with the Moliuick dialect, informed Dr. Hough, 
the historian, that Saratoga was from the Indian Sa-ra- 
ta-ke, meaning " a place where the track of the heel may 
be seen," in allusion to a spot near by, "where depressions 
like foot-prints may be seen in the rocks. J; 

But whether its meaning be this, that, or the other, I 
am sure it is gratifying to us all that this famous resort, 
situated as it is on American soil, bears an American name. 

As early as 1684, this hill-side country of the Hudson, 
the ancient Indian Se-rach-ta-gue, was sold by the chiefs 
of the Mohaicks to Peter Philip Schuyler and six other 
eminent citizens of Albany, and the Indian grant con- 
firmed by the English government. This old hunting- 
ground then became known in history as the Saratoga 
patent. This was the Saratoga of the olden time. It is 
called on some old maps So-roe-to-gos laud. 

In the year 1687, three years after the Mohawks had 
sold this hunting-ground, and the patent had been granted, 
Governor Dongan, of New York, attempted to induce a 
band of Christian Iroquois that the French missionaries 
had led to Cach-na-ona-ga to return and settle in ancient 
Se-rach-ta-gue.^ This was done to form a barrier between 
the then frontier town of Albany and the hostile French 
and Indians on the north. Some of their descendants 
still make an annual pilgrimage to the springs, and, encamp- 
ing in the groves near by, form an interesting part of the 
great concourse of visitors. 

But it will be seen that the ground on which the village 
of Saratoga Springs is built, and the region in which the 
famous mineral springs are found, formed no part of the 
old hunting-ground and patent of Saratoga. The So-roe- 
to-gos land of the olden time lay along the Hudson, and 
extended no farther west than Saratoga lake. 

II.— KAY-AD-ROS-SE-RA. 

The Indian name for the territory in which the famous 
mineral springs wore found was Kiij/-ad-ros-se-ra.\\ 

It was one of the favorite hunting-grounds of the Iroquois, 

■•» Steele's Analysis, p. 13, N. Y. His. Col. 

f 17i/e Judge Scott's historical address at Biillston Siin, July 4, 
1876 ; also, Reminiscences of Saratoga, by Wm. L. Stone, p. 5. 

J Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 189. 
But Morgan, in his League of the Iroquois, says the signification of 
Saratoga is lost. 

J Doc. His. of N. Y., vol. ii. p. 156. 

II So written in Claude Joseph Sauthicr's map of 1779. Tiile Doc. 
His. of N. Y., vol. i. p. 774. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NP]W YORK. 



19 



and lay in the angle between the two great rivers, to the 
south of a line drawn from Glen's Falls on the Hudson 
westerly to near Amsterdam on the Jlohawk. 

The forests of ancient Kayadrossera were full of game, 
and its lakes and streams swarmed with fish. The her- 
ring* ran up the west side of the Hudson, and through 
Fish creek, giving rise to its name, into Lake Saratoga in 
immense numbers. The shad ran up on the east side of the 
river, and lay in vast schools in the falls and rapids above 
and- below Fort Edward. The sturgeon frequented the 
sprouts of the Mohawk, and sunned themselves in the basin 
below Cohoesf Falls. 

Even whales sometimes came up the Hudson river in the 
early colonial times as far as this old hunting-ground. 

" I cannot forbear," says Vanderdonck, " to mention 
that in the year 1647, in the month of March, when, by 
a great freshet the water was fresh almost to the great bay, 
there were two whales of tolerable size up the river ; the 
one turned back, but the other stranded and stuck not far 
from the great fall of the Cohoes."| 

The wild animals of Kayadrossera were attracted in im- 
mense numbers by the saline properties of the mineral 
springs that then bubbled up in its deepest shades, all un- 
known save to them and its Indian owners. In this " para- 
dise of sportsmen" the Mohntvks and their nearer sister 
tribes of the Jroqiiois, the Oneidus and Onoiuhif/iis, and 
sometimes the farther off Cayugas and Seneeas, built their 
hunting-lodges every summer around its springs and on the 
banks of its lakes and rivers. It will be seen that wild 
ancient Kayadrossera was as famous in the old time to the 
red man as modern Saratoga is to-day to the white man. 

But Samuel Sholton Broughton, attorney-general of the 
province, obtained a license from the governor, in behalf of 
himself and company, to purchase from the Indians a tract 
of land known by the Indian name of Kayadrossera. This 
license is dated April 22, 1703. In pursuance of this license 
a purchase was effected of Kayadrossera, and an Indian deed 
given the 6th of October, 1704, signed by the sachems of 
the tribe. 

On the 2d day of November, 1708, a patent was granted 
by Queen Anne to " her loving subjects Nanning Her- 
mance, Johannes Beekman, Rip Von Dam," and ten others, 
of the whole of Kayadrossera. But it was not until the 
year 1768 that the deed given by the Indians in 1704 was 
confirmed by the tribe, and then only through the powerful 
influence of Sir William Johnson. 

On the 24th day of March, 1772, three years before the 
War of the Revolution bi-oke out, and about the time the 
first white settler was building his rude cabin at the springs, 
these two patents of Kayadrossera and Saratoga were united 
by the colonial government into a district. The name Kay- 
adrossera was dropped, and the district named after the 
smaller patent, and called the district of Saratoga. Since 
then the grand old Intlian name Kayadrossera, so far as ter- 
ritory is concerned, has fallen out of human speech, and is 
only heard in connection with the principal stream and 

* Vide Annals of .\lbany, vol. ii. p. 280. 

f The Indian name for Cohoes Falls was Oa-hn-oose, mranin;^ the 
"shipwrecked canoe." Vide Morgan's League of the Iroquois. 
J Judge Benson, in MansclPs Annals of Albany, vol. ii. p. 226. 



mountain chain of the great hunting-ground so famous in 
Indian story. 

The old hunting-ground, the beautiful lake, and the 
famous springs have all, since tlie act of the 24th of 
March, 1772, borne the name of Saratoga. 

III.— THE FOUR HUNTING-GROUNDS OF THE IROQUOIS. 

Besides these two famous hunting-grounds, the Five Na- 
tions had in common four great beaver-hunting countries. 

1st. One of these was called by them Couch-sach-ro-ge, 
" the dismal wilderness." 

On Governor Pownal's map of the northern British col- 
onies of 1776, across the region that comprises the wilder- 
ness, is written the following inscription : 

This vast 

Tract of i.axd, 

whicn is the antient 

couch-sacii-ra-ge, ose of the focr 

Bkavkr-Ui'ntinc Countriks 

OF THE Si.\ Nations, 

is not yet 

Surveyed. 

So this great wilderness was the old Indian hunting- 
ground — Couch-sach-ra-ge — of the Iroquois, which, like 
the ocean and the desert, refuses to be subdued by man. 

2d. Another was called by them 0-hee-o, " the beautiful 
country," and lay to the south and east of Lake Erie, now 
part of the State of Ohio. 

3d. 'i'he third was called by them Tirxck-souck-rond-ite, 
and lay between Lake Erie and the Illinois. 

4th. The last was called by them Scaniad-eri-ada, mean- 
ing " beyond the lake." It lay to the northwest of Lake 
Ontario. 

In 1684 the Mohawks and Oiietdas, by a treaty held in 
Albany, sold to the English king their right of sovereignty 
to these hunting-grounds. 

On Nov. 14, 1726, the Seneeas, Cayiigas, and Oiionda- 
gas, by deed, also conveyed their interest in the sovereignty 
of these grounds to the British king, which was the founda- 
tion of England's claim to the country against France. 

IV.— THE HO-DE-NO-SAU-NEE. 

It has been seen that at the time of its first exploration 
by Europeans, in the early years of the seventeenth century, 
the county of Saratoga formed a part of the .territory and 
hunting-grounds of the groat Indian league or confederacy, 
called by the English the Five Nations, by the French the 
Iroquois, and by themselves the Uo-dc-no-sau-nee, or the 
" people of the long house. ' 

Their country, called by them Ilo-dc-no-sau-nec-gn,^ and 
extending from the Hudson to Lake Erie, from the St. Law- 
rence to the valleys of the Delaware, the Susquehanna, and 
the Alleghany, embraced the whole of central, of northern, 
and large parts of southern and western New York. It was 
divided between the several nations by well-defined bound- 
ary-lines, running north and south, which they called " lines 
of property." 

The territory of northern New York belonged princi- 



g See Morgan's League of the Iroquois. 



20 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



pally to the Mohaiclcs and the Oneidas, the Onondagas 
owning a narrow strip of land along the easterh shore of 
Lake Ontario. 

The line of property between the 3Iohawl{s and the 
Oneidas began on the St. Lawrence river at the present 
town of Waddington, and running south nearly coincident 
with the line between Lewis and Herkimer counties, struck 
the Mohawk river at Utica. 

The country lying to the east of this line of property, 
embracing what is now the greater part of Saratoga County, 
formed a part of Ga-ne-a-ga-o-no-ga, the land of the Mo- 
haiclcs. The territory lying westerly of this line, including 
the fertile valley of the Black river and the highlands of 
the Lesser Wilderness, which lies between the upper valley 
of the Black river and Lake Ontario, belonged to 0->ia- 
yote-hn-o-no-ga, the country of the Oneidas. 

It was the custom of the Indians, whenever the hunting- 
grounds of a nation bordered on a lake, to include the whole 
of it, if possible ; so the line of property between the Onei- 
das and the Onondagas bent westerly around the Oneida 
lake, giving the whole of that to the Oneidas, and deflected 
easterly again around Lake Ontario in favor of the Onon- 
dagas. 

These three nations claimed the whole of the territory 
of northern New York. But the northern part of the 
great wilderness was also claimed by the Adirondacks, a 
Canadian nation of Algonquin lineage, and, being disputed 
territory, was the " dark and bloody ground" of the old 
Indian traditions, as it afterwards became in the French and 
English colonial history. 

v.— TWO FAMILIES OF NATIONS. 

The Indians who inhabited the Atlantic slope and the 
basin of the great lakes were divided into two great families 
of nations. These two great families were known as the 
Iroquois and the Algonquin families.* They differed radi- 
cally in both language and lineage, as well as in many of 
their manners and customs. 

The principal nations of the Iroquois family were grouped 
around the lower lakes. The Five Nations of central New 
York — the Iroquois proper — were the leading people of this 
family. To the south of the Five Nations, on the banks of 
the Susquehanna, were the Andastes, and to the westward, 
along the .southern shore of Lake Erie, were the Fries. To 
the north of'Lake Erie lay the Neutral Nation and the 
Tobacco Nation, while the Hurons dwelt along the eastern 
shore of the lake that still bears their name. There was 
also a branch of the Iroquois family in the Carolinas, — the 
Tuscaroras, — who united with the Five Nations in 1715, 
after which the confederacy was known as the Six Na- 
tions.f 

Surrounding these few bands of Iroquois were the much 
more numerous tribes of the great Algonquin family. To 
the people of Algonquin speech and lineage belonged the 
Iloricons and the Mohicans and other tribes of river In- 
dians who dwelt along the Hudson, and the Pequots, Wam- 

® See Morgan's League of the Iroquois, and Parkman's Pioneers 
of France in the New World, 
f See Colden's Five Nations. 



panoags, Narragansetfs, and all the other New England 
tribes. I 

Northward of the Iroquois were the Nipissings, La Pe- 
tite Nation, and La Nation de I'lsle, and the other tribes of 
the Ottawa. Along the valley of the St; Lawrence were 
the Algonquins proper, — called Adirondacks by the Iro- 
quois, — the Abenaquis, the Montagnais, and other roving 
bands around and beyond the Saguenay. 

Thus were the Indian nations situated with respect to 
each other when Samuel de Champlain, in the early sum- 
mer of 1609, entered the territory of northern New York 
from the north, and Henry Hudson, in the beginning of 
the coming autumn, approached it from the south. 

VI.— THE "PEOPLE OF THE LONCx HOUSE." 

Among all the Indians of the New World, there were 
none so politic and intelligent, none so fierce and brave, 
none with so many germs of heroic virtues mingled with 
their savage vices, as the true Iroquois, — the people of the 
Five Nations. They were a terror to all the surrounding 
tribes, whether of their own or of Algonquin speech. In 
l(j50 they overran the country of the Hurons; in 1651 
they destroyed the Neutral Nation; in 1652 they extermi- 
nated the Fries ; in 1672 they conquered the Andastes and 
reduced them to the most abject submission. They fol- 
lowed the war-path, and their war-cry was heard westward 
to the Mississippi and southward to the great gulf. The 
New England nations, as well as the river tribes along the 
Hudson, who.se warriors trembled at the name of Mohawlc, 
all paid them tribute. The poor Montagnais on the far-off 
Saguenay would start from their midnight sleep and run 
terror-stricken from their wigwams into the forest when 
dreaming of the dreadful Iroquois. They were truly the 
conquerors of the New World, and were justly styled the 
"Romans of the West." "My pen," wrote the Jesuit 
Father Ragueneau, in 1650, in his Relations des Hurons, — 
" My pen has no ink black enough to describe the fury of 
the Iroquois." 

They dwelt in palisaded villages upon the fertile banks 
of the lakes and streams that watered their country. Their 
villages were surrounded with rudely-cultivated fields, in 
which they raised an abundance of corn, beans, squashes, 
and tobacco. Their houses were built within the protect- 
ing circle of palisades, and, like all the tribes of the Iroquois 
family, were made long and narrow. They were not more 
than twelve or fifteen feet in width, but often exceeded a 
hundred and fifty feet in length. They were made of two 
parallel rows of poles stuck upright in the ground, suffi- 
ciently wide apart at the bottom to form the floor, and bent 
together at the top to form the roof, the whole being nicely 
covered with strips of peeled bark. At each end of the 
wigwam was a strip of bark, or a bear-skin, hung loosely 
for a door. Within they built their fires at intervals along 
the centre of the floor, the smoke passing out through 
openings in the top, which served as well to let in the 

I After the defeat of King Philip, of Pocanokett, in 1675-76, a 
part of the Wamjyinnags and Narragannetts Bed from their ancient 
hunting-grounds and settled at Schaghtlcokc, on the Hudson, and 
were afterwards known as the Schaghticuke Indians. See paper by 
John Fitch, in " Historical Magazine" for June, 1870. 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YOKK. 



21 



light. In every house were many fires and many families, 
every family having its own fire within the space allotted 
to it. 

From this custom of having many fires and many fimi- 
ilies strung through a long and narrow house comes the 
signification of their name for the league, "the people of 
the long house." They likened their confederacy of Five 
Nations, stretched along a narrow valley for more than two 
hundred miles through central New York, to one of their 
long wigwams. The Mohawks guarded the eastern door of 
this long house, while the Senecas kept watch at the western 
door. Between these doors of their country dwelt the 
Oneidas, Onondngas, and Cayiigas, each nation around its 
own fire, while the great central council fire was always 
kept brightly burning in the country of the Onondngax. 
Thus they were in fact, as well as in name, the people of 
the long house. 

Below are given, in the order of their rank therein, the 
Indian names of the several nations of the league ;* 

Mohawks — Ga-ne-a-ga-o-no. " People possessors of the 
flint." 

Onondngns — 0-nun-do-ga-o-no. " People on the hills." 
Senecas — Nun-da-wa-o-no. " Great hill people." 
Oneidas — O-na-yote-ka-o-no. "Granite people." 
Cagiigas — Gwe-u-giceli-o-no. "People at the mucky 
land." 

Tiiscaroras — Diis-ga-o-wch-o-no. " Shirt-wearing peo- 
ple." 

Vir.— THEIR GOVERNMENT. 

It may of a truth be said that this wild Indian league of 
the old savage wilderness, if it did not suggest, in many 
respects it formed the mode after which was fashioned our 
more perfect union of many States in one republic. The 
government of this "league of the Iroquois" was vested 
in a general council composed of fifty hereditary sachems, 
but the order of succession was always in the female and 
never in the male line ; that is to say, when a .sachem died, 
his successor was chosen from his mother's descendants, and 
never from his own children. The new sachem must be 
cither the brother of the old one, or a son of his sister; so 
in all cases the status of the children followed the mother, 
and never the father. Each nation was divided into eight 
clans or tribes, which bore the following names: Wolf, Deer, 
Bear, Snipe, Beaver, Heron, Turtle, and Hawk. The spirit 
of the animal or bird after which the clan was named, called 
its totem, was the guardian spirit of the clan, and every 
member used its figure in his signature as his device. 

It was the rule among them that no two of the same clan 
could intermarry. If the husband belonged to the clan of 
the Wolf, the wife must belong to the clan of the Bear, the 
Deer, and so on, while the children belonged to the clan of 
the mother, and never to the father's clan. In this manner 
their relationship always interlocked, and the people of the 
whole league were forever joined in the closest ties of con- 
sanguinity. 

The name of each sachem was permanent. It was the 
name of the office, and descended with it to each successor. 
When a sachem died, the people of the league selected the 

* Sec Morgan's League of the Iroquois. 



most competent brave from among those of his family, who 
by right inherited the title, and the one so chosen was raised 
in solemn council to the high honor, and, dropping his own, 
received the name of the sachcmship. There were two 
sachemships, however, that, after the death of the first 
sachems of the name, forever remained vacant. 

These sachemships were Da-ga-no-we-da of the Oiion- 
d'lgas and Ha-yo-went-ha (Hi-a-wat-ha) of the Mohawks. 
Da-ga-no-we-da was the founder of the league. His head 
was represented as covered wii;h tangled serpents, and Hi-a- 
wat-ha, meaning " he who combs," straightened them out, 
and assisted in forming the league. In honor of their great 
services their sachemships were afterwards held vacant. 

There was another class of chiefs, of inferior rank to 
the sachems, among whom were the war chiefs, whose title 
was not hereditary, but who were chosen on account of their 
bravery or personal prowess, their achievements on the war- 
path, or their eloquence in council. Among this latter were 
found the most renowned warriors and orators of the league, 
such as King Hendrick and Red Jacket, but they could 
never rise to the rank of sachem. 

The whole body of sachems formed the council league. 
Their authority was entirely civil, and confined to the afi'airs 
of peace. But, after all, the power of the sachems and 
chiefs was advisory rather than mandatory. Every savage, 
to a great extent, followed the dictates of his own wild will, 
controlled only by the customs of his people, and a public 
sentiment that ran through their whole system of affairs, 
which was as inflexible as iron. 

YIII.— THEIR FESTIVALS AND RELIGIOUS BELIEF. 

The Indian was a believer in spirits. Every object in 
nature was spiritualized by him, while over all things, in 
dim and shadowy majesty, ruled the one great spirit, the 
supreme object of his fear and adoration, whom he called 
Ha-wen-neya. There was likewise an evil spirit, bom at 
the same time as the great spirit, which he called Ha-ue- 
go-ate-ga, "the evil minded." There was also He-no, "the 
thunderer," and Ga-oh, " the spirit of the winds." Every 
mountain, lake, stream, tree, shrub, flower, stone, and foun- 
tain had its own spirit. 

Among his objects of worship were the three sister 
spirits, — the spirit of corn, the spirit of beans, and the 
spirit of squashes. This triad was called De-oha-ko,f mean- 
ing " our life," " our supporters." Upon the festal'days sacred 
to the three sisters they were represented by three beautiful 
maidens, each one gayly dressed in the leaves of the plant 
whose spirit she represented. 

The Ho-de-no-sau-nee observed six great feasts every 
year. There was the new year's festival, or the " sacrifice 
of the white dog," which was celebrated with great pomp 
for seven days early in February. Then, as soon as the 
snow began to melt, and the sap to flow from the maple- 
trees, and the sugar-boiling began in earnest, came the 
maple-feast. 

The next great festival was the A-yent-wa-ta, or " plant- 
ing festival," which came on as soon as the leaves on the 
butternut-trees were as big as squirrels' ears, indicating the 

' •[■ See Morgan's League of the Iroquois. 



22 



HISTORY OF SAEATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



time for planting corn. The fourth feast was Ha-nan-da-yo, 
the " feast of strawberries," which came in the moon of 
roses. The fifth was Ah-dake-wa-o, the " feast of the 
green corn moon," and the hist was the " harvest festival," 
observed at the gathering of the crops in autumn. 

Dwelling forever among the wildest scenes of nature, — 
himself nature's own wildest child, — believing in an unseen 
world of spirits in perpetual play around him on every 
hand, his soul was filled with unutterable awe. The flight 
or cry of a bird, the humming of a bee, the crawling of 
an insect, the turning of a leaf, the whi.sper of a breeze, 
were to him mystic signals of good or evil import, by which 
he was guided in the most important afiairs of life. 

Tiie mysterious about him he did not attempt to unravel, 
but bowed submi.ssively belbre it with what crude ideas he 
had of religion and worship. To his mind everything, 
whether animate or inanimate, in the whole domain of 
nature is immortal. In the happy hunting-grounds of the 
dead the shades of hunters will follow the shades of ani- 
mals with the shades of bows and arrows, among the shades 
of trees and rocks, in the shades of immortal forests, or 
glde in the shades of bark canoes over shadowy lakes and 
streams, and carry them around the shades of dashing 
waterfalls.* 

In dreams he placed the most implicit confidence. They 
were to him revelations from the spirit world, guiding him 
to the places where his game lurked and to the haunts of 
his enemies. He invoked their aid upon all occasions. 
They taught him how to cure the sick, and revealed to him 
his guardian spirit, as well as all the secrets of his good or 
evil destiny. 

IX.— THEIR SOCIAL LIFE. 

The Iroquois were extremely social in their daily inter- 
course. When not engaged in their almost continual public 
feasting and dancing, they spent the most of their time in 
their neighbors' wigwams, playing games of chance, of which 
they were extremely fond, or in chatting, joking, and rudely 
bantering each other. On .such occasions their witticisms 
and jokes were often more .sharp than delicate, as they were 
" echoed by the shrill laugh of young squaws untaught to 
blush."! 

In times of distress and danger they were always prompt 
to aid each other. Were a family without shelter, the men 
of the village at once built them a wigwam. When a 
young squaw was married, the older ones, each gathering a 
load of sticks in the forest, carried her wood enough for a 
year. In their intercourse with each other, as well as with 
strangers, their code of courtesy was exact and rigid to the 
last degree. 

But the Indian is still the untamed child of nature. 
" He will not," says Parkman, " learn the arts of civilization, 
and he and his forest must perish together. The stern, 
unchanging features of his mind excite our admiration from 
their very immutability, and we look with deep interest on 
the fate of this irreclaimable son of the wilderness, the 
child who will not be weaned from the breast of his rugged 
mother. . . . The imprisoned lion in the showman's cage 

^ See Charlevoix's Voyage to North America, 
f Francis Parkman. 



differs not more widely from the lord of the desert than 
the beggarly frequenter of frontier garrisons and dram- 
shops differs from the proud denizen of the woods. It is 
in his native wilds alone that the Indian must be seen and 
studied."! 



CHAPTER VI. 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS, 1535-1609. 

I.— JACQUES CARTIER. 

The long series of hostile invasions from the north 
which, during the two hundred and seventy years of the 
colonial period, so often wore bloody pathways over the rugged 
surface of the county of Saratoga, all came from the valley 
of the St. Lawrence. The history of the river St. Law- 
rence is, therefore, so intimately connected with the history 
of Saratoga, that some account of its early discovery and 
explorations by Europeans seems necessary to an intelligible 
understanding of the subject. 

The great river St. Lawrence, whose old Indian name 
was Ilo-che-la-ya, and which serves to drain the larger part 
of the waters of northern New York into the ocean, was 
discovered and first explored by Jacques Cartier, who was 
an eminent mariner of St. Malo. 

St. Malo is a quaint mediasval seaport town of the ancient 
province of Brittany, on the northern coast of France. 
The city is built on a huge rock that seems to rise like a 
wall out of the sea, it being separated from the mainland 
by a salt marsh, which is covered by the waters at high 
tide. In 1709 an earthquake turned it into an island. 
Many a superstition still flourishes among its simple people. 
Its quaint mediaeval customs were carried into the New World 
by the old mariners, and once started found an echo among 
the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence, and along the 
mountain shores of Lake Champlain. Thus, too, in the 
wilds of the New World were introduced by these mariners 
the stories of the dwarfs and giants of the fairy mythology, 
which the Northmen of the tenth century brought from 
their ancient home when they invaded Brittany. 

In the year 1535, Cartier was sent on a voyage to the 
New World by Francis I., King of France, at the instigation 
of Philippe de Chabot, his grand admiral, in quest of gold 
and empire. The little fleet with which Cartier sailed con- 
sisted of three ships only, ranging from forty to one hundred 
and twenty tons burden. This fleet was under the command 
of Cartier, who was styled the " Captain and Pilot of the 
King." In his .ship's company were several of the young 
nobility of France, among whom were Claudius de Pontc 
Briand, cup-bearer to the Lord Dauphin, Charles de Pome- 
rasces, John Powlet, and other gentlemen. 

The dai-ing but devout navigators of those days, before 
venturing upon their long and perilous voyages to the 
dreary, cheerless solitudes of an almost unknown and unex- 

% Parliraan's Conspiracy of Pontiao, vol. i. p. 44. Consult, also, 
Schoolcraft's worlis, Clark's History of Onondaga, Heckewclder's 
History of Indian Nations, The Iroquois, by Anna C. Johnson, 
Documentary Hi.story of New York, Cusick's History of the Five 
Nations, Charlcvoi.v's Letters to the Duchess de Lesdiguifcres, and 
Jesuit RL-lations of 1656-57 and 1659-60. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



23 



plored ocean, were accustomed to attend upon the solemn 
offices of religion, as if they were departing to 

" The unriiscovered country, from whose bourne 
No traveler returns." 

Therefore, just before setting sail on Whitsunday, this 
company of adventurers went in solemn procession to the 
cathedral church of the town, where each was absolved and 
received the sacrament. Then, all entering the choir of the 
church in a body, they were presented to the lord bishop 
and received his blessing. 

They embarked from St. Malo on the 19th of May, and, 
after a stormy passage, arrived off the coast of Newfound- 
land on the 7th of July. On the 10th day of August, in 
that year, which day was the festival of Saint Lawrence, 
they discovered and entered the broad bay which forms the 
mouth of the great river, and named it in honor of the 
saint. 

Proceeding on their voyage up the wild stream, they soon 
reached the dark gorge of the Saguenay, and arrived at the 
island of Orleans, which lies a short distance below the city 
of Quebec. On account of the abundance of wild grapes 
found upon this island, which hung in clusters from all the 
trees along its shores, Cartier named it the Isle of Bacchus. 
Continuing their voyage, they soon reached the narrows in 
the river opposite the rocky cliffs of Quebec. This strong- 
hold, on which is now situated the city of Quebec, was then 
occupied by a little cluster of Indian wigwams, and was 
called by the savages Sta-da-go-ne. The chief of this little 
Indian town, whose name was Don-na-co-na, met these 
strange mariners at the landing, and made a speech to them, 
and gave them bread and some wine pressed from the wild 
grapes that grew so abundantly upon the shores of the island 
and on the banks of the stream. 

These Indians told Cartier that many days' journey up 
the river there was another Indian town, that gave its name 
to the river and to the country around it. Taking on board 
some Indian guides, the mariners proceeded up the river in 
quest of this wonderful city of the Great Forest State. 
In a few days the Indians led Cartier to the spot where 
now stands the beautiful city of Montreal, on the island 
now known as the Island of Montreal, and which, as hits 
been stated in a previous chapter, lies at the head of the 
great northern valley on whose borders the county of Sara- 
toga is situated. Cartier found an old palisaded Indian 
town, containing many wigwams, built long and narrow 
after the fashion of the Iroquois. In this village at that 
time were more than a thousand savage inhabitants of 
Algonqtiin or Iroquois lineage. Cartier had discovered the 
famous Indian Ilo-che-la-ga, which was the capital of the 
great forest State of the same name, that lay along on botli 
sides of the St. Lawrence above the mouth of the Ottawa. 
Like Sta-da-co-ne, at rocky Quebec, this Indian town on 
the Island of Montreal was one of the centres of Indian 
population on the great river, Ho-che-la-ga. 

On the second day of October, Cartier landed at Ho-chc- 
la-ga, amid the crim.son and golden hues of the lovely 
Canadian autumn. So glorious, so fair, so wild, so savage 
a scene these wondering mariners of the old world had 
never seen before. 



When the.se bearded white men, clad in glittering armor 
and gorgeous attire, landed at the Indian village Ho-che- 
la-ga, on the wild Lsland of Jlontreal, the half-nude savages 
crowded around them in speechless wonder, regarding them 
more as gods than men. They even brought their chief, 
whose name was Ag-ou-han-na, who '-was full of palsy," 
says an old narrative, " and his members shrunk together," 
and who was clad in rich furs, and wore upon his head a 
wreath or crown of red feathers, and laid him upon a mat 
before the captain that he might give the limbs a healing 
touch, — such was their simple faith in the powers of the 
pale-faces, who for the first time stood before them. 
" Then did Ag-ou-han-na," continues the old chronicler, 
" take the wreath or crown he had about his head and 
gave it unto our captain. That done, they brought be- 
fore divers diseased men, some blind, some crippled, some 
lame, and impotent, and some so old that the hair of their 
eyelids came down and covered their cheeks, and laid them 
all along before our captain, to the end that they might of 
him be touched, for it seemed unto them that God was 
descended and come down to heal them."* 

Then the Indians led Cartier and his followers to the top 
of the mountain at whose foot their villages nestled. Car- 
tier planted a large cross of cedar wood upon the summit 
of the mountain, and solemnly took possession of the great 
forest state of Ho-che-la-ga in the name of the French 
king, and then named the mountain on which he stood 
Mount Royal, from which comes the modern Montreal. 

On the 5 th of October, Cartier left the Ho-che-la-ga, and 
regaining his ships pas.sed a long and gloomy winter in that 
part of the river St. Lawrence since called Lake St. Peters. 

In the spring, Cartier returned to France. In 1541 he 
made another voyage to Ho-che-la-ga. After his return to 
his native city of St. Malo, from this last voyage to the new 
world, the name of Cartier passes out of history. It is 
supposed that he lived in retirement and died at a good old 
age. 

When Champlain, upon his first voyage to New France in 
1603, sixty-eight years after Cartier's visit, landed upon 
the still wild and savage Island of Montreal, scarcely a 
vestage of Ho-che-la-ga, the ancient Indian metropolis on 
the great river, remained to be seen. All its savage glory 
had departed forever. Its race of Iroquois house-builders 
had been driven to their new hunting-grounds in the rich 
valleys of central New York. Champlain found the site of 
the village occupied only by a few families of a roving tribe 
of Algonquin lineage, who lived in some temporary huts 
built of the decaying remnants of the ancient village. Such 
was the fate of the old forest state of Ho-che-la-ga. 

II.— SAMUEL DE CII.iMPLAIN. 

Samuel de Champlain, the discoverer of the beautiful 
lake of northern New York that bears his name, was the 
founder of New France and its first governor-general. No 
name in Canadian annals is more illustrious than his. He 
was born in Brouage Saintonge, about the year 1570, of a 
noble family. In his youth he served in the French navy, and 
was pensioned and attached to the person of King Henry 
IV., of France. 

* Pinkerton's Voyages, vol. xii. p. 653. 



24 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



In 1603, M. de Chastes, governor of Dieppe, obtained 
permission from the king to found a new settlement in 
Nortli America. De Chastes appointed Champlain as his 
substitute, and the king gave him the title of general-lieu- 
tenant of Canada. On the 15th of March, Champlain set 
sail for America in a ship commanded by Pont-Grave, an 
enterprising mariner of St. Malo, like Cartier. 

They sailed up the St. Lawrence and up the river as far 
as Jacques Cartier had proceeded with his ships in 1535, 
and, after carefully examining its banks, returned to France, 
having effected nothing by way of settlement. Upon his 
return, Champlain published his first book, entitled " Des 
Sauvages." In the mean time, De Chastes had died, and 
his concessions had been transferred to Sieur de Monts. 
De Monts was made vice-admiral and lieutenant-general of 
his majesty in that part of Acadia called Norumbega. Armed 
with these plenary powers, De Monts and Champlain sailed 
for Acadia, and attempted a settlement at Port Royal, but 
returned to France in 1 607. 

Champlain's third voyage to America was undertaken at 
the solicitation of De Monts in tiie year 1608. In this 
year he founded his colony of Quebec, in the heart of the 
old savage wilderness, upon the site of the old Indian ham- 
let Sta-da-co-ne, found by Jacques Cartier seventy years 
before. In the beginning of the summer of the year 1609, 
months before Henry Hudson sailed up the North river, 
and eleven years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth 
Rock, Champlain discovered the lake which still bears his 
name, and planted on its shores the cross and the lilies of 
France. 

While at Quebec, during his hunting excursions with 
the Indians, they told him marvelous stories of a great 
inland sea, filled with wonderful islands, lying far to the 
southward of the St. Lawrence, in the land of the terrible 
Iroquois. His curiosity was excited, and as soon as the 
melting snows of the next spring would permit, he set out 
upon a voyage for its discovery. 

He was accompanied by two companions only, besides 
his savage allies, who numbered sixty wan-iors, with twenty- 
four canoes. They were Jlurons, Algonquias, and 3Ion- 
layaais. The Montagnais were a roving tribe of the At- 
gonqniii family who inhabited the country of the Saguenay, 
called by the French the paupers of the wilderness. 

After a toilsome passage up the rapids of the Richelieu, 
Champlain entered the lake, — the far-famed "wilderness of 
the Iroquois." It was studded with islands that were 
clothed in the rich verdure of the early summer, its tran- 
quil waters spreading southward beyond the horizon. From 
the thickly-wooded shores on either side rose ranges of 
mountains, the highest peaks still white with patches of 
snow. Over all was flung the soft blue haze, sometimes 
called mountain-smoke, that seemed to temper the sunlight 
and shade off the landscape into spectral-like forms of 
shadowy-like beauty. Who does not envy the stern old 
forest ranger his first view of the lake that was destined to 
bear his name to the latest posterity ? 

Champlain and his allies proceeded cautiously up the 
lake, traveling only by night and resting on the shore by 
day, for they were in the land of the much-dreaded Iroqnois, 
the hereditary enemies of the Alyonquiii, nations. 



On the morning of the 29th of July, after paddling, as 
usual, all night, they retired to the western shore of the 
lake to take their daily rest. The savages were soon stretched 
along the ground in their slumbers, and Champlain, after a 
short walk iu the woods, laid himself down to sleep upon 
his bed of fragrant hemlock boughs. He dreamed that he 
saw a band of Iroquois warriors drowning in the lake. 
Upon attempting to save them, his Algonquin friends told 
him that " they were good for nothing, and had better be 
left to die like dogs." Upon awakening, the Indians, as 
usual, beset him for his dreams. This was the first dream 
he had remembered since setting out upon the voyage, and 
it was considered by his superstitious allies as an auspicious 
vision. Its relation filled them with joy, and at early night- 
fall they re-embarked flushed with the hope of an easy vic- 
tory. Their anticipations were soon to be realized. About 
ten o'clock in the evening, near what is now Crown Point, 
they saw dark moving objects upon the lake before them. 
It was a flotilla of Iroquois canoes. In a moment more 
each party of savages saw the other, and their hideous war- 
cries, mingling, pealed along the lonely shores. 

The Iroquois landed at once and barricaded themselves 
upon the shore with fallen trees and brushwood. The Al- 
gonquins lashed their canoes together with long poles within 
a bow-shot of the Iroquois barricade, and danced in them 
all night their hideous war-dances. It was mutually agreed 
between the hostile bands that the battle should not 'come 
off till morning. At dawn of day the Algonquins landed, 
and the Iroquois marched in single file from their barricade 
to meet them, full two hundred strong. They were the 
boldest, fiercest warriors of the New World, and their tall, 
lithe forms and noble bearing elicited the warmest approba- 
tion of Champlain and his white companions. The chiefs 
were made conspicuous by their tall plumes. Champlain, 
who in the mean time had been concealed, now advanced 
to the front, with arquebuse in hand, clad in the metallic 
armor of the times. The Iroquois warriors, seeing for the 
first time such a warlike apparition in their path, halted 
and stood gazing upon Champlain in mute astonishment. 

" The moment we landed," says Champlain, in his nar- 
rative, " they (the Algonquins and Hurons) began to run 
about two hundred paces towards their enemies, who stood 
firm, and had not yet perceived my companions, who went 
into the bush with some savages. Our Indians commenced 
calling me in a loud voice, and, opening their ranks, placed 
me about twenty paces in advance, in which order we 
marched until I was about in thirty paces of the enemy. 
The moment they saw me they halted, gazing at me and I 
at them. When I saw them preparing to shoot at us, I 
raised my arquebuse, and, aiming directly at one of the 
three chiefs, two of them fell to the ground by this shot, 
and one of their companions received a wound of which he 
afterwards died. I had put four balls in my arquebuse. 
Our party, on witnessing a shot so favorable for them, set 
up such tremendous shouts that thunder could not have 
been heard ; and yet there was no lack of arrows on one 
side or the other. The Iroquois were greatly astonished at 
seeing two men killed so instantaneously, notwithstanding 
they were provided with arrow-proof armor woven of cotton- 
thread and wool. This frightened them very much. Whilst 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



25 



I was reloading, one of my companions in the bush fired a 
shot, which so astonished them anew, seeing their chiefs 
shiin, that they lost courage, took to fliglrt, and abandoned 
the field and their fort, hiding themselves in the depths of 
the forests, whither pursuing them I killed some others. 
Our savages also killed several of them and took ten or 
twelve prisoners. The rest carried oflF the wounded. Fifteen 
or sixteen of our party were wounded by arrows. They 
were promptly cured." 

The Tmqnoix afterwards became the friends and allies of 
the English, and this first forest encounter was the forerun- 
ner of a long and bloody warfare between the French and 
the English and their respective Indian allies, of which the 
soil of Saratoga County often formed the battle-ground. 

Four years afterwards Chaniplain made a long journey up 
the Ottawa river to the country of the Huroiis. On his 
return he discovered Lake Ontario, the name meaning, in 
the Indian tongue, the '' beautiful lake." He fought an- 
other battle with the Iroquois, to the south of the lake in 
western New York. He explored its shores along the 
western border of northern New York, in the vicinity of 
what was afterward known to the French as La Famine. 
On his return he passed near the head of the St. Lawrence, 
thus becoming the first explorer of the lake of the Thousand 
Isles. 

In 1620, Champlain was made governor-general of Can- 
ada, and died at Quebec, in ItioS. In 1620 his wife ac- 
companied him to Quebec. Madame Champlain was Flelen 
Boute, daughter of Nicholas Route, secretary of the royal 
household at Paris. She remained four years in America, 
returned to France, founded a convent of Ursulines at Jleaux, 
entered it as Sister Helen, of St. Augustine, and died there 
in 1654. Madame Champlain, as she was married to him 
when she was only twelve years of age, was still very young. 
The Indians, struck with her frail and gentle beauty, paid 
homage to her as a goddess. " Champlain," says Park- 
man, " was enamored of the New World, whose rugged 
charms had seized his fancy and his heart, and as explorers 
of the Arctic seas have pined in their repose for polar ice 
and snow, so did he, with restless longing, revert to the fog- 
wrapped coast, the piny odors of forests, the noise of waters, 
the sharp, piercing sunlight, so dear to his remembrance. 
Fain would he uuveil the mystery of that boundless wilder- 
ness, and plant the Catholic fliith and the power of France 
amid its ancient barbarism."* 

III.— UENRY HUDSON. 

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, the little 
republic of Holland had already become one of the first 
commercial and maritime powers of the world. In those 
days hardy navigators and bold explorers were flocking from 
every nation in Europe to sail under the Dutch .standard 
in search of fame and fortune. 

Among the most noted of these was Heury Hudson, a 
mariner of England, who was the discoverer and first ex- 
plorer of the river that now bears his name. Henry Hud- 
son was born about the middle of the sixteenth century. 



• See Parkman'a Pioneers of France, Palmer's History of Lake 
Champlain, Champlain's Voyages de la Nouvullo France, and Docu- 
mentary History of New York. 



but of his early life little is known. His first voyage was 
in 1607, in the employ of a company of London merchants, 
to the cast coast of Greenland, in the search of a northwest 
passage to India. 

On April 6, 1609, he began a voyage, in the service of 
the Dutch East India Company, to the northern coast of 
Asia. For some reason or other he turned his ships toward 
North America, and on the 12th day of September, in that 
year, discovered and entered the mouth of the beautiful 
river, now called by his name, that serves to drain the 
waters of the mountain belt of the great wilderness of 
northern New York. 

It is believed that Hudson explored the stream as far up 
as the old Indian hunting-ground, called Nach-tc-nak, which 
lies around and upon the islands that cluster among the 
" .sprouts" or mouths of the Mohawk. 

In his voyage up the stream he had numerous adven- 
tures, and had two or three battles with the Indians, who 
were jealous of the strange intruders. The stanch little 
ship in which he sailed up the river was named the Half- 
Moon. The following i.s taken from his own narrative of 
the voyage, in the quaint language of the time : 

" The thirteenth, faire weather, the wind northerly. At 
seucn of the clocke in the morning, as the floud came, we 
weighed, and turned fourc miles into the riuer. The tide 
being done wee anchored. Then there came foure canoes 
aboard : but we suffered none of them to come into our 
ship. They brought great store of very good oysters aboord, 
which wee bought for trifles. In the night I set the varia- 
tion of the compasse, and found it to be thirteen degrees. 
In the afternoone we weighed and turned in with the flood 
two leagues and a halfe further, and anchore all night, 
and had fine fathoms of .soft ozie around, and had a hi"h 
point of land, which showed out to us bearing north by 
east fine leagues of us. 

" The fovrteenth, in the morning being very faire weather, 
the wind southeast, we sayled vp the riuer twelue leagues, 
and had fiue fathoms and fiue fathoms and a quarter lesse; 
and came to a streight between two points, and had eight, 
nine, and ten fathoms ; and it trended northeast by north 
one league, and we had twelue, thirteene, and fourteene 
fathoms. The riuer is a mile broad ; there is very high 
land on both sides. Then wee went vp northwest a league 
and a halfe deepe water ; then northeast by north fiue 
miles, then northwest by north two leagues, and anchored. 
The land grew very high and mountainous. The riuer is 
full of fish. 

" The fifteenth, in the morning, was misty vntil the sunne 
arose; then it cleered. So wee weighed with the wind 
at South, and ran vp the riuer twentie leagues, passing by 
high mountains. Wee had a very good depth, as six, seuen, 
eight, nine, twelue, and thirteen fathoms, and great store of 
salmons in the riuer. This morniutr our two sauaires cot 
out of a port and swam away. After we were under 
sayle they called to us in scorne. At night we came to 
other mountains, which lie from the riuer's side. There 
wee fovnd very louing people and very old men ; where we 
were well vsed. Our boat went to fish, and caught gi-eat 
store of very good fish. 

"The sixteenth, faire and very hot weather. In the 



26 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



morning ovr boat went againc to fishing, but could catch 
but few, by reason their canoes had beene there all night. 
This morning the people came aboord and brovght vs eares 
of Indian come and pompions and tobacco, which wee bought 
for trifles. Wee rode still all day, and filled fresh water ; 
at night wee weighed and went two leagues higher, and had 
shoaled water ; so we anchored till day. 

"The seuenteenth, faire, sun-shining weather, and very 
hot. In the morning as soon as the sun was vp, we set 
sayle, and run vp six leagues higher and found shoales in 
the middle of the channel, and small Hands but seuen fathoms 
water on both sides. Toward night we borrowed so neere 
the shoare that wc grounded ; so we layed out our small 
anchor, and heaued off againo. Then we borrowed on the 
banke in the channell and came agrounde againe. While 
the floud ran, we houed off againe, and anchored all night. 

" The eighteenth, in the morning, was faire weather, and 
we rode still. In the afternoone our master's mate went on 
land with an old sauage, a gouernoer of the countrey, who 
carried him to his house and made him goode cheere. 

" The nineteenth was faire and hot weather. At the 
floode, being neere eleuen of the clocke, wee weighed and 
ran higher vp two leagues aboue the shoalds, and had no 
lesse water than fine fathoms. We anchored, and rode in 
eight fiithoms. The people of the countrie came flocking 
aboord, and brought vs grapes and pompions, which wee 
bought for trifles. And many brought vs beuers' skinnes 
and otters' skinnes, which wee bought for beades, kniues, 
and hatchets So we rode there all night. 

" The twentieth, in the morning, was faire weather. Our 
master's mate, with four men more, went vp with our boat 
to sound the riuer, and found, two leagues aboue vs, but 
two fathoms water and the channell very narrow, and aboue 
that place between seuen or eight fathoms. Toward night 
they returned, and we rode still all night. 

" The one and twentieth was faire weather, and the wind 
all southerly. We determined yet once more to goe far- 
ther vp into the riuer, to trie what depth and breadth it 
did beare ; but much people resorted aboord, so we went not 
this day. Our carpenter went on land and made a fore- 
yard, and our master and his mate determined to trie some 
of the chiefe men of the countrie, whether they had any 
treacherie in them. So they took them down into the cab- 
bin and gave them as much wine and aqua vitic that they 
were all merrie ; and one of them had his wife with him, 
who sat as modestly as any of our countrie-women would 
do in a strange place. In the end one of them was drunke 
which had been aboord of our ship all the time we had 
been there ; and that was strange to them, for they could 
not tell how to take it. The canoes and folke went all on 
shore, but some of them caime againe and brought stropes 
of beades — some had six, seven, eight, nine, ten — and gaue 
him. So he slept all night quietly. 

" The two and twentieth was faire weather. In the 
morning our master's mate and foure more of the companie 
went vp with our boat to sound the river higher vp. The 
people of the country came not aboord till noone ; but when 
they came, and saw the sauages well, they were glad. So 
at three of the clocke in the afternoone they came aboord 
and brouirht tobacco and more beades, and iraue them to 



our master, and made an oration, and shewed him the coun- 
trey all around about. Then they sent one of their companie 
on land, who presently returned and brought a great platter 
full of venison, dressed by themselves, and they caused hira 
to eat with them. Then they made him reverence and de- 
parted, — all saue the old man that lay aboord. This night, 
at ten of the clocke, our boate returned in a shower of raine 
from sounding of the riuer, and found it to be at an end for 
shipping to goe in. For they had beene vp eight or nine 
leagues, and found but seuen foot water and unconstant 
soundings. 

"The three and twentieth, fliire weather. At twelue of 
the clocke wee weighed and went downe two leagues to a 
shoald that had two channells, one on the one side, and an- 
other on the other, and had little wind, whereby the tide 
layed vs upon it. So there wee sate on the ground the 
space of an houre till the floud came. Then we had a little 
gale of wind at the west. So wee got our ship into deepe 
water and rode all night very well." 

It is quite apparent from the above narrative that Hud- 
son ascended the river to the shallow water near where the 
village of Waterford now is, and thus, in his explorations, 
probably reached the southern border of Saratoga County. 

Hudson then named the stream the River of the Moun- 
tains, which is a literal translation of the Algonquin name 
of it, — Cd-ho-ta-te-a. It was reserved for his countrymen, 
who took the province from the Dutch in 1G04, first to call 
it in honor of its immortal discoverer. 

Hudson, a year or two afterwards, discovered the great 
northern bay, which was also named in his honor. His 
ship's crew then mutinied. He was sent adrift with eight 
men in a boat upon the wild northern ocean, and was never 
heard of more. 

From these explorations and discoveries by navigators 
sailing in the interests of rival powers there sprang up con- 
flicting claims to the territory of northern New York. Out 
of these claims arose a long series of bloody conflicts be- 
tween the French and the English and their respective In- 
dian allies, of which the soil of Saratoga County so often 
formed the battle-ground, until the brave Montcalm yielded 
to the chivalrous Wolfe, one hundred and fifty years after- 
wards, on the plains of Abraham. 

Since these discoveries and explorations two centuries 
and a half have passed away, and how manifold and vast 
are now the human interests that lie stretched along the 
lakes and rivers which are still linked with the names of 
those kindred spirits of the olden time, — " romance-loving 
explorers," — each immortalized by his discoveries, — Jacques 
Cartier, Henry Hudson, and Samuel de Champlain. 



CHAPTER VII. 

FOUNDING OP ALBANY, SCHENECTADY, 
AND MONTREAL, 1614-62. 

I.— ALBANY. 
It has been seen that the county of Albany, of which 
the county of Saratoga formed a part for more than a hun- 
dred years, was erected by order of the Duke of York, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



27 



the proprietor of the province, as early as the year 1683; 
but the city ot Albanj' was founded by the Dutch niueli 
earlier. Of a truth it may be said that Albany is one of 
the oldest cities of the New World. In the year IC14, five 
years after the discovery of the Hudson river, and six years 
beTore the pilitrim lathers landed at PlyuKuith Rock, the 
city of Albany was founded. 

After Henry Hud.son had discovered and explored the 
river that still bears his name, as far up as what is now 
Waterford, in the month of September, 1609, and taken 
posses.sion of the country in the name of Holland, in whose 
interest he had sailed, a number of Dutch adventurers soon 
followed in his track. These navigators, however, at first 
made no attempt at settlement, but occupied themselves 
with making further di.scoveries along the coast and up the 
river, and pursuing a small trade with the Indians. The 
most noted of these early Dutch navigators wore Adrian 
Block, Hendrick Corstiarnsen, and Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. 

Early in the autumn of 1614 news of their discoveries 
was received in Holland, and the United Company, by which 
they were employed, lost no time in taking the necessary 
steps to secure to themselves the exclusive trade and settle- 
ment of the country thus explored. They sent deputies to 
the Hague, who laid bc;fore the States General a map of 
the new country, which was then for the first time called 
Nsw Nktuerland, with a report of their discoveries. In 
this report, notwithstanding their knowledge of the prior 
discovery of Henry Hudson, in 1609, only five years before, 
they claimed to be the first explorers of the country. 

On the 11th day of October, 1614, their High Mighti- 
ness the States General of Holland made a special grant 
in their favor. This grant conferred upon Girrit Jacob 
Witsen, former burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam, and 
his twelve associates, ship-owners and merchants of Am- 
sterdam, the exclusive right to " visit and navigate all the 
lands situate in America, between New France and Vir- 
ginia, the sea-coasts of which lie between the fortieth and 
forty-fifth degrees of latitude, which are now named New 
Netherland ; and to navigate, or cause to be navigated, the 
same for four voyages within the period of three years, to 
commence from the first day of January, 1615, or sooner." 
Having thus obtained the exclusive right to trade in the 
new country, they assumed the name and title of ''The 
United New Netherland Company." Thus having the 
exclusive right to the country, this company took possession 
of the Hudson river, then called by them " De Riviere van 
den Vorst Mauritius," and built two forts thereon. One 
was built on a little island immediately below the present 
city of Albany, called Castle island, which island has long 
since become a part of the main land. The other was 
erected at the mouth of the stream, on what is now the 
Battery, in the city of New York. 

The fort at Alban was begun early in the year 1615. 
It consisted of a trading house thirty-six feet long and 
twenty-six feet wide. Around this was raised a strong 
stockade, fifty feet sipiare, which was encircled by a moat 
eighteen feet wide. It was defended by two pieces of 
cannon and eleven stone guns mounted on swivels. This 
post was garrisoned by ten or twelve men, under the com- 
mand of Jacob Jacoby Elkeus, who continued here four 



years in the employ of the company, being well liked by 
the Indians, whose language he soon learned. 

But the right of this company expired by limitation in 
the year 1618. In the .spring of that year the fort on 
Castle island was so injured by a freshet on the river that 
the company abandoned it and built another on the main- 
land farther down on a hill at the mouth of the Norman's 
kill. The Indian name for the Norman's kill was Ta-wa- 
sfnt-ha, " the place of the many dead." It was here on 
this hill, called by the Indians Troasgau-shee, that the 
Dutch, in the year 1G18, concluded their first formal treaty 
of peace and alliance with the Five Nations, by which they 
obtained such lasting ascendency over the fierce Indian 
tribes. 

In 1623 the rights of this company were transferred to 
the West India Company, and New Netherlands was erected 
into a province. In that year Fort Orange Wius built by 
Adriaen Ivers, near what is now the steamboat dock of the 
People's line, and eighteen Dutch families built their log 
huts under its protecting guns and .spent there the ensuing 
winter. From these few log huts built in the old forest of 
1623 has grown the modern city of Albany. 

On the 1st day of October, 1630, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 
a rich diamond merchant of Amsterdam, formed the com- 
pany which resulted in the settlement of the " Colonic of 
Rensselaerwych," of which he became the ^rat patroon. 

ir.— SCHENECTADY. 

The great flat upon the Mohawk river, lying seventeen 
miles west of ^^ Fort Orange" as Albany was then called, 
was bought of the Indians by Arendt van Curler in the 
month of July, 1661. The deed was signed in behalf of 
the Mohawks by three chiefs, named Kan-tu-quo, Son-a- 
rul-sic, and A-ia-Ja-ne. In 1662 this grant was confirmed, 
and Van Curler and his associates " went west" from Fort 
Orange and settled the rich Mohawk flats, near which is 
now the modern city of Schenectady. Arendt van Curler 
was a cousin of the Van Rensselaers, and played a promi- 
nent part in the settlement of their manor. He owned a 
farm on the flats just above Fort Orange, and was a brewer in 
Beverwyck,as Albany was then called, in 1661. Hisinfluence 
among the Indians was unbounded. In honor of his mem- 
ory the Iroijiiois addressed all succeeding governors of New 
York by his name, which they translated Corlear. He was 
also a great favorite of the French. On the 30th of April, 
1667, the Marquis de Tracy, viceroy of New France, ad- 
dressed Van Curler a letter, of which we give an extract: 

" If you find it a;5rcGabIe to come hither this sumuicr, as you have 
caused me to hope, yuu will be most welcome, and entertained to the 
utmost of my ability, as I have a great esteem for you, though I have 
never seen you. Believe this truth, and that I am, sir, your afiec- 
tiunate and assured servant, 

Tracv." 

Van Curler accepted this invitation and prepared for his 
journey. Governor Nicoll gave him a letter to the viceroy 
bearing date May 20, 1667, and saying, — 

" Mons'r Curler hath been importuned by divers of his friends at 
Quebec to give them a visit, and being aml)itious to kiss your h.Tnd.*, 
he hath entreated my pass and liberty to conduct a young gentlemiin, 
M. Fontaine, who unfortun.Ttely fell into the barbarous hands of hi^ 
enemies, and by means of Mons'r Cuiler obtained his liberty." 



28 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



On the 4th of July of the same year, Jeremias Van 
Rensselaer wrote to Holland : " Our cousin, Arendt Van 
Curler, proceeds overland to Canada, having obtained leave 
from our general, and been invited thither by the viceroy, 
M. de Tracy." 

Thus provided, he set out. In an evil hour, while on 
this journey. Van Curler attempted to cross Lake Cham- 
plain in a light bark canoe. A storm coming up, he was 
drowned, it is believed, near Split rock. Thus died the 
founder of Schenectady. Lake Champlain was often called 
afterwards by the French, Lake Corlear, in bis honor. 

It has been said that JSka-iick-ta-du was the Indian 
name for Albany. When the Dutch authorities formed 
the settlers at Fort Orange into a separate jurisdiction, it 
ran back from Albany .seventeen miles, and included what 
is now the city of Schenectady, on the Mohawk. To this 
jurisdiction, thus reaching from the Hudson to the IMohawk, 
the Dutch gave the old Indian name for Albany, and called 
it Slcn-nek-ta-ila. 

After the English conquest of the New Netherlands, in 
1664, the jurisdiction of Schenectady was divided, and the 
part next the Hudson was changed to Albany. But Albany 
ran back from the Hud.son only sixteen miles. Thus the 
old jurisdiction of Schenectady was left to that part lying 
on the Mohawk river only, and it has ever since retained the 
name first applied to the whole. The true Indian name 
for what is now Schenectady was 0-no-a-la-go-ua, " pained 
in the head." 

III.— MONTREAL. 

The story of the founding of the city of Montreal is 
more like a religious romance of the middle ages than verit- 
able history. The reader will not forget that the island of 
Montreal was the site of the ancient Jroqnois village, Hoche- 
laga, the capital of the old Forest State of that name, dis- 
covered by Jac(|ues Cartier in the year 1535, and that when 
Champlain first visited the island, in 1603, the old State 
and its capital had alike disappeared, and its site was occu- 
pied only by a few Algonqimi fishing huts. 

But a newer and more brilliant destiny awaited the site 
of the ancient Ilochelaga, the then wild island of Montreal. 
About the year 1636, there dwelt at La Fleche, in Anjou, 
a religious enthusiast deeply imbued with the mysticism of 
the times, whose name was Jerome Le Royer de la Dau- 
versiere. It is related of Dauversiere by the pious histori- 
ans of the period that one day while at his devotions he 
heard an inward voice, which he deemed a voice from 
heaven, commanding him to become the founder of a new 
order of hospital nuns, and to establish for such nuns, to be 
conducted by them, a hospital, or hotel dieu, on the then 
wild Lsland of Montreal. It is further related that while 
Dauversiere was beholding his ecstatic visions at La Fleche, 
a young priest of similar mystical tendencies, whose name 
was Jean Jacques Olicr, while praying in the ancient church 
of St. Germain des Pres at Paris, also heard a voice from 
heaven, commanding him to form a society of priests, and 
establish them on an island called Montreal in Canada, for 
the propagation of the true faith. Full of his new idea, 
Dauversiere set out for Paris to find some means of accom- 
plishing his object. While at Paris he visited the chateau 



of Meudon near by, and, on entering the gallery of the old 
castle, saw a young priest approaching him. It was Olier. 
" Neither of these two men," says an old chronicler, " had 
ever seen or heard of tlie other ; yet, impelled by a kind of 
inspiration, they knew each other at once, even to the depths 
of their hearts ; saluted each other by name as we read of 
St. Paul, the hermit, and St. Anthony, of St. Dominic, and 
St. Francis, and ran to embrace each other like two friends 
who had met after a long separation." After performing 
their devotions in the chapel, the two devotees walked for 
three hours in the park, discussing and forming their plans. 
Before they parted, they had resolved to found at Montreal 
three religious communities — one of secular priests, one of 
nuns to nurse the sick, and one of nuns to teach the white 
and red children. 

By the united efforts of Olier and Dauversiere, an asso- 
ciation was formed, called the Society of Notre Dame de 
Blontreal, and a colony projected. The island was purchased 
of its owners, the successors of the hundred associates of 
Quebec, and erected into a seigneurie by the king, henceforth 
to be called Villemarie de Montreal, and consecrated to the 
Holy Family. But it was necessary to have a soldier gov- 
ernor to place in charge of the colony, and for this purpose 
the iissociates of Montreal selected Paul de Chomeday, Sieur 
de Maisonneuve, a devout and valiant gentleman, who had 
already seen much military service. It was thought neces- 
sary that some di.screel woman should embark with them 
as their nurse and housekeeper. For this purpose they 
selected Mademoiselle Jeanne Mance, a religious devotee, 
who was born of a noble family of Nogent-Le-Roi. She 
was filled with zeal for the new mission. In it she thought 
she had found her destiny. The ocean, the solitude, the 
wilderness, the Iroquois, did not deter her from her high 
purpose, and this delicate and refined woman at once, with 
enthusiastic devotion, cast her frail life upon the rock of 
desolation to christianize a strange land, and to soothe with 
her srentle influence the wildness of barbarous men. 

At length in the summer of 1641 the ships set sail, with 
Maisonneuve and his forty men and Mademoiselle Mance 
and three other women on board. But they reached Que- 
bec too late in the autumn to think of ascending to Montreal 
that season. While passing the long tedious winter at Que- 
bec, the members of the new company were treated with 
much coldness by Governor Montmaguy, who saw a rival 
governor in Maisonneuve. Early iu May, 1642, they em- 
barked for their new home, having gained an unexpected 
recruit in the person of Madame de Peltrie, another pious 
lady, who had also ca.st her fortunes in the wilderness, but 
it was not until 1653 that the gentle Marguerite of Bour- 
geoys came to bless the young colony with her presence. 
All was seeming peace as they paddled their canoes along 
near the banks of the stream, decked in the budding beauties 
of the opening springtide, — but behind every leafy thicket 
and rocky island lurked a danger and a terror, the fierce 
Iroquois on the war-path. 

On the 18lh of May they arrived at the wild island of 
Montreal, and landed on the very site chosen for a city by 
Champlain thirty-one years before. Montmagny was with 
them to deliver the island in behalf of the company of the 
hundred associates to Maisonneuve, the agent of the asso- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



29 



ciates of Montreal, and Father Vimunt, tlie superior of the 
Jesuit missions in Canada, was there in spiritual charge of 
the young colony. 5Iaisonneuve and his followers sprang 
ashore, and falling on their knees, all devoutly joined their 
voices in the songs of thanksgiving. 

Near hy where they landed was a rivulet bordered by a 
meadow, beyond which rose the ancient forest like a band 
of iron. The early flowers of spring were blooming in the 
young grass of the meadow, and the woods were filled with 
singing birds. A simple altar was raised on a pleasant 
spot not for from the shore. The ladies decorated it with 
flowers. Then the whole band gathered before the shrine. 
Father Vimont stood before the altar, clad in the rich vest- 
ments of his office. The Host was raised aloft, while they 
all kneeled in reverent silence. When the solemn rile was 
over, the priest turned to the little band and said, " You are 
a grain of mustard-seed that will rise and grow till its 
branches overshadow the earth. You are few, but your 
work is the work of God. His smile is on you, and your 
children shall fill the land." 

As the day waned and the twilight came on, the darkened 
meadow, bereft of its flowers, became radiant with twink- 
ling fire-flies. Mademoiselle JIanoe, I\Iadame de la Peltrie, 
aided by her servant, Charlotte Barre, caught the fire-flies, 
and, tying them with threads into .shining festoons, hung 
them before the altar where the Host remained exposed. 
Then the men lighted their camp-fires, posted their sentries, 
and pitched their tents, and all lay down to rest. " It was 
the birth-night of Montreal."* 

Old Indian Ho-che-la-ga was no more. A new race had 
come to people the wilderness, and unfurl the banner of the 
Cro.ss on the great river of the Thousand Isles. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

INDIAN WARS— THE MISSION OF ISAAC 
JOGUES, 1642-46. 

I.— LAKE GEORGE. 

Among the earliest of the many French captives who 
were dragged by the cruel Iroquois from time to time along 
the old war-trails which crossed Saratoga, with maimed 
hands and bleeding feet, was the celebrated Jesuit father, 
Isaac Jogues, the discoverer of Lake George, and the 
founder of the Mission of the Martyrs, St. Mary of the 
Mohawks. 

In the olden time, when the whole north continent was a 
vast howling wilderness from the frozen ocean to the flowery 
gulf land, many bright, fair lakes lay sleeping in its awful 
solitudes, their waters flashing in the sunshine like gleam- 
ing mirrors, and lighting up the sombre desolation like 
jewels in an iron crown ; but the fairest and the brightest of 
them all was I^ake George. It was the gem of the old 
wilderness. Of the thousand lakes that adorn the surface 
of northern New York there is none among them all to-day 
so fair, none among them all so like "a diadem of beauty," 
as Lake George — its deepest water as bright and as pure as 



■■■ Parkman's Jesuits in North America, p. 208, and Cliarlevoi 
History of New France, translated by John G. Shea. 



the dewdrops on the lilies. Its authentic history runs back 
for two hundred and forty years. Its forest traditions ex- 
tend into the dim, mythical, mysterious, and unknown 
romance of the New World. But its waters have not 
always been so pure as they are to-day, and we shall all 
grow weary of its story, for it is a story of blood. 

II.— ISAAC JOGUES. 

The first white men who saw Lake George were the 
Jesuit father, Isaac Jogues, and his companions, I{,en6 
Goupil and Guillame Couture. They were taken over its 
waters as prisoners — tortured, maimed, and bleeding — by 
the Mohawks, in the month of August, l()-t2. 

Isaac Jogues, the discoverer of Lake George, was born 
at Orleans, in France, on the Iflth of January, 1G07, and 
received there the rudiments of his education. In October, 
1624, he entered the Jesuit society at Rouen, and removed 
to the College of La Fleche in 1627. He completed his 
divinity at Clermont College, Paris, and was ordained priest 
in February, 1636. In the spring of that year he em- 
barked as a missionary for Canada, arriving at Quebec early 
in July. 

At the time of his first visit to Lake George, Jogues 
was but thirty-five years of age. " His oval face and the 
delicate mould of his features," says Parkman, "indicated 
a modest, thoughtful, and refined nature. He was consti- 
tutionally timid, with a sensitive conscience and great re- 
ligious susceptibilities. He was a finished scholar, and 
might have gained a literary reputation; but he had chosen 
another career, and one for which he seemed but ill fitted." 
His companions were young laymen, who froiu religious 
motives had attached thcm.selves without pay to the service 
of the Jesuit missions. 

III.— WAR IN THE WILDERNESS. 

Thirty-three years before, Samuel de Champlain on his 
voyage of discovery had first attacked the Iroquois on the 
shore of the lake that bears his name, and they had fled in 
terror from the murderous firearms of the first white men 
they had ever seen to their homes on the Mohawk. Since 
then they had ceased to make war upon their hereditary 
enemies, the Canadian Algotigidiis or the French colonists. 
But they had by no means forgotten their humiliating de- 
feat. In the mean time they had themselves been supplied 
with firearms by the Dutch traders at Fort Orange, on the 
Hudson, in exchange for beaver-.skins and wampum, and 
now their hour of sweet revenge had come. 

The war with the Eries, the Iluroiis, and the other 
western tribes had been undertaken by the Senccas, the 
Cayiigas, and Onniidagas. It was left to the Mohawlcs 
and the Oiwidas to attempt the extermination of the Cana- 
dian AJgoiiqiiins and their French allies. They caiue near 
accomplishing their bloody purpose. But for the timely 
arrival of a few troops from France, the banks of the St. 
Lawrence would soon have become as desolate as the coun- 
try of the lost Erics or that of the Hnrons. The savages 
hung the war-kettle upon the fire in all the Mohawk castles 
and danced the war-dance. In bands of tens and hundreds 
they took the war-path, and passing through Lakes George 
and Champlain, and down the river llichelicu, went prowl- 



30 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



ing about the French settlements at Montreal, Three Rivers, 
and Quebec, and the Indian villages on the Ottawa. The 
Iroquois were everywhere. From the Huron country to 
the Saguenay they infested the forests like so many raven- 
ous wolves. They hung about the French forts, killing 
stragglers and luring armed parties into fatal ambuscades. 
They followed like hounds upon the trail of travelers and 
hunters through the forests, and lay in wait along the banks 
of streams to attack the passing canoes. It was one of 
these prowling hostile bands of MohawJcs that attacked and 
captured Isaac Jogues and his companions. 

IV.— CAPTURE OF JOGUES. 

Father Jogues had come down the savage Ottawa river 
a thousand miles in his bark canoes the spring before from 
his far-off Huron mission to Quebec for much-needed sup- 
plies. He was now on his return voyage to the Huron 
country. In the dewy freshness of the early morning of 
the 2d day of August, with his party of four Frenchmen 
and thirty-six Hurons, in twelve heavily-laden canoes, 
Jugues had reached the westerly end of the expansion 
called Lake St. Peters. It is there filled with islands that 
lie opposite the mouth of the river Richelieu. It was not 
long before they heard the terrible war-whoop upon the 
Canadian shore. In a moment more Jogues and his white 
companions and a part of his Haroiis were captives in the 
hands of the yelling, exulting Moliawlts, and the remainder 
of the Hurons killed or dispersed. Goupil was seized at 
once. Jogues might have escaped ; but seeing Goupil and 
his Huron neophytes in the hands of their savage captors, 
he had no heart to desert them, and so gave himself up. 
Couture at first eluded his pur-suers, but, like Jogues, re- 
lented, and returned to his captured companions. Five 
Iroquois ran to meet Couture as he approached, one of 
whom .snapped his gun at his breast. It missed fire, but 
Contour in turn fired his own gun at the savage, and laid 
him dead at his feet. Tiie others sprang upon him like 
panthers, stripped him naked, tore out his finger-nails with 
their teeth, gnawed his fingers like hungry dogs, and thrust 
a sword through one of his hands. Jogues, touched by 
the suflerings of his friends, broke from his guards and 
threw his arms around Couture's neck. The savages 
dragged him away, and knocked him senseless. When he 
revived they gnawed his fingers with their teeth, and tore 
out his nails as they had done those of Couture. Turning 
fiercely upon Goupil, they treated him in the same way. 
With their captives they then crossed to the mouth of the 
Richelieu, and encamped where the town of Sorel now 
stands.* 

The savages returned to the Mohawk with their suffering 
captives by the way which they came, — across the old hunt- 
ing-ground, Kay-ad-ros-se-ra, now Saratoga. On the eighth 
day, upon an island near the south end of Lake Champlain, 
they arrived at the camp of two hundred Iroquois, who 
were on their way to the St. Lawrence. At the sight of 
the captives these fierce warriors, armed with clubs and 
thorny sticks, quickly ranged themselves in two lines, be- 
tween which the captives were each in turn made to run 

'^ Parkmau's .Jesuits in North America, p. 217. 



the gauntlet up a rocky hillside. On their way they were 
beaten with such fury that Jogues fell senseless, half dead, 
and covered with blood. After passing this ordeal again, 
the captives were mangled as before, and this time were 
tortured with fire. At night, when thoy tried to rest, 
the young warriors tore open their wounds, and pulled out 
their hair and beard. 

v.— THE DISCOVERY OF LAKE fiEORGE. 

In the morning they resumed their journey, and soon 
reached a rocky promontory, near which ran a forest-covered 
mountain, beyond which the lake narrowed into a river. 
It was more than a hundred years before that promontory 
became the famous Ticonderoga of later times. Between 
the promontory and the mountain a stream issued from the 
woods and fell into the lake. They landed at the mouth 
of the stream, and, taking their canoes upon their shoulders, 
followed it up around the noi.sy waters of the falls. It 
was the Indian Chenon-de-ro-ga, " the chiming waters." 
They soon reached the shores of a beautiful lake, that there 
lay sleeping in the depths of the limitless forest, all undis- 
covered and unseen by white men until then. It was the 
forest gem of the old wilderness, now called Lake George. 
But it then bore only its old Indian name, Caniad-eri-oit, 
"the tail of the lake." 

Champlain, thirty-three years before, had come no far- 
ther than its outlet. He heard the "chiming waters" of 
the falls, and was told that a great lake lay beyond them. 
But he turned back without seeing it, and so our bruised 
and bleeding prisoners, Isaac Jogues and his companions, 
Goupil and Couture, were the first of white men to gaze 
upon its waters. " Like a fair Naiad of the wilderness," 
says Parkman, " it slumbered between the guardian moun- 
tains that breathe between crag and forest the stern poetry 
of war."f 

Again they launched their frail canoes, and, amid the 
dreamy splendors of an August day, glided on their noise- 
less course over the charming waters. On they passed, 
under the dusky mountain shadows, now over some wide 
expanse, now through the narrow channels and among the 
woody islands, redolent with balsamy odors. At last they 
reached the landing-place at the head of the lake, afterward 
the site of Fort William Henry, now Caldwell, so fiimous 
as a sunmier resort. Here they left their boats and took 
the old Indian trail that led across old Indian Kny-nd-ros- 
se-ra from Lake George, a distance of forty miles, to the 
lower castles on the Mohawk. It was the same trail after- 
wards followed by the Marquis de Tracy, in October, 1666, 
on his way to the Molunok castles with his army and train 
of French noblemen, to avenge the death of the youthful 
Chasy. 

This old Indian trail, so often the war-path, led from the 
south end of Lake George, on a southerly course, to the 
great bend of the Hudson, about ten miles westerly of 
Glen's Falls. From the bend it led southerly, through the 
towns of Wilton and Greenfield, along in plain sight of 
and but four or five miles distant from Saratoga Springs, 
and through Galway to the lower castles on the Mohawk, 

t Jesuils of North Aoitrica, p. 2111. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



31 



four 111- five miles westerly from what is now Amsterdam, 
oil the New York Ccutral railroad. 

VI.— THE CAPTIVITY OF JOGUES. 

After tlieir arrival at the Mohawk eastlcs, Father Jogues 
and his companions were again subjected to tlie most inhu- 
man tortures, with the horrid details of which the reader 
need not be wearied. Among the Mohtiwhn Jogues re- 
mained for nearly a year, a captive slave, performing for 
his savage masters the most menial duties. Soon after 
his nirival more poor Hurons were brought in and put to 
death with cruel tortures. But, in the midst of his own 
sufferings, Jogues lost no opportunity to convert the In- 
dians to Christianity, sometimes even baptizing them with 
a few rain-drops which he found clinging to the husks of 
corn that were thrown him for food. 

Couture had won their admiration by his bravery, and, 
after inflicting upon him the most savage torture, they 
adopted him into one of their fiimilies in the place of a 
dead relation. But in October they murdered poor Goupil, 
and after dragging his body through the village, threw it 
into a deep ravine. Jogues sought it and gave it partial 
burial. He sought it again and it was gone. Had the 
torrent washed it away, or had it been taken off by the 
savases? He searched the forest and the waters in vain. 
" Then, crouched by the pitiless stream, he mingled his 
tears with its waters, and, in a voice broken with groans, 
chanted the service for the dead."* 

In the spring, while the snows were melting, some chil- 
dren told him where the body of poor Goupil was lying 
farther down the stream. The Indians and not the torrent 
had taken it away. He found the bones scattered around 
and stripped by the foxes and birds. He tenderly gathered 
them and hid them in a hollow tree, in the hope that he 
might some day be able to lay them in consecrated ground. 
Late in the autumn after his arrival he was ordered to 
go with a party of braves on their annual deer-hunt. All 
the game they took they offered to their god Ar-esk-oui, and 
ate it in his honor. Jogues came near starving in the midst 
of plenty, for he would not taste the food offered to what 
he believed to be a demon. In a lonely spot in the forest 
he cut the bark, in the form of a cross, from the trunk of 
a large tree. There, half-clad in shaggy furs, in the chill 
wintry air he knelt upon the fi'ozen ground in prayer. He 
was a living martyr to the faith before whose emblem he 
bowed in adoration — a faith in which was now his only 
hope and consolation. 

VII.— THE ESCAPE. 

At length, in the month of July, 1643, he went with a 
fi.shing-party to a place on the Hudson about twenty miles 
below Fort Orange. Some of the Iroquois soon returned, 
bringing Jogues with them. On their way they stopped 
at Fort Orange and he made his escape from the savages. 

Jogues was secreted by the Dutch, and the savages made 
diligent search for him. Fearing his discovery and re- 
capture by the Indians, the kind-hearted Dutch paid a 
large ransom for the captive, and gave him a free passage 

* Jesuits of North America, p. 225. 



to his home in France. He arrived in Brittany on 
Christmas-day and was received by his friends, who had 
heard of his captivity, as one risen from the dead. He 
was treated everywhere with mingled curiosity and reverence, 
and was summoned to Paris. The ladies of the court 
thronged around to do him homage. When he was pre- 
sented to the queen, Anne of Austria, she kissed his 
mutilated hands, the hands of the poor slave of the 
Mohawk squaws. 

In the spring of 1G44, Jogues returned to Canada, soon 
to become a martyr to his faith in the valley of the 
Mohawk. 

VIII._TIIE LAKE OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 
For still another year the Iroquois war raged with 
unabated violence. 

Early in the spring of 1645, a famous Algonquin chief 
named Fiskaret, with a band of braves, went out upon the 
war-path toward the country of the Mohaivks. Upon an 
island in Lake Champlain they met a war-party of thirteen 
Iroquois. They killed eleven of the number, made prisoners 
of the other two, and returned in triumph to the St. Law- 
rence. 

At Sillery, a small settlement on the St. Lawrence, near 
Quebec, Piskaret, in a speech, delivered his captives to 
Montmagny, the governor-general, who replied with com- 
pliments and gifts. The wondering captives, when they 
fairly comprehended that they were saved from cruel torture 
and death, were surprised and delighted beyond measure. 
Then one of the captive Mohaivks, of great size and of 
matchless symmetry of form, who was evidently a war-chief, 
arose and said to the governor, Montmagny, — 

" Onnontio, I am saved from the fire. IMy body is de- 
livered from death. 

" Onnontio, you have given me my life. I thank you 
for it. I will never forget it. All my country will be 
grateful to you. The earth will be bright, the river calm 
and smooth ; there will be peace and friendship between us. 
The shadow is before my eyes no longer. The spirits of 
my ancestors slain by the Alyonquius have disappeared. 

" Onnontio, you are good ; we are bad. But our anger is 
gone. I have no heart but for peace and rejoicing." 

As he said this he began to dance, holding his hands up- 
raised as if apostrophizing the sun. Suddenly he snatched 
a hatchet, brandished it for a moment like a madman, then 
flung it into the fire, saying as he did so, " Thus I throw 
down my anger ; thus I cast away the weapons of blood. 
Farewell war. Now, Onnontio, I am your friend forever." 
Onnontio means in the Indian tongue " great mountain." 
It is a literal translation of Montmagny's name. It was 
forever after the Iroquois name for the governors of Canada, 
as Corlear was for the governors of New York, so called 
from Arent van Curler, first superintendent of the colonies 
of Rensselaerswiek, who was a great favorite with the 
Indians. 

The captive Iroquois were well treated by the French, 
and one of them sent home to their country on the Mohawk, 
under a promise of making negotiations for peace with his 
people, and the other kept as a hostage. 

The efforts of the captive chief who returned to the Mo- 



32 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



hawk were successful. In a short time he reappeared at 
Three Rivers, witli ambassadors of peace from the Moliawh 
cantons. To the great joy of the French, lie brought with 
him Couture, who had become a savage in dress and appear- 
ance. 

After a great deal of feasting, speech-making, and belt- 
giving, peace was concluded, and order and quiet once more 
reigned for a brief period in the old wilderness. 

But ambassadors from the French and Algonqidns must 
be sent from Canada to the Mohawk towns, with gifts and 
presents to ratify the treaty. No one among the French 
was so well suited for this office as Isaac Jogues. His, too, 
was a double errand, for he had already been ordered by his 
superior to found a new mission among the Mohawks. It 
was named, prophetically, in advance, " the mission nf the 
martyrs." 

At the first thought of returning to the Mohawks, Jogues 
recoiled with horror. But it was only a momentary pang. 
The path of duty seemed clear to him, and, thankful that 
he was found worthy to sufi'er for the saving of souls, he 
prepared to depart. 

On the 16th of May, 1646, he set out from Three Rivers, 
with Sieur Bourdon, engineer to the governor, two Algon- 
qiiia ambas.sadors, and four Muhnwks as guides. 

On his way ho passed over the well-remembered scenes 
of his former sufferings upon the river Richelieu and Lake 
Champlain. 

He reached the foot of Lake George on the eve of Corpus 
Christi, which is the feast of the Blessed Body of Jesus. 
He named the lake, in honor of the day, "Me Lake of the 
Blessed Saa-amcnt." When he visited the lake before, as 
a poor bleeding prisoner, it was clad in the dreamy robes of 
the early autumn. Now its banks were clothed in the wild 
exuberance of leafy June. For more than a hundred years 
afterwards this lake bore no other name. 

When Sir William Johnson began his military operations 
at the head of the lake, in the summer of 1755, ho changed 
its name to Lake George, in honor of England s king. 

From Lake St. Sacrament, Jogues proceeded on his way 
to the Mohawk country, and, having accomplished his po- 
litical mission, returned to Canada. 

IX.— THE MIS.SION OF THE MARTYRS. 

His work was only half done. Again, in the month of 
September, he set out for the Mohawlc country. On his 
way he again passed over the shining waters of Lake St. 
Sacrament. Now it was adorned with the gorgeous gold 
and crimson glories of the mid-autumn forests. 

This time he went in his true character — a missionary of 
the gospel. But he had a strong presentiment that his life 
was near its end. He wrote to a friend, " I shall go and 
shall not return." His forebodings were verified. While 
there in July he had left a small box containing a few neces- 
sary articles, in anticipation of an early return. The 
superstitious savages were confident that famine, pestilence, 
or some evil spirit or other was shut up in the box, that 
would in time come forth and devastate their country. To 
confirm their suspicions, that very sunmier there was much 
sickness in their castles, and when the harvest came in the 
autumn they found that the caterpillars had eaten their 



corn. The Christian missionary was held responsible for 
all this, and was therefore doomed to die. 

He arrived at their village near Cach-na-ua-ga, on the 
bank of the Mohawk, on the 17th of October, and was saluted 
with blows. On the evening of the 18th he was invited to 
sup in the cabin of a chief He accepted the invitation, and 
on entering the hut he was struck on the head with a toma- 
hawk by a savage who was concealed within the door. They 
cut oif his head, and in the morning it was displayed upon 
one of the palisades that surrounded the village. His body 
they threw into the Mohawk. 

Thus died Isaac Jogues, the discoverer of Lake George, at 
his Mission of the Martyrs, St. Mary of the Mohawks, in 
the fortieth year of his age. He was but an humble, self- 
sacrificing missionary of the Cro.ss, yet his was 

"One of the few, the immortal names 
That were not born to die." 

The old trail followed by Jogues through Saratoga County 
ran from the Hudson at Glen's Falls along the foot of 
Blount MacGregor, and turning northerly at the Stiles 
tavern, cro.ssed the whole length of Greenfield, and passed 
near Lake Desolation, over the Kayadrosseras range, into 
the Mohawk valley. 



CHAPTER IX. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS— THE NORTH- 
ERN INVASION OF 1666. 

After the weary feet of Isaac Jogues had ceased to 
tread the war-trails of old Saratoga and Kay-ad-ros-se-ra, 
the next expedition of importance which passed from the 
St. Lawrence to the Mohawk over these old trails was the 
famous expedition of Governor Daniel de Remi, Sieur de 
Courcelle, and the Marquis de Tracy, lieutenant-general of 
Canada, to the Mohawk country in 1666. This expedition 
was also intimately connected with the naming of the 
Chazy river, of Clinton county, on Lake Champlain. 

The Chazy river flows from the beautiful lake of the same 
name northerly and easterly, and falls into the northerly 
end of Lake Champlain, nearly opposite the Isle la Motte, 
of historic fame. The Chazy lake sleeps at the foot of 
Mount Lyon, one of the central peaks of a mountain group 
of the Lake Bell of the Wilderness, on the rugged eastern 
border of Clinton county. 

This beautiful stream was named in memory of Sieur 
Chazy, a young French nobleman, who was murdered on 
its banks near its mouth, by the Indians, in the year 1666. 

M. Chazy was a nephew of the Marquis de Tracy, and 
was a captain in the famous French regiment, Carignan- 
Saliires. 

This regiment was the first body of regular troops that 
was sent to Canada by the French king. 

It was raised by Prince Carignan in Savoy during the 
year 1544-. Eight years after it was conspicuous in the 
service of the French king in the battles with Prince Conde 
in the revolt of the Fronde. But the Prince of Carignan 
was unable to support the regiment, and gave it to the king, 
who attached it to the armies of France. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YOR^. 



33 



lu 1664 it took a distinguished part with the allied forces 
of France in the Austrian war with the Turks. The next 
year it went with Tracy to Canada. Among its captains, 
besides Chazy, were Sorel, Chambly, La Motte, and others 
whose names are so familiar in Canadian aunals. The regi- 
ment was commanded by Colonel de Sali^res. Hence its 
double name.* 

In 1GG5, Tracy landed at Quebec in great pomp and 
splendor.f The Chevalier de Chaumont was at his side, 
and a long line of young nolt!esse, gorgeous in lace, ribbons, 
and majestic leonine wigs, followed in his train. As this 
splendid array of noblemen marched through the narrow 
streets of the young city at the tap of tlie drum, escorted 
by the regiment Carignan-Salieres, " the bronzed veterans 
of the Turkish wars," each soldier with slouched hat, 
nodding plume, bandolier, and shouldjred firelock, they 
formed a glittering pageant, such as the New World had 
never seen before. 

In the same year the captain Sieur La Motte built Fort 
St. Anne upon the Isle La Motte, at the south end of Lake 
Champlain, opposite the mouth of the Chazy river. Young 
Chazy was stationed at this fort in the spring of 1666, and 
while hunting in the woods, near the mouth of the river, 
with a party of officers, was surprised and attacked by a 
roving band of Jroqnois. Chazy, with two or three others, 
was killed upon the spot, and the survivors captured and car- 
ried off prisoners to the valley of the Mohawk. For months 
the war thus begun raged with unabated violence, and the 
old wilderness was again drenched in blood, as it had been 
in the time of Father Jogues, twenty years before. 

But in the August following a grand council of peace 
was held with the Iroquois at Quebec. During the council 
Tracy invited some Mohaxck chiefs to dine with him. At 
the table some allusion was made to the murder of Chazy. 
A chief, named Ag-ari-ata, at once held out his arm and 
boastingly said, — 

" This is the hand that sjjlit the head of that young 
man !" 

" You shall never kill anybody else," exclaimed the 
horror-stricken Tracy, and ordered the insolent savage to 
be taken out and hanged upon the spot, in sight of his 
comrades.]; 

Of course peace was uo longer thought of. Tracy made 
haste to march against the MuImwIcs with all the forces at 
his command. 

During the month of September, Quebec on the St. Law- 
rence, and Fort St. Anne on the Isle La Motte in Lake 
Champlain, were scenes of busy preparation. At length 
Tracy and the governor, Courcelle, set out from Quebec on 
the day of the exaltation of the Cross, " for whose glory,'' 
says the Relation, " this expedition is undertaken." They 
had with them a force of thirteen hundred men and two 
pieces of cannon. It was the beginning of October, and 
the forests were putting on the gorgeous hues of an Amer- 
ican autumn. They went up T^ake Champlain and into 
Lake St. Sacrament, now Lake George. As their flotilla 



« Park.iHin's Old Rtgime, p. 181. 
t Ibid., p. 178. 
X Ibid., p. 192. 



swept gracefully- over the crystal waters of this gem of the 
old wilderness, it formed the first of the military pageants 
that in after-years made that fair scene famous in history. 

Leaving their canoes where Fort William Henry was 
afterwards built, they plunged boldly on foot into the 
southern wilderness that lay before them towards the Mo- 
hawk country. They took the old Indian trail, so often 
trodden by Father Jogues and by war-parties of savages, 
which led across the Hudson at the main bend above 
Glen's Falls, and passed across the old Indian hunting- 
ground, K'ii/-ad-ros-se-r(i, through what are now the towns 
of Wilton, Greenfield, and Galway, in Saratoga County, to 
the lower castles on the Mohawk near the mouth of the 
Schoharie creek. It was more than forty miles of forests, 
filled with swamps, rivers, and mountains, that lay before 
them. Their path was a narrow, rugged trail, filled with 
rocks and gullies, pitfalls and streams. Their forces con- 
sisted of six hundred regulars of the regiment Carignan- 
Salic'res, six hundred Canadian militia, and a hundred 
Christian Indians from the missions. 

" It seems to them," writes Mother Marie de I'lncarna- 
tion, in her letter of the IGth of October, IfiOG, " that they 
are going to lay siege to Paradise and win it and enter in, 
because they are fighting for religion and the faith." 

Ou they went through the tangled woods, officers as well 
as men carrying heavy loads upon their backs, and dragging 
their cannon " over slippery logs, tangled roots, and oozy 
masses." Before long, in the vicinity of what is now known 
as Lake Desolation, their provisions gave out, and they were 
almost starved. But soon the trail led through a thick 
wood of chestnut-trees full of nuts, which they eagerly 
devoured and thus .stayed their hunger. 

At length, after many weary days, they reached the lower 
Mohawk cantons. The names of the two lower Mohawk 
castles were then Te-hon-da-lo-ga, which was at Fort Hun- 
ter, at the mouth of the Schoharie creek, and Ga-no wa-ga, 
now Cach-na-wa-ga , which was near Tribes hill. Tlie 
upper castles, which were farther up the Mohawk, were the 
Ca-na-Jo-lia e, near Fort Plain, and Ga-iie-ga-ho-ga, oppo- 
site the mouth of East Canada creek. 

They marched through the fertile valley of the Mohawk, 
the Indians fleeing into the forest at their approach. Thus 
the brilliant pageant of the summer that had glittered across 
the sombre rock of Quebec, was twice repeated by this war- 
like band of noblemen and soldiers amid the crimson glories 
of the autumn woods in the wild valley of the jMohawk. 
They did not need the cannon which they had brought 
with so much toil across the country from Lake St. Sacra- 
ment. The savages were frightened almost out of their 
wits by the noise of their twenty drums. '' Let us save 
ourselves, brothers," said one of the Mohawh chiefs, as he 
ran away, " the whole world is coming against us." 

After destroying all the corn-fields in the valley, and burn- 
ing the last palisaded Mohawk village, they planted a cross 
on its ashes, and by the side of the cross the royal arms of 
France. Then an officer, by order of Tracy, advanced to 
the front, and, with sword in hand, proclaimed in a loud 
voice that he took possession, in the name of the king of 
France, of all the country of the Mohawks. 

Having thus happily accomplished their object without 



34 



HISTORY OF SAKATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



the loss of a man, they returned unmolested to Canada 
over the route by which they came. 

The death of younj; Chazy was avenged. The insolent 
Iroquois were for the first time chastised and humbled in 
their own country. For twenty years afterwards there was 
peace in the old wilderness, — peace bought by the blood of 
young Chazy. 

Surely was the beautiful river, on whose banks his bones 
still rest, christened with his name amid a baptism of fire 
at an altar upon which the villages, the wigwams, the corn- 
fields of his murderera were the sacrificial offerings. 

And so ended the second French and Indian war, known 
in colonial annals as the War of lOGG. 



CHAPTER X. 
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR OP 1689-90. 

I.— THE INVASION OF MONTREAL OF 1689. 

After the return of Tracy's expedition of 16G6, there 
was comparative peace in the old wilderness for a period of 
more than twenty years. But at length, owing to the mis- 
taken policy of Governor Denonville, the war broke out 
afresh, and the old northern valley again became the scene 
of untold horrors. 

All colonies are sometimes unfortunate in their governors, 
and the dominion of New France was not an exception to 
the rule. In the manner in which some of the early Cana- 
dian giivernors treated the Iroquois of central New York, 
can easily be traced the persistent enmity of these savages 
to the French, and their unshaken friendship for the Eng- 
lish colonists of the Atlantic slope. 

Previous to 1689 Governor Denonville had for a long 
time been on unfriendly terms with the Iroquois. In that 
year he committed warlike depredations upon their hunting- 
parties near the upper lakes. In the n)ean time, Governor 
Dongan, of New York, was the warm friend and ally of 
the Iroquois. 

Governor Dongan's wrath was kindled anew when he 
heard that the French had invaded the country of the 
Senecas, seized English traders on the lakes, and built a 
fort at Niagara. He at once summoned the Five Nations to 
meet him at Albany. He told the assembled chiefs that 
their late troubles had fallen upon them because they had 
held councils with the French without asking his leave ; 
and he forbade them to do so again, and told them that, as 
subjects of King James, they must make no further treaty 
with the French except with his consent. He enjoined 
them to receive no more French Jesuits into their towns, 
and to call home their countrymen whom these fathers had 
converted and enticed to Cachnawaga. " Obey my com- 
mands," said the governor, " for that is the only way to eat 
well and sleep well, without fear or disturbance." The Iro- 
quois seemed to assent to all this; their orators said, " We 
will fight the French as long as a man is left." 

Then arose a long controversy between Governor Dongan 
and Governor Denonville in reference to the Iroquois. 
Governor Dongan took the responsibility of protecting the 



Iroqvois upon his own shoulders. At length James II. 
consented to own the Iroquois as his subjects, and ordered 
Dongan to protect them. 

This declaration of royalty was a great relief to Dongan. 
He now pursued more vigorous measures against the French. 
So the controversy ran on year after year between the two 
governors until the fall of lUSO, when the Iroquois struck 
a blow which came upon the French like the crash of a 
thunderbolt. 

During the latter part of July they assembled their war- 
riors and started on the war-path. Taking their bark ca- 
noes, they paddled down the Mohawk, passed the old city 
of Schenectady, and landed at the mouth of Eel-Place creek, 
on the right bank of the river. Here they found a large 
corn-field planted by William Apple and his associates, who 
were inhabitants of Schenectady. Halting for a few days, 
they feasted upon the green corn in the ear, destroying the 
whole field. In after-years what is now known as " Apple 
patent" grew out of this circumstance. Leaving the Mo- 
hawk, they then followed up the creek to the carrying-place 
which leads across into Ballston lake. At the lake they 
again took to their canoes, and sped across its water. It 
was a splendid warlike pageant for these now quietly- 
sleeping waters. The Iroquois were fully fifteen hundred 
strong, the fiercest warriors of the New World, painted and 
plumed for the war-path. They reached the outlet of the 
lake near what is now known as East Line. 

Again taking their canoes from the water, they carried 
them over the land into the " Mourning Kill." From the 
" Mourning Kill" they descended into the valley of the 
Kay -ad-ros-se-ra river; down the Kay-ad-ros-se-ra they sped 
into the Kay-ad-ros-se-ra, now Saratoga, lake. Across its 
trannjuil waters they passed in savage array, presenting a 
striking contrast with our modern regattas, and, entering the 
Fishkill, were soon upon the waters of the Hudson. Pro- 
ceeding up to the great carrying-place, at what is now Fort 
Edward, they passed over it into Wood creek, and thence 
down into Lake Champlain. 

On the 5th of August, 1G89, a violent hail-storm burst 
over Lake St. Louis, an expansion of the St. Lawrence a 
little above Montreal. Concealed by the tempest and the 
■ darkness, these fifteen hundred warriors landed at La Chine, 
and posted themselves in silence about the houses of the 
sleeping settlers, then screeched the war-whoop, and began 
the most frightful massacre in Canadian history. Men, 
women, and children were butchered indiscriminately, and 
the houses reduced to ashes. In the neighborhood were 
three stockaded forts, and an encampment of two hundred 
regulars were at the distance of three miles. At four o'clock 
in the morning, the troops in this encampment heard a can- 
non-shot from one of the forts. Soon after they were under 
arms they saw a man running towards them, just escaped 
from the Indian butchery. He told his story, and passed 
on with the news to Montreal, about six miles distant. 
Within a short time thereafter, there came in several fugi- 
tives one after another, each telling his tale of the frightl'ul 
massacre. The commander of the troops at once ordered 
them to march. When they had advanced toward La Chine 
they found the houses still burning, and the bodies of the 
inmates strewn among them, or hanging from the stakes 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



35 



where they had been tortured. The Iroquois, they learned, 
had been encamped a mile and a half farther on, behind a 
tract of forest. Advancing towards the Jroqxois sword in 
hand at the liead of his men, the daring commander entered 
the forest ; but, at that moment, a voice from the rear 
commanded a halt. It was that of the Chevalier De 
Vaudreuil, just come fiom Montreal, with positive orders 
from Denonville to run no risks and stand solely on the 
defensive. On the next day eighty men from some of the 
forts attempted to join them ; but the Iroquois intercepted 
the unfortunate detachment and cut them to pieces in full 
sight of the forts. All were killed except Le Moyne, De 
Longeuil, and a few otliers, who escaped within the gates of 
the two forts. 

Montreal was stricken to the earth with terror. But no 
attack was made either on the town or aii}' of the forts, 
and the inhabitants, such as could reach them, were safe; 
while the Iroquois held undisputed possession of the open 
country, burned all the houses and barns over an extent of 
nine miles, and roamed in small parties, pillaging and sculp- 
ing, over more than twenty miles more. They encountered 
no opposition nor met with any loss. Charlevoix says that 
the invaders remained in the neighborhood of Montreal till 
the middle of October; whether this bo so or not. their stay 
was strangely long. At length, when ready to return, they 
re-crossed Lake St. Louis in a body, giving ninety yells, 
showing thereby that they had ninety prisoners of war. 
As they piissed the forts they shouted, " Onontio, you have 
deceived us, and now we have deceived you !" Towards 
evening they encamped on the farther side of the river, 
and began to torture and devour their prisoners. On that 
miserable night groups of persons, stupefied and speechless, 
stood gazing from the Canadian shore at the lights that 
gleamed along the shore of Chateaugay, where their friends, 
wives, parents, or children were agonizing in the fires of 
the Iroquois, and where scenes were enacted of indescrib- 
able and nameless horror. 

Under this terrible calamity Canada lay benumbed and 
bewildered ; but this was nut all. James II., of England, 
the friend and ally of France, had been driven from Eng- 
land, and William of Orange had seized his vacant throne. 
There was now war between England and France. The 
French not only had to contend against the Iroquois, but 
now the British colonies, strong and populous, were about to 
attack them. But Denonville was recalled, and in October 
sailed for France. His successor was Count de Frontenac. 

II. THE BURNING OF SCHENECTADY, IX 1000. 

No event in the long and bloody warfare of the old 
wilderness possesses a more tragic interest than the sacking 
and burning of Schenectady in the dead of winter, in the 
year 1090. Instead of opposing the Iroquois, his former 
allies, Frontenac at empted to reclaim them. He resolved, 
therefore, to take the offensive, not only against the Iro- 
quois, but also against the English, and to strike a few 
rapid, sharp blows that he might teach both his friends and 
foes that Onontio was still alive. He formed three war- 
parties of picked men, — one at Montreal, one at Three 
Rivers, and one at Quebec; the first to strike at Albany, 
the second New Hampshire, and the third Maine. That 



of Montreal against Albany was first ready. It consisted 
of two hundred men, of whom ninety-six were converted 
Indians, from the missions near Montreal. 

D'Aillebout de Mantet and Le Moyne de Sainte-Helene, 
the brave son of Charles Le Moyne, had the chief command ; 
they were supported by the brothers Le Moyne D'Iberville 
and Le Moyne De Bienville, with llepentigny de Mont- 
tesson, Le Bor Du Chesne, and other of the Canadian 
nol/lesse. 

They began their march in the depth of winter, on snow- 
shoes, each soldier with the hood of his blanket drawn over 
his head, a gun in his mittened hand, a knife, a hatchet, a 
tobacco-pouch at his belt, and a pack on his shoulders. 
They dragged their blankets and provisions over the snow 
on Indian sledges. Thus they went on across the St. Law- 
rence up the Richelieu and the frozen Lake Champlain, 
and then stopped to hold a council. Frontenac had left 
the precise point of attack discretionary with the leaders, 
and the men had thus far been ignorant of their destina- 
tion. The Indians demanded to know it. Mantet and 
Sainte-Helene replied that ihey were going to Albany. 
The Indians objected, — " How long is it," asked one of 
them, " since the French grew so bold?" The commanders 
answered that, to regain the honor of which their late mis- 
fortunes had robbed them, the French would take Albany 
or die in the attempt. After eight days they reached the 
Hudson, and found the place, at what is now Schuyler- 
ville, where two paths diverged, the one for Albany and 
the other for Schenectady ; they all without further words 
took the latter trail. There was a partial thaw, and they 
waded knee-deep through the half-melted snow, and the 
mingled ice, mud, and water of the gloomy swamps. So 
painful and slow was their progress that it was nine days 
more before they reached a point two leagues from Schenec- 
tady. By this time the weather had changed again, and a 
cold, gusty snow-storm pelted them. At four o'clock in 
the afternoon of the 8th of February the scouts found an 
Indian hut, and in it were four Iroquois squaws, whom 
they captured. There was a fire in the wigwam, and the 
shivering Canadians crowded about it and warmed them- 
selves over its blaze. The chief Indian, called by the 
Dutch •' Kryn," harangued his followers, and exhorted them 
to wash out their wrongs in blood. They then advanced 
again, and about dark reached the river Mohawk, a little 
above the village. Their purpose had been to postpone the 
attack until two o'clock in the morning ; but such was the 
inclemency of the weather that they were forced to move 
on or perish. Guided by the frightened squaws, they crossed 
the Jlohawk on the ice. About eleven o'clock they saw 
through the storm the snow-covered palisades of the devoted 
village. iSueh was their distress that some of them after- 
wards said that they would all have surrendered if an enemy 
had appeared. 

The village was oblong in form and inclosed by a palisade, 
which had two gates, one towards Albany and the other 
towards the Mohawks. There was a block-Iiouse near the 
eastern gate, occupied by eight or nine Connecticut militia- 
men, under Lieutenant Talmadge. There were also about 
twenty or thirty Mohau-lcs in the place, on a visit, llie 
Dutch inhabitants were in a state of discord. The revolution 



36 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



in England had produced a revolution in New York. The 
demagogue, Jacob Leisler, had got possession of Fort Wil- 
liam, and was endeavoring to master the whole colony. 
Albany was in the hands of the anti-Leisler, or Conserv- 
ative party, represented in convention, of which Peter 
Schuyler was the chief. The Dutch of Schenectady for the 
most part fiwored Leisler, but their magistrate, John San- 
der Glen, stood fast for the Albany convention ; for this the 
villagers had threatened to kill him. Talmadge and his 
militia were under orders from Albany, and, therefore, like 
Glen, they were under the popular ban. In vain had the 
magistrate and Talmadge entreated the people to stand on' 
their guard. They turned the advice to ridicule, and left 
their gates open, and placed there, it is said, a snow image 
as mock sentinel. There had been some festivity during 
the evening; but it was now over, and the primitive vil- 
lagers, fathers, mothers, children, and infants, lay buried in 
unbroken sleep. Before the open western gate, with its 
mock sentinel of snow, its blind and dumb warder, stood 
the French and Indians. 

The assailants were now formed into two bands, Sainte- 
Hclene leading the one and Mantet the other. They 
passed through the gate together in dead silence. One 
turned to the right and the other to the left, and they filed 
around the village between the palisades and the houses, 
till the two leaders met at the farther end. Tiius the place 
was completely suri'ounded. The signal was then given ; 
they all screeched the war-whoop together, burst in the 
doors with hatchets, and fell to their work. The villagers, 
roused by the infernal din, leaped from their beds. For 
some it was but a nightmare of fright and horror, ended 
by the blow of the tomahawk. Others were less fortunate. 
Neither children nor women were spared. " No pen can 
write, and no tongue express," wrote Schuyler, " the cruel- 
ties that were committed." At the block-house, Talmadge 
and his men made a stubborn fight, but the doors were at 
length forced in, the defenders killed or taken, and the 
building set on fire. Adam Vrooman, one of the villagers, 
saw his wife shot and his child brained against the door- 
posts, but he fought so desperately that the assailants prom- 
ised him his life. Orders had been given to spare Peter 
Tassemaker, the minister. He was hacked to pieces and his 
house burned. A few fortunate ones fled towards Albany 
in the storm to seek shelter. Sixty persons were killed 
outright, of whom thirty-eight were men and boys, ten 
were women, and twelve were children. The number cap- 
tured, it appears, was between eighty and ninety. The thirty 
Mohawks in the town were treated with great kindness by 
the victors, who declared that they had no quarrel with 
them, but only with the Dutch and p]nglish. For two 
hours this terrible massacre and pillage continued ; then 
the prisoners were secured, sentinels posted, and the men 
told to rest and refresh themselves. In the morning a small 
party crossed the river to the house of Glen, which stood on 
a rising ground, at what is now called Scotia. Glen had 
prepared to defend himself; but the French told him not to 
fear, for they had orders not to hurt a chicken of his. After 
requiring them to lay down their arms, he allowed them to 
enter. Glen had on several occasions saved the lives of the 
French, and owing him therefore a debt of gratitude, they 



took this moans of repaying it. Ho was now led before 
the crowd of prisoners and told that not only were his own 
life and property safe, but that all of his kindred should be 
spared. So many claimed relationship with Glen that the 
Indians observed " that everybody seemed to be his rela- 
tion." Fire was now set to all the buildings except one in 
which a French officer lay wounded, another belonging to 
Glen, and three or four more which he begged the victors 
to spare. At noon Schenectady was in ashes. The French 
and Indians then withdrew, laden with booty. Dragging 
their sledges with thirty or forty horses, which were cap- 
tured, twenty-seven men and boys were driven prisoners 
into the forest. About sixty old men, women, and children 
were left behind, without injury by the victors. Only two 
of the invaders had been killed. 

The French and Indians returned across the territory of 
Saratoga County, in the order in which they came, pursued 
by the English troops. They were overtaken near Lake 
Champl.iin, and a few prisoners taken. Before reaching 
Montreal, they came near starving, such was the inclemency 
of the season and the difficulties of the journey. 

III.— FITZ .JOHN WINTHROP'S EXPEDITION OF 1690. 

The first American Congress was held on the 1st of May, 
1090, in the fort at New York. It was agreed that while 
the fleet should attack Quebec the army should proceed by 
way of Lake Champlain to Montreal and thus effect the 
con(|ue,st of Canada. 

The command of this expedition was given to Fitz John 
Winthrop, of Connecticut. He was commissioned a major- 
general in the service, being already a member of the coun- 
cil of Governor Andros. On the 14th of July of this 
year General Winthrop set out from Hartford with some 
troops, and was seven days marching through the almost 
impassable wilderness before he reached Albany, on the 
Hud.son. Ho had been preceded by two comp.inies under 
Captains john.son and Fitch. " At Albany," says Win- 
throp, " I found the design against Canada poorly contrived 
and prcseeuted, all things confused and in no readiness to 
march, and everybody full of idle projects about it." 

The expedition consisted of four hundred troops from 
New York, one hundred and thirty-five men, being three 
companies, from Connecticut, thirty Hiver Indians, and 
one hundred and fifty Mohawks. A sorry array compared 
to the thousands who, sixty-eight years after,^ swept up the 
Hudson through Lake George, under Abercrombie and 
Lord Howe, to find "glory and a grave" at Ticonderoga. 
On the 30th of July the New England troops and the In- 
dians moved up four miles and encamped on the flats of 
Watervliet. On the 1st of August Winthrop's expedition 
reached Stillwater, where they encamped for the night. 
The next morning Winthrop took up the line of march for 
Saratoga, now Schuylerville, where there was a block-hou.se 
and some Dutch soldiers. At this place he found the re- 
corder of Albany, Mr. Wessells, and a company of princi- 
pal gentlemen, volunteers from that city. Here he got 
letters from Major Peter Schuyler, the mayor of Albany, 
who had already gone up the river before him with the 
Dutch troops, to the efi"ect that he. Major Schuyler, who 
was situated at the second carrying-place, now Fort Miller, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



37 



was making canoes for the army. " Thus far," Winthrop 
says, " the way was good ; only four great wading rivers, 
only one of them dangerous for horse and man." 

On the 4th of August the provisions were divided ; to 
each soldier was given thirly-five cakes of bread, besides 
pork, and Winthrop moved up eight miks to Fort IMiller; 
the Dulch soldiers carrying up their supplies in their bark 
canoes, and the Connecticut troops carrying them on horses. 
" Here," says Winthrop, " the water passeth so violently, by 
reason of the great falls and rocks, that canoes cannot pass ; 
so they were forced to carry their provisions and canoes 
on their backs a pretty ways to a passable part of the river." 
This point was then known as "the Little Carrying-Place." 
On the 5th of August the soldiers marched about eight 
miles to " The Great Carrying-Place," taking their pro- 
visions on their horses, the Dutch having already gone up 
the river in their canoes. On the Cith of August the little 
army marched over the "Great Carrying-Place" twelve miles, 
to the forks on Wood creek, since called Fort Ann. The 
way was through a continuous swamp covered with tall 
white-pine trees. On the 7th of August, General Win- 
throp sent back thirty horses to Saratoga, under command 
of Ensign Thoniilson, for provisions. On the same day 
the general passed down Wood creek with two files of 
musketeers, flanked by the Indians under Captain Stanton, 
to the Hautkill, now Whitehall, where he encamped with 
Major Schuyler and the Mohawk captains, on the north 
side of Wood creek. On the 9th of August the general 
received information through Captain Johnson, who had 
been sent to Albany some days previous for provisions, that 
the western Indians whom he expected to meet at the Isle 
La Motte, near the north end of Lake Champlain, had not 
left their country on account of the smallpox breaking out 
among them. The expression the Indians used was " that 
the great God had stopped their way." The smallpox had 
also broken out in the army under Winthroj), and seriously 
reduced the available force. The French claimed that of 
this expedition four hundred Indians and two hundred 
English died of the smallpox. 

While at Hautkill, Major Schuyler sent forward Captain 
Sanders Glen, — the same who had been spared at the Sche- 
nectady massacre, — with a company of twenty-eight men and 
five Indians. At Ticonderoga Glen erected on the 5th of 
August some stone breastworks, and waited for the expedi- 
tion to come up ; but it was found that the time was so 
far spent that bark would not peel, and therefore no more 
canoes could be built that season. It was further ascer- 
tained that the commissaries at Albany could forward no 
further supplies of piovisions. On the 15th of August a 
council of war was held, and it was resolved to return with 
the army to Albany. Thus ended the first expedition 
against Canada undertaken by the English colonists. Cap- 
tain John Schuyler, however, proceeded on down Lake 
Champlain, on his first expedition against the French at 
La Prairie. When the troops, on their return, reached 
Wood creek. Lieutenant Hubbell died of the smallpox ; 
he was buried there with much ceremony. All the forts 
above Saratoga, with the stores and boats, were burned. 
Winthrop's army reached Greenbush, opposite Albany, on 
the 20th of August, having been absent just three weeks. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE NORTHEBN INVASION OF 1693^A 
BATTLE IN SARATOGA. 

In the month of January, 1693, Count de Frontenac, 
governor of Canada, dispatched a force from Montreal with 
orders to invest and destroy the Muhatvk ca.stles, and com- 
mit as great ravages as possible around Fort Orange. 

This expedition was under the command of De Manteth 
Courtemanche and La Nuoe. All the Canadian mission 
Indians were invited to join it, — the Iroquois of the Saut 
and mountain ; Ahenakis, from the Chaudiere ; ILirons, 
from Lorette; and Alc/oiiqiuiis, from Three Rivers. A 
hundred regular soldiers were added, and a large band of 
Canadian voyageurs. The whole force mustered six hun- 
dred and twenty-five men. They left Chanibly at the end 
of January, and pushed southward on snow-shoes. Their 
way was over the ice of Lake Champlain, and so on to the 
Mohawk country. At night, in squads of twelve or more, 
they bivouacked in the forest ; they dug away the snow in 
a circle and covered the bare earth with hemlock boughs, 
built a fire in the middle, and sat around it. It was six- 
teen days before they reached the two lower Mohawk towns, 
which were a quarter of a league apart. They surrounded 
one town on the night of the 16th of February, and waited 
in silence till the voices within were hushed, when they 
attacked the place, capturing all the inhabitants without 
resistance. They then marched to the next town, reached 
it at evening, and hid in the neighboring woods. Through 
all the early evening they heard the whoops and songs of 
the warriors within who were dancing the war-dance. The 
Mohaivks had posted no sentinels ; and one of the French 
Indians, scaling the palisade, opened the gate to his com- 
rades. The fight was short but bloody. Twenty or thirty 
Mohaicks were killed, and nearly three hundred captured, 
chiefly women and children. After burning the last Mo- 
hawk town the French and their Indian allies began their 
retreat, encumbered with a long train of prisoners. It was 
the intent of the French to push on to Schenectady and 
Albany, but they were overruled by the Indian chiefs, who 
represented that the number of the prisoners was so great 
they would prevent them from making any farther advances. 
In the mean time the whole country had become alarmed. 
Lieut. John Schuyler and fifty-five horse marched from 
Albany to Schenectady. These were quickly followed by 
Major Schuyler, who .sent out scouts to watch the enemy's 
movements. The English crossed the Mohawk, started in 
pursuit of the enemy with two hundred and seventy-three 
men, marched twelve miles, and encamped. At one o'clock 
the next morning they broke camp and marched till six 
o'clock A.M., when they were advised that the Canadians 
were eight miles distant. At four o'clock p.m. the Eng- 
lish forces marched to a place near Tribes hill, where the 
invaders had remained the night before. On Tuesday, the 
15th, they received a reinforcement of Mohawks, who had 
come down from the upper country, and they marched about 
ten miles to a place near Galway, where they halted and 
sent spies to discover the enemy. On Thursday, the 17lh, 
they marched in the morning to the place where the French 
had previnuslv encamped, near Greenfield Centre. Two miles 



38 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



fiirtlier on they learned, through a Christian Indian boy, 
that the French were then within three miles. They then 
marched and encamped within a mile of the enemy, where 
the French had built a fort, Indian fashion, near what is 
now known as the Stiles' tavern, in Wilton, on the eastern 
border of the Palmerton mountains. The English soon 
appeared before the fortified camp of the French. Tlie forest 
at once rang with the war-whoops of the savages, and the 
English Indians set at work to intrench them.selves with 
felled trees. The French and the Indian allies sallied to dis- 
lodge them. The attack was fierce and the resistance equally 
so. With the French, a priest of the Mission of the Moun- 
tain, named Gay, was in the thick of the fight ; and, when 
he saw his neophytes run, he threw himself before them, 
crying, " What are you afraid of? We are fighting with 
infidels, who have nothing human but the shape. Have you 
forgotten that the Holy Virgin is our leader and our pro- 
tector, and that you are subjects of the King of France, 
whose name makes all Europe tremble?' Three times the 
French renewed the attack in vain. They then gave over 
the attempt and lay quietly behind their barricade of trees. 
So did their English opponents also. The morning was 
dark and dreary ; a drifting snow-storm filled the air. The 
English were out of provisions and in a starving condition. 
The Indians, however, did not want for food, having re- 
sources unknown to their white friends. Schuyler was 
invited to taste some broth which they had prepared, but 
his appetite was spoiled when he saw them ladle a man's 
hand out of the kettle. The Indians were making their 
breakfast on the bodies of the dead Frenchmen. 

All through the next night the hostile bands watched 
each other behind their sylvan ramparts. In the morning 
an Indian deserter told the English commander that the 
French were packing their baggage. They had retreated 
under cover of the snow-storm. Schuyler ordered his men 
to follow, but they had fasted three days and refused to go. 
The next morning some provisions arrived from Albany. 
Five biscuits were served out to each man, and the pursuit 
began. By great efforts they nearly overtook the fugitives, 
who now sent word back that if the English made an attack 
all the prisoners should bo put to death. On hearing this 
the Indians under Schuyler refused to continue the 
chase. 

When the French reached the Hudson, they found to their 
dismay that the ice was breaking up and drifting down the 
stream. Happily for them, a large sheet of it had become 
wedged at the bend of the river, that formed a tempoiaiy 
bridge, over which they crossed and pushed up to Lake 
George. Before the English arrived at the river the ice- 
bridge had again floated away, and the pursuit was ended. 
Thus was fought on the soil of Saratoga County, within 
six miles of Saratoga Springs, one of the sanguinary con- 
tests of the old wilderness warfare. 

The battle is said to have been on the plain which lies to 
the northwest of Stiles' tavern. This region of the country 
was afterwards occu{)ied by the Pitlmerlon Indians. The 
peace of Ryswyck was declared two years after, in 1 695, and 
for fourteen years thereafter, and until what is known as 
Queen Anne's war broke out, there was peace in the old 
wilderness. 



CHAPTER XII. 
FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS, 1709-48. 

I.— QUEEN ANNE'S WAR. 

In the year 1709, what is known as Queen Anne's war 
broke out in Europe and speedily extended to the American 
colonies, each of which soon became bent on the extermi- 
nation of the other. Peter Schuyler was now of the 
executive council, a commissioner of Indian affairs, and a 
colonel in the service. He was called by the Indians 
Gtiider, because they could not pronounce his name. His 
brother John had been advanced to the grade of lieutenant- 
colonel. 

Richard Ingoldsby, who had come over with the rank of 
major, as commamler of Her Majesty's four companies of 
regulars, w;is now lieuteuant-governor of the province. 
Again a joint expedition was planned by the colonists for 
the cuncjuest of Canada. Five regiments of regulars were 
to be joined with twelve hundred provincial troops, who 
were to proceed by sea to Quebec. 

Another body of troops was to rendezvous at Albany- 
for the attack on Montreal. The forces for this latter ex- 
pedition were placed under the command of Colonel Vetch, 
a nephew of Peter Schuyler, and General Nicholson. 
Nicholson was tendered the command by Governor In- 
goldsby on the 21st of May, 1709. 

On the 19th of May, the council had given orders that 
there should be sent forthwith to Albany a sufficient quan- 
tity of stores and provisions, and all other things necessary 
for building storehouses and boats and make canoes. About 
the 1st of June the vanguard of the expedition, consisting 
of three hundred men, with the pioneers and artificers, 
moved out of Albany, under the command of Colonel 
Schuyler. Proceeding to Stillwater, they built a stockaded 
fort for provisions, which they named Fort Ingoldsby. 
They also built stockaded forts at Saratoga, situated on the 
east side of the river, below the Battenkill, and another at 
Fort JMiller falls. From Saratoga they built a road up the 
east side of the river to the Great Carrying-Place. At the 
bank of the Hudson they built, at the Great Carrying- Place, 
another fort, whicli they called Fort Nicholson. This has 
since become Fort Edward. From Fort Edward they went 
across the (ireat Carrying-Place to the Wood creek, where 
they built another fort, which they called Fort Schuyler. 
This name was shortly afterwards changed to Fort Ann. 
At Fort Ann they built a hundred bark canoes, one hun- 
dred and ten boats, which would hold from six to ten men 
each. Lieutenant-Colonel John Schuyler was in command 
of this place. 

The number of men was finally increased to eleven hun- 
dred and fifty. Fort Nicholson was garrisoned by four 
hundred and fifty men, including seven companies of reg- 
ulars, in scarlet uniform, from Old England. At the Fort 
Miller falls there were forty men, and at Stillwater seventy 
men. In the mean time, Governor Vaudreuil had moved 
up from Montioal to Chambly, to watch the motions of 
the invaders. But this expedition overland was simply 
auxiliary to the fleet by sea from Boston. As this latter 
failed nothing further came of the invasion, and the summer 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



39 



passed away in idleness. While at Fort Ann a fatal sickness 
broke out in the English camp, and a great number died 
as if poisoned. In October, Colonel Nicholson returned 
with his crippled forces to Albany. Charlevoix states that 
this sickness was produced by the treachery of the Indians, 
who threw the skins of their game into the swamp above 
the camp. It is probable, however, that it was a malignant 
dysentery, cau.sed by the extreme heat and the malaria of 
the swamps. Two years later, in 1711, a second army was 
fitted out in a similar manner to the last and for the 
same purpose. It was composed of three regiments, as fol- 
lows: first, Colonel Ingoldsby's regulars; secondly, Colonel 
Schuyler's New York troops ; thirdly. Colonel Woodin's 
troops, from Connecticut. The whole force consisted of 
about three thousand men, under command of General 
Nicholson, and left Albany on the 2'lth of August. By 
the 28th the troops were all on their njarch beyond Albany. 
They proceeded as far as Fort Ann, which had been de- 
stroyed two years before. Shortly after arriving at Fort 
Ann, intelligence was received that Her Majesty's fleet had 
been shattered by storms in the St. Lawrence, with the loss 
of one thousand troops, and the expedition was abandoned. 
Thus the third attempt to conquer Canada proved abortive ; 
and in 1713 the peace of Utrecht, between England and 
France, again put a stop to the warfare of the old wilderness. 

II.— THE ATTACK ON FORT CLINTON, AT SARATOGA. 

In 1744 war was again declared between England and 
France. In the midst of the profound peace of the pre- 
ceeding thirty-one years, the French had advanced up Lake 
Champlain as far as Crown Point, where they built Fort 
St. Frederick, in the year 1731. In the month of Novem- 
ber, 1745, an expedition against the English settlement was 
fitted out at Montreal ; it was composed of three hundred 
Frenchmen and as many Indians. Their object was to 
attack and capture the settlements on the Connecticut river; 
but, on their arrival at Fort St. Frederick, they changed 
this purpose and proceeded down to Saratoga. On the 
night of the IGth of November they attacked the little 
settlement of Saratoga, plundered and burned about twenty 
houses, together with the fort. They killed and scalped 
about thirty persons, and carried oft' sixty prisoners ; only 
one family escaped by flight, who, as they looked back, saw 
the fort in flames. Among the killed was John Philip 
Schuyler, an uncle of General Philip Schuyler of Revolu- 
tionary memory. Schuyler had made his will a few years 
before, by which he divided his property between two 
nephews, one of whom was General Philip Schuyler. 

In the spring of 1746 the English rebuilt the fort at 
Saratoga, changing its location, however, to accommodate 
some wheat-fields which were there growing, giving it the 
name of Fort Clinton. 

On the 29th of August, 1746, a band of French and 
Indians, under command of M. De Repentigny, who were 
scouting near by, made an attack upon a party of twenty 
soldiers near the gates of the fort, killing four men, who 
were scalped by the Indians, and took four prisoners. 

In June, 1747, an expedition started from Fort St. 
Frederick to attack and destroy Fort Clinton, at Saratoga. 
It was under the command of La Corne St. Luc, and con- 



sisted of twenty Frenchmen and two hundred Indians. On 
the night of the 11th of June they arrived before the fort. 
While the main body of the French were lying in conceal- 
ment near by. La Corne sent forward six scouts with orders 
to lie in ambush within eight paces of the fort, to fire upon 
tliose who should come out of the fort the next morning, 
and if attacked to retire pretending to be wounded. At 
daybreak in the morning two Englishmen came out of the 
fort, and they were at once fired upon by the French scouts, 
who thereupon fled. Soon after the firing began, a hun- 
dred and twenty Englishmen came out of the fort, headed 
by their ofiicers, and started in hot pursuit of the French 
scouts. The English soon fell in with the main body of 
the French, who rising from their ambuscade, poured a 
galling fire into the English ranks. The English at first 
bravely stood their ground and sharply returned the fire. 
The guns of the fort also opened upon the French with 
grape and cannon shot. But the Indians soon rushed upon 
the English with terrible yells, and with tomahawk in hand 
drove them into the fort, giving them scarcely time to shut 
the gates behind them. Many of the English soldiers, 
being unable to reach the fort, ran down the hill into the 
river, and were drowned or killed with the tomahawk. The 
Indians killed and scalped twenty-eight of the English, and 
took forty-five prisoners, besides those drowned in the river. 

In the autumn following this disaster. Fort Clinton, of 
Saratoga, was dismantled and burned by the English, and 
Albany once more became the extreme northern outpost of 
the English colonies, with nothing but her palisaded walls 
between her and the uplifted tomahawks of the ever-frown- 
ing north. In May, 1748, peace was again proclaimed, 
which lasted for the brief period of seven years, until the 
beginning of the last French and Indian war of 1755, 
which ended in the conquest of Canada. 

During this short peace of seven years, the settler's axe 
was heard upon many a hillside, as he widened his little 
clearing, and the smoke went curling gracefully upward 
from his lonely cabin in many a valley along the upper 
Hudson. 

It was in the summer of 1749, during this short peace, 
that Peter Kalm,* the Swedish botani.st, traveled, in the 
interests of science, through this great northern war-path. 
He gives, in his account of the journey, a graphic descrip- 
tion of the ruins of the old forts at Saratoga, at Fort Nich- 
olson, and Fort Ann, which were then still remaining in 
the centres of small deserted clearings in the great wilder- 
ness through which he pa.ssed. He made many discoveries 
of rare and beautiful plants before unknown to Europeans, 
and in our swamps and lowlands a modest flower, the ktdmia 
fflauca, swamp laurel, blooms in perpetual remembrance of 
his visit. But there were no mineral springs in the Sara- ' 
toga visited by Peter Kalm. 



CHAPTER XIIL 

LAST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, 1755-63. 

We have now come, in passing through the history of 
the long colonial wars of the old wilderness, to the last 

* Viile Kalm's Travels, in Pinkcrton, vol. xiii. 



40 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



French and Indian war, whicli raged for a period of eight 
years, ending in the peace of 17G3. 

In this period was enacted a great drama of five acts : 

1. The expedition of Sir William Johnson to Lake 
George, in 1755. 

2. The expedition of General Winslow, of 1756. 

3. Montcalm's campaign against Lake George, in 1757. 

4. Abercrombie's march and defeat, of 1758. 

5. The victory of Amherst on Lake Champlain, and of 
Wolfe at Quebec, of the year 1759. 

During this war great armies marched through Saratoga 
along the old northern war-worn valley, dyeing its streams 
with blood, and filling its wild meadows with thousands of 
nameless new-made graves. 

I.— Sill AVILLIAM JOHNSON'S EXPEDITION IN 1755. 

In the beginning of the year 1755, a plan of military 
operations, on a more extensive scale than had ever before 
been piojected, was adopted by the British ministry for dis- 
possessing the French upon the English territory. Three 
expeditions were fitted out : that of Braddock against Fort 
Du Quesne, another under Shirley against Niagara, and a 
third under Johnson against Crown Point. To carry out 
this latter expedition five thousand provincial troops were 
raised, of which number eight hundred were fuinished by 
New York. This army assembled at Albany on the last of 
June, where it was joined by King Hendrick, with a large 
body of Mohawk warriors. Early in July, about six hun- 
dred men were sent up the Hudson river to erect a fort at 
the Great Carrying-Place, on the site of old Fort Nicholson. 
This fort was first called Fort Lyman, in honor of the 
officer commanding the advanced corps. In a few years it 
was changed to Fort Edward, in honor of Edward, Duke 
of York, grandson of the reigning sovereign, George the 
Second. It stood upon the bank of the Hud,son, on the 
north side of Fort Edward creek. Other detachments of 
the army soon followed, one of which, under command of 
Colonel Miller, built a fort at the rapids above Saratoga. It 
was named Fort Miller. Colonel Miller also cut a military 
road upon the west side of the Hudson to Fort Edward, 
and thence through the forest to the head of Lake George. 

On the 8th of August, Major-Geaeral William Johnson 
left Albany with the artillery, and took command of the 
army in person. The latter part of August he advanced 
with the main body of his forces to the head of Lake 
George, with the design of passing to the outlet of the 
lake at Ticonderoga, and erecting a fort there to aid in the 
operations against Crown Point, but the French reached 
Ticonderoga in advance of him, and strongly fortified them- 
selves there. Aware of Johnson's enterprise against Crown 
Point, Baron Dieskau, the commander of the French forces 
on Lake Champlain, had collected about three thousand 
men for its defense. Expecting an immediate attack, he 
selected a force of two hundred grenadiers, eight hundred 
Canadian militia, and seven hundred Indians, proceeded up 
the lake, and landed at the head of South bay, to embar- 
rass Johnson, who was then lying with his army at the 
head of Lake George. He resolved to capture Fort Ed- 
ward, thence drop down the river, and menace Albany. 
Accordingly, on the 7th day of September, he marched 



south into the edge of Kingsbury, where he halted about 
seven miles north of Fort Edward. The French and In- 
dians opposed the idea of assaulting Fort Edward, dreading 
the cannon, but were willing to attack Johnson at Lake 
George. Dieskau therefore changed his course, marching 
toward Lake George, and encamped over night near the 
southern extremity of French mountain. 

John.son, learning of the approach of Dieskau on the 
morning of the eighth, sent out Colonel Ephraim Williams 
with a thousand troops, and Hendrick with two hundred 
Indians, with orders to oppose the progress of the French. 
They had gone but four miles when they encountered the 
enemy. Diaskau, informed of their approach, had halted 
and prepared for their reception, forming lii.s forces in a 
semicircle, the ends of which were far in advance of the 
centre, and concealed from view by the forest. Into this 
ambuscade the detachment under Colonel Williams marched 
wholly unconscious of their danger. Suddenly the war- 
whoop resounded all around them, and a galling fire was 
opened all along the front and left side of the column. 
Colonel Williams hastily changed his position and ordered 
his men to ascend the rising ground on their right, but this 
brought them on the other wing of the French forces. 
Williams and Hendrick, with numbers of their followers, 
fell, and the detachment retreated in great confusion. A 
large part of these troops were from western Massachu- 
setts, and few families there were but mourned the lo.ss of 
relatives or friends cut off in " the bloody morning scout at 
Lake George." When this advance was proposed, it was 
oppo.sed by King Hendrick. He remarked, in the laconic 
language of his race, " If they're to fight, they're too few ; 
if they're to be killed, they're too many." And when it 
was suggested that the detachment should be divided into 
three bodies, he gathered three stick.s from the ground. 
"Put these together," he said, "and you cannot break 
them ; then take them one by one, and you can break them 
readily." 

Just before Williams began his march Hendrick mounted 
a stump and harangued his people. With his strong, mascu- 
line voice he might have been heard at least half a mile. 
One who heard him but did not understand his language, 
afterwards said, '• The animation of Hendrick, the fire of 
his eye, the force of his gestures, his emphasis, the inflec- 
tions of his voice, and his whole manner, affected him more 
than any speech he had ever heard." 

Williams, who gallantly took his position upon a rock 
which is now the base of his own monument, fell early in 
action. Hendrick fell nearly at the same moment. The 
English forces, reaching Dieskau, doubled up and fled pell- 
mell to their intrenchments. They were soon relieved by 
Lieutenant-Colonel Whitting, however, and fought with 
more valor under cover of a party of about three hundred 
men, commanded by Colonel Cole, who had made their 
appearance. The detachment then retreated in good order 
to their camp. As soon as the stragglers began to come 
in, showing that the enemy was at hand, a barricade of 
logs was hastily thrown up in front of the English en- 
campment. In a .short time, Dieskau's troops made their 
appearance ; they advanced with great regularity, their 
burnished muskets glittering in the sun. We can readily 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



41 



imagine that no small trepidation was caused among the 
English at the advancing platoons. A short pause was 
made by the Preueli before commeiioing the attack ; this 
enabled Johnson's men to recover from their panic, and 
when uMcc fairly engaged they fought with the calmness 
and resolution of veterans. Johnson's camp was assailed by 
the grenadiers in front, and by the French and Indians 
upon both flanks. A few discharges of artillery against 
the Indians caused them to fall back and secure them- 
selves behind logs and trees, from which they afterwards 
maintained an irregular fire. Genenfl Johnson being 
wounded early in the engagement, the command devolved 
upon General Lyman, who stationed himself in front of the 
breastworks and directed their movements. 

For nearly four hours the battle lasted, the assailed 
still standing firm at every point. Dieskau at length or- 
dered a retreat. So hastily did his men withdraw that 
their leader, having been wounded in the foot, was unable 
to keep pace with them. Reclining against a stump to 
obtain temporary relief from his pain, he was discovered by 
a soldier. Dieskau sought to propitiate the soldier by 
offering him his watch. As he searched for it, the soldier, 
mistaking his action for an attempt to reach his pistol, dis- 
charged his musket and gave him a wound in the left hip 
from which he died twelve years afterwards. The French 
retreated to the ground where the forenoon engagement 
had occurred, and there paused for the night. In the mean 
time, Colonel Blanchard, the commanding ofiicer at Fort 
Edward, had sent out two hundred men to range the 
woods. Hearing the discharge of cannon in the direction 
of Johnson's camp, they knew that a battle was there in 
progress, and they hastened on to the scene of action. 
Reaching the French encampment after nightfall, they dis- 
tributed themselves in positions from which they could fire 
with the most security and effect. A body of the French 
were washing and refreshing themselves from their packs 
upon a margin of a marshy pool in a hollow. At the first 
fire such numbers of these fell dead into and along the pool, 
and it became so discolored with blood, that it has since 
borne the name of '■ Bloody Pond." The surprise was so 
sudden that the French fled at all points, but soon rallied 
and returned to the charge. They maintained for a time a 
sharp conflict, but soon gave way and fled through the woods 
towards South bay, leaving their [lacks, baggage, and a 
number of prisoners in the hands of the victors, who con- 
veyed them in triumph to Johnson's camp. With this final 
rout of the French army, the memorable engagement of 
the 8th of September, 1755, at Lake George closed. Seven 
hundred French were killed, and two hundred and thirty 
English. 

This engagement takes rank as one of the most import- 
ant in our nation's history. It exerted a great influence on 
our country's destiny. It showed that raw troops, fresh 
from the plow and wo... I op, who before had never been in 
the service, if properly officered and led, could compete with 
Veterans of European history. The confidence in their own 
abilities which the battle nf Lake George gave the pro- 
vincials had no small influence upon the issue of this war, 
and in substantially leading our country into and through 
our Revolutionary contest. General Johnson now erected 
G 



a fort at Lake George, which was named in honor of Wil- 
liam Henry, Duke of Cumberland, brother of George the 
Third. 

ir.— WINSLOW'S EXPEDITION OF 1756. 

In the summer of 175G si.K thousand troops were collected, 
under Colonel Seth Winslow, who had commanded the ex- 
jiedition which the previous year had reduced Acadia. 
Advancing up the Hudson, he halted at Stillwater, and 
built a fort on the site of old Fort Ingold.sby, which he 
called Fort Winslow. Proceeding to Lake (jcorge, he re- 
mained during the summer, effecting little. The operations 
of this campaign were chiefly confined to Captain Rcjgers' 
Rangers along the shores of Lake George and Lake Cham- 
plain. The army of General Winslow returned in the fall, 
having accomplished nothing. 

III.— MONTCALM'S INVESTMENT OF FORT GEOIIGE 
IN 17f-r,. 

On the 10th of August, 1756, Montcalm invested Os- 
wego. He leveled the fortres.ses to the ground, and Oswego 
was left once more a solitude. Returning triumphantly, 
he lost no time in arranging his expedition against Fort 
William Henry, on Lake George. At Montreal he held a 
council of the Indian tribes gathered there from Nova 
Scotia and Lake Superior. On the 12th of July he pro- 
ceeded up Lake Champlain to Fort Carillon, at Ticonderoga, 
accompanied by eighteen hundred and six warriors. In 
addition to the Indians the French army was composed 
of three thousand and eighty-one regulars, two thousand 
nine hundred and forty-six Canadian militia, and one hun- 
dred and eight artillery, in all six thousand two hundred 
and fifteen men. General Webb, who was in command of 
the English forces, upon the 2d day of August dispatched 
Colonel Monroe from Fort Edward, with his regiment, to 
rendezvous at and take command of the Fort William 
Henry garrison, which then numbered two thousand two 
hundred men, four hundred and fifty of whom occupied 
the fort, and the remainder were posted in the fortified 
camp on the ground near the forts. General Webb re- 
mained at Fort Edward with the main army, amounting to 
four or five thousand men, which in a few days began to 
be augmented by the arrival of militia. Upon the 3d of 
August, Montcalm arrived with his force before old Fort 
William Henry, which he soon invested. Colonel Monroe 
sent from time to time to General Webb for assistance, but 
the pusillanimous Webb la^ inactive, and paid no attention 
to his recjuests. Thus the garrison at Lake George held 
out day after day, expecting relief and reinforcements, but 
none came. 

On the Sth of June, General Johnson obtained permis- 
sion of Webb to march to the relief of the garrison, and 
Putnam and his Rangers volunteered ; but this force had 
scarcely begun their march when Webb ordered them to 
return to their po.sts. Giving over all hopes of relief, his 
ammunition now nearly exhausted, Colonel Monroe, on the 
!Jtli of August, signed articles of capitulation. The garri- 
son was to march out with the honors of war, retaining their 
arms and their baggage, and one cannon. Covered wagons 
were to be furnislied for their baggage, and an escort of 
five hundred men to guard the garri.son on their way to 



42 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Fort Edward. A scene now ensued wliicli beggars descrip- 
tion, and fixes a stain upon Montcalm which dims the 
lustre of his triumplis. The Indians fell upon the musket- 
eers, and butchered tliem in tlie most ferocious manner. 
It is but just to the French, liowever, to say that they did 
everything in their power to prevent the fiendish massacre ; 
as savages, when once they have tasted blood, were not to be 
appeased or controlled. The miserable remnants of this ill- 
starred garrison, after struggling through the woods, reached 
Fort Edward in small parties, after sleeping in the open 
air. 

The number that was massacred on this occasion was 
never definitely ascertained. IMtmtcalm soon burned the 
fort and retired with his forces to Ticonderoga. 

IV._AI5EKCR0MBIE-S EXPEDITION. 

The famous but disastrous e.xpeditii)n of Abercrombie, 
in the year 175S, has been so often and fully related in our 
histories that it .seems to need but a passing notice here. 

As his expedition proceeded up Lake George, on the 5th 
day of July of that year, the old northern wilderness had 
never witnessed a nxire imposing and brilliant .spectacle. 
With banners flying and bands of music sending forth their 
inspiriting strains, more than a thousand boats moved over 
the broad waters of the lake, in which were sixteen thousand 
men, their officers richly dressed in scarlet uniforms, and 
all joyous in the anticipation of the glory they were about 
to win. Four days afterwards, when this army came back 
shattered, dismayed, and sorrow-stricken, it presented a 
sad contra,st. The boats were now filled with their dead 
and dyins. In one of them was Lord Howe, a young noble- 
man of the highest promise, the idol of the English army. 
Of the different corps of thi.s unfortunate army, a Highland 
regiment, commanded by Lord Murray, suffered the most. 
Of this regiment one-half the privates and twenty-five 
officers were killed or severely wounded. After reaching 
the head of Lake George, load after load of these miserable 
sufferers were brought to Fort Edward, there to breathe out 
their dying groans, and to mingle their dust with that of 
the surrounding plains. Dying, they were placed to rest in 
unmarked and unremembered graves. Of all that stricken 
multitude buried at Fort Edward, the name and place of only 
one grave is preserved to the present day. It is the grave 
of Duncan Campbell, of Invershaw, major of the old High- 
land regiment. Abercrombie remained for some time at 
Lake George, and finally returned to Albany, his expedition, 
like .so many others, having proved a failure. 

v.— EXPEDITION OF GENERAL .\MIIEIIST IN ITo'J. 

In 1759, Major Amherst succeeded Abercrombie as com- 
mander-in-chief of the British army in America. In the 
month of June, at the head of an army of twelve thousand 
men, he advanced to Lake George. While here he com- 
menced building Fort George, one of the most substantial 
fortifications ever reared in this direction. When passing 
down the lake to Ticonderoga, General Amherst, with his 
staff, landed on a Sunday upon the beautiful headland which 
is now so much admired by every one who crosses these 
waters. Since that day it has borne the name of Sabbath- 
day point. The French had scarcely two thousand men 



garrisoned in the fortresses on Lakes George and Cham- 
plain. On the 22d of July, Amherst invested Ticonderoga 
without opposition, and the advanced lines, which had been 
the scene of so much slaughter two years before under 
Abercombie, were immediately abandoned by the French. 
On the 26th of July the French blew up Fort Carillon 
at Ticonderoga, and retired down the lake to Crown Point, 
leaving the heavy artillery and twenty men in possession. 
Amherst soon advanced against Crown Point. On the 1st 
of Augu.st Crown Point was abandoned by the French, 
and they withdrew down Lake Champlain to its northern 
extremity. 

Three days afterwards Amherst moved forward with his 
forces, and occupied the fort at Crown Point. ^Vmhcrst 
spent the remainder of the season in rebuilding and enlarg- 
ing the stupendous fortifications at Crown Point, Ticon- 
deroga, and Lake George. The ruins of these forts at the 
present day are objects of great interest to the tourist. 
The works alone at Crown Point, it is said, cost the Briti.sh 
treasury two millions of pounds sterling. It was during 
the autumn of this year that Quebec was wrested from 
Montcalm by the victorious Wolfe, and the sceptre of 
France over her long-fought-for and much-prized Canadian 
possessions fell from her grasp forever. 

VI.— ORIGIN OF YANKEE DOODLE. 

It was during the next to the last campaign of the 
French and Indian wars that this famous national air had 
its birth. In the summer of 1758, before advancing north- 
ward, the British army lay encamped on the eastern bank 
of the Hudson, a little south of the city of Albany, on the 
ground once belonging to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. Ves- 
tiges of their encampment remained for a long time ; and 
after a lapse of sixty years, when a great proportion of the 
actors of those days had passed away from the earth, the 
inquisitive traveler could observe the remains of the ashes, 
the places where they boiled their camp-kettles. It was 
this army that, under the command of Abercrombie, was 
foiled with a severe loss in the attack on Ticonderoga, 
where the distinguished Howe fell at the head of his 
troops, in an hour that history has consecrated to fame. 
In the early part of June the eastern troops began to pour 
in, company after company ; and such a motley assemblage 
of men never before thronged together on such an occasion, 
unless an example may be found in the ragged regiment of 
Sir John Falstafl^, of right merry and facetious memory. 
It would have relaxed the gravity of an anchorite to have 
seen the descrndants of the Puritans marching through the 
streets of our ancient city, to take their station on the left 
of the British army ; some with long coats, some with short 
coats, and others with no coats at all, in colors as varied as 
the rainbow ; some with their hair cropped like the army 
of Cromwell, and others with wigs, whose curls flowed 
around their shoulders. Their march, their accoutrements, 
and the whole arrangement of the troops furnished matter 
of amusement to the wits of the British army. The music 
played the airs of two centuries ago, and the lovt ensmnhle 
exhibited a sight to the wondering strangers that they had 
been unaccustomed to in their own land. 

Among the club of wits that belonged to tlu! British 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



43 



army, there was a physician, attached to the staff, by the 
name of Dr. Shackburg, wlio combined with the science of 
a surgeon the skill and talents of a musician. To tease 
Brother Jonathan he composed a tuue, and with much 
gravity recommended it to the officers as one of the most cele- 
brated airs of martial music. The joke took, to the no 
small amusement of the British corps. Brother Jonathan 
exclaimed it was nature fine ; and in a few days nothing was 
heard in the provincial camp but the name of Yankee 
Doodle. Little did the author or his coadjutors then sup- 
pose that an air made for tiie purpose of levity and ridicule 
should ever be marked for such high destinies. In twenty 
years from that time our national march inspired the hearts 
of the heroes of Bunker Hill. It was the tune played 
by the American baud as the con<|uered British took up 
their march from the " field of the grounded arms" at Old 
Saratoga, on the 17th day of October, 1777, and in less 
than thirty years Lord Coruwallis and his army marched 
into the American Hues to the tune of Yankee Doodle. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE FIRST PERIOD OF THE BUEGOYNE 
CAMPAIGN or 1777. 

I.— DIVISION OF THE SUBJECT. 

TriE long warfare of the great northern valley at length 
culminated in the memorable campaign of 1777, the most 
important events of which took place within the bounda- 
ries of Saratoga County, making her name of high historic 
import. In his own narrative of the campaign Gen. Bur- 
goyne says, " It is my intention, for the more ready com- 
prehension of the whole subject, to divide it into three 
periods. The first from my appointment to the command 
to the end of ray pursuit of the enemy from Ticunderoga ; 
the second from that time to the passage of the Hudson 
river; the third to the signing of the convention." 

In the following pages Gen. Burgoyne's division of the 
narrative will be observed. 

II.— ORGANIZING FOll THE CONTEST. 

The delegates from Albany couuty to the provincial Con- 
gress that met at the Exchange, in the city of New York, 
April 20, 1775, were Col. Philip Schuyler, Abram Ten 
Broeck, and Abrani Yates, Jr. They presented credentials 
signed by John N. Bleeker, chairman of Albany committee 
of correspondence. 

At a meeting of committees of the several districts, held 
in the city of Albany on the 10th day of May, 1775, to 
choose delegates to the provincial Congress to meet May 22, 
1775, Saratoga district was represented by its committee: 
Har Schuyler, Cornelius Van Veghten, Cornelius I. Van- 
denburgh, and Half-Moon by Guert Van Schoouhoven, 
Isaac Fonda, Wilhelmus Van Antwerp, Ezekiel Taylor. 
Dirck Swart was one of the delegates chosen at this meeting. 

In the convention. May 24, 1775, the Albany delegates 
recommended the appointment of John N. Bleeker, Henry 
I. Bogert, George Palmer, Dirck Swart, and Peter Lansing 
to superintend the removal of cannon to the south end of 



Lake George, and they were given a letter containing 
minute instructions.* 

III.— THE EVENTS OF THE W.^R PRECEDING THE 
BATTLES OP SARATOGA. 

But in order properly to comprehend a description of 
the battles of this campaign, and rightly to understand how 
they came to be fought at the times and places they were, it 
is necessary briefly to recapitulate the more important events 
of the war, as well as the stirring incidents of the campaign 
wliich immediately preceded those battles. 

The campaign of 1775 was highly advantageous to the 
American cause. Towards the end of the year the Briti.sh 
army was successfully resisted, and the imperial authority 
defied everywhere, from Canada to Virginia. The early 
April uprising at Lexington and Concord had been followed 
by the vigorous siege of Gen. Howe's army in Boston. 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, tlie key to the Canadian 
provinces, had been held, the king's troops had been expelled 
from Charlestown, Lord DnnuKn'e driven from Norfolk, and 
even Quebec was closely invested by land and water. The 
campaign of 177G changed matters for the worse. At the 
opening of the year Sir Guy Carleton drove the Americans 
from Quebec, yet his I'aid up Lake Champlaiu duiing the 
summer resulted in no material success to the British arms. 
In the south the British general. Sir William Howe, carried 
everything before him, and the Americans were only saved 
from almost total defeat by the consummate generalship of 
Washington at Trenton, near the close of the year. Thus 
the fortunes of war could hardly be said to favor the Ameri- 
cans at the end of the year 177G, and the ensuing summer 
of 1777 was looked forward to with great anxiety and many 
forebodings by the striving colonists. 

In the mean time the British cabinet was almost exclu- 
sively engaged in concerting means for the re-establishment 
of the royal authority, and for that purpose had resolved 
upon the employment of the whole force of the realm. 
Gen. Burgoyne, who had been engaged in active service 
in America, near Boston, and on Lake Champlain in 1776, 
was, during the. winter, called into the councils of the cabi- 
net, and invited to submit his views as to the military 
operations of the ensuing summer. These views he sub- 
mitted in a paper entitled, " Reflections upon the War in 
America," and his favorite project, then set forth, — ■" that 
of an expedition from Canada into the heart of the disaf- 
fected districts," — was, with some modification made by the 
king, finally adopted, and himself appointed to command 
the northern army of invasion. 

IV.— PLAN OP THE CAMPAIGN OF 1777. 

The plan of the British campaign in America, for the 
year 1777, included as its most prominent feature the ad- 
vance of an army from Canada, by the way of the lakes, 
under Lieut.-Gen. John Burgoyne, which being increased, 
as it was hoped would be by the loyalist population of the 
country through which the army might pass, should force 
its way down the Hudson as far if po.ssible as Albany, while 
at the same time the array of Sir Henry Clinton, then block- 
aded in New York, should break through the lines, advance 

* Sec .Jiiurnatof Provincial Congress, vol. i. ji. 12. 



44 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



up the Hudson, and join, at Albany or at any other point 
deemed practicable, the force from Canada under Burgoyne. 
By this means it was hoped that, while a free communica- 
tion would thus be opened between New York and Canada, 
all communication would be cut oiT between the northern 
and southern colonies, and that each of them, being left to 
its own means of defense, without the possibility of co-oper- 
ation, and attacked by superior numbers, would be reduced 
to submission. In order to make this desired junction 
more easy, and for the purpose of distracting the attention 
of the Americans, Lieut.-Col. St. Leger, with about two 
hundred British, a regiment of New York loyalists, raised 
and commanded by Sir John Johnson, and a large body of 
Indians, was to ascend the St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, 
and from that quarter was to penetrate towards Albany, by 
the way of the Mohawk river. 

The campaign thus planned had been determined upon 
after long-considered and mature deliberation, and the ulti- 
mate failure of the campaign so carefully designed was more 
significant of the power of the Americans and the weakness 
of the British than any event that had preceded it. The 
battle summer of 1777 has ever .since been regarded as the 
season during which the destiny of the United States as a 
jurisdiction independent of Great Britain was definitely 
settled, — as the season when the power of England in this 
country received the shock from which recovery was im- 
possible.* 

v.— BITRGOYNE'.S ARMY. 

It has been seen that, at the close of the year 1775, the 
star of the colonists was in the ascendant, and that the ex- 
pectations of the people rode high on the glittering crest 
of hope's wave. ' The next change was, of course, a plunge 
towards the trough of the billow. This trough of the bil- 
low, this slough of despond, was reached by the people of 
the colonies when the war-cloud swept down the northern 
valley, in the early summer of 1777, carrying everything 
before it. On the 27tb day of March, Burgoyne sailed for 
America, and arrived at Quebec in the beginning of May, 
1777. On the 20th of May he took command of the 
northern aimy of invasion, and set out on his ill-fated ex- 
pedition with the flower of the British army and some of 
the best blood of England in his train. Up the river 
Richelieu, up Like Chaniplain, his army swept in gorgeous 
pageantry, like the armies of the old French war of the long 
colonial period. It was the trail followed by the Marquis 
de Tracy and Governor Courcelle on their way to the Mo- 
hawk towns in the autumn of 1G66. It was the pathway 
of Dieskau to his defeat at Lake George in 1755, and of 
Montcalm to his victory over Abercrombie at Fort Carillon 
(now Ticonderoga) of the year 1757. And like those old 
armies of the French and Indian wars, there was a mixed 
multitude in this army of Burgoyne. There were in it the 
bronzed veterans of many an European battle-field, joined 
with the undisciplined provincial and the savage warrior 
from the Canadian forests. Burgoyne's army, which thus 
took the field in July, 1777, consisted of seven battalions 
of British infantry, viz., the Ninth, Twentieth, Twenty-first, 
Twenty-fourth, Forty-seventh, Fifty-third, and Sixty-second 

* See B. H. Hall's account of the battle of Bennington. 



Regiments. Of these the flank companies were detailed to 
form a corps of grenadiers, under Major Ackland, and of 
light infantry, under Major the Earl of Balcarras. The 
Germans were Hes.sian Rifles, dismounted dragoons, and a 
mixed force of Brunswickers. 

The artillery was composed of five hundred and eleven 
ratik and file, including one hundred Germans. There 
were a large number of guns, the most of which were left 
on the lake. 

The whole original train furnished by Sir Guy Carle- 
ton consisted of sixteen heavy twenty-four-pnunders ; ten 
heavy twelve-pounders ; eight medium twelve-pounders ; 
two light twenty-four-pounders ; one light twelve-pounder ; 
twenty-six light six-pounders ; seventeen light three-pound- 
ers ; six eight-inch howitzers ; six five-and-a-half-inch 
howitzers ; two thirteen-inch mortars ; two ten-inch mor- 
tars ; six eight-inch mortars ; twelve five-and-a-half-inch 
mortars ; and twenty-four four-and-two-fifth-inch mortars. 
Of these, two heavy twenty-four-pounders were sent on 
board a ship for the defense of Lake Champlain, and the 
other fourteen were sent back to St. John's. Of the heavy 
twelve-pounders six were left at Ticonderoga, and four in 
the " Royal George ;" four medium twelve-pounders at Fort 
George ; one light twelve-pounder at Ticonderoga ; two 
light six-pounders at Fort George; four light six-poundcrs 
at St. John's; four light three-pounders at Ticonderoga; 
five light three-pounders at St. John's ; two eight-inch 
howitzers at Fort George, and two at St. John's ; two 
fivc-and-a-half-inch howitzers at Fort George ; two thirteen- 
inch mortars, two ten-inch mortars, and four eight-inch 
mortars in the "Royal George;" four five-and-a-luilf-inch 
mortars at Ticonderoga ; four royal mortars in the " Royal 
George;" twelve cobornsat Ticonderoga; and eight cohorns 
in the " Royal George.' 

The field-train, therefore, that proceeded with the army, 
consisted of four medium tweh'e-pounders, two light twenty- 
four pounders, eighteen light six-pounders, six light three- 
pounders, two eight-inch howitzers, four five-and-a-half-inch 
howitzers, two eight-inch mortars, and four royals. 

The army was divided into three brigades under Major. 
Gen. Phillips and Brig.-Gens. Eraser and Hamilton. Col. 
Kingston and Capt. Money acted as adjutant and quarter- 
master-generals. Sir James Clarke and Lord Petersham 
were aides-de-camp to Gen. Burgoyne. The total force 
was: Rank and file, British, 4135; Germans, 3116; 
Canadians, 148 ; Indians, 503 ; total, 7902. It was an 
army composed of thoroughly disciplined troops under able 
and trustworthy officers. John Burgoyne, the general, 
statesman, dramatist, and poet, was the pet soldier of the 
British aristocracy. Maj.-Gen. Phillips was a distinguished 
artillery oflicer of exceptional strategical skill. Maj.-Gen. 
Riedesel, who commanded the Hessians, had been especially 
selected for his military experience, acquired during a long 
service under Prince Ferdinand in the Seven Years' war. 
Brigadiers Fraser and Hamilton had been appointed solely 
on the ground of rare professional merit. Col. Kingston 
had served honorably in Portugal, and Majors Lord Bal- 
carras and Ackland " were each in bis own way considered 
officers of high attainments and brilliant courage." Thus 
officered, equipped, and manned, this army in its flotilla 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



45 



swept gracefully across the waters of the beautiful Lake 
Ciianiplain, long before made historic by such hostile 
pageantry, until every bristling crag and rocky promontory 
breathed forth " the stern poetry of war." 

VI.— THE TEEM "HESSFAN." 

But fully to understand the import of the events of this 
battle of the summer of 1777, an examination of the an- 
tecedent circumstances which had aided in bringing to- 
gether a certain portion of the army of Great Britain in 
America must not be omitted. For the last century the 
word " Hessian" has been used in this country : first, to 
signify a mean-spirited man, who, for money, hires himself 
to do the dirty work of another, and generally as an epithet 
of opprobrium. The word with these meanings was never 
recognized until after the defeat of Burgoyno at Saratoga; 
and the peculiar infamy which since then has attached to 
it is derived from the supposed voluntary employment of 
the Hessian soldiery by Great Britain against the Ameri- 
cans. That there was no such voluntary emplo3-ment is 
liistorically true, and the reproach which has so long been 
connected with the word Hessian in this country is as un- 
deserved as it is unfounded. The Hessian soldiery had no 
more option in their employment to fight against Americans 
than had the negroes of the South, who were brought in 
slave-ships to this country, in working as slaves for their 
masters in the cotton-fields of South Carolina. As men 
the Hessians were honest, industrious, and peculiarly do- 
mtstic in their tastes and lives, and many, if not all. of 
them would gladly have given half they were worth or 
years of labor could they have been peimitted to remain in 
their fatherland and follow their humble avocations in ob- 
scurity, or serve their country in their own armies.* 

ENGLISH TREATIES FOR HESSIAN SUBJECTS. 

To England belongs the disgrace and infamy of enticing 
the rulers of these men by large subsidies to compel their 
subjects to fight the wars of Great Britain. That this 
statement is correct, an examination of the facts will make 
apparent. On the 16th day of February, 177(5, Lord 
Weymouth laid before the House of Lords, first, a treaty 
with the hereditary prince of Hesse-Darmstadt, dated Jan. 
5, 1776; second, a treaty between his majesty George III. 
of England and the Duke of Brunswick, dated Jan. 9, 
1776 ; and third, a treaty with the Landgrave of Hesse- 
Cassel, dated Jan. 15, 1770, for the hire of troops for the 
American service to the number of seventeen thousand 
three hundred men. The same treaties were laid before 
the House of Commons on the 29th of February of the 
same year. Lord North moved to refer them to the com- 
mittee of supply. The motion instantly led to a most 
vehement debate. The chief arguments u.sed by ministers 
to excuse or justify this hiring of foreign mercenaries were, 
that there was no possibility of raising in time a sufficient 
Dumber of men at home ; that, even if native forces could 
have been raised, it was not to be expected that raw and 
undisciplined troops could answer the purpose so well as 
tried, experienced veterans ; that it would be a terrible loss 



*' B. n. Hall, (111 the battle of Bonningtn 



to withdraw so many hands from the manufactures and hus- 
bandry of the country ; that the expense with native troops 
would not end with the war, but would leave the nation 
saddled with the lasting incumbrance of half-pay for nearly 
thirty battalions ; that foreign troops would cost much less 
for their maintenance than English troops ; and that there 
was no novelty in such hiring, as the king had at all times 
been under the necessity of employing foreigners in the 
wars of the realm. 

VII.— ENGLISH OPPOSITION TO THE TREATIES. 

To these statements the opposition replied that England 
was degrading her.self by applying to the petty princes of 
Germany for succor ciffninst her own sulijects, and repro- 
bated in the strongest terms the practice of letting out to 
hire men who had nothing to do with the (juarrel in ques- 
tion. Lord Irnham, in opposing the measures, quoted " Don 
Quixote" with some humor and efiect, and ended with a 
compliment to the American people. " I shall say little," 
observed his lordship, " as to the feelings of these princes 
who can sell their subjects for such purposes. We have 
read of the humorist Sancho's wish that, if he were a 
prince, all his subjects should be blackamoors, as he could, 
by the sale of them, easily turn them into ready money; 
but that wish, however it may appear ridiculous and un- 
becoming a sovereign, is much more innocent than a prince's 
availing himself of his vassals for the purpose of sacrificing 
them in such destructive war, where he has the additional 
criiue of making them destroy much better and nobler 
beings than themselves." 

It was also urged by the opposition that these German 
.soldiers, as soon as they should find themselves in a land 
of liberty, would join the banner of independence and fight 
against England, and that they would be specially inclined 
to such a couise from the fact that already more than one 
hundred and fifty thousand of their countrymen had emi- 
grated to the New World, and were making common cause 
with the Anglo-Americans. It was maintained that these 
German veterans, " who considered the camp their home 
and country," would be less inclined to desert than raw 
English levies. Lord North, who reverenced too highly 
Gorman tactics and discipline, declared that a numerous 
body of the very best soldiery in Europe, inspired only 
with military maxims and ideas, too well disciplined to be 
disorderly and cruel, and too martial to be kept back by 
any false limits, could not fail of bringing matters to a 
speedy conclusion. Others, more .sanguine even than he, 
were of opinion that these Brunswickers and Hes.sians 
would have little more to do than to show themselves on 
the American continent when instantly the rebellion would 
cease and quiet be restored to the land, as Virgil tells us 
the tempest cea.sed to beat and the storms subsided when 
Neptune, rising from the waves, bade the winds retire to 
their recesses. In closing the debate. Aid. Bull, who sub- 
sequently became con.spicuous as the friend of Lord George 
Gordon, in the " No Popery" riots, spoke as Ibllows : " The 
war you are now waging is an unjust one ; it is founded in 
oppression, and its end will be distress and di.sgrace. Let 
not the historian be obliged to say that the Ru.ssian and 
the German slave were hired to subdue the sons of English- 



46 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



men and of freedom ; and that in the reign of a prince of 
the house of Brunswick every infamous attempt was made 
to extinguish that spirit which brought his ancestors to the 
throne, and, in spite of treachery and rebellion, seated them 
firmly upon it." In this debate not much stress was laid 
upon that " laudable national feeling" which in former 
times and since led f]nglishmen to " prize British valor 
above that of other nations," and to exalt the deeds of 
British infantry in all ages. The treaties were, by a large 
nuijority, referred to the committee of supply, who, on the 
4th of March following, reported favorably upon them. 

Discussion then arose afresh, and in the House of Lords 
the whole strength of the opposition was arrayed against 
the treaties and against the principle of hiring mercenaries 
to fight the battles of the realm. The Duke of Richmond 
moved an address to countermand the march of the foreign 
troops and to suspend hostilities altogether. In a speech, 
in which he criticised with the utmost severity evei-y para- 
graph of the treaties, he stated that ever since the year 
1702 the German princes had been rising in their demands, 
until now the present bargain far outstripped all other bar- 
gains, and would cost the nation not less than a million 
and a half of pounds sterling a year for the services of 
these seventeen thousand three hundred mercenaries. As 
to the influence, whether for good or for evil, that pervaded 
the councils of the realm in respect to these treaties, he de- 
clared that it proceeded from the determined character of 
the king himself. 

VIEWS OF THE E.\RL OP COVENTRY. 

But of all the opposition, — among whom were Chatham 
and Burke, earnest advocates of the most conciliatory mea- 
sures, — one noble lord, the Earl of Coventry, alone took 
the right philosophical view of the whole question, in 
maintaining that "an immediate recognition of the inde- 
pendence of the United Provinces was preferable to war." 
In advocating this theorem, his sagacious language was as 
follows : " Look on the map of the globe, view Great Brit- 
ain and North America, compare their extent, consider the 
foil, riches, climate, and increasing population of the latter. 
Nothing but the most obstinate blindness and partiality 
can engender a serious opinion that such a country will 
long continue under subjection to this. The question is 
not, therefore, how shall we be able to realize a vain delu- 
sive scheme of dominion, but how we shall make it the in- 
terest of the Americans to continue faithful allies and warm 
friends. Surely that can never be effected by fleets and 
armies. Instead of meditating conquest, and exhausting 
our own strength in an ineffectual struggle, we should — 
wisely abandoning wild schemes of coercion — avail ourselves 
of this only substantial benefit we can ever expect, — the 
profits of an extensive commerce and the strong support of 
a firm and friendly alliance and compact for mutual defense 
and assistance." 

But in vain were philosophy, eloquence, national pride, 
an appeal to kingly honor, mercy, or peace. Tlio report of 
the committee on the treaties was approved (as were all 
measures whose object was to coerce the Americans), by 
what Burke called " that vast and invincible majority ;" and 
Great Britain was compelled by necessity to accept the very 



terms which the German princes had themselves prescribed 
in drafting these treaties, the only change produced being 
embodied in an address to his majesty made by Col. Barre, 
desiring him to use his interest that the German troops in 
British pay, then and thereafter, might be clothed with the 
manufactures of Great Britain. By the conditions of the 
treaties, nearly £7 10s. levy money was paid for every man, 
and the princes who hired out the limbs, blood, and lives 
of their subjects, in a fouler manner than men farm out 
their slaves, and with none of the humanity that charac- 
terizes the dealings of those who keep beasts of draught or 
of burden for hire, took especial care, while driving a very 
hard bargain with Great Britain, to reap the greater part of 
the profits thereof in their own subsidies. To the Duke of 
Brunswick, who supplied four thousand and eighty-four 
men, was secured an annual subsidy of £15,519 so long as 
the troops continued to serve, and double that sum, or 
£31,038, for each of the two years following their dismissal. 
To the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, who furnished twelve 
thousand men, was secured £10,281 per annum, during the 
service of the soldiers, which payment was also to be con- 
tinued until the end of a twelve months' notice of the dis- 
continuance of such payment, which notice was not to be 
served until after his troops should all be returned to his 
dominions. To the hereditary prince of Hesse-Darmstadt, 
who furnished six hundred and eighty-eight men, was 
secured an annual subsidy of £0000, and besides all this 
the king of England guaranteed the dominions of these 
princes against foreign attack. A little later the Prince of 
Waldeck, who agreed to furnish six hundred and seventy 
men, made a bargain for himself equally as good as the 
bargains made by any of the other princes already named. 

VIEWS OF EDJiaND BURKE, THE FRIEND OF AMERIC.\. 

The effect of this employment of foreign troops continued 
to be felt not only in parliament during the continuance of the 
war, but exerted an influence on both sides of the Atlantic. 
In a letter to the sheriffs of Bristol on the affairs of America, 
published in April, 1777, Edmund Burke, referring to those 
who were in the habit of petitioning the king to prosecute 
the war against America with vigor, made use of this lan- 
guage : " There are many circumstances in the zeal shown 
for civil war, which seem to discover but little of real magna- 
nimity. The addressers offer their own persons, and they are 
satisfied with luring Germans. They promise their private 
fortunes, and they mortgage their country. They have all 
the merit of volunteers, without risk of person or charge of 
contribution ; and when the unfeeling arm of a foreign 
soldiery pours out their kindred blood like water they 
exult and triumph, as if they themselves had performed 
some notable exploit." In the same letter he also observed 
as follows : " It is not instantly that I can be brought to 
rejoice, when I hear of the slaughter and captivity of long 
lists of those names which have been familiar to my cars 
from my infancy, and to rejoice tliat they have fallen under 
the sword of strangers, whose barbarous appellations I 
scarcely know how to pronounce. The glory acquired at 
the White Plains by Col. Rahl has no charms for me, and I 
fairly acknowledge that I have not yet learned to delight in 
finding Kniphausen in the heart of the British dominions." 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



47 



VIEWS OF THE ELDER PITT AS THE FRIEND OP AMERICA. 
Oil the 30th of May, 1777, Lord Chatham entered tlie 
House of Lords wrapped in flannel, and bearing a crutch 
in each hand. Sitting in his place, with hi.s liead covered, 
he delivered a powerful .speech in support of hi.s motion for 
an address to his majesty requesting him to put an end to 
hostilities in America. In the course of his remarks he 
said : " What has been the system pursued by administra- 
tion, and what have been the means taken for carrying it 
into execution ? Your system has been a government 
erected on the ruins of the constitution and founded in 
conquest, and you liave swept all Germany of its refuse as 
its moans. Tlicrc is not a petty, insignificant prince whom 
you have Tiot .solicited for aid. You are become t1ie .suitors 
at every (Jornian court, and you have your ministers en- 
rolleil in the German chancery, as the contracting parties, 
in bcliair of tills once great and glorious country. The 
laurels of Britain are faded, her arms ai'o disgraced, her 
negotiations are spurned at, and her councils fallen into 
contempt. Jly lords, you have vainly tried to conquer 
America by the aid of German mercenaries, by the arms 
of twenty thousand undisciplined German boors, gleaned 
and collected from every obscure corner of that country. 
You have subsidized their master.^. You have lavished 
the public treasures on them. And what have you effected ? 
Nothing, my lords, but forcing the colonies to declare 
themselves independent states." 

REFERENCE TO THE HESSIANS IN THE DECLARATION. 
Among the charges brought against George III. in the 
Declaration of Independence was the following: " He is at 
this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries 
to complete the work of death, desolation, and tyranny 
already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy 
scarcely paralled in the most barbarous ages, and totally 
unworthy the head of a civilized nation." 

VIII.— BURGOYNE'S SPEECH TO THE IROQUOIS. 

On the 17th of June, Burgoyne encamped at the mouth 
of the Bouquet river, where for several days his army 
foraged on the deserted fields of Gilliland's manor of Wills- 
boro'. On the twenty-first he made his speech to the In- 
dians, couched in their own flowery style, as follows: 

" Chiefs and Warriors. — The great king, our com- 
mon father, and the patron of all who seek and deserve his 
protection, has considered with satisfaction the general con- 
duct of the Indian tribes from the beginning of the trou- 
bles in America. Too sagacious and too faithful to be 
deluded or corrupted, ttiey have observed the violated rights 
of the parental power they love, and burned to vindicate 
them. A few individuals alone, the refuse of a small tribe, 
at the first were led a,stray ; and the misrepresentations, the 
precious allurements, the insidious promises and diversified 
plots in which the rebels are exercised, and all of which 
they employed for that effect, have served only in the end 
to enhance the honor of the tribes in general, by demon- 
strating to the world how few and how contemptible are the 
apostates. It is a truth known to you all that, these piti- 
ful examples excepted (and they probably have before this 
day hid their faces in sliaini'), the colli'ctivo voices and 



hands of the Indian tribes over this vast continent are on 
the side of justice, of law, and of the king. 

" The restraint you have put upon your resentment in 
waiting the king, your father's, call to arms, — tlie hardest 
proof, I am persuaded, to which your afl'ection could have 
been put, — is anotlii'r manifest and affecting mark of your 
adherence to that principle of connection to which you were 
always fond to allude, and which it is mutually the joy and 
the duty of the parent to cherish. 

" The clemency of your father has been abused, the 
offers of his mercy have been desjiised, and his further 
patience would, in his eyes, become culpable, inasmuch as 
it would withhold redress from the most grievous oppres- 
sions in the province that ever disgraced the history of 
mankind. It therefore remains for me, the general of one 
of His Majesty's armies, and in this council his represen- 
tative, to release you from those bonds which your obedi- 
ence imposed. Warriors, you are free ! Go forth in might 
of your valor and your cause I Strike at the common ene- 
mies of Great Britain and America, — disturbers of public 
order, peace, and happiness ; destroyers of commerce ; par- 
ricides of the state. 

" The circle round you, the chiefs of His Majesty's 
European forces, and of the prince, his allies, esteem you 
as brothers in the war. Emulous in glory and in friendship, 
v?e will endeavor reciprocally to give and to receive exam- 
ples. We know how to value, and we will strive to imitate, 
your per.severancc in enterprise and your constancy to resist 
hunger, weariness, and pain. Be it our task, from the dic- 
tates of our religion, the laws of our welfare, and the prin- 
cipal and interest of our policy, to regulate your passions 
when they overbear, to point out where it is nobler to spare 
than to revenge, to discriminate degrees of guilt, to suspend 
the uplifted stroke, to chastise and not to destroy. 

" This war to yon, my friends, is new. Ujion former oc- 
casions, in taking the field, you held your.selves authorized to 
destroy wherever you came, because everywhere you found 
an enemy. The case is now very different 

" The king has many faithful subjects dispersed in the 
provinces; consequently you have many brothers there ; and 
these people arc the more to be pitied, that they arc perse- 
cuted or imprisoned wherever they are discovered or sus- 
pected ; and to dissemble is, to a generous mind, a yet more 
grievous punishment. 

" Persuaded that your magnanimity of character, joined 
to your principles of aflFeetion to the king, will give me 
fuller control over your minds than the military rank with 
which I am invested, I enjoin your most .serious attention 
to the rules which I hereby proclaim for your invariable 
observation during the campaign. 

" I positively forbid bloodshed, when you an^ not opposed 
in arms. 

" Aged men, women, children, and prisoners must be 
held sacred from the knife or hatchet, even in the time 
of actual conflict. 

" You shall receive compensation for the prisoners you 
take, but you shall be called to account for scalps. 

" In conformity and indulgence of your customs, which 
have affixed an idea of honor to such badges of victory, 
you shall b.' allowed to take scalps of the dead when killed 



48 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



by your fire, and in fair opposition ; but, on no account, or 
pretense, or sublety, or prevarication, are tliey to be taken 
from the wounded, or even dying ; and still less pardonable, 
if possible, will it be held to kill men in that condition on 
purpose, and upon a supposition that this protection of the 
wounded would be thereby evaded. 

" Base lurkint;; assassins, incendiaries, ravagers, and plun- 
derers of the country, to whatever army they may belong, 
shall be treated with jess reserve ; but the latitude must be 
given you by order, and I must be the judge of the occasion. 

" Should the enemy on tlieir part dare to countenance 
acts of barbarity towards tho.se who may fall into their 
hands, it shall be yours also to retaliate ; but till severity be 
thus compelled, bear immovable in your hearts this solid 
maxim (it cannot bo too deeply impressedj that the great 
essential reward, worthy service of your alliance, the sin- 
cerity of your zeal to the king, your father and never-failing 
protector, will be examined and judged upon the test only of 
yuur steady and uniform adherence to the orders and coun- 
sels of those to whom His Majesty has intrusted the direc- 
tion and the honor of his arms." 

IX.— ANSWER FROM AN OLD CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS. 

" I stand up in the name of all the nations present to 
assure our father that we have attentively listened to his 
discourse. We have received you as our father ; because, 
when you speak, we hear the voice of our great father 
beyond the great lake. 

" We rejoice in the approbation you have expressed of 
our behavior. 

"We have been tried and tempted by the Bostonians; 
but we have loved our father, and our hatchets have been 
sharpened upon our affections. 

" In proof of professions, our whole villages, able to go to 
war, came forth. The old and infirm, our infants and wives, 
alone remained at home. 

" With one common assent we promise a constant obedi- 
ence to all you have ordered, and all you shall order ; and 
may the Father of days give you many and success." 

From June 21 to June 25, Burgoyne's camp was at the 
mouth of the river Bou(|uet, where he threw up iiitrencii- 
ments. While there he took occasion to compliment some 
of his corps on having learned the art " of making flour-cakes 
without ovens, which," he adds, " are equally wholesome and 
relishing with the best bread." On the evening of the 25th 
his army left their camp at the mouth of the river Bouquet, 
under command of Maj.-Gcn. Riedcsel, and on the day fol- 
lowing were quartered at Crown Point, on both sides of 
Putnam creek, where general orders appropriate to the 
change in position were issued. The few Americans in 
garrison there abandoned the fort and retreated to Ticon- 
deroga. The British quietly took possession, and after es- 
tablishing magazines and a hospital, and having succeeded 
in bringing up the rear of the army, and obtaining intelli- 
gence of the movements of the Americans, moved forward 
on the 1st of July. 

X.— BURGOYNE'S PROCLAMATION. 

But before leaving Putnam creek, Gen. Burgnyiie issued 
his famous and high-sounding proclamation. In his zeal 



for sustaining the cause of his royal master, he made u-sc 
of this extraordinary language : '' To the eyes and ears of 
the temperate part of the puljlio, and to the bresists of suf- 
fering thousands in the provinces, be the melancholy appeal, 
whether the present unnatural rebellion has not been made 
a foundation for the completest system of tyranny that ever 
God in his displeasure suffered for a time to be exercised 
over a fioward and stubborn generation. Arbitrary im- 
prisonment, confiscation of property, persecution and tor- 
ture unprecedented in the inquisitions of the Romish church, 
are among the palpable enormities which verity the affirma- 
tive. These are inflicted by assemblies and committees 
who dare to profess themselves friends to liberty, upon the 
most quiet subjects, without distinction of age or sex, for 
the sole crime, often for the sole suspicion, of having ad- 
hered in principle to the government under which they 
were born, and to which, by every tie, divine and human, 
they owe allegiance. To consummate these shocking pro- 
ceedings, the profanation of religion is added to the most 
profligate prostitution of common reason ; the consciences 
of men are set at naught, and multitudes are compelled not 
only to bear arms, but also to swear subjection to an 
usurpation they abhor." 

After exhorting all through whose territory he should 
pass to remain loyal, and offering to them employment .should 
they j(jin him, and solid coin " for every species of pro- 
vision at an e(juitable rate," he concluded as follows: "I 
have but to give stretch to the Indian forces under my 
direction, and they amount to thousands, to overtake the 
hardened enemies of Great Britain and America. I con- 
sider them the same, whei'ever they may lurk. 

" If, notwithstanding these endeavors and sincere inclina- 
tion to effect them, the frenzy of hostility should remaiu, 
I trust I shall stand acquitted, in the eyes of God and man, 
in denouncing and executing the vengeance of the state 
against the willful outcasts. 

" The messengers of justice and wrath await them in the 
field ; and devastation, famine, and every concomitant horror 
that a reluctant but indispensable prosecution of military 
duty must occasion, will bar the way to their retreat." 

XL— MARCH ON TICONDEROGA. 

On the 30th of June, Burgoyne prepared to attack Ti- 
conderoga. Before advancing, in a general order promul- 
gated to his troops, he used the following language, which 
was the key-note of the campaign : 

"The army embarks to-morrow to approach the enemy. 
We are to contend for the king and the constitution of 
Great Britain, to vindicate the law and to relieve the op- 
pressed, — a cause in which His Majesty's troops and those 
of the princes, his allies, will feel equal excitement. 

" The services required of this particular expedition are 
critical and cons]3icuous. During our progress occasions 
may occur in which no diflSculty, nor labor, nor life, are to 
be regarded. Tins army must not retreat." 

The effect produced by the proclamatiou was, in some 
quarteis, directly contrary to that intended by its author. 
In many minds its statements gave rise to sentiments of 
indignation and contempt. Gov. Livingston, of New Jersey, 
made it an object of general derision by paraphrasing it in 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



49 



Hudibrastic verse. John Holt, of New York, an old and 
respectable printer, publi.sbed it in his now.spaper at Pous^h- 
keepsie with this motto : " Pride sroctli before destruction, 
and a haui;hty spirit before a fall." In his " State of the 
Expedition," ]]iiblished several years later. Gen. Rurgoyne 
fails to record this illjudued docunicnt. "It is remarkable," 
observes Dr. Timothy Dwii;bt, " that the four most hauj^hty 
proclamations issued by military commanders in modein 
times have prefaced their ruin: this of (xen. Ruriioyne ; 
that of the iJuke of Rrunswick, when he was entering 
France; that of Bcinaparte in Egypt; and that of Gen. Le 
Clerc at his arrival in St. Domingo. ' 

TICONDEROOA AND MOUNT INDEPENDENCE. 

On the 1st of July the whole of Burgoyne's army moved 
forward and took positions near Ticonderoga. Brig. -Gen. 
Eraser's corps occupied a strong post at Three-Mile creek, 
on the west or New York shore of Lake Champlain ; the 
German Reserve, under Riedesel, took a position on the east 
or Vermont shore, opposite Putnam creek, while the main 
army encamped in two lines, the right wing at a place called 
Four-Mile Point, on the west shore, and the left wing nearly 
opposite, on the east shore. Tlie frigates the " Royal George" 
and "Inflexible," with the gunboats, were anchored just 
without the reach of the batteries of the Americans, and 
covered the lake from the west to the east shore. Mean- 
time, St. Clair, to whom the command of Ticonderoga, on 
the New York shore, and Mount Independence, in the 
town of Orwell, on the Vermont shore, had been intrusted 
by Schuyler on the 5th of June, 1777, had reached his post 
'on the 12th of that month. Upon the table-land summit of 
Mount Independence was a star fort, strongly picketed, in the 
centre of which was a convenient square of barracks. The 
fort was well supplied with artillery, and its approaches 
guarded with batteries. The foot of the hill, towards Lake 
Champlain, was protected by a breastwork, which had been 
strengthened by an abatis and by a strong battery standing 
on the shore of the lake, near the month of East creek. A 
floating bridge connected the works of Mount Independence 
with those of Ticonderoga, on the other side of the lake, 
and served as an obstruction to the passage of vessels up 
the lake. The battery at the foot of Mount Independence 
covered and protected the east end of the bridge. The 
bridge itself was supported on twenty-two sunken piers, 
formed of very large timber, the spaces between the piers 
being filled with floats, each about fifty feet long and twelve 
feet wide, strongly fastened together with iron chains and 
rivets. A boom, made of large pieces of timber, well se- 
cured together by riveted bolts, was placed on the north 
side of the bridge, and by the side of this was a double 
iron chain, the links of which were one inch and a half of 
an inch s(|uare. The other end of the bridge was covered 
by the " Grenadier's Battery,'' a strong redoubt built of 
earth and stone, which was originally constructed b}' the 
French and subse(|uently enlarged by the English. 

On the New York side, at the time of Burgoyne's ap- 
proach, a small detachment of Americans occupied the old 
French lines on the height to the north of Fort Ticonde- 
roga. These lines were in good repair, and had .several in- 
trenchments behind them, chiefly calculated to guard the 
7 



northwest flank, and were also sustained by a block-house. 
Farther to the left of the Americans was an outpost at the 
saw-mills, now the village of Ticonderoga. There was also a 
block-house upon an eminence above the mills, and a block- 
house and hospital at the entrance of Lake George. Upon 
the right of the American linos, and between tiiem and the 
old fort, there were two new block-houses, and the Grena- 
dier's battery, close to the water's edge, w;is manned. 

MOUNT HOPE AND SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN. 

On the west side of the outlet of Lake George, near the 
lower falls, rises Mount Hope, an abrupt and rocky eleva- 
tion, and especially rugged and precipitous on the north- 
east side. On the south side of the mouth of the outlet 
of Lake George, and separated from Fort Ticonderoga 
(which is situated north of the outlet), and opposite Mount 
Independence, is the lofty eminence of Mount Defiance, 
then known as Sugar Loaf mountain, which rises abruptly 
from the water to the height of about seven hundred and 
fifty feet. Through the vigilance of his scouts, Burgoyne 
soon learned that St. Clair had neglected to fortify these 
two important and commanding elevations, and in.stead of 
making a direct assault upon the fortress of Ticonderoga, 
he determined to take possession first of these valuable 
positions. 

THE FORCES. 

The American works formed an extensive crescent of 
which Mount Independence was the centre. The entire 
lino required at least ten thou.sand men and one hundred 
pieces of artillery for its deteMise. Rut now when such a 
force was necessary, St. Clair's whole army consisted of 
only two thousand five hundred and forty-six Continental 
troops and nine hundred militia. Of the latter, not one- 
tenth had bayonets. Besides the lack of men, the food, 
clothing, arms, and ammunition were insufficient. Congress 
had been led to believe that Burgoyne was preparing an 
expedition against the coast towns, and influenced by this 
belief had turned its exertions in other directions and had 
left the posts on Lake Cliamplain almost undefended. The 
army of Burgoyne, on the contrary, amounted on the 1st of 
July to .six thousand seven hundred and forty men, of 
whom three thousand seven hundred and twenty-four were 
British and three thousand and sixteen German troops. In 
addition to this there were five hundred and eleven men in 
the artillery service, besides Canadians, Tories, and Indians. 

THE FIRST SUCCESS. 

On tlie morning of the second the British observed a 
smoke in the direction of Lake George, and .soon after the 
Indians reported that the Americans had .set fire to the 
farther block-house and bad abandoned the saw-mills, and 
that a considerable body was advancing from the lines 
towards a bridge upon the road which led from the .saw- 
mills towards the right of the British camp. A detach- 
ment of the advanced corps under Brig.-Gen. Eraser, with 
other troops and some light artillery under Maj.-Gen. Phil- 
lips, were immediately sent out, with orders to proceed to 
Mount Hope, not only to reconnoitre, but to seize any post 
the Americans might abandon. The Indians, under Capt. 
Eraser, with his company of marksmen, were directed to 



50 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



make a circuit to the left of Biig.-Gen. Eraser's line of 
march, and strive to lieep the Americans from reaching 
their lines ; but this undertaking failed by reason of the 
impetuosity of the Indians, who made the attack too soon 
and in front, thus giving the Americans an opportunity to 
return ; they having lost, however, one officer and a few 
men killed and one officer wounded. 

ST. clair's letter. 

St. Clair was an officer of acknowledged bravery, yet he 
was far from being an expert and skillful military leader. 
His self-reliance and his confidence in the courage of his 
men led him often to be less vigilant than necessity de- 
manded. Even with the knowledge of the great disparity 
in numbers between his force and that of the British, and 
in spite of the events of the 2d of July which had already 
occurred in his immediate vicinity, he was enabled to write 
the following cheerful yet urgent letter to Col. John AVil- 
liams, of Salem, then White Creek, Washington county, 
to Col. Moses Robinson, of Bennington, and to Col. Seth 
Warner. This letter is now published for the first time : 

" TicoNDEROGA, July 2, 1777. 

"Gkntlemen, — About two hours ngo I recciverl your letter of this 
day, ami am very Uajipy to hear that the people turn out so well, 
though it is not more than I cxpecteil from them. The enemy have 
been lying looking at us for a day or two, and we have had a liltlo 
firing, not a great deal. But I believe they will in earnest try what 
we can do, perhaps this night. I rather think it is their intention, 
though I may, perhaps, be mistaken ; but be thnt as it will, at all 
events push on your people with the utmost expedition, and let the 
cattle remain where they are. Order Col. Lynians and Col. Billany 
to follow with all e.xpedition. Everything depends upon a spirited 
push, and I can assure you that the men here are as determined as 
you can possibly wish them. We took a prisoner and have had 
Hessian deserters to-day, but I have not yet time to examine them. 
If you and Col. Warner can bring on six hundred men, or even less, 
I would wish you to march, part by the new road and part by the 
old road, to a certain distance. Of that distance you and he can 
judge much better than me. The party that m.arch on the old road 
will then turn to the left and fall in upon the new road. These 
motions will distract the enemy, and induce them to believe that 
your numbers are treble what they really are, and if you are attacked 
on either road by an even number, make directly for Mount Inde- 
pendence and you will find a party out to support you, and fall upon 
the enemy's flanks or front, as they may happen to present them- 
selves. If I had only your people here I would laugh at all the 
enemy could do. But do not forget to have a proper guard for the 
cattle, and then we can bring in as we want in spite of them. We 
will want all the men that we can get for all this. I am, gentlemen, 
your very humble servant, A. St. Clair. 

" Col. Williams, Col. Robi.nso.v, and Col. Wah.ver." 

This letter, doubtless, had the effect of hastening forward 
the promised aid. Cols. Warner and Robinson reached 
Ticonderoga in time to take part in its evacuation, and the 
former did gallant service in the battle of Hubbardton on 
the 7th of July. It is also believed that Col. Williams 
reached the fort, but whether with or without a command, 
is not positively known. 

THE EVACUATION OF TICONDEROGA. 

On the night of the 2d, Maj.-Gen. Phillips took posses- 
sion of Mount Hope, and by this movement the Americans 
were entirely cut off from all communication with Lake 
George. On the following day, Mount Hope was occupied 
in force by Eraser's corps. Maj. Gen. I'liillips now held 



the ground west of Mount Hope, and Eraser's camp at 
Three-Mile creek was occupied by a body of men drawn 
from the opposite side of the lake. Riedesel's column was 
pushed forward as far as East creek on the Vermont side, 
from which it could easily stretch behind Mount Independ- 
ence. 

" During all these movements the American troops kept 
up a warm fire again.st Mount Hope and against Riedesel's 
column, but without effect. On the 4th the British were 
employed in bringing up their artillery, tents, baggage, and 
provisions, while the Americans, at intervals, continued the 
cannonade. The same evening the radeau or raft ' Thun- 
derer' arrived from Crown Point with the battering train. 

" The British line now encircled the American works 
on the north, east, and west. The possession of Mount 
Defiance would complete the investment, and effectually 
control the water communication in the direction of Skenes- 
borough. Burgoyne's attention had, from the first, been 
attracted towards this eminence, and he had directed Lieut. 
Twiss, his chief engineer, to ascertain whether its summit 
was accessible. On the 4th, Lieut. Twi.ss reported that 
Mount Defiance held the entire command of Ticonderoga 
and Mount Independence, at the distance of about fourteen 
hundred yards from the former, and fifteen hundred yards 
from the latter, and that a practicable road could lie made 
to the summit in twenty-four hours. On receiving this 
report Burgoyno ordered the road opened and a battery 
constructed for light twenty-four-pounders, medium twelves, 
and eight-inch howitzers. This arduous task was pushed 
with such activity, that during the succeeding night the 
road was completed, and eight pieces of cannon were 
dragged to the top of the hill. 

'■ On the morning of the 5th the summit of Mount Defi- 
ance glowed with scarlet uniforms, and the guns of its 
batteries stood threateningly over the American forts. ' It 
is with astonishment,' says Dr. Thacher, in his Military 
Journal, ' that we find the enemy have taken possession of 
an eminence called Sugar Loaf hill, or Mount Defiance, 
which, from its height and proximity, completely overlooks 
and commands all our works. The situation of our garri- 
son is viewed as critical and alarming; a few days will 
decide our fate. We have reason to apprehend the most 
fatal effects from their battery on Sugar Loaf hill.' Gen. 
St. Clair immediately called a council of war, by whom it 
was decided to evacuate the works before Riedesel should 
block up the narrow passage south of East creek, which, 
with the lake to Skenesborough, presented the only possible 
way of escape." 

As every movement of the Americans could be seen 
through the day from Mount Defiance, no visible prepara- 
tions for leaving the fort were made until after dark on the 
evening of the 5th, and the purpose of the council was 
concealed from the troops until the evening order was given. 
About midnight directions were issued to place the sick 
and wounded, and the women, the baggage, and such am- 
munition and stores as might be expedient, on board two 
hundred bateaux, to be dispatched at three o'clock in the 
morning under a convoy of five armed galleys and a guard 
of six hundred men, under the command of Col. Long, of 
the New Hampshire troops, up the lake to Skenesborough, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



51 



wliilt' tlie main body was to proceed by land to tbe same 
destination, by way of Castleton. The cannons that could 
not be moved were to be spiked ; previous to striking the 
tents every light was to be extinguished ; each soldier was 
to provide himself with several days' provisions ; and to 
allay any suspicion on the part of the enemy of such a 
movement, a continued cannonade was to be kept up from 
one of the batteries in the direction of Mount Hope, until 
the moment of departure. These directions as to the mode 
of leaving were strictly obeyed except in one instance. 

THE PURSUIT. 

" The boats reached Skenesborough about three o'clock 
on the afternoon of the same day, where the fugitives landed 
to enjoy, as they fancied, a temporary repo.se ; but in less 
than two hours they were startled by the reports of the 
cannon of the British gunboats, which were firing at the 
galleys lying at the wharf By uncommon effort and in- 
dustry, Burgoyne had broken through the chain, boom, and 
bridge at Ticonderoga, and had followed in pursuit with the 
' Royal George' and ' Inflexible,' and a detachment of the 
gunboats under Gapt. Carter. The pursuit had been pressed 
with such vigor that, at the very moment when the Ameri- 
cans were landing at Skene.sborough, three regiments dis- 
embarked at the head of South bay, with the intention of 
occupying the road to Fort Edward. Had Burgoyne de- 
layed the attack upon the galleys until these regiments had 
reached the Fort Edward road, the whole party at Skenes- 
borough would have been taken prisoners. Alarmed, how- 
ever, by the approach of the gunboats, tiie latter blew up 
three of the galleys, set fire to the fort, mill, and storehouse, 
and retired in great confusion towards Fort Ann. Occa- 
sionally the overburdened party would falter on their re- 
treat, when the startling cry of March on, the Indians are 
at our heels,' would revive their drooping energies and give 
new strength to their weakened limbs. At five o'clock in 
the morning they reached Fort Ann, where they were joined 
by many of the invalids who had been carried up Wood 
creek in boats. A number of the sick, with the cannon, 
provisions, and most of the baggage, were left behind at 
Skenesborough. 

" On the 7th a small reinforcement, sent from Fort Ed- 
ward by Schuyler, arrived at Fort Ann. About the same 
time a detachment of British troops approached within sight 
of the fort. This detachment was attacked from tlie fort, 
and repulsed with some loss; a surgeon, a wounded captain, 
and twelve privates were taken prisoners by the Americans. 
The next day Fort Ann was burned, and the garrison re- 
treated to Fort Edward, which was then occupied by Gen. 
Schuyler." 

The fate of the remainder of those who left Ticonderoga 
now demands our attention. Although every precaution 
po.ssible wa.s taken, yet so sudden was the departure and so 
short the notice, that much confusion ensued. The garri- 
son of Ticonderoga crossed the bridge to IMount Indepen- 
dence at about three o'clock in the morning, the enemy all 
the while unconscious of the escape of their prey. " The 
moon was shining brightly, yet her pale light was insuffi- 
cient to betray the toiling Americans in their preparations 
and flight, and they felt certain that, before daylight should 



discover their withdrawal, they would be too far advanced 
to invite pursuit." But Gen. De Fermoy, who commanded 
on Mount Independence, regardless of express orders, set 
fire to the house he had occupied, as his troops left to join 
in the retreat with those who had passed over from Ticon- 
deroga. The light of the conflagration revealed the whole 
scene to the astonished forces of the British, and through- 
out their extended camp sounded the notes of preparation 
for hot and determined pursuit. 

THE FLIGHT OP ST. CLAIR. 

Thus on Sunday morning, July 6, 1777, the unfortunate 
Americans commenced their overland flight. St. Clair, 
with the main army, directed his course through the Ver- 
mont towns of Orwell, Sudbury, and Hubbardton, and 
encamped at evening at Castleton, about twenty-six miles 
from Ticonderoga. The rear-guard, under the command of 
Col. Ebenezer Francis, of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regi- 
ment, left Mount Independence at about four o'clock in 
the morning, taking the same route as had been taken by 
St. Clair, and passing onward in irregular order, after a 
most fatiguing march, rested at Hubbardton, about twenty- 
two miles from Ticonderoga, and encamped in the woods. 
These, together with stragglers from the main army, picked 
up by the way, were left in the command of Cols. Warner 
and Francis, and there remained duiing the night, not only 
for rest but also to be joined by some who had been left 
behind on the march. Tlie jilace of encampment was in 
the northeast part of Hubbardton, near the Pittsford line, 
upon the farm then owned by John Sellcck, not fir from 
the place where the Baptist meeting-house now stands. 

As soon as the British pereitived the movements of the 
Americans, Brig. -Gen. Simon Eraser took possession of 
Ticonderoga, unfurled the British flag over that fortress at 
daylight, and before sunrise had passed the bridge and 
Mount Independence, and was in close pursuit of the flying 
Americans, at the head of a little more than half the ad- 
vanced corps, and without artillery, which, with the utmosD 
endeavors, it was impossible to get up. Ticonderoga was 
placed in charge of the regiment of Prince Frederick, 
under Lieut.-Col. Priltorious, and the Sixty-second British 
Regiment were ordered to Mount Independence, both regi- 
ments being under the command of Brig.-Gen. Hamilton, 
who was directed to place guards for the preservation of all 
buildings from fire, and to collect all the powder and other 
stores and secure them. 

Without intermission Brig.-Gen. Fraser continued the 
pursuit of the flying Americans till one o'clock in the after- 
noon, having marched in a very hot day since four o'clock 
in the morning. From some stragglers from the American 
force whom he picked up, he learned that their rcar-gJard 
was composed of chosen men and commanded by Col. 
Francis, "one of their best officers." From some Tory 
scouts he also learned that the Americans were not far in 
advance. While his men were refreshing themselves, Maj.- 
Gen. Riedesel came up with his Brunswickers, and arrange- 
ments for continuing the pursuit having been concerted, 
Brig.-Gen. Preiser moved forward again, leaving Riedesel 
and his corps behind, and during the night of Sunday, the 
Gth, lay upon his arms in an advantageous situation, three 



52 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



miles in advance of Riedesel and three miles nearer the rear- 
guard of the Americans. 

THE BATTLE OP HUBBARDTON. 

An account of the battle of Hubbardton, which battle 
took place on the morning of the 7th of July, is given by 
Gen. Burgoyne in these words: " At throe in the morning 
Brig-Gen. Fraser renewed his march, and about five his 
advanced scouts discovered the enemy's sentries, who fired 
their pieces and joined the main body [of the rear-guard]. 
The brigadier, observing a commanding ground to the left 
of his light infantry, immediately ordered it to be possessed 
by that corps ; and a considerable body of the enemy at- 
tempting the same, they met. The enemy were driven 
back to their original post. The advanced guard, under 
Major Grant, was by this time engaged, and the grenadiers 
were advanced to sustain them, and to prevent the right 
flank from being turned. The brigadier remained on the 
left, whore the enemy long defended themselves by the aid 
of logs and trees ; and, after being repulsed and prevented 
getting to the Castleton road by the grenadiers, they ral- 
lied and renewed the action, and, upon a second repulse, 
attempted their retreat to the Pittsford mountain. The 
grenadiers scrambled up a part of that ascent, appearing 
almost inaccessible, and gained the summit before them, 
which threw them into confusion. They were still greatly 
superior in numbers, and consequently in extent ; and the 
brigadier, in momentary expectation of the Brunswickers, 
had laterally drawn from his left to support his right. At 
this critical moment Gen. Riedesel, who had pressed on 
upon hearing the firing, arrived with the foremost of his 
columns, viz., the chasseurs company and eighty grenadiers 
and light infantry. His judgment immediately pointed to 
him the course to take. He extended upon Brigadier 
Fraser's left flank. The chasseurs got into action with 
great gallantry under Major Barney. They [the Ameri- 
cans] fled on all sides, leaving dead upon the field Col. 
Francis and many other officers, with upward of two hun- 
dred men. Above six hundred were wounded, mo.st of 
whom perished in the woods attempting to get ofi', and one 
colonel, seven captains, ten subalterns, and two hundred and 
ten men were made prisoners. Above two hundred stands 
of arms were also taken. 

" The number of the enemy before the engagement 
amounted to two thousand men. The British detachment 
under Brig.-Gen. Fraser (the parties left the day before at 
Ticonderoga not having been able to join) consisted only of 
eight hundred and fifty fighting men." 

XII.— THE EFFECT OF THE EVACUATION OF TICON- 
DEROGA. 

The fort at Ticonderoga was built by the French in 1756, 
and taken from them by Gen. Audierst in 1759. Early in 
1775 it was taken from the British by Col. Ethan Allen, 
and upon the approach of Burgoyne was garrisoned by an 
army of three thousand Ameiican troops under command 
of Gen. St. Clair. It was looked upon as one of the strongest 
posts in North America, and the colonists confidently hoped 
and expected that it was a perfect bar to Burgoyne's further 
progress. But there was a fatal error in its situation, which 



had been entirely overlooked or ignored by both the French 
and American engineers. A little to the south of it was a 
high rounded eminence — now known as Mount Defiance, 
then called Sugar Hill — which commanded every corner of 
the fort. The Americans had supposed it to be impossible to 
occupy this point with cannon, but the keen military eye of 
Gen. Fraser, long trained in the artillery practice of Europe, 
saw at a glance the overshadowing importance of the posi- 
tion. On the 5th of July, Gen. Fraser, at the head of his 
light infantry, to the utter astonishment of Gen. St. Clair, 
appeared in force on the top of Sugar Hill, clearing the 
ground on the top for the purpose of planting his cannon. 
The Americans saw at once their fatal error, and compre- 
hending the full danger of the situation, evacuated the fort 
in the night time, and at the break of day on the Gth of 
July the English colors again waved over Ticonderoga. 

Bitter was the disappointment of the colonists at the fall 
of this fort. The order to evacuate was received in the 
fort with curses and with tears, but there was no alternative. 
Mount Defiance was already covered with red-coats, planting 
the batteries that would soon sweep every corner of their 
works. "Such a retreat," wrote one of the garrison, " was 
never heard of since the creation of the world." " We 
never shall hold a post," said John Adams, " until we shoot 
a general." Burgoyne wrote home : " They seem to have 
expended great treasure and the unwearied labor of more 
than a year to fortify, upon the supposition that we .should 
only attack them upon the point where they were best pre- 
pared to resist." Upon the receipt of the news in England', 
the king rushed into the queen's apartment, crying, " I 
have beat them — I have beat all the Americans;" and Lord 
George Germain announced the event in parliament as if it 
had already decided the fate of the colonies. After the 
fall of Ticonderoga, slowly and sullenly the Americans, 
under command of Gen. Philip Schuyler, retreated towards 
Fort Edward on the Hudson, fighting the bloody battles of 
Hubbardstown and Fort Ann on the way. On the 28th 
of July, Burgoyne arrived at the Hudson river, near Fort 
Edward, and the Americans evacuated that fort as well as 
Fort George, at the head of Lake George, and retreating 
down the river to Stillwater left the whole upper valley of 
the Hudson above Saratoga in the indisputable possession 
of the victorious British general. The darkest day of the 
campaign to the Americans had now eome, but it proved to 
be the darkness which always precedes the early dawn. 

Great blame fell upon St. Clair, and greater still upon 
Gen. Schuyler, and it was not until the fiict became apparent 
that Congress had neglected to garrison and provision Mount 
Independence and Port Ticonderoga, that the public clamor 
against these brave and magnanimous officers subsided. 
Tieondei'oga had been evacuated by the unanimous vote of 
a full council of war ; yet there were some who boasted that 
they could tell when that fortress was sold and for how 
much, while others asserted that Schuyler and St. Clair had 
both been bribed by Burgoyne, who, it was said, had fired 
silver bullets into the fort, which were gathered by order of 
St. Clair and divided between him and Schuyler. One 
hundred and twenty-eight cannon were lost on that occasion, 
yet that number, like Falstaft's men, who grew from two to 
eleven, was examerated to three hundred. There were no 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



53 



artillerymen either slain or captured at that time, but the 
report was current tliat not one of them had escaped. 

Schuyler's proclamation. 

Soon after Burgoyne had issued his grandiloquent pro- 
clamation, he on the 10th of July issued anotlier, addressed 
particularly to the inhabitants of Castleton, Hubbardton, 
Rutland, Inmouth, Pawlet, Wells, Granville, and of the 
neighboring districts, also to the people living in the dis- 
tricts bordering on White Creek, Camdden, Cambridge, 
etc., calling on them to send from each town a deputation 
of ten men to meet Col. Skene five days thence at Castle- 
ton, in order to secure from him further encouragement, if 
they had acknowledged allegiance to Great Britain, or, if 
they had not, to hear the conditions " upon which the per- 
sons and properties of the disobedient" might yet be spared. 
In answer to this, Gen. Schuyler, on the 13th of July, ad- 
dressed a counter-proclamation to the same people, in 
which, after referring to the scenes which had not long be- 
fore been witnessed in New Jersey, when the deluded in- 
habitants, who had confided in British promises, had been 
treated with the most wanton barbarity, he announced to 
them that those who should "join with or in any manner 
or way assist or give comfort or hold correspondence with, 
or take protection from the enemy," would be considered 
and dealt with as traitors to the United States. 

Many not only refused to notice the warning of Schuyler, 
but voluntarily remained " within the power of the enemy," 
and were obliged " to wear a signal in their hats, and put 
signals before their doors, and also upon their catties' horns, 
that they were friends to the king and had stayed on their 
farms agreeable to Gen. Burgoyne's proclamation." These 
were known as " protectioners," and in subsequent years 
suffered many indignities from their neighbors by reason of 
their Toryism on this occasion. 

LETTER TO JOHN WILLIAMS. 

Although terribly grieved on account of the faihire at 
Ticonderoga, Gen. Schuyler was indefatigable in his en- 
deavors to restore confidence to the country which was 
being foraged and ravaged by Burgoyne's forces, and to 
learn from prisoners and deserters the condition of Bur- 
goyne's army. As an instance of the care exercised by 
this brave soldier, even when surrounded by trials of the 
severest nature, the following letter, never before published, 
will serve as a specimen. It was written to Col. John 
Williams, of White Creek, in answer to a letter of Williams 
sent by a lieutenant who had in charge a suspicious person 
named Baker, who had been captured by Williams, and is 
in these words : 

"Fort Eow.iRD, .July 14, 1777. 
"Sir, — Your note of this day has been delivered nie by Lieutenant 
Young. I have e.xamined Mr. Baker and found hiui trii)piug in so 
many things that I am clearly convinced he is an agent of the enemy, 
and sent not only to give intelligence, but to intimidate the inhabitants 
and intluce them to join the enemy. I have closely contincd him, 
and shall send him down the country. lie informs me that one John 
Foster is also gone to the enemy and, as he supposes he will be back 
in a day or two, I beg he may be made prisoner and sent to me under 
a good guard. You must furnish your militia with provisions in tiie 
best manner you can, and the allowance will be made for it. I have 
scouts out in every quarter, and a large body at Fort Ann, and, until 



they come away, I am not apprehensive that an attack will be made 
on White Creek. It would bo the height of imprudence to disperse 
my army into difterent quarters, unless tlicre is the most evident 
necessity. * I am, sir, your most humble servant, 

" Ph. Sciihyler. 
"Colonel Williams." 

XIIL— BURGOYNE'S ADVANCE. 

Slowly and cautiously did Burgoyne proceed in his ad- 
vance. On the 7th of July his head(|uarters were at 
Skenesborough, at the residence of Gen. Philip Skene, 
where they remained until the 25th of that month, when 
they were moved forward to Fort Ann. On the 29th they 
were advanced to the camp at Pitch Pine Plains, near 
Fort Edward, and the following day Burgoyne watered his 
horses in the Hudson at Fort Edward, and the best period 
of his campaign was over. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE SECOND PERIOD OF THE BURGOYNE 
CAMPAIGN. 

I.— .JEANIE McCREA. 

The second period of the Burgoyne campaign opens in 
the darkest hour of the American cause. The progress of 
the British army down along the old war-trail of the great 
northern valley had thus far been a series of triumphs. The 
Americans had been dislodged from their stronghold at Ti- 
conderoga, where they had fondly liojied that the tide of in- 
vasion could be stayed, and, defeated in every action, and 
driven from post to post, had virtually abandoned the field 
of the upper Hudson. Not a single ray of light had yet 
illumined the gloom that had settled over every American 
home in the land. 

It was in this dark hour of the deepest despondency that 
an event occurred on the banks of the Hudson, at Fort Ed- 
ward, of itself of seeming insignificance, — simply the death 
of a single maiden caused by savage hands, — yet really one 
of those important events which, in the hands of a wise, 
overruling Providence, are destined to mark a turning- 
point, — the beginning of a new era, as it were, — in the 
world's destiny. 

The defeat of Burgoyne in this campaign resulted in the 
final success of the American arms and in the independence 
of the colonies. Burgoyne could date the beginning of his 
disasters with the murder of the maiden, Jeanie McCrea, 
near Fort Edward, by his savage allies, at noon on Sunday, 
July 27, 1777. It was but ten days after, on the tith of 
August following, that Gen. Herkimer, on the bloody field 
of Oriskany, turned back St. Leger in his raid down the 
Mohawk valley, and it was only ten days after the last 
event, on August IG, that Gen. Stark captured, near Ben- 
nington, an important detachment sent from the left wing 
of the British army on a foraging expedition under Major 
Baum. 

About the year 17G8 two Scotch families — -the McCreas 
and the Joneses — came from New Jersey and settled in the 
woods on the wild western bank of the Hudson, near and 
I below Fort Edward. 



54 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The Widow Jones came with a family of six grown-up 
sons, whose names were Jonathan, Jolin, Dunliam, Daniel, 
David, and Solomon. The Joneses took up the fiirm now 
known as the Roger place, in Jloreau, nearly opposite Fort 
Edward, being but a mile and a half or so below, and kept 
a ferry there, then called, and after the war long known, 
as the Jones' ferry. 

The McCreas settled three or four miles farther down the 
river, not far from the line of Northumberland. Jeanie 
McCrea was the daughter of a Scotch Presbyterian minis- 
ter, and her mother having died and her father married 
again, she came to reside with her brother, John McCrea, 
on the bank of the Hudson, and thus became a pioneer in 
the settlement of the old north wilderness. The McCrea 
brothers were strong adherents of the American cause, and 
men of standing and influence in the neighborhood. In 
1773 lier brother, Daniel McCrea, was the first clerk of the 
first court held in Charlotte county, by Judge Duer, at Fort 
Edward, and when the first two regiments — the Twelfth and 
Thirteenth of Albany county militia-men — were commis- 
sioned by the committee of safety, in 1775, her brother, 
John IMcCrca, was given the important post of colonel com- 
manding in the Thirteenth or Saratoga Regiment. 

But the Joneses adhered to the royal cause. One of 
them — John — was married, and when the war broke out was 
settled three miles north of Sandy Hill, at what is now 
called Moss street, near whose house General Fraser was 
encamped at the time of the tragedy. 

In the fall of 1770, Jonathan and David Jones raised a 
company of fifty men under pretext of roiiilorcing the 
American garrison at Ticonderoga, but on their march they, 
passed by the American ford and joined the British at Crown 
Point, fifteen miles farther down the lake. 

In the winter following Jonathan and David Jones both 
went to Canada, and were commissioned in the British ser- 
vice, — Jonathan as captain and David as lieutenant in the 
same company, — and, at the time of the inva.sion, they ac- 
companied the army of Burgoyne as pilots and guides 
against their own countrymen. 

In the summer of 1777, Jeanie McCrea was about twenty- 
three years of age, of middling stature, finely formed, dis- 
tinguished for the profuseness of her dark and shining 
hair, and celebrated for her more than common beauty. 
Tradition says that between her and young David Jones a 
tender intimacy had sprung up before they left New Jersey, 
which was continued after they settled on the Hudson, and 
rudely interrupted by the stern events of partisan warfare. 

The reader will bear in mind that Burgoyne had broken 
up his headquarters at Whitehall on the 25th of July, and 
on the 2Gth his advanced corps was encamped on the 
" Pitch Pine Plains," four miles north of Fort Edward. 

It should also be borne in mind that at that time all the 
inhabitants in the vicinity of Fort Edward had either 
moved down the river for a place of safety, or, if remaining, 
had sought protection of Burgoyne, and that there then 
was only a small garrison of American troops left at Fort 
Edward, who also moved down the river the morning after 
Joanie's death. 

But Jeanie, although admonished by her bruther. Col. 
John, to go down the river, still remained near Fort Edward. 



Womanlike, her heart was with the young lieutenant in 
the ranks of the rapidly-advancing invaders, and woman- 
like she lingered to await his coming. 

On the day before her death she proceeded up the river, 
and crossed over at Jones' ferry. The old ferryman, after 
the war, often spoke of how well she looked, dressed, as he 
expressed it, in her wedding clothes. 

After crossing the river, Jeanie went to the house of 
Peter Freel (the old " Baldwin house"), which stood close 
under the walls of the fort, where she stayed overnight. 
After breakfast the next morning she went to the house 
of Mrs. McNiel, which stood about eighty rods north of 
the fort on the main road leading to Sandy Hill. 

Mrs. McNiel had been a warm fi'iend of Jeanie's father 
in New Jer.sey, and was a cousin of Gen. Fraser, of the 
British army, and was doubtless then about to seek his 
protection, otherwise she would have many days before 
gone down the river. 

On the fatal morning — Sunday, the 27th day of July — 
our people at the fort had sent out a scouting-party of 
fifty men, under command of Lieut. Palmer, to ascertain 
the position and watch the motions of the enemy. This 
party had followed the plain to a deep ravine about a mile 
north of the fort, where they fell into an ambuscade, or 
met a party of about two hundred Indians, who were on a 
maurauding excursion. The Americans at once turned 
and fled for their lives towards the fort. The Indians pur- 
sued, and shot down and scalped eighteen of their number, 
including the commander. Lieutenant Palmer. The Amer- 
icans rushed off from the plain, down the hill, and across 
the mtirsh near the river, and such as escaped returned to 
the jirotecting walls of the fort. Tlie Indians shot Lieut. 
Palmer near the brow of the hill, and killed the last private 
still nearer the fort. 

At the foot of the hill the main body of the Indians 
halted, and six of them rushed forward across the low 
ground to the house of Mrs. McNiel. There the Indians 
found Mrs. McNiel and Jeanie, and seizing them both 
hurried tliem as captives across the low ground over which 
they had come to the foot of the hill, where they joined 
the main body of the savages. At the foot of the hill 
they placed Jeanie on a horse, and began their march with 
the two captive women and the scalps of the eighteen 
soldiers towards Eraser's camp. All their motions were 
intently watched by the people at the fort, and the Indians 
had scarcely reached the hill when the report of some guns 
was heard and Jeanie was seen to fall from her horse. It 
was but the work of a moment for the scalping-knife, and 
the dark flowing locks of poor Jeanie were dangling all 
blood-stained at the belt of an Indian chief Her body 
was stripped and dragged out of sight of the fort, and the 
Indians, with Mrs. McNiel, proceeded on their way to the 
British camp. 

That day no one dared to leave the fort. The next 
morning the Americans evacuated Fort Edward and passed 
down the river. Before going, however, they sent a file of 
men in search of the body of Jeanie, and found it near the 
body of Lieut. Palmer, about twenty rods from where 
she had fallen the day before. The bodies were both taken 
to the fort, and then sent with a small detachment of men 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



55 



in advance of the main body of retreating Americans to the 
ni:;lit bunk of a small creek, about three miles below Fort 
Edward, where they were buried in rude and hasty graves. 

It is but just to say that another version of the actual 
manner of Jeanie's death has come down to us, which 
finds advocates at the present day. 

It should be remembered that at the time of Jeanie's 
death party spirit ran wild, and both parties did not scruple 
to exaggerate facts in their own favor. While Gen. Gates 
seized upon the incident of this tragedy to inflame the pas- 
sions of the Whigs, the Loyalists endeavored to make as 
light as possible of the matter. The other version of the 
matter above alluded to seems to have originated with those 
who, at th(> time, sympathized with the royal cause, and of 
course wished to extenuate the matter as much as possible. 
The other account is that the Indians were in turn, after 
they had taken the two women from the house, pursued by 
the American troops from the fort, and fired on ; that 
Jeanic was struck by two or three balls from the American 
guns, and not shot by the Indians at all. That after she 
fell, pierced by American bullets, she was scalped by the 
Indian and left dead, as above related. But this account 
seems to lack the confirmation of eye-witnesses, especially 
eye-witnesses among the retreating party of savages them- 
selves. Mrs. McNeil did not know that Jeanie w;is killed 
till after she had reached Eraser's camp. On their way to 
Eraser's camp the Indians stopped at William (jrifSn's, and, 
showing their scalps, said they had killed Jeanie. 

But what .seems the strongest evidence of the truth of 
the version first given above is the manner in which Gen. 
Burgoyne treated the subject. Upon hearing of the affair 
Burgoyne was very angry. He called a council of the 
Indians, and demanded that the Indian who had killed 
Jeanie should be given up, that he might be punished as 
his crime deserved. Now, if the Indians had not killed 
Jeanie, and she had been accidentally shot by the pursuing 
Americans, they, the Indians, would have said so. In 
truth there would have been no culprit among them to 
punish. They themselves were the only ones Burgoyne 
could learn the facts of the case from, and after hearing 
their version of the case, Burgoyne demanded a culprit to 
hang. But Burgoyne's officers, fearing the defection of 
the Indians, persuaded him to change his mind and let the 
culprit go. 

In confirmation of what Gen. Burgoyne did on the occa- 
sion is the following extract from the testimony of the Earl 
of Harrington, who was a witness before the committee of 
the British House of Commons during its inquiry into the 
failure of the Burgoyne campaign, at London, in the year 
1779:* 

"Queslion. Does your lordship remember Gen, Bur- 
goyne's receiving at Fort Anne the news of the murder of 
MLss McCrea ?" 

"■Answer. I do." 

"Q. Did Gen. Burgoyne repair immediately to the In- 
dian camp and call them to council, assisted by Brig.-Gen. 
Eraser?" 

"A. He did." 

* See Burgoyne's State of the E.\pedititni, pa^e fifi. 



" Q. What passed at that council ?" 

"A. Gen. Burgoyne threatened the culprit with death, 
insisted that he should be delivered up, and there were 
many gentlemen of the army, and I own I was one of the 
number, who feared that he would put that threat in execu- 
tion. Motives of policy, I believe, alone prevented hitn 
from it; and if he had not pardoned the man, which he did, 
I believe the total desertion of the Indians would have 
ensued, aiid the consequences, on their return through 
Canada, might have been dreadful, not to speak of the 
weight they would have thrown into the opposite scale had 
they gone over to the enemy, which I rather imagine would 
have been the case." 

"Q. Do you remember Gen. Burgoyne's restraining tlio 
Indian parties from going out without a British officer 
or proper conductor, who were to be responsible for their 
behavior ?" 

"A. I do." 

"Q. Do you remember Mr. St. Luc's reporting discontent 
among the Indians soon after our arrival at Fort Edward ?" 

"A. I do." 

" Q. How long was that after enforcing the restraints 
above mentioned ?" 

"^4. I can't exactly say ; I should imagine about three 
weeks or a month." 

" Q. Does your lordship recollect Gen. Burgoyne's telling 
Mr. St. Luc that he had rather lose every Indian than 
connive at their enormities, or using language to that 
effect?" 

",1. I do." 

"Q. Does your lordship remember what pa.ssed in council 
with the Indians at Fort Edward?" 

"^4. To the best of my recollection much the same ex- 
hortation to act with humanity, and much the same rewards 
were offered for saving their j)risoners." 

"Q. Do you recollect the circumstance of the Indians 
desiring to return home at that time? " 

"A. I do, perfectly well." 

" Q. Do you remember that many quitted the army 
without leave ?" 

"^4. I do, immediately after the council and the next 
morning." 

" Q. Was it not the general opinion that the desertion of 
the Indians, then and afterwards, were caused by the restraint 
upon their cruelties and habits of plunder?" 

"A. It was." 

This testimony was given, it should be remembered, by 
the earl only two years after the affair occurred, and the 
matter could not have been otherwise than fresh in his 
mind. 

Burgoyne's statement of the affair was that after Jeanie 
had been taken by one band of Indians, another band 
coming up claimed her, and to settle the dispute one of the 
Indians killed her on the spot. If this be true, of couive 
there was a culprit in the ea.se. This also was the belief of 
the family relatives of Jeanie ever after her death.* 

* See Silliman's Jour., second edition, and Charles Neilson's Bur- 
goyne's Campaign. As to the contlicting versions, see appendix to 
\Vm. L. Stone's Burgoyne Campaign, published in 1877, and author- 
ities there cited. 



56 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



To-day the modern village of Fort Edward stands on 
this classic ground, made famous by more than a century 
of forest warfare, and more than a hundred years of smiling 
peace have passed over the old "great carrying-place" of 
the wilderness. 

The old fort at tlie mouth of the crook, the barracks on 
the island in mid-river, the royal block-house upon the south 
bank of the river, have crumbled into ruins, aTid for a hun- 
dred and one summers the sweet wild-flowers have bloomed 
over the grave of Jeanie McCrea, the one maiden martyr 
of the American cause, wliose innocent blood, crying from 
the ground, aroused her almost despairing countrymen to 
renewed eifort to vengeance, and to final victory over the 
invader at who.se hands her young life was ended. 

II.— ORISKANY AND BENNINGTON. 

The affair at Oriskany, which took place in the upper 
Mohawk valley, while it exerted groat influence upon the 
fortunes of the campaign, was yet so fir away from Sara- 
toga, the subject of this work, that merely a passing notice 
seems appropriate to these pages. 

It was at Oriskany, on the 6th day of August, that the 
gallant Herkimer, the Palatine general, while on his march 
to the relief of Fort Stanwix, which was alre;idy invested 
by the British forces under Col. St. Leger, fell into the am- 
buscade prepared for him by Brant and his Mohawks, and 
Butler with his Tory rangers, and where his men met their 
old neighbors with whom they had been reared together on 
the banks of the Mohawk in a hand-to-hand conflict, each 
dying in the other's arms in the terrible rage of battle. But 
the aft'air at Bennington, occurring as it did in an adjoining 
county, needs something more at our hands. 

In the concerted instructions prepared for Baum for what 
was known as " a secret expedition to the Connecticut river," 
the name Bennington was not mentioned, yet there is no 
doubt that Bennington was the first objective point of the 
expedition. It was known to Burgoyne that the Americans 
had formed there " a considerable depot of cattle, cows, 
horses, and wheel carriages, most of which were drawn 
across the Connecticut river from the provinces of New 
England; and as it was understood to be guarded by a party 
of militia only, an attempt to surprise it seemed by no 
means unjustifiable." Some time after the battle, and after 
his return to England, Burgoyne w;is blamed because he 
had sent out Baum with instructions which did not apply 
to Bennington, and that the destination of the expedition 
had then been changed. To this charge Burgoyne replied 
as follows: 

'• But it still may be said the expedition was not orig- 
inally designed against Bennington. I really do not .see to 
what it would tend against me, if that supposition were in 
a great degree admitted. That some part of the force was 
designed to act there, will not be dL-^puted by any who read 
Col. Baum's instructions and consult the map. The blame 
or merit of the design altogether must rest upon the motives 
of expediency ; and it is of little conseijuenoo whether the 
first and principal direction was again.st Bennington or Ar- 
lington, or any other district, as my intelligence might have 
varied respecting the deposits of corn and cattle of the 
enemy. At the same time I must observe it is begging the 



question to argue that Bennington was not the real, orig- 
inal object, because Bennington was not mentioned in the 
draft of instructions. A man must indeed be void of mili- 
tary and political address to put upon a paper a critical 
design, where surprise was in question, and everything de- 
pended upon secrecy. Thciugh it were true that I meant 
only Benniugton, and thought of nothing less than the 
progress of the expedition in the extent of the order, I 
certainly would not now aflirm it, because I could not prove 
it, and because it would seem that I searched for remote 
and obscure justification, not relying upon that which was 
manifest ; but surely there is nothing new or improbable in 
the idea that a general should disguise his real intentions 
at the outset of an expedition, even from the oflicer whom 
he appointed to execute them, provided a communication 
with that oflScer was certain and not remote." 

INSTRUCTIONS TO BAtJM. 

The instructions to Baum commenced by stating that 
the object of the expedition was "to try the aflections of 
the country ; to disconcert the councils of the enemy ; to 
mount the lliedesol's dragoons ; to complete Peters' corps, 
and to obtain large supplies of cattle, horses, and carriages." 
He was ordered to proceed from Batten Kill to Arlington, 
and take post there till the detachment of the Provincials 
under Capt. Sherwood should join him. Then lie was to 
go to Manchester and secure the pass of the mountains on 
the road from Manchester to Rockingham, on the Connecti- 
cut river, and send the Indians of the party and the light 
troops towards Otter creek. On their return, in case he 
.should hear that there was no enemy in force on Connecti- 
cut river, he was to go by the road over the mountains to 
Rockingham, and there, at the most distant part of the 
expedition, take post. If prudent, the Indians and light 
troops were to be sent up the Connecticut, and on their re- 
turn, the force was to descend the river to Brattleborough, 
and thence proceed by the quickest march " by the great 
road to Albany." They were to bring in all hor,ses fit to 
mount the dragoons or to serve as bat-horses ; also saddles, 
bridles, " wagons and other convenient carriages," draught 
oxen, all cattle fit for slaughter except milch cows, which 
were to be left for the use of the inhabitants. Receipts for 
articles taken for the use of the troops were to be given to 
such persons as had remained in their habitations and other- 
wise complied with the terms of Burgoyne's manifesto, but 
not to rebels. 

Particular directions were also given as to the disposition 
of the force, and people were to bo led to believe that the 
force was the advanced corps of the army on the road to 
Boston, and that the main army from Albany was to be 
joined at Springfield by a corps of troops from Rhode 
Island. A wholesome dread of Col. Warner doubtless 
led to the introduction of this passage in the instruc- 
tions : " It is highly probable that the corps under Mr. 
Warner, now supposed to be at Manchester, will retreat 
before you ; but should they, contrary to expectation, be 
able to collect in great force and post themselves advan- 
tageously, it is left to your discretion to attack them or not ; 
always bearing in mind that your corps is too valuable to 
let any considonible loss be hazarded on this occasion." 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



57 



DEPARTURE FOR BENNINGTON. 
Preparations having been thus completed, at five o'clock 
on the morning of August 12, Col. Baum set out from 
Saratoga with lii.s command, which consisted of his two 
hundred dragoons, the Canadian rangers, a detachment of 
provincials, about one hundred Indians, and Capt. Eraser's 
marksmen, with two pieces of small cannon, numbering in 
all about five hundred men. He was a!.so accompanied by 
Col. Philip Skene, who joined the expedition by the 
special request of Burgoyne, in order that he might give 
advice to Banin " upon all matters of intelligence." Having 
marched a mile, Bauni received a dispatch from Burgoyne 
to post his force advantageously on the Batteukill till he 
.should receive fresh in.'itructions. Continuing his march, 
he reached the Battenkill at about four o'clock in the 
afternoon and encamped there. At about eleven o'clock 
the same night he was reinforced by a company of fifty 
clia.sseurs, sent forward by Gen. Burg03'ne. By four 
o'clock the next morning the whole body were again in 
motion, and, after a march of sixteen miles, reached Cam- 
bridge at four o'clock in the evening, having had a few 
skirmishes with the Americans, and having taken some 
cattle, carts, wagons and horses, and having also received 
the disagreeable intelligence that the Americans were about 
eighteen hundred strong at Bennington. On the morning 
of the 14th the little army were on the march long before 
sunrise. As they approached the northern branch of the 
Hoosick river, a party of Americans were discovered in 
front of the farm of " Saiikoick," who, on the approach of 
the Briti.sh, took to the underwood, whence they fired on 
the British until they were dislodged. On their retreat 
they abandoned a mill which they previously fortified, and 
broke down the •' bridge of Sankoick." 

BAUM AT " WALLOOMSCOICK." 

A considerable quantity of provisions was left in the 
mill, and after the bridge had been repaired, Baum sta- 
tioned a proper force to guard them both, and that night 
"bivouacked at the farm of Walmscott, about four miles 
from Sankoick and three from Bennington." This farm 
lay upon both banks of the Walloomsac, and was occupied 
at this time by six or eight log huts, scattered here and there 
over its narrow expanse of cultivated ground. 

Heavy rains fell on the morning of the 15th, accompa- 
nied with a " perfect hurricane of wind." which rendered 
the shelter of the farm-buildings very grateful to the forces 
of Baum. Soon, however, shooting was heard at the ad- 
vanced sentry posts, whereupon Baum sent forth the pro- 
vincials, supported by Fraser's marksmen, to assist the 
pickets. It was then discovered that the Indians were 
threatened by a body of American militia. On the ap- 
proach of the British, the Indian allies uttered a yell, 
which seemed to hue an effect upon the Americans, who 
soon after retired. The Americans advanced a number of 
times during the day, but the weather was so stormy, and 
the rain fell so incessantly, that no effective service could 
be performed by either party of an offen.sive nature. 

During the remainder of the day Baum was engaged in 
strengthening the position he had taken. To the left of 
the '■ farm of Walmscott" was a height which he hastened 
8 



to occupy. " He posted here the dragoons, with a portion 
of the marksmen on their right, in rear of a little zigzag 
breastwork composed of logs and loose earth. Such of the 
detached houses as came within the compass of his posi- 
tion he filled with Canadians, supporting them with 
detachments of chasseurs and grenadiers, likewise in- 
trenched behind breastworks ; and he kept the whole, with 
the exception of about a hundred men, on the north side 
of the stream, holding the woods upon his flanks in his 
front and rear by the Indians." Such was the situation 
of affairs when the night of the 15lh of August closed 
around Baum and his faithful dragoons. 

THE BATTLE OF THE 1 6tH OF AUGUST. 

We cannot give a better description of the battle of 
Bennington than is to be found in the following extract from 
the narrative of Glieh, one of Lieut. -Col. Baum's ofiicers. 
Among other things it pays a decided compliment to the 
bravery and dash of Gen. Stark, who so distinguished him- 
self on the occasion : 

" The morning of the IGth rose beautifully serene. The 
storm of the preceding day having expended itself, not a 
cloud was left to darken the face of the heavens ; whilst 
the very leaves hung motionless, and the long grass waved 
not, under the influence of a perfect calm. Ever3' object 
around, too, appeared to peculiar advantage ; for the fields 
looked green and refreshed, the river was swollen and 
tumultuous, and the branches were all loaded with dew- 
drops, which glittered in the sun's early rays like so many 
diamonds. Nor would it be ea.sy to imagine any scene 
more rife with peaceful and even pastoral beauty. Looking 
down from the summit of the rising ground, I beheld im- 
mediately beneath me a wide sweep of stately forest, inter- 
rupted at remote intervals by green meadows or yellow 
corn-fields, whilst here and there a cottage, a shed, or some 
other primitive edifice reared its mode.st head as if for the 
purpose of reminding the spectator that man bad bsgun 
his inroads upon nature, without, as yet, taking away from 
her simplicity and grandeur. I hardly recollect a scene 
which struck me at the moment more forcibly, or which 
has left a deeper or more lasting impression on my memory. 

"I have said that the morning of the IGth rose beauti- 
fully serene, and it is not to the operations of the elements 
alone that my expression applies. All was perfectly quiet 
at the outposts, not an enemy h.aving been seen, nor an 
alarming sound heard for several hours previous to sunrise. 
So peaceable, indeed, was the aspect which matters bore, 
that our leaders felt warmly disposed to resume the offen.sive, 
without waiting the arrival of the additional corps for which 
they had applied, and orders were already issued for the 
men to eat their breakfasts, preparatory to more active oper- 
ations. But the arms were scarcely piled, and the haver- 
sacks unslung, when .symptoms of a state of affairs different 
from that which had been anticipated began to show them- 
selves, and our people were recalled to their ranks in all 
haste, almost as soon as they had (piitted them. From 
more than one quarter scouts came in to report that col- 
umns of armed men were approaching; though whether 
with a friendly or hostile intention, neither their appearance 
nor actions enabled our informants to ascertain. 



58 



HISTORY OF SAEATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



" It lias been stated tliat during the last day's march 
our little corps was joined by many of the country people, 
most of whom demanded and obtained arms, as persons 
friendly to the royal cause. How Col. Baum became so 
completely duped as to place reliance on these men I know 
not ; but having listened with complacency to their previous 
assurances that in Bennington a large majority of the popu- 
lace were our friends, he was, somehow or other, persuaded 
to believe that the armed bands, of whose approach he was 
warned, were loyalists, on their way to make a tender of 
their services to the leader of the king's troop. Filled 
with this idea, he dispatched positive orders to the outposts 
that no molestation should be offered to the advancing col- 
umns ; but that the pickets retiring before them should 
join the main body, where every disposition was made to 
receive either friend or foe. Unfortunately for us, these 
orders were but too faithfully obeyed. About half-past nine 
o'clock, I, who was not in the secret, beheld, to my utter 
amazement, our advanced parties withdraw without firing a 
shot from thickets which- might have been maintained for 
hours against any superiority of numbers ; and the same 
thickets quickly occupied by men whose whole demeanor, 
as well as their dress and style of equipment, plainly and in- 
contestably pointed them out as Americans. 

" I cannot pretend to describe the state of excitation 
and alarm into which our little band was now thrown. 
With the solitary exception of our leader, there was not a 
man amongst us who appeared otherwise than satisfied that 
those to whom he had listened were traitors; and, that 
unless some prompt and vigorous measures were adopted, 
their treachery would be crowned with its full reward. 
Capt. Fraser, in particular, seemed strongly imbued with 
the conviction that we were willfully deceived. He pointed 
out, in plain language, the extreme improbability of the 
story which these desertere had told, and warmly urged our 
chief to withdraw his confidence from them ; but all his 
arguments proved fruitless. Col. Baum remained con- 
vinced of their fidelity. He saw no reason to doubt that 
the people, whose approach excited so much apprehension, 
were the same of whose arrival he had been forewarned ; 
and he was prevented from placing himself entirely in their 
power only by the positive refusal of his followers to obey 
orders given to that effect, and the rash impetuosity of the 
enemy. 

" We might have stood about half an hour under arms, 
watching the proceedings of a column of four or five hun- 
dred men, who, after dislodging the pickets, had halted just 
at the edge of the open country, when a sudden trampling 
of feet in the forest on our right, followed by the report of 
several muskets, attracted our attention. A patrol was in- 
stantly sent in the direction of the sound, but before the 
party composing it had proceeded many yards from the lines, 
a loud shout, followed by a rapid though straggling fire of 
musketry, warned us to prepare for a meeting the reverse 
of friendly. Instantly the Indians came pouring in, carry- 
ing dismay and confusion in their countenances and gestures. 
We were surrounded on all sides; columns were advancing 
everywhere against us, and those whom we had hitherto 
treated as friends had only waited till the arrival of their 
support might justify them in advancing. There was no 



falsehood in these reports, though made by men who spoke 
rather from their fears than their knowledge. The column 
in our front no sooner heard the shout than they replied 
cordially and loudly to it; then, firing a volley with de- 
liberate and murderous aim, rushed furiou.sly toward us. 
Now then at length our leader's dreams of security were 
dispelled. He found himself attacked in front and flank by 
thrice his numbers, who pressed forward with the confidence 
which our late proceedings were calculated to produce; 
whilst the very persons in whom he had trusted, and to 
whom he had given arms, lost no time in turning them 
against him. These fellows no sooner heard their comrades 
cry, than they deliberately discharged their muskets amongst 
Eiedesel's dragoons, and dispersing before any steps could 
be taken to seize them, escaped, with the exception of one 
or two, to their friends. 

" If Col. Baum had permitted himself to be duped into a 
great error, it is no more than justice to confess that he ex- 
erted himself manfully to remedy the evil and avert its con- 
sequences. Our little band, which had hitherto remained 
in column, was instantly ordered to extend, and the troops 
lining the breastworks replied to the fire of the Americans 
with extreme celerity and considerable effect. So close and 
destructive, indeed, was our first volley, that the assailants 
recoiled before it, and would have retreated, in all proba- 
bility, within the woods ; but ere we could take advantage 
of the confusion produced, fresh attacks developed them- 
selves, and we were warmly engaged on every side, and from 
all quarters. It became evident that each of our detached 
posts was about to be assailed at the same instant. Not 
one of our dispositions had been concealed from the enemy, 
who, on the contrary, seemed to be aware of the exact number 
of men stationed at each point, and they were one and all 
threatened by a force perfectly adequate to bear down opposi- 
tion, and yet by no means disproportionately large or such as 
to render the main body ineflttcient. All, moreover, was done 
with the sagacity and coolness of veterans, who perfectly 
understood the nature of the resistance to be expected 
and the difficulties to be overcome, and who having well 
considered and matured their plans, were resolved to carry 
them into execution at all hazards and at every expense of 
life. 

" It was at this moment, when the heads of columns began 
to show themselves in rear of our right and left, that the 
Indians, who had hitherto acted with spirit and something 
like order, lost all confidence and fled. Alarmed at the 
prospect of having their retreat cut off, they stole away 
after their own fashion, in single files, in .spite of the 
strenuous remonstrances of Baum and of their own officers, 
leaving us more than ever exposed by the abandonment of 
that angle of the intienchment which they had been ap- 
pointed to maintain. But even this spectacle, distressing 
as it doubtless was, failed in affecting our people with a 
feeling at all akin to despair. The vacancy which the 
retreat of the savages occasioned was promptly filled up by 
one of our two field-pieces, whilst the other poured de- 
struction among the enemy in front as often as they showed 
themselves in the open country or threatened to advance. 

" In this state things continued upwards of threo-quai*- 
ters of an hour. Though repeatedly assailed in front. 



HI?rORT OF SABATOGA COUyTY. XEW YORK. 



s9 



faaks, ami rear, «e maiataaed oaiseh-es whk 90 
•jkoBacy as to ia^iie a ha|ie tkc tk ew^J- w^t erea 
j>«t k k£(!C as baj t3 ife aniTil «f Vt^^mamm's esapa, aov 
-wimiiflr f-Tji»rtpd. vk^aa Mt i k at rnxmuvi vki^ at 

Afi»H>l i g to o« fete. TW 3cBt«T flwfl wfciA ttm- 

aadView ap viA a vieleaee «UA sfcook ifeiayvroaad 

botk oaoaradeaaddntof ^^KMT. Bm^csbMhw 

Ae east of oar eafaairr. ckeexed tbeir m^ oa io fie^ 
TVt Tasked mf (be seeat viik redoalikd 
- ia ^ite e£ tke hearr rofln- aUeii «« poaied ia to 
Aetk tb^B. aad, iaJi a g oar saas aleat. Aey ^nms^ff'er 
At fanfeK aad JrWJ aakia oar wotfcs. For a Sew 
zammAj tW seeae aiaA e^aed defie aEpoaeref faagai^ 
CO desmbe. Tke injaaeC, the bait of tke riSe, tke sib^ 
the pike, acre m £dl pb;^, aad bkb feO, s tk^jatdy&a 
the &eet Uoas of thdr 



he aimeed 9 
dea hdt«d fiir half I 



afioaooa, GoL SkeK, «b had bea 
•• BR^aHMa ai& aragfaes 



Bat each a ati^^ eodd aet, ia the aatare of dia^ be 
of loa^ -"■ "■■ ■■ ■ Oacaaadiaed, bnkea. aai 

ahat A-h >!ite tJ bj fasecxacs, amr |wn|>b' w a r a ed aad 
ftfl back, or Sm^ amdtj aad aaeoaaeeGnST. iffl t^ 
aaeatha- eatdoaa M theb- poBts, ohetiaMelj «b'6 a i liag 
theHselves, or f>pw|rfffnl to saneader. Of BiedeaeFs &- 
ma ma tf i iu e otms . tew smrtivei to tefl hov aoblr th^- 
had bcharaL CoL Bna, due thni^ the bod|^ br a 
lile^aL M Mrtsd;^ aaaaded, »d al Older aad £s|iCae 
biMg ket ta^ or ™l— i»i«- a^ aloae ihia^bi oL For 
Toiaap«t.aheAerthefeeBigargeeftoMde?ffritioa or 
aetidat I naaot tefl, bat I i^olred aot to be takea. As 
T«i I had «9aped afaaoet aahan, a d^ht MiA aoaad ia 
the kft ana havi^ ihar filV'a ta sj dnre, aad. gathfriag 
Jioaad Be aboaK thiitj of ^f rnradr-' a« Made a la^ 
whuL the eaoaj's ndks af pe aied aeakea, aad baiat 
This doae, eaA mam Hade haste to ^ifi far 
ithaat pa^ai^ to colder tdke naeof hisa^^ 
bar: aad, ka^ oae-tldid of oar aawlwr tnam At ea- 
(■■j^'s ire. &e leHaiader took r^Ke ia gmmfoe of two or 
tkee wiihia the Sxest." 

SBCOSD dat's BAmX- 



Smtk aas Ae eoafitka of tUac- 
Ttfleiicd tamets ao^ G^sa. Bans)*^ 
Aagaat la, at S o'clock, to start at 
of jageE, a bntfriBn a of chaMMij> 1 
eiaaoa to leufuiee de eoipB of Sa.- 
lied with Uh ^t^ 
after leeetnag ovdaE. I 

letcaam^ the BbcteakiL — 
to aade thro^^ the aatec — 
he aw ob&asd^to ens, ''tL 




I- 



zJ^ of 

a 



ammg the way thro^^ the %aacaaee of 
able to proceed that day oalj to a poiat 
aeatoiy fioa Caabci^e, vheie he ea- 
im the a^t. ^j ca the wa^ of the 16A 
I aet oat, his hocees a^ed, aad onr nn& aboet 
proc tfc de d Terj sioalj oa hk aar. bat ob- 



tao o''dkMk ia the 
tlaaB,3eBt taa 
6m imm to detach aa 
ofieer aad taeatr Mea. aad aead dcai fiiraard to oeewpj 

, the -mdl as St. Coj^~ s the Afrirja- were ^oaiag 
s^^ of a dtjwfiag cm. it. Ia^tead of the face ad^ fir, 
B tqMJaa aeat &mtd CqK. Gkbeaka^ aid the adraaee 

' gaaid, «m i 4^iiw; cf axtr •teaafias aad chaseeais aad 
tasaty y^ets. Biermaaa bJMrlf aish the rest of hk 

' Mea. reached the wH ac hsifpas Star, aad fiiaad there 

I the adTaaes-gaard ia aa&taibed ptwypioa aad si3I aa- 

I atta^ed by the eaeay. 

i GoLSkeae,aho«Kat the ain ahoaBfejMa^ anirsd, 
iaSmaed hia thas Biam was oaly ta» latlr- ^■''■'■* bat 
ifhekaevof the&etthatBaaa^ abeady defealad £d 

' aot mwaaaii a< it to Br^Hiaa Had B iqiMjaa fcaoaa 

I the real state of the cks, he atadd aot hav« ikked the ea- 
fiJkiaed. BieyHaaa, dff iag k best to 
ftrand to ^eet Baaoa's eorps, aad Skeae beiag of 
the saMe opiaioa ,, both narked orrer the brid^ ia order to 
rea^ Bmb's oBp k suoa k p<iR=iMp TWy had goae 
amuJj 9x haadred paces tmm the bridge, ahea thro^^ 
theawds - a cna'iAiahle aairiia-af ai»ed Mca, mil of 
vhoH wore bkases aad soae jaeke^'' a«re aeea hasRui^ 
towaids aa twa i f i' oa Bii-jwiaa's I^ Saak. Bi^^aaa 
i—iillMilj cdled Skeae s Mteadoa to the mraMnhiarr. 
aad reeeived fiiaa hn the reply that these ^ea a\ere rey- 
afisis. Bat ahea Ski^ rode ^ tovsd th^ ^id cJIed BO 
Aeaa the Batter a^ aooa esplaiaed, far, ia^rad of recaia- 
i^ aa aasacr, th^ fred oa BteiBiaa's snldipis Theie- 
apoa Bieyaaaa ordored Buaer's hattalina to Bovetowarfe 
thehe^^t, ahSe the jaaeB aad ^eaafios adraaeed oa the 
risbt. Thea it a^ that the seeoad btcde b^aa, ahich 
lasted aatil aaily eeht o'clock ia the en^^^ The eaa- 
aoa posted oa a read aoetniaedoa ak^hoase oeeapaed 
by 90^ A^iaiea^ aheaee th^ were Saeed to ledie, aad 
as they ease oat they were r^iaked oa aD ades, abho^^ 
airiTed to aa|ipoct thoa. After Bi> jaiiaa's 
aD espeaded,aad hisaitiDay had ceased 
firi^ he, B aatiryitioa of the leaeaal of the attack, at- 
tcaipfeed to take aaay the caaaoa. By tte Boreaeat Bost 
of hisBea«ere9e!Tiaeiya«aaded. The hoiss aere either 
<kad or B a cowditkia which pmrtated th^ fioB BOfii^ 
&a^ the s|i«c. X-x daii^ to take aay faither li^, aad 
bei^ aaaUe to retara the eaesy's fire, he retreated oa the 
a|i|awth of daikaesB, d^trojed the bti^ at - St. Coyk,^ 
l au a ^ dither as Baay of the woaaded as poyWc that 
th^Mght aot be ea|itared, aad afio- the lapse of half aa 
hoar, ia eoaipaay with CoL Skeae, paisaed hk Btrch to 
Cnabrid^ whieh pfaee he nsai^ed a &tle before auda^t. 
After the battfe of B e aa ii^ toaaodiag of great iBpoittace 
o e cMiied to Bai^oyae till bis fiaal cnisii^ of the Hadsoa 
nnx, oa the 13th aad l-hh days of A^ast, dosed the 
seeoad poiod of hk e iBpii^.a- 

Dait^ aO thk tiae he bad beea cag^pd ia the teuoas 
iMiapaiiM of diaaiag hk j^iipfrg fioB I^ke Geoi^ K> 
the Ha&oa at Fort Edaard. 



CO 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE THIRD PERIOD OF THE BURGOYNE 
CAMPAIGN. 

I.— THE RAPIDLY-INCREASING AMERICAN ARMY. 
As early as the 13th of Au;j;ust, the British army com- 
menced active operations witii the view of soon crossing the 
Hudson river. An advance was made down the east bank 
of the Hudson to the mouth of the Battenkill, and the 
army encamped nearly opposite what is now Schuylerville, 
— then called Saratoga. 

After the heavy detachment under Lieut. -Col. Baum was 
sent off through the woods to Bennington, of which a full 
account is given in the last chapter, a bridge of rafts was 
flung across the Hudson, over which, on the 14th of 
August, Gen. Fraser crossed with the advance corps of the 
army and encamped on the heights of Saratoga to await 
the return of Baum. But neither Baum nor his soldiers 
ever came back : and after the defeat of Baum at Bennina- 
ton, on the ICth of August, Gen. Fraser led his troops back 
again to the cast side of the Hudson, where the whole 
British army remained encamped till the final advance 
made in September. Meanwhile the Americans under 
Schuyler had left Stillwater and taken their stand on the 
islands at the mouth of the Mohawk, where, throwing up 
intrenchments, they awaited the appioach of the enemy. 

On the 19th of August Gen. Schuyler, New York's 
favorite general, was superseded in the command of the 
ContinenUil forces by Gen. Horatio Gates. Gen. Schuyler 
was removed iji consequence of the clamor raised over the 
surrender of Ticonderoga, for which it has been seen Gen. 
Schuyler was in nowise to blame. But nothing short of 
his removal from the head of the army would satisfy the 
disaffected, and the victory he had organized was snatched 
from his grasp and thrown to the hands of another just as 
he was on the point of receiving it. 

The fortunes of war were now turning decidedly in favor 
of the Americans. The defeat of Baum and the retreat of 
St. Leger had aroused the sinking hopes of the colonists, 
and, already flushed with victory, they flocked in crowds to 
the American camp. On the 23d of August, Col. Mor- 
gan's regiment of riflemen arrived in the American camp 
from Virginia. On the 8th of September, Gen. Gates left 
his encampment at the mouth of the Mohawk, and once 
more the Continental forces, now consisting of about six 
thousand men, marched up the Hudson to meet the invad- 
ing foe. Gen. Gates stopped in the first place near the 
present village of Stillwater — where old Fort Ingoldsby had 
been built by Col. Schuyler in 1709, and Fort Winslow in 
the place of it by Gen. Winslow in 1756 — and began to 
throw up intrenchments. But not satisfied with the ground 
at Stillwater, Gen. Gates abandoned it in a day or two, and, 
marching two miles up the Hudson, took possession of the 
much stronger position of Bemus Heights. 

At Bemus Heights the river-hills crowd down quite ab- 
ruptly to the west bank of the Hudson, leaving there only 
a narrow defile between them and the river-bank, through 
■which what was then the King's highway ran up and down 
the river from Albany to Saratoga. By the side of the 



highway at the foot of the hills and near the bank of the 
Hudson, at the period of the Revolution, was a somewhat 
famous tavern-stand owned and kept by one J. Bemus. 
This tavern had for some time been celebrated as one of the 
best stopping-places on the river-road. Bemus then owned 
the land in the rear of the tavern, and his farm extended 
up over the hills, and the hills were consequently known as 
Bemus Heights. 

Gen. Gates took possession of the narrow defile at the 
tavern-stand of Bemus, and extending his line westerly for 
a mile from the river, over the heights, began to throw up 
intrenchments, and there awaited the approach of Bur- 
goyne. He did not wait long. 

II.— THE PASSAGE OF THE HUDSON. 

On the 13th and 14th of September, Burgoyne cro.<:sed 
to the west side of the Hudson with his whole army and 
encamped on the heights of Saratoga. On the 15th he 
marched his army slowly down five miles to Dovegat, now 
called Coveville. The British army, in full dress, with 
drums beating and colors flying, .set off on this march on a 
lovely autumn day, " reminding one," says an eye-witness, 
'' of a grand parade in the midst of peace." At Dovegat 
Burgoyne halted two days for the purpose of repairing the 
roads and bridges in his advance, and of sending out scouts 
to reconnoitre the enemy. But, strange to say, no enemy 
was discovered. Burgoyne at this time seemed to know 
nothing about the position or the numbers of the Continental 
forces, but went on marching blindly through the woods in 
seaich of an enemy supposed to be somewhere in the forest 
before him. On the morning of the 17th, Burgoyne him- 
self headed a scouting-party, and proceeded as far as 
" Sword's house," which was within four miles of the 
American lines, encamped his whole army there during the 
18th, and until the morning of the 19th, the day of the 
first great battle. 

In the mean time the Americans had been busy strength- 
ening their position at Bemus Heights. Under the direction 
of Kosciusko their line of intrenchments ran from the river 
half a mile westwardly over the hills to what is now called 
the " Neilson house." The right wing occupied the hill- 
side near the river, protected in front by a marshy ravine, 
and in the rear by an abatis. The left wing, in command 
of Gen. Arnold, occupied the heights to the west. Gen. 
Gates' headquarters were near the centre, a little south of 
the "Neilson fiirni.' Thus were the two armies situated 
about four milts apart on the morning of the battle. 

III.— THE BATTLE OF THE I9TH OF SEPTEMBER. 

Between the two hostile armies thus sleeping on that 
pleasant autumn morning, one hundred years ago, stretched 
four miles of the primeval forest, in which there were four 
or five little clearings of a dozen acres in extent, in the 
centre of which was to be seen the deserted log cabin of the 
settler. Down the slope of the hills ran several small 
brooks into the river, each having worn a deep ravine 
through the woods in its passage. Such were the difliculties 
in the way of the passage of Burgoyne's army. On the 
opposite side of the river, a few miles to the eastward of 
the armies, rose a mountain peak since known as Willard's 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



61 



mountain. From the top of this mountain the American 
scouts had full view of both armies. On the morning of 
the 19th of September there was unusual commotion in the 
Briti.sh camp. Gen. Burgoyne was preparing to make 
another "reconnaissance in force," and attack the Ameri- 
cans in their intrenchments. About ten o'clock the whole 
British army moved out of its camp at '' Sword's house," 
in three division.s. The left wing, under Gens. Phillips and 
Riedesel, took the river-road down the flats. The centre, 
under Burgoyne in person, took the middle route across the 
ravines, going in a zig-zag course about a mile from the 
river, while the right wing, under Gen. Fra.ser, took a cir- 
cuitous route a half-mile farther back from the river than 
Burgoyne's, towards the extreme American left. It was 
agreed that upon the junction of the two divisions under 
Burgoyne and Fraser, about a mile from the enemy, three 
minute-guns should be fired to notify the left wing on the 
river-road, and that then the three divisions should in con- 
cert make their combined attacks upon the American camp. 
About a mile north of the centre of the American camp 
was a little clearing which had been made by one Freeman, 
containing some fourteen acres of land, near the centre of 
which stood a log house on a slight elevation. This little 
clearing, then and since called " Freeman's farm," lay 
directly in the route of the centre division of the army 
advancing under Burgoyne, and in and around this clearing 
was fought the famous battle of the 19th of September as 
well as that in part of the 7th of October following. 

On the morning of the 19th the American scouts on 
Willard mountain had seen the forward movement of the 
British, and had lost no time in informing Gen. Gates of 
the intentions of the enemy. It was the intention of Gen. 
Gates to remain quietly in his intrenched camp and await 
the attack of the British, but Arnold was impatient to 
meet the enemy in the woods half-way. He said if they 
were defeated in that encounter they would still have their 
works to fall back on, and thus stand a double chance of 
victory. The importunity of Arnold prevailed, and a part 
of the infantry and Morgan's rifle corps were sent oif, 
headed by Arnold, to meet the advancing British. A de- 
tachment of Morgan's riflemen was stationed in the log 
house and behind the fences of " Freeman's farm." About 
one o'clock in the afternoon the advanced party of Gen. 
Burgoyne's division, consisting of the pickets of the centre 
column under command of Major Forbes, fell in with Mor- 
gan's men at the log house, and after considerable firing 
were driven back by them. Upon reaching the main body 
of the British division, Morgan's men were driven back in 
terror, and sought shelter in the surrounding forest, await- 
ing reinforcements. About this time Gen. Fraser, with his 
grenadiers and light infantry, reached an elevated position 
about three hundred yards westerly of " Freeman's farm," 
and was met there by Arnold at the head of a heavy body 
of troops, each trying to cut the other ofiF from reinforcing 
the troops at " Freeman's farm." There, in the open woods, 
a most sanguinary engagement took place between the troops 
under Arnold and Fraser, which lasted for an hour with 
great fury. At some places on the field, it is stated, the 
blood was ankle-deep, such was the carnage. At length 
Fraser was reinforced, and Arnold retired from the field. 



In the mean time the British troops of Burgoyne's divi- 
sion were formed in order of battle on the field of " Free- 
man's farm," and a large body of Americans advanced to 
the attack. At three o'clock the action became general, 
close, and bloody. The struggle of the combatants was for 
the possession of the clearing. The Twentieth, Twenty- 
first, and Sixty-second Regiments of British, under Brig.- 
Gen. Hamilton, were headed by Burgoyne in person, and 
drawn up in regular order of battle across the field. For 
six times in succession that bloody afternoon were detach- 
ments of the Continental troops hurled against the British 
columns, and as many times driven back by them into the 
protection of the surrounding forest. The Continentals 
would rally in the edge of the forest (m their side and 
drive the British in disoider back into and acro.ss the clear- 
ing. The British would then rally in the clearing, and, 
reforming in line, in turn diive the Continentals back again 
into the woods. Thus the battle swayed back and forth 
across the bloody field, like the waves of a stormy sea, until 
darkness put an end tu the contest. In the early part of 
the action. Gen. Phillips, hearing the firing, made his way 
with much difliculty through the woods, accompanied by 
Maj. Williams, with four pieces of artillery, and throwing 
himself at the head of the Twentieth Regiment, charged 
the Continentals in time to save Burgoyne from certain 
defeat. At this juncture, Gen. Arnold, seeing the British 
reinforcements, rode his gray horse back to Gen. Gates, 
and addressed him : " General, the British are reinforced ; 
we must have more men." " You shall have them, sir," 
replied Gen. Gates, and at once ordered out Gen. Learned's 
brigade. Arnold, in full gallop, hurried back to the battle, 
and the men followed after in double-quick time. Again 
the battle raged until sunset, when the British, who were 
about being driven from the field, were further reinforced 
by the Germans, under Gen. Riedesel. The timely arrival 
of Riedesel and his men saved the army of Burgoyne from 
utter rout. The British cannon were already silenced, 
there being no more ammunition for them, and out of 
forty-eight artillerymen thirty-six, including the captain, 
were lying dead or wounded on the field. The three 
British regiments had lost half their men, and now formed 
a small band in one corner of the clearing, surrounded with 
heaps of dead and dying. The Americans were already 
rushing on once more, when they were met by Riedesel 
and his fresh German troops, and again turned back. The , 
advantage thus gained by Gen. Riedesel was about being 
followed up by Gen. Fraser, when Burgoyne counter- 
manded his movement. But the swift-falling darkness of 
our American autumn evenings soon covered the bloody 
field like a shadowy pall, and put an end to the con- 
flict. 

Never on a thousand battle-fields had British valor been 
put to a more severe test. Said the Earl of Balcarras, 
" The Americans behaved with great obstinacy and courage." 
The British forces of Burgoyne's central division were 
eleven hundred strong when they went into the battle. At 
its close more than five hundred of these were among the 
dead, the wounded, and the dying. The American loss was 
between three hundred and four hundred, including Cols. 
Adams and Coburn. 



62 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



As the darkness set in the Americans withdrew within 
their lines. The British bivouacked on the field. 

Both parties claimed the victory. But it is easily seen 
that the advantage was decidedly with the Americans. It 
was the intention of the British not to hold their ground, 
but to advance. This intention to advance was completely 
frustrated by this battle. It was the desire of tlie Americans 
not to advance, but to Iiold their ground. They held it 
tlien, and have held it ever since. The victory was ours. 

On the morning of the 20th the Americans expected 
another attack. Had it been made, Burgoyne would have 
doubtless achieved an easy victory. The left wing of the 
Americans under Arnold had expended all their ammuni- 
tion in the battle of the 19th. The terrible secret was, it 
seems, known only to Gen. Gates. A supply from Albany 
was at once sent for, which arrived the next day, and the 
anxiety of Gen. Gates was relieved. 

But the British army was too much .shattered by the 
action of the 19th to make another attempt so soon to turn 
the American intrenchments on Bemus Heights, and so 
Burgoyne determined simply to hold his position at " Free- 
man's farm," and await some future day before he made 
another advance. This was Burgoyne's fatal error. During 
his long delay of eighteen days, until the 7th of October, 
when he made his last abortive struggle, the American 
army was reinforced by thousands, and was then altogether 
too formidable a body of troops to be resisted by any force 
under Burgoyne's command. 

So Burgoyne remained on the field and threw up a line 
of intrenchments about three-fourths of a mile in length, 
extending from the river at what is now called Wilbur's 
Basin westerly to and surrounding the field of " Freeman's 
farm," and the small knolls near it, and the large one 
about three hundred yards to the northwest of it. These 
intrenchments of the British corresponded in shape and 
position to the American intrenchments ; the two armies 
thus lying not quite a mile apart and within easy cannon- 
shot of each other. But a dense forest, broken by two 
deep impassable ravines, lay stretched between them, hiding 
each from the other's view. Thus the two armies lay at 
bay, continually hara.ssing each other and both in con- 
tinual alarm, for a period of eighteen days, until the morn- 
ing of the 7th of October. The situation of the army of 
Burgoyne each day grew more critical. On the 3d of 
October it was placed on short rations. Around them on 
every hand stretched the interminable forests of the old 
wilderness, broken here and there by little settlements and 
small scattered clearings. They could go neither to the 
right hand nor the left. To retreat was quite impossible. 
To advance was to meet a formidable army, whose pulse 
they had already felt to their sorrow in the action of the 
19th of September. But to advance was the only alterna- 
tive. The order of Burgoyne was still imperative, " This 
army must not retreat." 

IV.— THE BATTLE OF THE 7TH OF OCTOBER, 1777. 

Gen. Burgoyne, with the centre division of his army, 
consisting mainly of the regiments engaged in the action of 
the 19th of September, was encamped on the plain about 
half-way between '• Freeman's farm" and Wilbur's Basin, 



on the river. The right wing, under Gen. Frascr, consist- 
ing of grenadiers under Major Ackland and light infantry 
in command of Earl Balcarras, was encamped on " Free- 
man's farm." Breymann's corps, also of Fraser's com- 
mand, was located on the elevation about three hundred 
yards north of " Freeman's cottage." The left wing, 
under Phillips and Riedesel, was encamped on the river at 
Wilbur's Basin, to protect the hospital located there and to 
guard the bateaux of provisions on the river. 

The Americans had not changed the order of their en- 
campment since the last battle. A disagreement, how- 
ever, had sprung up between Gates, Wilkinson, and Arnold, 
and Arnold was suspended from his command for the time 
being. 

On the evening of the 5th of October, Gen. Burgoyne 
had called a council of war. His army had rations only 
for sixteen days longer. He had heard nothing from Gen. 
Clinton, whom he expected to meet at Albany. As the 
British officers sat around the council-board, the gloom of 
the occasion was heightened by the frequent firing of the 
American pickets harassing the British lines, and by the 
dismal howling of the large packs of wolves that had come 
out of the wilderness to feast on the flesh of the dead. 
Riedesel and Fraser advised an immediate falling back to 
the old position on the east side of the Hudson, above the 
Battenkill. Phillips declined giving an opinion. Burgoyne 
thus had the casting vote, and he reserved his decision, he 
said, " until he could make a reconnaissance in force, to 
gather forage and ascertain definitely the position of the 
enemy, and whether it would be advisable to attack him." 
Should an attack be proper he would then advance the next 
day with his whole army ; but if not he would retreat to 
the Battenhill. 

On the 7th of October, 1777, the morning dawned cheery 
and bright in the old wilderness of the upper Hudson, but 
the autumn was swiftly advancing, and already the forests 
had put on their golden and crimson glories. At ten o'clock 
on this bright morning Burgoyne left his camp on his "re- 
connaissance in force." He took with him fifteen hundred 
men, eight cannon, and two howitzers. He was accom- 
panied by Gens. Phillips, Reidesel, and Fraser. Burgoyne 
marched his troops in a southwesterly direction about half 
a mile from " Freeman's farm," and deployed in line on 
the slope of the rise of ground just north of the middle 
ravine. The highway now running northerly from the 
" Neilson house" crosses the centre of this possession. 
After the British troops formed in line of battle they sat 
down, and Burgoyne's foragers began to cut a field of grain 
in their rear. Burgoyne then sent forward towards the 
American camp on the heights Capt. Fraser's rangers, with 
a body of Canadian Indians. This scouting-party under 
Capt. Fraser reached the front of the American intrench- 
ments near the Neilson house, and after a smart engagement 
of a quarter of an hour retired from the field. This was 
the only fighting done near the American lines at Bemus 
Heights in either action. 

In Burgoyne's line of battle the grenadiers under Maj. 
Ackland occupied the left, nearest the '• Freeman farm," the 
artillery under Maj. Williams the centre, and the extreme 
right was covered by Lord Balcarras' light infantry under 



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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



63 



Fraser. The Americans soon discovered the movement of 
the BritiHh, and again, as on the 19th of September, 
marelied out to meet them. At half-past two o'clock in 
the afternoon the New York and the New Ilarapshirc 
troops, under Gen. Poor, marched across the middle ravine 
and up the slope towards tlie British grenadiers under Ack- 
land. The 15ritish artillery and grenadiers opened fire 
upon them ; the Americans rushed forward with great fury, 
and were soon at a liand-to-hand conflict with the British 
grenadiers. Thus the Vjattle la.stod for thirty minutes, when, 
Maj. Ackland being badly wounded, the grenadiers broke 
and fled, leaving their dead upon the ground as thick as 
sheaves upon the harvest field. In the mean time Morgan 
had fallen upon and driven in the British extreme right, 
and Fraser fell back in tiic rear, and soon came to the as- 
sistance of the retreating grenadiers. Under Fraser the 
attack of the Americans wan repelled, and the British again 
advanced with a loud cheer. " It was at this moment," says 
De Fonblanque, " that Arnold appeared on the field. He 
had remained in the camp after beirjg deprived of his com- 
mand and stripped of all authority ; and when the Ameri- 
cans prepared for battle he asked permission to serve as a 
volunt<'er in the ranks. Gates refused his rc((uest, and 
now his restless spirit chafed as he saw others advancing 
upon the enemy at the head of those troops which he had 
formed and led. Eagerly gazing to the front, he listened 
to the din of battle until, unable to curb his instincts longer, 
he sprang upon his charger and rushed into the field. In 
vain did Gates dispatch messengers to recall him. The ad- 
jutant-general, who attenijited in person to check his pro- 
gress, was warned ;t.sidc by a decisive wave of his sword, 
and, calling upon the soldiers, by whom he was known and 
trusted, to follow him, he tlien himself fell upon the ad- 
vancing line of British with the reckless fury of a man 
maddened with thirst for blood and carnage. Gen. Eraser's 
quick eye saw the danger. Conspicuous wherever tlie fight 
was thickest, his commanding figure had already become 
the mark of the American riflemen, and, as he rode forward 
to sustain the staggering column, Col. Morgan, their com- 
mander, called one of his best marksmen, and, jioititing to 
the English general, said, ' That is a gallant oflBccr, but he 
must die. Take post in that clump of bushes and do your 
duty.' The order was but too well obeyed. Fraser fell 
mortally wounded." 

Meanwhile the American forces were pouring in ever 
increa.sing ma-sses upon tlie British line, and the contest 
became a liand-tohand struggle ; bayonets were crossed 
again and again ; guns were taken and retaken ; but our 
men were falling fast under the withering fire of the rifle- 
men, atid there were no reserves to fill the big gaps in their 
ranks. A desperate struggle ensued in the attempt to 
recover one of our guns, — finally it was turned against us. 
Again Arnold, at the liead of a fresh column of troops, 
charged upon the centre, carrying all before him. Thrown 
into inextricable di-sorder, Burgoyne's column regained their 
camp, leaving ten guns and hundreds of their dead and 
wounded on the field. 

But the warlike rage of Arnold was not yet appeased, 
and before the English had completely regained their lines 
he Was again upon them. Repelled in the centre by a 



desperate fire of grape-shot, he flung himself upon the 
German re.«erves on the right with irresistible fury, and 
crashing through their intrenchments, although himself 
severely wounded, gained an opening upon the rear of the 
British camp. Col. Breyniann gallantly resisted the charge, 
but fell, shot through the heart ; when the Germans, who 
had hitherto borne themselves well, broke and fled, or 
surrendered. 

The abrupt darkness of an American autumn evening 
now fell upon the blood-stained field, and mercifully inter- 
posed its shadows between the combatants. 

There was nothing now left for Burgoyne but to retreat. 
During the night of the 7th he changed his position, and 
huddled his whole army down on the bank of the river, at 
and above Wilbur's Ba.sin. The Americans also advanced, 
and posted a large force on the plain below the British 
camp to watch their motions. Burgoyne remained at Wil- 
bur's Basin all day of the 8th, and at sunset buried Gen. 
Fraser in the great redoubt on one of the river hills, and 
at nine o'clock on the evening of the 8th took his line of 
march up the river to the heights of Saratoga, where, on 
the 17th of October, he surrendered his whole army pris- 
oners of war to the victorious Gates. 

v.— EPISODES AND ROMANCE OF THE BATTLE-FIELD. 

Now that a century has passed since these battles were 
fought, and all feelings of resentment are buried with the 
buried dead, the prominent persons who took part in them 
begin to appear to us not unlike the figures of some grand 
historical drama as they flit across the stage. 

But the strong men who figured on either side were not 
the only interesting persons who took part in the campaign, 
and braved its hardships and dangers. Among the women 
of Burgoyne'.s eonipaign were two, alike 'conspicuous for 
their noble birth, their beauty, and modest worth. AVe 
refer to the Baroness lliedosel, wife of Gen. Iliede.sel, and 
the lady Harriet Ackland, wife, of Maj. Ackland, com- 
mander of the British grenadiers. 

The Baroness Riedesel upon her return pul)lished an 
account of life in America, and her account of the incidents 
of the battles near Bemus Heights is so interesting that 
we cannot refrain from copying a part of it for the reader. 

" But severe trials awaited us, and on the 7th of October 
our misfortunes began. I was at breakfast with my 
hu.sband, and heard that something was intended. On the 
same day I expected Gens. Burgoyne, Phillips, and Fraser 
to dine with me. I saw a great movemcnit among the 
troops, and inquired the cause. My husband told me it 
was merely a reconnaissance, which gave me no concern, as 
it often happened. I walked out of the house and met 
several Indians in their war-dre.sses, with guns in their 
hands. When I asked them where they were going, they 
cried out 'War! War!' (meaning they were going to 
battle). This filled me with apprehension, and I scarcely 
got home before I heard reports of cannon and musketry, 
which grew louder by degrees till at la.st the noise became 
exce.s'iive. About four o'clock in the afternoon, instead of 
the guests whom I had expected. Gen. Fraser was brought 
on a litter mortally wounded. The table, which was already 
set, was instantly removed and a bed placed in its stead for 



64 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



the wounded general. I sat trembling in a corner ; the 
noise grew louder and the alarm increased ; the thought 
that my husband might perhaps be brought in wounded in 
the same way was terrible to me, and distressed me exceed- 
ingly. Gen. Fraser said to the surgeon, ' Tell me if my 
wound is mortal ; do not flatter me.' The ball had passed 
through his body, and unhappily for the general, he had 
eaten a very hearty breakfast by which the stomach was 
distended, and the ball, as the surgeon said, had passed 
through it. I heard him often exclaim with a sigh, ' Oh, 
fatal ambition ! Poor Gen. Burgoyne. Oh, my wife !' 
He was asked if ho had any request to make ; to which he 
replied that, if Gen. Burgoyne would permit it, he should 
like to be buried at six o'clock in the evening on the top 
of a hill on a redoubt which iiad been built there. I did 
not know which way to turn, all the other rooms were full 
of the sick. Toward evening I saw my husband coming; 
then I forgot all my sorrows, and thanked God that he was 
spared to me. He ate in great haste with me and his aid- 
de-camp behind the house. I had been told that they had 
the advantage of the enemy, but the sorrowful faces I 
beheld told a different tale, and before my husband went 
away he took me one side and said everything was going 
bad ; that I must keep myself in readiness to leave the 
place, but not to mention it to any one. I made the pre- 
tense that I would move the next morning into my new 
house, and had everything packed up ready. Lady Harriet 
Ackland had a tent not far from my house; in this I slept, 
and the rest of the day 1 was in camp. 

" All of a sudden a man came to tell her that her husband 
was mortally wounded and taken prisoner. On hearing 
this she became very miserable. I comforted her by telling 
her that the wound was only slight, and at the same time 
advi.sed her to go over to her husband, to do which I cer- 
tainly could obtain permission, and then she could attend 
to him herself She was a charming woman, and very fond 
of him. I spent much of the nigiit in comforting her, and 
then went again to her children, whom I had put to bed. 
I could not go to sleep as I had Gen. Fraser and all the 
other wounded gentlemen in my room, and I was sadly 
afraid ray children would awake, and by their crying dis- 
turb the dying man in his last moments, who often addressed 
me, and apologized for the trouble he gave me. About 
three o'clock in the morning I was told he could not hold 
out much longer ; I had desired to be informed of the near 
approach of this sad crisis, and I wrapped up my children 
in their clothes and went with them into the room below. 
About eight o'clock in the morning he died. After he was 
laid out, and his corpse wrapped up in a sheet, I came again 
into the room, and had this sorrowful sight before me the 
whole day, and, to add to this melancholy scene, almost 
every moment some officer of my acquaintance was brought 
in wounded. The cannonade commenced again ; a retreat 
was spoken of, but not the smallest motion was made towards 
it. About four o'clock in the afternoon I saw the house 
which had just been built for me in flames, and the enemy 
was not fur oft'. They knew that Gen. Burgoyne would 
not refuse the last request of Gen. Fraser, though by his 
acceding an unnecessary delay was occasioned, by which 
the inconvenience of the army was much increa.sed. At 



about six o'clock the corpse was brought out, and I saw all 
the generals attend it to the hill; the chaplain, Mr. Brude- 
nell, performed the funeral services, rendered unusually 
solemn and awful from its being accompanied by constant 
peals from the American artillery. Many cannon-balls flew 
close by me, where my husband was standing amid the fire 
of the Americans, and, of course, I could not think of my 
own danger. Gen. Gates afterward.s said that if he had 
known it had been a funeral he would not have permitted 
it to be fired on." 

Of equal interest was the experience of Lady Harriet 
Ackland, who was a niece of the first Lord Holland. In 
his statement Gen. Burgoyne, in his graceful style, says this 
of the Lady Harriet : 

" From the date of that action [the 19th September] to 
the 7th of October, Lady Harriet, with her usual serenity, 
stood prepared for new trials ; and it was her lot that their 
severity increa.sed with their numbei's. She was again ex- 
posed to the hearing of the whole action, and at last 
received the shock of her individual misfortune, mixed 
with the intelligence of the general calamity ; the troops 
were defeated and Major Ackland, desperately wounded, 
was a prisoner. 

" The day of the Sth was passed by Lady Harriet and her 
companions in common anxiety ; not a tent nor a shed 
being standing, except what belonged to the hospital, their 
refuge was among the wounded and the dying. 

" When the army was upon the point of moving, I received 
a message from Lady Harriet, submitting to my decision 
a proposal (and expressing an earnest solicitude to execute 
it, if not interfering with my designs) of passing to the 
camp of the enemy, and requesting Gen. Gates' permission 
to attend her husband. 

'■ The assistance I was enabled to give was small indeed ; 
I had not even a cup of wine to offer her ; but I was told 
she had found, from some kind and fortunate hand, a little 
rum and dirty water. All I could furnish to her was an 
open boat and a few lines, written upon dirty and wet 
paper, to Gen. Gates, recommending her to his protection. 

" Mr. Brudenell, the chaplain to the artillery (the same 
gentleman who had oflRciated so signally at Gen. Fraser's 
funeral), readily undertook to accompany her, and with one 
female servant, and the major's valet-de-chambre (who had 
a ball, which he had received in the late action, then in 
his shoulder), she rowed down the river to meet the enemy. 
But her distresses were not yet to end. The night was 
advanced before the boat reached the enemy's outposts, 
and the sentinel would not let it pass, nor even come to 
shore. In vain Mr. Brudenell offered the flag of truce 
and represented the state of the extraordinary passenger. 
The guard, apprehensive of treachery, and punctilious to 
their orders, threatened to fire into the boat if it stirred 
before daylight. Her anxiety and suffering was thus pro- 
tracted through seven or eight dark and cold hours, and 
her reflections upon that first reception could not give her 
very encouraging ideas of the treatment she was afterwards 
to expect. But it is due at the clo.se of this adventure to 
say, that she was received and accommodated by Gen. Gates 
with all the humanity and respect that her rank, her merits, 
and her fortunes deserved. 







ku S C . I^r^j,, 



of 



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^^^ 



HISTORy OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



65 



" Let sueli as are affected by these circumstances of alarm , 
hardship, and danj;er recollect, that the subject of them was 
a woman, of the most tender and delicate frame, of the 
gentlest manners, habituated to all the soft elegancies and 
refined enjoyments that attend hijj;h birth and fortune, and 
far advanced in a state in which the tender cares always 
due to the sex become indispensably necessary. Her mind 
alone was formed for such trials." 

Sueli ai'e a few of the interesting episodes of the Saratoga 
battle-fields, in the language of the very persons who par- 
ticipated in the stirring scenes of the campaign. 

VI.— THE RETREAT OF BURGOYNE TO SARATOGA. 

The reader will remember that Gen. Fraser was mortally 
wounded in the battle of the 7th of October, and carried 
from the field to the Smith house, near the British hospi- 
tal on the bank of the river, where he lingered in great 
agony until eight o'clock on the morning of the 8th, when 
he died. Before his death Gen. Fraser sent, with the 
" kindest expression of his affection fur Gen. Burgoyne, a 
request that he might be carried without parade by the 
soldiers of his corps at sunset to the great redoubt and 
buried there." This last dying rec[U3st of his favorite 
general Burgoyne would not refuse, so all through the 
desolate day of the 8th the British army waited for the 
burial, amid continual alarms, exposed to the fire of the 
Americans, and in momentary expectation that another 
general engagement would be brought on. 

At length the weary hours passed away, and in the dark- 
ening gloom of the autumnal evening, which was intensified 
by the lowering clouds of the coming tempest, the funeral 
cortege marched to the burial place. In his statement made 
afterwards, Burgoyne gives this eloquent delineation of the 
scene : 

" The incessant cannonade during the solemnity ; the 
steady attitude and unaltered voice with which the clergy- 
man ofliciated, though frequently covered with dust which 
tlie shot threw up on all sides of him ; the mute but ex- 
pressive mixture of sensibility and indignation upon every 
countenance ; these objects will remain to the last of life 
upon the mind of every man who was present. The grow- 
ing duskiness added to the scenery, and the whole marked 
a characteristic of that juncture that would make one of 
the finest subjects for the pencil of a master that the field 
ever exhibited. To the canvas, and to the page of a more 
important historian, gallant friend, I consign thy memory. 
There may thy talents, thy manly virtues, their progress 
and their period, find due distinction ; and long may they 
survive — long after the frail record of my pen shall be 
forgotten." 

The Americans, seeing a collection of people, without 
knowing the occasion, at first cannonaded the procession, 
and their shot covered it with dust, but as soon as tliey saw 
it was a funeral train they ceased throwing shot at it, and 
began firing minute-guns in honor of the distinguished 
dead. The soldier who shot Gen. Fraser was Timothy 
Murphy, a native of Virginia, and a member of Morgan's 
rifle corps. After the surrender of Burgoyne, tlie company 
to which Murphy belonged was sent to Schoharie and 
Cherry Valley, where Murphy became distiuguished in the 
9 



border warfare of the period. A romantic incident in his 
life at Schoharie was his marriage to the girl of his choice, 
who ran away from her father's house, and braved the 
dangers of the Indian war-trail, on foot and alone, in her 
journey from one fort to another to meet her lover. 

After the burial of Fraser, at nine o'clock in the evening, 
the retreat of the British army began, Maj.-Gen. Riedesel 
commanding the van-guard, and Maj.-Gen. Phillips the rear. 
The wounded and dying who fell in the previous battles 
were abandoned by the British and left in their hospitals, 
with a recommendation to the mercy and kind treatment 
of the Americans couched in touching language by Gen. 
Burgoyne. On the morning of the 9th the British army 
arrived at Dovegat, now Coveville, where the rear-guard 
was attacked by the Americans, but a. pouring rain pre- 
vented much damage from the encounter. 

On the evening of the 9th the British army reached 
the Fishkill, and, crossing the ford, took possession of the 
heights of Saratoga. They had been twenty-four hours in 
marching a distjince of eight miles in a pitiless rain-storm, 
and, scarcely able to stand from cold and exposure, bi- 
vouacked in the darkness on the sodden ground, without 
food and without camp-fires, till the morning of the 10th. 
The Fishkill was swollen by the abundant rains, and 
poured a turbid torrent down the declivity of the hills 
through its narrow channel. The artillery was not taken 
across the dangerous ford till daylight on the morning of 
the 10th. When the van-guard of the British reached 
Saratoga, Gen. Fellows was encamped on the west .side of 
the Hudson, with a small body of Americans, his main 
force being posted on the hills on the east side of the Hud- 
son, upon the site of old Fort Clinton of the colonial 
period. Upon the approach of Burgoyne, Gen. Fellows 
retired with his detachment to this strong position on the 
hills on the east side of the river, to cut off the retreat of 
the British in that direction. A strong detachment of 
American troops had also been sent by Gen. Gates to take 
possession of the roads and bridges above Saratoga, in the 
direction of Fort Edward, and the British army was already 
most effectually hemmed in and surrounded on every side 
by the victorious Americans. 

On account of the pouring rain and the almost impa.ssa- 
ble condition of the roads, Gen. Gates did not reach the 
south bank of the Fishkill, with the main body of his 
army, until four o'clock in the afternoon of the 10th. 
Upon his arrival there he encamped his army along the 
heights bordering Fish creek on the south, and supposing 
that Gen. Burgoyne would continue his retreat, ordered an 
advance across the creek at daybreak in the morning. On 
the morning of the lltlr, in pursuance of this order. Col. 
Morgan crossed the Fishkill, and, to his surprise, found 
the enemy's pickets in position, indicating that the main 
body was close at hand. Gen. Nixon, with his brigade, 
also crossed the Fishkill, and surprised the British pickets 
at Fort Hardy. Gen. Learned, at the head of two more 
brigades, crossed the creek and advanced to the support of 
Col. Morgan. 

During all this time a thick fog prevailed, through which 
nothing could be seen at the distance of twenty yards. 
Gen. Learned advanced, and had arrived within two hun- 



66 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



died yavds of Buigoyne's strongest post, when the fog 
suddenly cleared up and revealed to the astonished Ameri- 
cans the whole British army in their camp under arms. 
The Americans beat a hasty retreat in considerable disorder 
across the Fishkill, under a heavy fire from the British 
artillery and small arms, and soon regained their camp on 
the heights along the south bank of the stream. 

The British army was now in a most critical position. 
The main body of the line under Gen. Burgoyne was en- 
camped on the heights north of the Fishkill. The Hessians 
under Riedesel were located on the ridge extending north- 
erly towards the Marshall House, and the artillery was on 
the elevated plain extending between the Hessians and the 
river flats. In this exposed position the British army was 
completely surrounded by the American forces. There was 
not a spot anywhere throughout the whole British encamp- 
ment which was not exposed to the fire of the American 
batteries posted on the hoiglits around. 

VII.— THE " CONVENTION" OF SARATOGA. 

On the 12th of October, Gen. Burgoyne called a council 
of war, whicli a.ssembled on the lieights of Saratoga. There 
were present Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne, 51aj.-Gen. Phillips, 
Maj.-Gen. Riedesel, and Brig.-Gen. Hamilton. To this 
council Gen. Burgoyne stated the situation of afiiiirs to be 
as follows : 

'' The enemy in force, according to the best intelligence he 
can obtain, to the amount of upwards of fourteen thousand 
men and a considerable quantity of artillery, are on this 
side the Fishkill, and threaten an attack. On the other 
side of the Hudson's river, between this army and Fort 
Edward, is another army of the enemy, the number un- 
known, but one corps, which there has been an opportunity 
of observing, is reported to be fifteen hundred men. They 
have likewise cannon on the other side the Hudson's river, 
and they have a bridge below Saratoga church, by which 
the two armies can communicate. The bateaux of .the 
army have been destroyed and no means appear of making 
a bridge over the Hudson's river, were it even practicable, 
from the position of the enemy. The only means of retreat, 
therefore, are by the ford at Fort Edward, or taking the 
mountains in order to pass the river higher up by rafts or 
by any other ford, which is reported to be practicable with 
difficulty, or by keeping the mountains to pass the head of 
Hudson's river, and continue to the westward of Lake 
George all the way to Ticonderoga. It is true this last 
passage was never made but by the Indians or very small 
bodies of men. In order to pass cannon or any wheel 
carriages from hence to Fort Edward, some bridges must be 
repaired under fire of the enemy from the opposite side of 
the river, and the principal bridge will be a work of four- 
teen or fifteen hours; there is no good position for the 
army to take to sustain that work, and if there were, the 
time stated as neces.sary would give the enemy on the 
other side of the Hud.son's river an opportunity to take 
post on the strong ground above Fort Edward, or to 
dispute the ford while Gen. Gates' army followed in the 
rear. 

" The intelligence from the lower part of Hudson's river 
IS founded upon the concurrent reports of prisoners and de- 



serters, who say it was the news in the enemy's camp tliat 
Fort Montgomery was taken ; and one man, a friend to the 
government, who arrived yesterday, mentions some particu- 
lars of the manner in which it was taken. 

" The provisions of the army may hold out to the 20th ; 
there is neither rum nor spruce beer. 

" Having committed this state of facts to the consideration 
of the council, the general requests their sentiments on the 
following propositions : 

" First — To wait in the present position an attack from 
the enemy, or the chance of favorable events. 

" Second — To attack the enemy. 

"T/iiid — To retreat, repairing the bridges as the army 
moves ibr the artillery, in order to force the passage of the 
fort. 

" Fuiirih — To retreat by night, leaving the artillery and 
the baggage ; and should it be found impracticable to force 
the passage with musketry, to attempt the upper ford, or 
the passage round Lake George. 

" Fifth — In case the enemy, by extending to their left, 
leave their rear open, to march rapidly for Albany. 

" Upon the first proposition, resolved that the provision 
now in store is not more than sufficient for the retreat 
.should impediments intervene, or a circuit of the country 
become necessary ; and, as the enemy did not attack when 
the ground was unfortified, it is not probable they will do 
it now, as they have & better game to play. 

" The second unadvisable and desperate, there being no 
possibility of reconnoitering the enemy's position, and his 
great superiority of numbers known. 

" The third impracticable. 

" The fifth thought worthy of consideration by the lieu- 
tenant-general, Maj.-Gen. Phillips, and Brig.-Gen. Hamil- 
ton, but the position of the enemy yet gives no opening 
for it. 

" Jitsohed, That the fourth proposition is tlie only re- 
source ; and that, to effect it, the utmost secrecy and silence 
is to be observed ; and the troops are to be put in motion 
from the right, in the still part of the night, without any 
change in the situation." 

It was soon ascertained by Gen. Burgoyne, who sent out 
a scouting-party for the purpose, that owing to the strength 
of the American detachment along the Hudson above Sara- 
toga the last proposition was also utterly impracticable, and 
it was therefore likewise abandoned. 

On the 13th Gen. Burgoyne called another council of 
war. It was composed of general officers, field officers, and 
captains commanding corps. As this body of officers was 
deliberating on the heights at the headquarters of the com- 
mander, cannon-balls from the American guns crossed the 
table around which they sat. The following is copied from 
the minutes : 

" The lieutenant-general having explained the situation 
of affiiirs as in the preceding council, with the additional 
intelligence that the enemy was intrenched at the fords of 
Fort Edward, and likewise occupied the strong position on 
the pine plains between Fort George and Fort Edward, 
expressed his readiness to undertake, at their head, any 
enterprise of difficulty or hazard that should appear to them 
within the compass of their strength or spirit. He added 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



67 



that he had reason to believe a capitulation had been in the 
conteiii]ilati<)n of some, perhaps of" all who knew the real 
situation of things ; that upon a circumstance of such con- 
sequence to national and personal honor, he thought it a 
duty to his country and to himself to extend his council 
beyond the usual limits, that the assembly present might 
justly be esteemed a full representation of the army, and 
that he should think himself unjustifiable in taking any 
step in so serious a matter without such a concurrence of 
sentiment as should make a treaty the act of the army as 
well as that of the general. 

"The first question, therefore, he desired them to decide 
was, whether an army of 35U0 fighting men and well pro- 
vided with artillery were justifiable upon the principles of 
national dignity and military honor in capitulating in any 
possible situation ? 

" Resolved, Neni. con., in the affirmative. 

"Question second. — Is the present situation of that 
nature ? 

^'Resolved, Nera. con., that the present situation jus- 
tifies a capitulation upon honorable terms." 

Gen. Burgoyne then drew up a message to Gen. Gates, 
and laid it before the council. It was unanimously ap- 
proved, and upon that foundation the treaty opened. 

On the morning of the 14tli of October, Maj. Kingston 
delivered the message to Gen. Gates, at the American camp, 
which was in the words following : 

"■To Major-Gen. Gates: After having fought you 
twice, Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne has waited some days, in his 
present position, determined to try a third conflict against 
any force you could bring to attack him. 

" He is apprised of the superiority of your ntirabers and 
the disposition of your troops to impede his supplies and 
render his retreat a scene of carnage on both .sidc^s. In 
this situation he is impelled by humanity, and thinks him- 
self justifiable by established principles and precedents of 
state and of war, to spare the lives of brave men upon hun- 
orable terms. Should Major-Gen. Gates be inclined to 
treat upon that idea. Gen. Burgcjyne would propose a ces- 
sation of arms during the time necessary to communicate 
the preliminary terms by which, in any extremity, he and 
his army mean to abide." 

In the afternoon of the 14th, Major Kingston returned 
to the British camp with the following propositions from 
Gen. Gates, which are given below, with the answer to each 
made by Gen. Burgoyne, and approved by his council of 
war. 

PROPOSITION. ANSWER. 

*' I. Gon. Burgojne's jirray Licut.-Gen. Btirgoyne's armj, 
being reduced by repeated dc- however reduced, will never ad- 
feat^, by desertion, sicknes.«, eic., mit thiit their retreat is cut otf 
their i>rovisions exhausted, their while they have anus iu their 
military horses, tent-i and b.ag- bands, 
gage taken or destroyed, h ir re- 
treat cut off, and their camp in- 
vested, they can only be allowed 
to surrender as prisoners of war. 

" I[. The officers and soldiers Noted. 
may keep the l^agg.^ge belonging 
to them. The generals oT the 
Ignited .States never permitted in- 
dividuals to be pillaged. 



Agreed. 



There being no officer in this 
army under, or capable of being 
under, the description of break- 
ing parole, this article needs no 
answer. 



All public stores may be deliv- 
ered, arms excepted. 



This article is inadmissible in 
any extremity. Sooner than this 
army will consent to ground their 
arms in their encampment, they 
will rush on the enemy deter- 
mined to take no quarter. 

(.Signed) J. BiiuuovsE. 



" III. The troops under his ex- 
cellency, Gen. Burgoyne, will be 
conducted by the most convenient 
route to New England, marching 
by easy marches, tmd sufficiently 
provided for by the way. 

"IV. The officers will be ad- 
mitted on parole and treated with 
the liberality customary in such 
cases, so long as they by proper 
behavior continue to deserve it; 
but those who are apprehended 
having broke their parole, as sonic 
British officers have done, must 
expect to be closely confined. 

" V. All i)uldic stores, artillery, 
arms, ammunition, carriages, 
liorses, etc., etc., must be deliv- 
ered to commissioners appointed 
to receive them. 

" VI. These terms being agreed 
to and signed, the troo]js under 
his excellency, Gen. Burgoyne's 
command, may be drawn up in 
their encampment, when they 
will be ordered to ground their 
arms, and may thereupon bo 
marclied to the river-side on their 
way to Bennington. 

" VII. A cessation of arms to 
continue till sunset to receive 
Gen. Burgoyne's answer. 

(Signed) " IIoitATio Gates. 

" Camp at Saratoga, Oct. 14." 



At sunset the same evening Maj. Kingston met the ad- 
jutant-general of the American army, Gen. Wilkinson, in 
the American camp, and delivered the foregoing answers to 
Gen. Gates' proposals, and also the following additional 
message from Gen. Burgoyne : 

" If Gen. Gates does not mean to recede from the sixth 
article the treaty ends at once. The army will to a man 
proceed to any act of desperation rather than submit to that 
article. The cessation of arms ends this evening." 

Gen. Gates was at first disposed to iiusist upon the ob- 
jectionable article, but after some further negotiation he 
substituted the following article : 

" The troops under Gen. Burgoyne to march out of their 
camp with the honors of war, and the artillery of the in- 
trenchments to the verge of the river, where their arms 
and their artillery must be left. The arms to be piled by 
word of command from their own officers." 

" A free passage to be granted to the army under Gen. Bur- 
goyne to Great Britain, upon condition of not serving again 
in North America during the present contest; and the port 
of Boston to be assigned for entry of transports to receive 
the troops whenever Gen. Howe shall order." 

On the 15tli the above amended proposals of Gen. Gates 
were presented to the British council of war, and being 
satisfactory, Gen. Buigoyne was authorized to sign a defini- 
tive treaty. 

During the night of the 15th a messenger from Gen. 
Clinton arrived in the Bl■i^i^h camp with the news that he 
had moved up the Hudson as far as Ksopus, taking Fort 
Montgomery from the Americans on the way. This infor- 
mation seemed to revive Burgoyne's hopes of .safety. He 
called together the officers of his council and requested them 



68 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



to declare whether they were of opinion that in case of ex- 
tremity the soldiers were in a situation to fight, and whether 
they considered the public fiiith as already pledged to a sur- 
render, no convention being then signed. A great number 
of the officers answered that the soldiers, weakened by hun- 
ger and fatigue, were unable to fight, and all were decidedly 
of the opinion that the public f;ulh was engaged. But 
Burgoyne was of a contrary opinion, and hesitated to sign 
the treaty. Gen. Gates, on the morning of the 16th, hear- 
ing of Burgoyne's delay, and being aware of the cause, 
formed his army in the order of battle and sent word to 
the British general that the time having arrived he must 
either sign the articles or prepare himself for battle. Bur- 
goyne hesitated no longer, but signed the paper, which has 
ever since been known in history as the " convention" of 
Saratoga. 

" ARTICLES OP CONVENTION BETWEEN LIEDT.-GEN. BUR- 
GOYNE AND MAJOR-GEN. GATES. 

" I. The troops under Lieut-Gen. Burgoyne to march 
out of their camp with the honors of war, and the artillery 
of intrenchments to the verge of the river where the old fort 
stood, where the arms and artillery are to be left ; the arms 
to be piled by word of command from their own officers. 

" II. A free passage to be granted to the army under 
Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne to Great Britain, on condition of not 
serving again in North America during the present contest ; 
and the port of Boston is assigned for the entiy of trans- 
ports to receive the troops whenever Gen. Howe shall so order. 

" III. Should any cartel take place by which the army 
under Gen. Burgoyne, or any part of it, may be exchanged, 
the foregoing articles to be void as far as such exchange 
should be made. 

" IV. The army under Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne to march 
to Massachusetts Bay by the easiest, most expeditious, and 
convenient route, and be quartered in, near, or as conve- 
nient as possible to Boston, that the departure of the 
troops may not be delayed when the transports shall arrive 
to receive them. 

" V. The troops to be .supplied on their march, and 
during their being in quarters, with provisions by Gen. 
Gates' orders, at the same rate of rations as the troops of 
his own army : and, if possible, the officers' horses and 
cattle are to be supplied with forage at the usual rates. 

" VI. All officers to retain their carriages, battle-horses, 
and other cattle, and no baggage to be molested or searched, 
Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne giving his honor that there are no 
public stores secreted therein. Maj.-Gen. Gates will of 
course take the necessary measures for the due performance 
of this article. Should any carriages be wanted during the 
transpoi'tation of officers' baggages, they are, if possible, to 
be supplied. 

"VII. Upon the march, and during the time the army 
shall remain in quarters in Massachu.setts Bay, the officers 
are not, as far as circumstances will admit, to be separated 
from their men. The officers are to be quartered according 
to rank, and are not to be hindered from assembling their 
men for roll call and the necessary purposes of regularity. 

" VIII. All corps whatever of Gen. Burgoyne's army, 
whether composed of sailors, bateaux men, artificers, 



drivers, independent companies, and followers of the army, 
of whatever country, shall be included in every respect as 
British subjects. 

" IX. All Canadians and persons belonging to the Cana- 
dian establishment, consisting of sailors, bateaux men, 
artificers, drivers, independent companies, and many other 
followers of the army who come under the head of no par- 
ticular description, are to be permitted to return there; 
they are to be conducted immediately by the shortest route 
to the first British post on Lake George, are to be sup- 
plied with provisions in the same manner as other troops, 
are to be bound by the same conditions of not serving dur- 
ing the present contest in North America. 

" X. Passports to be immediately granted for three 
officers, not exceeding the rank of captain, who shall be 
appointed by Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne, to carry dispatches to 
Sir William Howe, Sir Guy Carleton,and to Great Britain, 
by way of New York, and Maj.-Gen. Gates engages the 
public faith that these dispatches shall not be opened. 
These officers are to set out immediately after receiving 
their dispatches, and to travel the shortest route, and in 
the most expeditious manner. 

" XL During the stay of the troops in Massachusetts 
Bay, the officers are to be admitted on parole, and are to 
be allowed to wear their side-arms. 

" XII. Should the army under Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne 
find it necessary to send for their clothing and other bag- 
gage to Canada, they are to be permitted to do so in the 
most convenient manner, and the necessary pa.s.sports 
granted for that purpose. 

" XIII. These articles are to be mutually signed and 
exchanged to-morrow morning at nine o'clock, and the 
troops under Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne are to march out of 
their intrenchments at three o'clock in the afternoon. 

(Signed) "Horatio Gates, Mij.- Gen. 

(Signed) "J. Burgoyne, Lieut.-Gen. 

"S.\ii.iTOGA, Oct. 16, 1777." 

VIII.— SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE AND HIS ARMY ON 
THE 17TI1 OF OCTOBER, 1777. 

The morning of the 17th of October, 1777, dawned in 
the old wilderness of the upper Hudson amid full but 
fading forest splendors. To the British soldiers at Saratoga, 
lying on their beds of already fallen leaves, the emblems of 
their withered bop§s, it was the. saddest morning of the j'ear. 
To the Americans it was full of the brightness of their 
country's opening glory, typified by the crimson and purple 
tints which were still blazing over all the forest tops. 

At nine o'clock Gen. Wilkinson rode over to the British 
camp and accompanied Gen. Burgoyne to the green in front 
of old Fort Hardy, where his army was to lay down their 
arms. From thence they rode to the margin of the river, 
which Burgoyne surveyed with attention, and asked whether 
it was fordable. "Certainly, sir," said Wilkinson, "but do 
you observe the people on the opposite .shore?" "Yes," 
replied Burgoyne, " I have seen them too long." " Bur- 
goyne then proposed, " continues Gen. Wilkinson, " to be 
introduced to Gen. Gates, and we crossed the Fishkill and 
proceeded to headquarters, Gen. Burgoyne in front with his 
adjutant-general, Kingston, and his aides-de-camp, Capt. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



69 



Lord Petersham and Lieut. Wilfoid, behind him. Then 
followed Mil). -Gen. Pliillip.s, the Baron Riedesel, and the 
other preneral officers and their suites according to rank. 
Gen. Gates, advised of Burgoyne's approach, met him at 
the head of his camp, — Burgoyne in a rich royal uniform, 
and Gates in a plain blue frock. When they had ap- 
proached nearly within sword's length they reined up and 
halted. I then," continues Wilkinson, " named the gentle- 
men, and Gen. Burgoyne, raising his hat most gracefully, 
said, ' The fortune of war, Gen. Gates, has made me your 
prisoner;' to which the conqueror, returning a courtly 
salute, promptly replied, ' I shall always be ready to bear 
testimony that it has not been through any fault of your 
excellency.' Maj.-Gen. Phillips then advanced, and he and 
Gen. Gates saluted and shook hands with the familiarity of 
old acquaintances. The Baron Riedesel and the other 
officers were introduced in their turn." 

The general officers then proceeded to the marquee of 
Gen. Gates, where dinner was served. The dinner consisted 
of only three or four simple dishes of the plain fare common 
in those days, and was laid upon a table of rough boards 
stretched across some empty barrels. The marquee of Gen. 
Gates was situated near the road leading to xVlbany, about 
three-fourths of a mile south of the Fishkill. While the 
officers were at dinner the whole American army were 
marched out of their camp, with drums beating, and sta- 
tioned along this road for miles, to view the passage of the 
now disarmed British troops on their way to Boston. 

Before this conquering army on the field of old Saratoga 
our country's flag, the stars and stripes, ?c(/.s Jirst Jlung to the 
breeze. The glorious old flag has never waved over a prouder 
scene than that. 

While the American army was forming its victorious 
lines along the Albany road, another and a different scene 
was about to be enacted on tlie green at the verge of the 
river-side near the ruins of old Fort Hardy. 

After dinner was over in the marquee of Gen. Gates, the 
two commanding generals walked out of it together. " The 
American commander faced front," says Gen. Wilkinson, 
" and Burgoyne did the same, standing on his left. Not a 
word was spoken, and for .some minutes they stood silently 
gazing on the scene before them, — the one no doubt in all 
the pride of honest success, the other the victim of regret 
and sensibility. Burgoyne was a large and stoutly-formed 
man ; his countenance was rough and har.sli, but he had a 
hand.some figure and a noble air. Gates was a smaller man, 
with much less of manner and none of the air which dis- 
tinguished Burgoyne. Presently, as by a previous under- 
standing. Gen. Burgoyne stepped back, drew his sword, and, 
in the face of the two armies, as it were, presented it to 
Gen. Gates, who received it and instantly returned it in the 
most courteous manner." 

By this time three o'clock in the afternoon had come, 
and what was left of the British army was marched to the 
green on the verge of the river, where, out of view of the 
American lines, at the command of their own officers, they 
piled tlieir arms. " Many a voice," says De Fonblanque, 
" that had rung in tones of authority and encouragement 
above the din of battle now faltered ; many an eye that had 
unflinchingly met the hostile ranks now filled with tears. 



Young soldiers who had borne privation and suffering with- 
out a murmur stood abashed and overcome with sorrow 
and shame ; bearded veterans for whom danger and death 
had no terrors sobbed like children as for the last time they 
gra.sped the weapons they had borne with honor on many a 
battle-field." 

But this was but a remnant of the once proud army 
which so full of hope in the early summer had crossed the 
Canadian frontier. In killed and wounded they had lost 
eleven hundred and sixty, of whom seventy-three were offi- 
cers. The numbers who now laid down their arms did not 
exceed three thousand five hundred officers and men, of 
whom sixteen hundred were Germans. 

In this procession of conquered men the poor Hessians 
cut a sorry figure. They were extremely dirty in their 
persons, their ponderous caps being heavier than the whole 
accoutrement of a British soldier. They had with them a 
lars;e number of women, who to the Americans appeared 
oddly dressed and gypsy featured. They had with them a 
large collection of wild animals which they had caught on 
their way through the wilderness. Young foxes peered 
slyly out from the top of a baggage-wagon, and young rac- 
coons from the arms of riflemen. A grenadier was here 
seen leading a lightly-tripping deer, and a stout artilleryman 
playing with a black bear. 

After the army of Burgoyne had piled their arms, they 
were again formed into line, the light infantry in front, and 
escorted by a company of American light dragoons, headed 
by two mounted officers bearing the .stars and stripes, they 
marched across the Fi.shkill, and through the long lines of 
American soldiers posted along the road to Albany, the 
band playing " Yankee Doodle." 

The lon<i agony was over ; the British soldiers were on 
their way to Boston prisoners of war, bivouacking the first 
night of their captivity on their old camping-ground at 
Wilbur's Basin, near the grave of Gen. Fraser. 

THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE.S. 

Of the result of the battles of Freeman's Farm, at Be- 
mus Heights, and the surrender of Burgoyne and his army 
at Old Saratoga, enough has already been written, and they 
are sufficiently familiar to the American reader. The last 
was the closing scene of the last act of one of the world's 
'Toat dramas which change forever the destinies of nations. 

The defeat of Burgoyne and the .surrender of his army 
assured the independence of the American colonics and 
changed the destinies of the world. Henry Hallam, author 
of the celebrated work entitled, " View of the State of 
Europe during the Jliddle Ages," defines decisive battles 
as " those battles of which a contrary event would have 
essentially varied the drama of the world in all its subse- 
quent .scenes." Following this idea, E. S. Creasy, professor 
of history in the University College of London, has selected 
fifteen battles, beginning with Marathon and ending with 
Waterloo, as the only ones coming within the definition of 
Mr. Hallam. Among the fifteen he names Saratoga. 

The scenes of this great encounter remained until the 
hundredth anniversary of the surrender without a slab or 
stone to mark the spot. On that day, the IVth of October, 



70 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



1877, the corner-stone of a monument was laid amid a vast 
concourse of people, of which some account is given else- 
where in this volume. 



CFI AFTER XVII. 
THE NORTHERN INVASION OF 1780. 

After the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne and his army on 
the heights of Saratoga on the 17th day of October, 1777, 
the tide of war swept over other and distant fields, and no 
event of much importance occurred in the county of Sara- 
toga until what is known in history as the Northern In- 
vasion of 1780. 

This invasion was intended by the British authorities to 
be one of considerable import. It was hoped that, with 
some aid from Canadian militia, assisted by the Indians, the 
many disaffected persons still left; in the valleys of the Hud- 
son and Mohawk would join the royal cause, and, in the 
absence of so many fighting men in other fields remote 
from their homes, much might be done towards bringing 
back the country to its allegiance. Early in the summer 
of 1780 the American authorities at Albany had intima- 
tions of this invasion. But nothing definite could be 
learned, and the summer passing away without any warlike 
demonstrations except a raid or two in the valley of the 
Mohawk, it was thought that when the frosts of autumn 
had come no further danger might be looked for from that 
quarter. 

But the blow at length came when least expected, and 
spent its force in the raid on the young settlement of 
Ballston.* 

In the early part of October of 1780 an expedition was 
sent from Canada, by way of Lake Champlain, under com- 
mand of Major Carleton. Arriving at Bulwagga bay, 
which forms the west shore of Crown Point, they landed 
the two hundred men there which formed the Ballston 
party. This detachment was made up in part of Sir John 
Johnson's corps, partly of some rangers, among whom were 
some refugees from the Ballston settlement, and partly of 
some Mohiiiok Indians, lieaded by their war-chief, " Capt. 
John." This motley company was under the command of 
Capt. Munrcj, who had, before the war, been a trader at 
Schenectady, and had had much to do with the early settle- 
ment of Saratoga County. 

The object of this part of the expedition was to attack 
Schenectady, but if that experiment, upon reconnoitring, 
should be deemed hazardous, then to make a descent upon 
the Ballston settlement. The orders to Munro were to 
plunder, destroy property, and take prisoners, but not to 
kill unless attacked or resisted, or to prevent escapes. 

I.— THE ATTACK OX FORT ANXE AND FORT GEORGE. 

After leaving the detachment of two hundred men, under 
Capt. Munro, at Bul-Wagga bay, the main body, under 

® We are indebted to Judge George G. Scoit, of Ballston Spa, 
whose ancestors were among the suBferers in this raid, for much of 
this chapter. See his historical address of July 4, 1876. See also 
Hough's Northern Invasion of 1780. 



Maj. Carleton, consisting of about eight hundred men, pro- 
ceeded up Lake Champlain, and landing at South bay, 
moved forward rapidly to Fort Anne, where they arrived 
on the 10th of October. On demand the fort was surren- 
dered to Carleton, then burned, and the garrison made pris- 
oners. They then, with their prisoners, marched across to 
Fort George, where they arrived on the 11th of October. 
After a short skirmish outside of the fort, between Gage's 
hill and Bloody pond, in which the enemy were successful, 
and a brief investment of the fort, our troops surrendered 
them.selves as prisoners of war, and the fort was destroyed. 
Maj. Carleton, with his forces and prisoners, thereupon 
returned to his vessels on Lake Chami)lain. 

It will thus be seen that the main part of the expedition 
effected little. While the British forces were in the vicinity 
of Fort Anne and Lake George, Maj. Carleton sent out 
numerous scouting and marauding parlies into the neigh- 
boring villages of Sandy Hill, Fort Edward, and others 
lying along the Hudson. These lawless parties committed 
so many depredations on the dofensele.ss inhabitants, and 
burned so many dwellings, that that year is called to this 
day among their descendants " the year of the great 
burning." 

II.— THE RAID UPON BALLSTON. 

After landing at Bulwagga bay, the party under Munro 
took the old Indian trail which led down through the eastern 
part of the old Adirondack wilderness, in the valley of the 
Schroon river, past the foot of Crane's mountain, and cross- 
ing the Sacondaga, passed through Greenfield into the 
northwest corner of what is now the town of Milton, where 
they encamped and remained several days. While here 
they remained concealed in the forest, no one in the neigh- 
borhood dreaming of their presence except some Tories, to 
whom they had made themselves known, and who supplied 
them with provisions. Having learned through their scouts 
that it would be un.safe to make an attempt on Schenectady, 
and that the " fort" in Ballston had just been garrisoned 
by about two hundred militiamen, chiefly from the former 
place, they concluded to advance no farther than Col. 
Gordon's. 

The '■ fort," as it was called, stood on the southwest cor- 
ner of the square, at the red meeting-house, which was 
then nearly completed. The fort was constructed of oak 
logs, with loop-holes for musketry, and surrounded with 
pickets. 

The massacre at Cherry Valley,f and the more recent 
Indian barbarities in the Mohawk valley, had excited the 
worst apprehensions of the Ballston inhabitants, who had 
for two or three months previous been expecting an invasion 
of the enemy. Some of them had f'rei|uently abandoned 
their dwellings at night, taking with them their most valu- 
able effects, and lodged in the woods ; but as no danger 
appeared, their vigilance relaxed, and they slept in their 
dwellings. 

Col. James Gordon, then the commanding officer of 
a regiment of militia, arrived home October 13 from 
Poughkeepsie, where he had attended, as a member of the 
Legislature, at an extra session convened by Gov. Clinton, 

f See Judge Scott's address. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



71 



which adjourned October 10. His residence was on the 
Middle Line road, upon the farm now owned by Henry 
Wiswall, Jr., and his capture was deemed of considerable 
importance. Some of the escaped Tories, who had been 
brought back by him three years previous, had not forgiven 
him, and one of them, in communication with Munro, in- 
formed him of Gordon's arrivah In the evening of Oc- 
tober IG tlie enemy came to a lialt at tlie dwelling of one 
James McDonald, a Tory living at the first four corners 
west of what has since been known as tlie Courthouse hill. 
McDonald piloted the party through the woods to the rear 
of Gordon's house. Gordon was awakened by the break- 
ing of the windows of his sleeping-room by bayonets 
thrust through them. He sprang from his bed, in which 
were his wife and little daughter, and partly dressing him- 
self went into the hall, which was by this time filled with 
the enemy. As he opened the door a gigantic savage 
raised his tomahawk, and as the blow was descending upon 
Gordon's head the arm of the savage was caught by an 
ofificer. At this moment the brass clock, which stood in the 
corner of the hall, struck twelve, whereupon an Indian shat- 
tered it into pieces with his tomahawk, exclaiming, " You 
never speak again !" A scene of indiscriminate plunder then 
ensued, which was chiefly carried on by the squaws who 
accompanied the party, and were the most heavily laden 
with the spoils. The Indians attempted to fire the house 
and barn, but were prevented. Besides Gordon, Jack Cal- 
braith and John Parlow, servants, and Nero, Jacob, and 
Ann, three negro slaves, were carried oft' as prisoners. 

As they proceeded towards the main road, where Gor- 
don's miller — Isaac Stow — lived, he came running towards 
them, exclaiming " Col. Gordon, save yourself! the In- 
dians !" He turned and ran a short distance, when he was 
intercepted by an Indian, who pierced him in the side with 
his spontoon, and Stow fell. The Indian then dispatched 
him with his tomahawk and took off' his scalp. 

In the mean time, a party had proceeded to the liouse of 
Capt. Collins, across the Mourning Kill. They broke open 
his door and captured him and his female slave. His son 
— Mannasseh — escaped through an upper window and ran 
to the fort, a mile and a lialf di.staut, and gave the alarm. 
The enemy then proceeded up the Middle Line road and 
made prisoners of Thomas Barnum, John Davis, Elisha 
Benedict and his three sons, — Caleb, Elias, and Felix, — 
and Dublin, his slave, — Edward A. Watrous, Paul i'ierson 
and his son John, a boy, John Higby and his son Lewis, 
George Kennedy, Jabez Patchin, Josiah Hollister, Ebene- 
zer Sprague and his sons John and Elijah, Thomas Ken- 
nedy, Enoch Wood, and one Palmatier, living near what 
is now known as Milton Centre, and who was the last one 
taken. But one man lived north of Palmatier. Being a 
Tory, he was unmolested. Several houses and barns were 
burned. 

Between Higby s and George Kennedy's, about fifty 
under tlie command of Lieut. Frazcr, a refugee from the 
vicinity of Burnt Hills, left the main body and advanced 
to the dwelling of George Scott. Aroused from sleep by 
the violent barking of his watch-dog, he, with his musket 
in his hand, opened the door and saw the column advancing 
in the moonlight. He heard some one exclaim, " Scott, 



throw down your gun, or you arc a dead man !" Not 
hastening to obey, he was felled to the floor by three tom- 
ahawks simultaneously thrown at him by Indians of the 
party, who rushed up to take his scalp. They were pre- 
vented by Frazer anil Sergeant Springstecd, another refugee 
and formerly Scott's hired man, who, with their swords, 
kept the savages at bay. The party pillaged the house 
and left Scott, as they believed, in a dying condition, — so 
they informed Colonel Gordon, his brother-in-law, but he 
recovered. 

The enemy cros.sed the Kayadrossera, at what is now 
Milton Centre, about daylight, and soon came to a halt. 
Each prisoner was placed between two of the enemy in 
Indian file. Their hands were tied, some of them were 
barefooted, and most of them but partly dressed. George 
Kennedy was lame from a cut in his foot, and had no 
clothing but a sheet. Munro thereupon addressed his men. 
He said he expected they would be pursued, and that on 
discovering the first sign of a pursuit, even the firing of a 
gun, each man must kill his prisoner. In this order the 
march was resumed ; the prisoners expecting that the 
troops from the fort wsuld overtake them, and that each 
moment would be their last. Another source of appre- 
hension was that some Indian would fall back and fire his 
gun for the purpose of having the order carried into ex- 
ecution, — a reward for scalps having been ofl"ered. For 
this inhuman order, Munro was afterwards dismissed from 
the service. 

The first man in front of Gordon was a British regular, 
a German, who was next behind Capt. Collins and had 
charge of him. Gordon was tlie prisoner of a ferocious 
savage immediately in his rear. He heard the soldier say 
to Capt. Collins, " I have been through the late war in 
Europe, and in many battles, but I never before have heard 
such a bloody order as this. I can kill in the heat of battle, 
but not in cold blood. You need not fear me, for I will 
not obey the order. But the Indian in charge of Gordon 
is thirsting for his blood, and the moment a guu is fired 
Gordon is a dead man." 

On arriving at the foot of the Kayadrcssera mountain, 
they halted for breakfast, and slaughtered the sheep and 
cattle which they had driven along on their retreat. In the 
afternoon they struck the trail up the mountain by which 
they had descended, and halted for the night about two 
miles beyond Lake Desolation. Munro here discharged 
Ebenezer Sprague and Paul Pierson, both old men, together 
with John Pierson and George Kennedy. Gordon had 
privately, by some means, sent back a message, advising 
that all attempts at a rescue should be abandoned. The 
mes.senger met Capt. Stephen Ball with a detachment of 
militia from the fort, at what has since been known as Mil- 
ton meeting-house, and they returned. The enemy, with 
their prisoners, on the 24th day of October, arrived at Bul- 
wagga bay, and there, joining Carleton's party, they all pro- 
ceeded down the lake to St. John's and thence to iMontreal. 
The prisoners were at first lodged in the Jiecolltt convent, 
and afterwards confined in a jail. Gordon was bailed in 
the sum of £3000 by James Ellice, with whom he had 
formerly been connected in business in Schenectady. After 
a few months, for what reason he never knew, he, alone of 



72 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



all the prisoners, was removed to Quebec and kept there in 
prison for about two years, when he was transferred to the 
Isle of Orleans. 

III.— JOE BETTYS. 

In May, 1781, the notorious Joe Bettys,* with the aid 
of about thirty refugees under his command, made a raid 
into the Ballston district and captured Consider Chard, Uri 
Tracy, P]phraim Tracy, Samuel Nash, and Samuel Patchin. 
They were all taken to Canada excepting Nash, who escaped 
near Lake Desolation. At the same time Epenetus White, 
Captain Rumsey, two brothers named Banta, and some 
others on the east side of Long lake, were taken by a Tory 
officer named Waltermeyer, and marched off to Canada. 

When Gordon was removed to the Isle of Orleans he 
there found White, Higby, Enoch Wood, the two Bantas, 
and other Ballston prisoners. They contrived to escape 
from the island by means of a fi.shenuan's boat, and landing 
on the right bank of the river, they made their way into 
the wilderness. Their provisions soon gave out, and for 
several days they subsisted upon nothing but berries and a 
species of mussel found in the streams. Arriving at the 
head-waters of the St. John, they, with their hatchets, 
constructed a rude craft, upon which they floated down the 
river for a considerable distance, and then struck across to 
Passamaquoddy bay. This was in 1783, and there they 
learned for the first time that hostilities had ceased. They 
proceeded to Halifax, and were brought from thence to 
Boston by a cartel. 

Nero, one of Munro's prisoners, after his capture, had 
attempted to escape. A few rods south of the north line 
of the " Five-mile square," where James Allison now lives, 
he suddenly broke from the ranks, and sprang headlong 
down a ravine. His head coming in contact with a sap- 
ling, he was retaken. At Montreal he was sold to Capt. 
Laws, a British officer. The other slaves captured by 
Munro were also sold. In a short time, Nero and Capt. 
Benedict's " boy" Dublin contrived to e.scape. They came 
by the we.st shore of Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga, and 
there swam across the lake, and found their way to Rich- 
mond, Mass. There they reujained until the close of the 
war, when they returned to Ballston, and voluntarily sur- 
rendered themselves respectively to their former owners. 

Joe Bettys, to whom allusion has been made, was the 
son of respectable parents residing in the Ballston district. 
His father, Joseph Bettys, during and subsequent to the 
war, kept a tavern below what is known as the Delavan 
farm, upon the farm now occupied by Mr. Lewis Trites. 
The old man's gravestone may be seen in the cemetery at 
Burnt Hills. The career of Joseph Bettys, Jr., is an 
important item in the early history of Ballston. His name, 
for several years towards tiie close of the war, was a terror to 
its inhabitants. The following account of Bettys is mostly 
compiled from Simms' " Border Wars," and a statement of 
Col. John Ball : 

Col. Ball, a son of Rev. Eliphalet Ball, as early as 1776, 
held a lieutenant's commission in a regiment of New York 
forces commanded by Col. Wynkoop. Being acquainted 
with Bettys, and knowing him to be bold, athletic, and 

* See Judge Scott's address. 



intelligent in an uncommon degree, he succeeded in enlist- 
ing him as a sergeant. Bettys was soon reduced to the 
ranks by reason of some insolence to an officer, who, as he 
alleged, had wantonly abused him. To save him to the 
cause, Ball procured him a sergeantcy in the fleet com- 
manded by Gen. Arnold on Lake Champlain, in 1776. 
Bettys was in the desperate fight between the British and 
American fleets on the lakes, and being a skillful seaman, 
was of signal service during the contest. He fought until 
every commissioned officer on board of his vessel was killed 
or wounded, and then himself assumed command, and con- 
tinued to fight with such reckless courage that Gen. Water- 
bury, who was second in command under Arnold, perceiving 
that the vessel was likely to sink, was obliged to order 
Bettys and the remnant of the crew on board of his own 
vessel. 

He stationed him on the quarter-deck by his side, and 
gave orders through him, until the vessel having become 
disabled, and the crew nearly all killed, Gen. Waterbury 
wounded, and only two officers left, the colors were struck, 
and the remnant made prisoners. They were soon dis- 
charged on their parole. Gen. Waterbury afterwards in- 
formed the Rev. Mr. Ball that he never saw a man behave 
with such deliberate desperation as did Bettys on that occa- 
sion, and that the shrewdness of his management was equal 
to his courage. 

For some reason his gallant services were not recognized 
to his satisfaction, and this neglect his proud spirit and un- 
governable temper could not brook. He afterwards went to 
Canada, joined the loyalists, and receiving an ensigns com- 
mission in the British army, became a spy, and proved him- 
self a most dangerous and subtle enemy. He was at length 
captured and sentenced to be hung at West Point, but the 
entreaties of his aged parents, and the solicitations of in- 
fluential Whigs, induced Gen. Washington to pardon him. 
But it was ill-directed clemency. He was more vindictive 
than ever, and the Whigs in this part of the State, and 
especially in Ballston, soon had occasion to regret the lenity 
they had unfortunately caused to be extended to him. He 
recruited soldiers for the king in our very midst, planned 
and guided many of the raids from tlie north, and was at the 
same time in the employment of the king's officers as a 
most faithful and successful messenger and cunning and in- 
telligent spy. Tliere had been many attempts to apprehend 
him, but he eluded them all. 

In the early spring of 1782, in the present town of 
Clifton Park, about a mile west of Jonesville, one Jacob 
Fulmer was engaged in making maple-sugar in the woods, 
and after remaining there as usual overnight, was relieved 
in the morning by his daughter while he went to his break- 
fast. The morning was very foggy, and she, without being 
observed, saw a man upon snow-shoes, bearing a pack and 
a gun, pass near by and proceed toward the house of a 
widow named Hawkins. This house was upon the farm 
now belonging to L. W. Crosby. The girl immediately 
informed her father, who at once suspected the stranger 
might be Bettys. Calling upon two of his neighbors, 
Perkins and Corey, and all being well armed, they stealthily 
approached the house, and suddenly burst open the door. 
They discovered Bettys, with his back towards them, eating 





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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



73 



his breakfiist, with his rifle by his side. He seized it, but 
not haviiij; takeu the precaution to undo the deer-skin 
cover that protected the lock, was unable to discharge it. 
They seized liiin and tied him seeurely. He a.skod leave to 
smoke, and was partially unbound to afford him the oppor- 
tunity. He went to the fireplace to light his pipe, and 
took soniothing out of his tobacco-box and threw it into 
the fire. Corey noticed this and immediately snatched it 
out with a handful of coals. It was a small leaden box 
about the eighth of an inch in thickness, and contained a 
paper in cipher, which afterwards proved to be a dispatch 
to the British commander in New York, and also contained 
an order on the mayor of New York for £30 .sterliiijr, in 
case the dispatch should be safely delivered. Bettys begged 
for leave to burn the papers, and offered one hundred 
guineas for the privilege, but his captors refused. He then 
despairingly said, " I am a dead man." He was taken to 
Albany, tried by a court-martial, and convicted and hung 
as a spy, to the great relief of the Whigs in this section of 
the State. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
EARLY LAN D-GKANTS— 1684-1713. 

I.— LANDED INTERESTS. 

The readers of this history, if haply any there shall be, 
are doubtless by this time weary of the long, long story of 
the old wilderness warfare that so often empurpled the soil 
of Saratoga County with the blood of the slain, and will 
turn with a ■sense of relief to the story of her social and in- 
dustrial progress, which will form the burden of the re- 
maining chapters. 

And if Old Saratoga has become a high historic name in 
consequence of the heroic deeds of her warfare, she has won 
scarcely less of world-wide fame by reason of her material 
development in her time of peace. Of her it may be truly 
said, in Milton's immortal language. 



" Peace hath her victories 
No less renowned than war." 



Sonnet xvi. 



In the following pages the principal early land-grants of 
Saratoga County will be briefly described, and in most cases 
will be given a copy of the warrant issued to the patentees 
containing the original description of the patent. These 
papers have been transcribed from the original land papers 
on file in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany ex- 
pressly for this work. 

II.— THE SARATOGA PATENT. 

In the earlier years of the colonial period the old Indian 
hunting-grounds lying within the boundaries of the county 
of Saratoga were pure' ased one after another from their 
aboriginal owners, and thereafter became known in history 
as land-grants or patents. The most famous of these old 
patents still retain their old Indian names, — the patents of 
Saratoga and Kay-ad-ros-se-ra. 

The patent of Old Saratoga, which grew out of the old 
hunting-ground of the river hills from which the county 
10 



and the springs derive their name, was among the earliest 
purclia.ses made of the Indians in Saratoga County. It was 
purchased of the Mohawks as early as the year 168-t, but 
the Indian deed was not confirmed by the colonial govern- 
ment and the warrant for the patent issued till the year 
170S, as will appear by the following copy thereof. The 
Saratoga patent is shown on the map facing this chapter. 

" WAURANT FOR SARATOGA PATENT. 

" Bi/ hiti ExcclUtU'ij, Edward^ Vinatunt Citnibiiri/, Cttptain-Genentl aud 
(rovenior-hi-Chie/ of the Prrtvincea ti/ New York and New Jersei/y 
and tei'i'itories depending on them in Aniei-ictty and Vice-Admiral 
of the same, etc., in council this 2oth d-iy of October, 1708. 
" To Mojor llicldctj, Esq., Attornei/-Gcneral of the Province of New 
York : 
" You arc hereby required and directed to prepare a draft of a 
pateut of confirmation for Colonel Peter Schuyler, Robert Livings- 
ton, Esq., Dirck Wessels, Esq., Jan .Jan Bleecker, Esq., Johannes 
Schuyler, Esq., arul to Cornelius Van Dyck, the grandchild and heir- 
at-law of Cornelius Van Dyck, deceased, for a certain tract of land 
situate and being to the northward of the city of Albany, on both 
sides of the Hudson river, formerly granted unto some of them and 
others, under and from whom the rest do at present hold and enjoy 
by patent from Cohmel Tomas Dongan, sometime (iovernor-in-Chief of 
the province of New York, the limits and boundaries of which land 
are to bo ascertained in the manner, that is to say : Beginning at the 
south side of the mouth of a certain creek on the west side of Hud- 
son's river, commonly called by the Indians Tionoondehows, and by 
the Christians Anthony's Kill, which is the up[)crmost bounds of the 
land formerly purchased by Goosie Gerritson and Pliilip Peterson 
Schuyler, and from thence descending westerly into the woods by the 
said creek, on the south side thereof, as it runs six English miles; 
and if the said creek do not stretch so far into the wood, then from 
the end thereof east by a straight line until it shall be six miles dis- 
tant from Hudson's river, upon a measured straight line; and from 
thence northerly by a line parallel to the course of Hudson's river, 
until it come opposite to and bear east from the soulh side from 
another creek's mouth on the east side of Hudson's river, called 
Tionoondehows, which upon Hudson's river is computed to be dis- 
tant from the mouth of Tionoondehows aforesaid about twenty two 
English miles, be it more or less, and from the left termination by a 
straight line to be drawn east to the north side of the mouth of the 
said creek, Tionoondehows ; and from thence continued east six 
miles into the woods on the east side of Hudson's river, and from 
thence by a line southerly parallel to the course of the said Hudson's 
river, and six miles distant from the same, so far southerly until it 
come opposite to and bear east six miles distant from the north .'-ide 
of the mouth of Schardhook Kill, which is the boundary of Schard- 
hook patent, late belonging to Henry Van Rensselaer, to hold it 
thence, in manner following: that is to say, for so much thereof as 
by the former patents had been divided for arable land to Peter 
Schuyler, lot No. 1, and one half the lot No. 6, to and for the use of 
the said Peter Schuyler, and of his heirs and assigns forever, to 
Robert Livingston ; his lot, No. 5, and one half the lot No. 5, to and 
for the sole use to Dirck Wessels ; his lot. No. 3, to and for the solo 
use to Jan Jans Bleecker; his lot, No. 2, to and tor the solo use to 
Joh,innes ; his lot, No. 4, to and for the sole use also to Caroline 
Van Dyck, the grandchild and heir-at-law of the said Caroline Van 
Dyck, deceased; the lot No. 7 in trust, nevertheless, to and for the 
use or uses for which the farm is devised by the last will and testa- 
ment of his said gratidfather, deceased; failing which use or uses, to 
the use of hituself, and his heirs aud assigns forever, and for so 
much as reniaius undivided according to the heir's use of, positively, 
that is to say : to Peter Schuyler and Robert Livingston, to each of 
them three-fourteenth parts ; and to each of the others two fourteenth 
parts of the whole undivided land contained in the said patent, the 
farm being divided in fourteen equal parts, at and under the yearly 
quitrent of twenty bushels of winter wheat; and for your so doing 
this shall be your sufficient warrant. Corndirv." 

Dated as above.*" 



Land Paper, v. 4, p. 165. 



74 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



irr.— THE KAY-AD-ROS-SERA PATENT. 

Bj far the largest iiiid most important land-grant made 
in colonial times, any part of wliicli lay within the bounds 
of Saratoga County, was the patent founded on the old 
Indian hunting-ground of Ka^-ad-ros-se-ra. This large 
tract includes the greater part of Saratoga County, and 
runs also on the north into Warren county, and on the west 
into Montgomery and Fulton. 

Kaf/-ad-rf>S'Se-ra^ '* the country of the lake of the 
crooked stream," as 'has already been seen in these pages, 
was the favorite hunting-ground of the Mohawk branch 
of the Iroquois or Five Nations of central New York. 
The Indian deed was obtained of the Molufwk chief in the 
year 1703, but the jiatent was not granted till tlie year 
1708, and the Indians did not ratify the purchase till the 
year 1768. This patent was, therefore, disputed ground 
for more than sixty years. 

The first attempt made to obtain a grant of any part of 
Kay-ad-ros-se-ra was made in the j^ear 1698. On the 1st day 
of April, 1698, Robert Livingston, Jr., and David Schuy- 
ler petitioned for a part of Kuy-tid-ros-se-rd lying north of 
the Saratoga patent up as far as the Little Carrying-Place, 
and running as far back into the wood as the Indian prop- 
erty goes. Ill the year 1702, on the 26th of August, the 
Indians granted this tract to Livingston and Schuyler, de- 
scribed as aforesaid. This was the first Indian deed of any 
part of Kay-ad'Tos-se-ra . When the proprietors of the 
whole patent acfpiired their title, they obtained a release 
from Livingston and Schuyler of their interest. 

The first paper on file in the office of the Secretary of 
State, at Albany, in relation to the patent of Kny-ad-ros- 
se-ra, is the following petition : 

PETITIOM FOIt KAVADROSSKRA, 
*' Tohii Excellenr}/, Eilicard, Vinconiit Citnihury, Cnptain- General rind 
Govenior~iii~ Chief in and over the Province of Nriv Ynrk and Ter- 
ritoriea depeudlny thereon in AmericUj and Vice- Admiral of the 
ftarne, etc., in council. 
*' The hnmble pe^V/oJi of Sampson Shehnn Brontjhtim, Esq., Altonicij- 
Geiieral of the said Province, in Ijfjho/f of h ininelf and Conip. Most 
humbly sheircth : 
"That your petitioner being informed of a certain tract of vacant 
and unappropriated land in the County of Albany, called or known 
by the Indian name of Kayarossos, adjoining to the north bounds of 
Schenectady, on the east side thereof, to the west bounds of Saratoga, 
on the north side thereof, and to Albany river on the west side (hereof. 
*' Your said petitioner most humbly prays your Excellency that he 
may have a license to treat with the native Indinns, present posses- 
Bors and owners of the said tract of land, for the jiurchase thereof, 
and to purchase the same 

"And your petitioner humbly, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, 
etc.* 

*' Sa. Sh. Broughton." 

The prayer of this petitioner was not at first granted, 
and Sampson Shelton Broughton, the petitioner, dying, his 
widow, Mary Broughton, presented the following petition : 

MAItY BUOI'GHTON's PETITION. 

" To kis Excellency, Edward, Viscount Cornhnvy, Captain- G eneral and 
Oovernor-in- Ch iff in and over Her Majesty's Province of New York 
and Territories adjoiniiu/ thereon in America, and Vicc-Admiral 
of the same, etc., in council. 

" The humble petitinv of Mary lirovghion, widow and relict of Sampson 
Shelton Urouyhton, deceased, late Attorney-General of the said 
Province, in behalf of herself and company. Most humbly sheweth : 

^ Land Papers, p. 122, v. 3. 



"That your Excellency's petitioner's late husband in bis lifetime 

obtained of your Excellency in council, for the benefit of himself and 
company, a license to purchase of the native Indian proprietors a 
certain traet of vacant and unappropriated land in the county of Al- 
bany, called or known by the Intlian name of Kayaderosses, adjoin- 
ing to the north bounds of Schenectady patent, together with the 
vacancies that lie between the Ael place down along the river about 
one mile more or less, on the east side thereof to the west hounds of 
Saratoga patent, on the north side thereof to Albany river, and on 
the west side thereof to the native Indians and proprietors thereof, 
for their improvement, the north bounds running along the said river 
of Albany thereof; said tract of land your said petitioner's late hus- 
band in his lifetime did purchase from the native Indians, proprietors, 
on the 6th of October, 170-i, in pursuance of your Excellency's license 
for that purpose, obtained on the 2d day of November, 1704, for the 
use and benefit of your said petitioner's late husband and company, 
lis by the said receipted license and Indian deed of purchase now 
ready to be produced to your Excellency, will more at large appear ; 
and whereas your said petitioner's late husband in his lifetime did 
petition your Excellency for a grant of the said land for himself and 
company, David Schuyler and Robert Livingston, Jr., then in this 
city, did oppose the granting thereof, and entered a caveat against 
the same; your Excellency upon a full hearing of the parties on both 
sides, on the 6th day of November, 1 704, being the day appointed for 
that purpose, was pleased to declare then in council that the pretence 
of the said David Schuyler and Robert Livingston were groundless 
and frivohms, chiefly since the purchase was they provided to have 
made of formed parts of the said tract of land was made {if made it 
was) without any license from your Excellency for thnt purpose, and 
ordered therefore, that your caveat then so entered should be dis- 
missed and also referred the said petitioner to further consideration. 

" Your Excellency's petitioner therefore most humbly pniys your 
Excellency will be pleased that the said reference which has been so 
long depending before your Excellency, may be determined : and your 
said petitioner's husband being unhappily dead since the said trans- 
action, to the inexpressible loss of your petitioner and family, your 
petitioner most humbly prays that her name may be inserted in the 
said grant in place of that of her said late husband, for the benefit of 
your said ])etiti(fner's family and company. 

'•'And your Excellency's said petitioner, as in duty bound, shall 
ever pray, etc.j" 

*' Mary Bkoughton." 

On the 17th of April, 1807, Samuel Broughton, son of 
Sampson Shelton Broughton, filed a petition in behalf of his 
mother praying that she might take her husband's interest 
in the grant. 

In the mean time Mary Broughton had gone back to 
England and taken the Indian deed of Kayadrossera with 
her among her husband's papers. 

In the year 1808, the other proprietors filed a petition 
setting forth the ftict of their not having possession of the 
Indian deed, and accounting for its absence as above stated. 

A long controversy ensued between the Broughtons and 
the other patentees, which was finally compromised by mak- 
ing Siimuel Broughton, the son of Sampson Shelton Brough- 
ton, one of the jxitentees. 

The following is the warrant for this patent, which was 
finally granted to thirteen owners in common. This war- 
rant contains a description of the patent by which all sur- 
veys were governed ; 

^VARRANT FOR KAYADROSSERA. 
*• Dyhin Excellency. Edward, Vincount Cornbury, Captain-General and 
Governor-in- Chief of the Provinces of New York, New Jersey, and 
Territories dependimj thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of 
the same, etc, in council, this 22d day of October, 1701. 
^' To Major Bickley, Esq., Attorney-General of the Province of New 
York : 
"You are hereby required to prepare a draft of letters-patent for 
Naning Harmanse, Johannes Eeekman, Rip Van Dam, Ann Bridges, 

f Land Papers, p. 42. 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



To 



Major Bickley, Peter Fauconnier, Adrian Hoghland, Johannes Fisher, 
Jubn Tuder, Ixris Hoghland, John Stevens, and John Gatham, for all 
that traet of land situate, lying, and being in the county of Albany, 
called Kayadarossera, nllan Queen's Horough, beginning at a place on 
Schenectady river, about three miles distant from the southwesterly 
corner of the bounds of Nest igiou's, the said place being the southwest- 
erly corner of the patent lately granted to Naning Ha-manse, Peter 
Fauconnier, and others ; thence along the said Schenectady river west- 
erly to the southeastly corner of a patent lately granteil to William Ap- 
ple : thence along the easterly, northerly, and westerly lines of said 
William Apple's patent down to the above said river; thence to the 
Schenectady bounds, or the southeasterly corner of said patent on said 
river, so along the easterly, northerly, and westerly bounds thereof 
down to the sai(i river again; thence along the said river up westerly 
to the southeasterly bounds of a tract of laud lately granted to Eben- 
ezer Willson and John Aboot, and so along the said patent round to 
the southwesterly corner thereof on said SchenCL'tady river ; thence 
continuing to run westerly up along said Schenectady river to a place 
or hill calletl Iweelowando, being live miles distant, or thereabouts, 
from the said southwesterly corner of said Willson's and Aboot's 
patent; thence northerly to the northwestmost head of a creek called 
Kayaderossera, about fourteen miles, — more or less ; thence eight miles 
more northerly ; thence easterly or northeasterly to the third falls on 
Albany river, about twenty miles, — more or less ; thence along the said 
river down southerly to the northeasterly bounds of Saratoga ; thence 
along said Saratoga's northerly, westerly, and southerly bounds on said 
river; thence to the northeasterly corner of Anthony Van Sch.aiek's 
land, <m said river, so northerly and westerly along said Van Schaick's 
patent to the northeast corner of the above said patent grantetl to 
Naning, Fauconnier, and others : thence along the northerly and west- 
erly bounds thereof, down to the above said river of Schenectady, 
being the place where it first begun. To hold to the said Naning llar- 
niense, Johannes Beekman, Rip Van Dam, Ann Bridges, Major 
Bickley, Peter Fauconnier, Adrian Hoghland, Johannes Fisher, John 
Tuder, .Juris Hoghland, Johu Stauen, and John Gatham, their heirs 
and assigns forever, at and under the yearly quitrent of four pounds 
. . . and for so doing this shall be your suiBjient warrant. Dated 
as above. 

" By order of his Excellency in council .■:•' 

" CoRNBiinv." 

After the patent of K;iyadros.?ei'a was granted, in the 
year 1708, the patentee.? slumbered on their rights. It was 
a condition of the grant that a settlement ishould be made 
within seven years after its date and discovery. It does 
not appe;rv that any attempt at settlement was made, but 
one petition after anotiier was filed by the patentees, pray- 
ing an extension of the time for settlement. 

In 1732 the patentees filed a petition, asking that the 
patent might be surveyed and its boundaries determined, 
on account of various depredations that were being com- 
mitted on it by adjoining owners who disputed the line. 

But nothing was done towards a survey; and again, for 
more than thirty years, the owners of this magnificent 
domain slumbered upon their rights. 

At length, in 1703, the French and Indian war being 
over, the patentees of Kayadrossera began to look, with 
longing eyes, after their lands. In the year 1764, some 
one of them began to issue permits to settlers to enter 
upon and occupy portions of the patent. 

In pursuance of these permits, several families moved 
upon the patent in the vicinity of Saratoga lake, at the 
mouth of the Kayadrossera river. 

In the fall of that year the Mohawks, upon their hunting 
excursion, fell \ipon these settlers and drove them away. 

Learning from the settlers that they claimed it by pur- 
chase, the Mohawks became alarmed, as they said they had 
never heard of such purchase. 

* Land Papers, v. 4, p. 165. 



The Mohawks at once appealed to Sir William Johnson, 
and were surprised to learn that the whole of their favorite 
hunting-ground had been deeded away by their fathers 
more than two generations before. 

'• Abraham," the brother of King Hendrik, in an elo- 
quent harangue, presented the case to Sir William, claim- 
ing that, after the most diligent inquiry among the oldest 
people of his tribe, it could not be ascertained that any 
such grant had ever been uiade. 

In conclusion, " Abraham" demanded in the name of 
the tribe that the patent be relin(|uishcd. 

Sir William took up the matter warmly in favor of the 
Mohawks, and made every effort in his power to have the 
patent set aside. 

In the first place, Sir William wrote to Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Colders, stating the case as he understood it, and 
urging relief. 

That very autumn. Sir William introduced a bill into 
the Colonial A.ssembly to vacate the patent on the ground 
of fraud. 

These measures failing, in the year 1765 Sir William 
appealed to the council in person in behalf of his dusky 
brethren, but the members of the council put him off with, 
among other things, tiie plea that to vacate the patent in 
council would be disrespectful to the council who granted 
it. By this time the controversy had been taken up 
warmly by all the tribes of tiie confederacy of the Six 
Nations, and Sir William in their behalf petitioned to have 
the patent vacated on the ground of fraud by act of P;ir- 
liament. 

At length the proprietors themselves became alarmed for 
the safety of their patent, and offered to compromise with 
the Indians by paying them a certain sum of money to 
satisfy their claim. The Mohawks thought the sum 
offered too .small, and the effort failed. 

Thus the matter went on till the year 1768, when the 
proprietors of Kayadrossera gave to the governor. Sir 
Henry Moore, full power to settle with the Indians. In 
pursuance of this authority, Sir Henry proceeded to the 
Moh<iwk country in the early summer of 1768, and called a 
council of the Indians to deliberate upon the matter. But 
it was found that the proprietors had no copy of the Indian 
deed to produce in evidence on the occasion, and that, as 
no survey had ever been made, no proper understanding of 
the subject could be arrived at, and the council was dis- 
solved. Upon his return to New York, the governor or- 
dered a survey of the patent to be made. The outlines of 
this great patent were accordingly given by the surveyor- 
general, and, the boundaries being ascertained, a compro- 
mise was arrived at. The proprietors relinquished a large 
tract on the northwestern quarter of what they had claimed 
to be their land, and fixed the northern and western bound- 
aries as they now run. They likewise paid the Indians 
the sum of five thousand dollars in full of all their claims 
and the Mohawks thereupon ratified the patent and forever 
relinquished their claims to their old favorite hunting- 
ground.f 



f See Life and Times of Sir William Johnson, by Colonel Wm. 
L. Stone, vol. ii. 



76 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The Indian title being thus quieted, the proprietors pro- 
ceeded at once to survey their lands. 

Such proceedings were had that commissioners were ap- 
pointed to partition the patent among its owners. The 
commissioners completed their survey in the year 1771. 
They divided the patent into twenty-five allotments, and 
each allotment into thirteen equal lots, that being the num- 
ber of the original proprietors. 

The proprietors, or their heirs or assigns, as the ca.se 
might be, cast lots as to location, each having a single lot 
in each allotment. It would doubtless be interesting to 
trace more in detail the incidents attending the granting 
and settlement of this important patent, but our space will 
not permit. Its situation is clearly shown by the map 
accompanying this chapter. 

IV.— THE APPLE PATENT. 

On the 13th day of April, 1708, William Apple peti- 
tioned Governor lidward, Lord Viscount Cornbury, setting 
forth that twenty years before, he and his partner, Harmanus 
Hagadorn, had planted a field of corn on the north bank 
of the Mohawk, in the county of Albany, and when it was 
all ready for the harvest, the Mohaioks, who were on the 
war-path against Canada, encamped in the field and destroyed 
it, to their loss of $400. That, in consideration therefor, 
the Mv/iawks thereafter gave them a deed of the land, 
signed by four sachems of the tribe. The land was do- 
scribed in the Indian deed as follows, to wit : 

" A certain piece of land lying at the north side of the 
river Schenectady (Mohawk) nigh the bounds of the said 
town, beginning at a creek called Eel-Place, along the said 
river, under the high rocky hills, and from the said river- 
side northea.st into the woods unto the Long lake, being in 
breadth alongst the said river one mile or thereabouts." 

The j)etition further set forth that thereafter the peti- 
tioner was wounded in the attack on Schenectady, on the 
8th February, 1 690, and that he had a large family of small 
children dependent upon him for support. 

Out of this petition grew the Apple patent, indicated on 
the map which faces this chapter. 

v.— THE VAN SCIIAICK PATENT. 

This patent includes the present town of Watorford and 
part of Half-Moon. A copy of the survey of the patent 
is herewith appended. 

SURVEY OP THE VAN SCHAICK PATENT. 

The boundaries of a certain parcel of land in the county 
of Albany, confirmed unto Anthony Van Schaick, by Gov- 
ernor Thomas Dongan, 31st May, 1687. 

A certain parcel of tract of land, and being to the north 
and above the town of Albany, and is commonly called and 
known by the name of the Half-Moon, which .stretches up 
alongst the North river, from a certain place where are 
several streams of water, to a creek or kill, where there is 
a fall of waters, which, running into the land, hath its 
course into the North river ; the said creek, or kill, and fall 
being by the Indians called Tieuwenendahow ; and from 
thence runs up the Maquas kill westward, to a place called 
Dowailsoiaex, and so strikes presently eastward up along 



by the said stream, and then to the North river aforemen- 
tioned.* 

A true copy, taken from the original by Philip Livingston. 

VI.— THE CLIFTON PARK PATENT. 

Among the earlier patents granted was the Ska-nen-da- 
ho-wa, or Clifton Park patent. Its situation is sufficiently 
indicated on the accompanying map, and it is sufficiently 
described in the following paper relating thereto, which is 
on file in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany. 

" WAURA.NT POIt CLIFTON PARK PATENT. 

" By hi« Excellency, Edward Viscount Cornburtf, Captain-General 
and Governor-in-Chief of the Provincea of New York, New Jer- 
sey, etc., in council this Xlth of September, 1703. 
" To Major Birkley, Esq., Attorney-General of this Province: 

" You are hereby requireii to prepare a draft of letters patent for 
Naning Harmansen. Peter Faucoiiuier, Henry IlolIanJ, Henry Swift, 
and Wra. Morripon, for a certain tract or piece of land in the county 
of Albany, called Shenondehowah. also Clifton Park, ranging in a 
northern line from the Mohawks, Cohoes or Schenectady river, along 
the western bounds of Anthony Van Schoyck's patent, about si.x 
miles northerly up into the woods, together with a small island a 
little to the eastward of the southwest corner of said Van Schoyck's 
land; then along the said river westward to the eastmost bounds of 
Nestigion's patent, so all along the east bounds of Nestigion's as 
far as the same run northward, and then all along the northern 
bounds of said Nestigion's patent as far as the same runneth west- 
ward ; then down to the river-side along the westward bounds of 
said patent to the river again, and three English miles, or there- 
abouts, uj)wards to the west along the said river-side; then six miles 
or thereabouts from said river side up into the woods northward, 
and then to meet from thence on an eastern line with the line first 
run along the above said Anthony Van Schoyck's western bounds, 
said small island included, with a line jtarellel to the bounds of the 
afore-mentionod river, to hold to them the said Nanning Harmansen, 
Peter Fauconnier, Henry Holland, Henry Swift, and Wm. Morrison, 
in manner and for the fidlowing: that is to say, two-ninth jiart 
thereof to said Naning Harmansen, his heirs, and two other ninth 
part thereof to said Peter Fauconnier, his heirs, and two other ninth 
part thereof to Henry Holland, and two other ninth part thereof to 
Henry Swift, his heirs, and the other one last ninth part thereof to 
William Morris, at and under the yearly quitrent of forty shillings, 
on condition of settling the same within three years after a peace 
between Her Majesty and the French king shall be publicly declared 
in this province, and for so doing this shall be your warrant. 

" By order, Corneuiiv." 

VII.— THE PATENT TO JOHN GLEN AND FORTY-FOUR 
OTHERS. 

The following is a survey of this patent. It is indicated 
on the map accompanying this chapter. 

SURVEY FOR JOHN GLEN ANB FORTY-FOUR OTHERS. 

" Pursuant to a warrant from his late excellency. Sir Henry Moore, 
Baronet, then captain-general and governor-in-ehicf in and over the 
province of New York and the territories depending thereon in 
America, chancellor and vice-admiral of the same, bearing date the 
ninth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and si.\ty-nine. 

" Surveyed by Manning ^^ischer for John Glen, Junior, Simon 
Schermerhorn, and their associates. All that certain tract or parcel 
of land situate, lying, and being in the county of Albany and within 
the province of New York, — 

"Beginning at the distance of one hundred and five chains, meas- 
ured on a course soutll si.vty-one degrees west from a black ash-tree 
standing near the head of one of the branches of a brook called and 
known by the name of Kayaderosseras, which said black ash-tree 
was marked by the commissioners appointed to make division of a 
tract of land called and known by the name of the patent of Kaya- 
derosseras, and runs thence south sixty-one degrees west one thou- 

* Land Papers, vol. vi. p. 17. 



HISTOIIY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



77 



sand two hundred and nineteen chains; thin north fifteen degrees 
and thirty minutes east two hundred and sixty-eight chains; then 
south twenty-nine degrees and thirty minutes east eighty-one chains 
and three rods ; then north sixty degrees and forty-live minutes east 
three hundred and seventy-six chains; then north eleven degrees 
west one hundred and forty-one chains; then north sixty-seven de- 
grees and forty minutes cast forty-five chains; then north forty de- 
grees and forty minutes east three hundred and seventy-seven chains ; 
then north fifty-two and thirty minutes west five chains; then noith 
twenty-nine degrees and thirty minutes east two iiundrcd and sixty- 
two chains; then north tifty-two degrtes and thirty minutes west 
seventy-eight cliains, to the Sacandaga or west hranch of Hudson's 
river. 

" Then down the soutlieru banl< of the said brnnch, as it winds and 
turns, to a hemlock-tree marlicd with the letter B ; then north eighty- 
four degrees and eight minutes west five hundred and sixty-nine 
chains, to a hemlock-tree marked eight miles: then south one hun- 
dred and ten chains ; tlien west ninety chains ; then south five hundred 
aud eighty chains, to the place where this tract began, — 

" Containing forty-five thousand acres of land, and the usual 
allowance for highways. ■•* 

" Given under my hand this second day of July, one thousand 
seven hundred and seventy. 

" Alex. Coldr.v, 

" Snri-ei/or-GtHeraL" 

VIII.— OTHER P.-iTENTS. 

Palmer's Purchase. — This large patent lies partly in 
three counties, Saratoga, Warren, and Ilaiuilton ; the part 
in this county is indicated on the map. 

The Niskayuna Patent was granted April 13, 1703. 
It is a small patent lying near the Mohawk river, in the 
south part of the town of Clifton Park, as indicated on 
the map. 

The Dartmouth Patent lie.? partly in the eastern 
part of the town of Hadly, and extends northerly up the 
Hudson into Warren county. 

The Northampton Patent lies partly in this county, 
along both sides of the Sacondaga river, in the town of 
Edinburgh. 

The Livingston Patents lie in the valley of the 
Sacondaga, in the town of Edinburgh, northeasterly of the 
Northampton patent. 

The John Glen Patent is a small gore of land, lying 
between the Hudson and the north line of the Kay-ad-ros- 
se-ra patent, at South Glen Falls, in the town of Moreau. 
The fourteen patents above named are all the whole or any 
part of which lies in Saratoga^ County. Only such docu- 
ments as best show the extent and boundaries of the larger 
patents have been given here. The voluminous records 
relating to these fourteen patents can all be easily found in 
the archives of the State department, at Albany, by con- 
sulting the Calendar of Land Papers. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT— COUNTY ORGANI- 
ZATION— CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL 
LIST. 

I.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Upon the land-grants described in the foregoing chapter 
the early settlement of Saratoga County began. To write 
the history of the settlement and development of Saratoga 



* Land Papers, vol. xxvii. p. 64. 



County is to trace that history through the greater part of 
three centuries. Its history began early in the seventeenth, 
and now we are nearing the close of the nineteenth. But 
the history of the early settlement of the county is so fully 
given in the histories of the several towns which follow this 
general history, that it would be but needless repetition to 
attempt it here. And in following the annals of the early 
settlements of the towns it will be seen what a matter of 
hardship and toil, of difficulty and danger, it was to be the 
pioneers of a new and savage country. 

The fate of Ballston, like that of Wyoming and Cherry 
Valley, suggests the various risks of the pioneer settlers, 
who in those early days laid siege to the grim old wilder- 
ness. 

At the mention of those early settlements there rises at 
once in our mind's eye the log hut in the centre of the 
little clearing, the scanty crop of corn among the charred 
logs and blackened stumps of the felled trees. Around all 
stands the shadowy forest, which the fears of the anxious 
housewife and the little children people with lurking 
Indians and wild beasts of prey ; while the father guides 
the plow, with his trusty rifle hidden in a corner of the 
field. The whole is a scene of faith, courage, and endur- 
rance, which will never be equaled again. 

The first settlers confined themselves to the banks of the 
Mohawk, and to the protection of the forts and military 
works erected during the long and bloody French and 
Indian wars. It was not till after the war of the Revolu- 
tion was over that the full tide of immigration set in for 
Saratoga County. 

At the time of its separate county organization, in 1791, 
Saratoga had within its borders more than seventeen 
thousand inhabitants. 

II.— COUNTY organization. 

On the 17th day of February, in the year 1791, an act 
was passed by the Legislature of the State of New York, 
entitled, "An act for apportioning the representation in 
the Legislature, according to the rules prescribed in the 
Constitution, and for other purposes." By section one of 
that act the towns of Easton and Cambridge were annexed 
to Washington county, the county of Rensselaer created, and 
it was further provided, " That all that part of the county 
of Albany, which is bounded easterly by the Hudson river 
and counties of Wasliington and Rensselaer, southerly by 
the most northerly sprout of said river and the town of 
SchenecUidy, westerly by the county of Montgomery, and 
northerly by the county of Washington, shall be one sep- 
arate and distinct county, and be called and known by the 
name of Saratoga.' 

By otiier sections of the same statute, provision was 
made for holding the several courts of the State therein, 
and local courts were provided for as well as representation 
in both Houses of the Legislature, and it was directed that 
all prisoners should be kept in the Albany county jail until 
a new jail should be built in the county of Saratoga. 

The courts of the State at the time of the formation of 
this county were — 

1. Tlie Court of Errorst, consisting of the lieutenant- 
governor, the senators, the chancellor, and the judges of the 



78 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Supreme Court. This court had sqle power to try im- 
peachments, and a general appellate jurisdiction over the 
courts below. 

2. The Coui-t of Cliancery, with exclusive jurisdiction 
in equity causes. 

3. The Siq^reme Court of Jiulicatare, consisting of a 
chief justice and three puisne judges. This court sat in 
banc, and heard appeals from the courts below. 

4. Tlie Circuit Court, which was held in each county 
at least once in every year by one of the judges of the 
Supreme Court. It had jurisdiction over all issues of 
law. 

5. ^4 Court of Common Pleas in each county. — This 
court consisted of a first judge and at least three judges, 
and had jurisdiction over all actions at law arising within 
the count}^ 

6. The Court of Oyer and 2'erminer. — This was a crim- 
inal branch of the circuit court, presided over by a circuit 
judge and at least three commissioned justices of the peace 
of the county, of whom one might be a county judge. 

7. The Court of General Sessions. — This was a criminal 
court, held by any three of the justices of the peace of the 
county, and of which a judge of common pleas must always 
be a member. 

Governor Clinton appointed John Thompson, of Still- 
water, first judge ; James Gordon and Beriah Palmer, of 
Baiiston, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, of Half-Moon, and 
Sidney Berry, of Saratoga, as judges. Sidney Berry was 
appointed surrogate, Jacob Fort, Jr., of Half-Moon, sheriff, 
and Dirck Swart, of Stillwater, county clerk. 

The first session of the common pleas met at the resi- 
dence of Samuel Clark, in what is now the town of Malta, 
then Stillwater, on the 10th day of May, 1791. It was 
held by Judge Tliom]ison and the four judges above named, 
with John Varnan, Eliphalet Kellogg, and Efjenetus White, 
associate justices of sessions. 

The first session of the court of general sessions was 
held at the same place, on the 10th of May, 17'J1, presided 
over by James Gordon, judge, and John Varnam, Epenetus 
White, Eliphalet Kellogg, Richard Davis, Jr., Douw J. 
Fonda, Elias Palmer, Nathaniel Douglas, John Ball, and 
John Bradstreet, justices of the peace. A grand jury 
was sworn in, consisting of Richard Davis, Jr., Joshua 
Taylor, John Donald, Henry Davis, Hezekiah Ketchum, 
Seth C. Baldwin, Ezra Hallibort, John Wood, Samuel 
Wood, Edy Baker, Elisha Andrews, Gideon Moore, Abra- 
ham Livingston, and John Bleekor. 

The first term of the circuit court and court of oyer 
and terminer was held at the house of Jedediah Rogers, 
in Clifton Park, then Half-Moon, Chief Justice Robert 
Yates presiding, on Tuesday, the 7th day of July, 1791. 
The next term was held in the church at Stillwater, June 
4, 1792, and the third term in the Presbyterian church at 
Baiiston, July 9, 1793. 

III.— BUILDING THE FIRST COURT-HOUSE. 
On the 2Gth day of March, 1794, an act was passed by 
the Legislature appointing John Bradstreet Schuyler, Rich- 
ard Davis, Jr., James Emmott, John Ball, and John 
McClelland commissioners for locating the couuty-seat and 



building the court-house and jail. In those early days 
Baiiston Spa and Saratoga Springs were scarcely considered 
settlements, there being but a single log house or two in 
each. But Baiiston Centre and Jlilton were thriving vil- 
lages, and the principal contest for the county-seat lay be- 
tween these two places. The contest lasted some time, 
when Edward A. Watrous, of Baiiston, offered to give the 
county a site on his farm for a court-house and jail so long 
a.s the same should be used for such purposes. The offer 
was accepted by the commission, and Baiiston was declared 
to be the shire town. 

A contract was made with Luther Leet to build the 
court-house. It was built of wood, two stories in height, 
and fifty feet square, with a onestory wing in the rear, 
twenty by thirty feet. It cost the sum of S6750. The first 
court held therein was the May term of the common pleas 
and court of general sessions for 179G. The first circuit 
court and court of oyer and terminer, held in the court- 
house on Baiiston hill, was presided over by Judge John 
Lansing, in 1799. Courts were afterwards held there by 
Judges Kent, Radoliff, Morgan Lewis, Smith Thompson, 
Ambrose Spencer, William W. Van Ness, and Jonas Piatt, 
who held the last term there in May, 1815. 

A little thriving village had grown up around the court- 
house on Baiiston hill, and it had grown into quite a busi- 
ness centre; but on the 25th day of March, 1816, the 
court-house took fire, and was burned to the ground. 

Since the old court-house had been built, the villages of 
Saratoga Springs and Baiiston Spa had grown into important 
watering-places, and no sooner was it burned than a .sharp 
rivalry sprang up between the two places for the county- 
seat. 

IV.— BUILDING THE PRESENT COURT-HOUSE. 

On the 14th of March, 1817, an act was passed by the 
Legislature appointing Elisha Powell and James Merrill, of 
Milton, Isaac Geer, of Galway, John Gibson, of Baiiston, 
and Gilbert Waring, of Saratoga, commissioners to relocate 
the county-seat and build a court-house and jail, at an ex- 
pense of $10,000. 

Court-house hill, the site of the old court-hou.se, Saratoga 
Springs, Dunning street, Waterford, and Baiiston Spa were 
each warm competitors for the honor. But Baiiston Spa 
had the majority in the commission. That village, situate 
in the town of Milton, was selected for the site of the 
county buildings, and the town of Milton made the shire 
town of the county, which it has ever since remained. 

The new court-house, which is the present structure 
without the wing, was built nearly after the model of the 
old one. Its dimensions were sixty-six by fifty feet, the 
wing having been added some years later It was com- 
pleted in time for the spring circuit of 1819, and the courts 
of the county have been regularly held in it to the present 
day. 

FIRST BOARD OK SUPERVISORS. 

The first board of supervisors of Saratoga County con- 
sisted of only four members, as there were only four towns 
in the county, viz., Saratoga, Baiiston, Half-Moon, and 
Stillwater. It met in Stillwater on the 2d day of June, 
1791, the following being the members of the board: Be- 



^■ 






^^^^ £,fr^/.^^ ^^fe^.^-Q ^/^^^^/>r 02.^JB 



^J^ /y^^p€€>n^ t?^4 











HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



79 



riah Palmer, Elias Palmer, John B. Schuyler, Benjamin 
Rosekrans. 

On the opposite page is presented a /(ic-sitm'/e of one of 
the first orders made by the board. 

v.— THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 

When King Charles II., in the years 1GG3-64 and 
1074, granted to his brother James, Duke of York and 
Albany, the vast province of the New Netherlands, and 
forcibly seizing it from the Dutch, its rightful owners, 
named it New York, in honor of the duke, he also granted 
with it to the duke plenary powers of government over the 
province. 

The duke accordingly exercised his power as sole pro- 
prietor of this province by governors of his own appoint- 
ment. The first governor appointed by the duke as 
proprietor was Governor Richard Nicoll.s, Sept. 8, 1664, 
and the last was Governor Thomas Dongan, Aug. 27, 
1083. It was under the Duke of York as proprietor that, 
on the 1st day of November, 1683, Governor Dongan 
divided the province into ten counties, and named them 
after the duke and the king and family, as described in 
Chapter 11. 

But on the 6th day of February, 168,5, the Duke of 
York ascended the throne of England as James TI.,and his 
title as proprietor to the province merged in his crown, and 
it henceforth ceased to be a charter government. 

From that time, for a period of ninety years, up to the 
War of the Revolution, the colony of New York was a 
royal government, with a constitution resembling that of 
Great Britain. 

Executive Power. — The executive power of the 
colony was vested in a governor appointed by the king, 
and holding oflSce during the royal will, and po.ssessing 
ample powers. In imitation of the king's Privy Council, 
the governor had a council consisting of twelve members, 
also appointed by the king, and holding their office during 
the royal will and pleasure. With the governor, any three 
of them made a quorum. 

Legislative Power. — The legislative body of the 
province consisted of the governor, representing the king; 
of the council, who stood in the place of the House of 
Lords ; and the representatives of the people, corresponding 
to the House of Commons in England. 

Of these representatives each of the ten counties sent 
two ; the township of Schenectady, the borough of West- 
chester, and the three manors of Rensselaerwych, Living- 
ston, and Cortlandt, each sent one, — ^making in all a body 
of twenty-five representatives. After the erection of the 
four new counties of Cumberland, Gloucester, Tryon, and 
Charlotte, it made a body of thirty-three representatives. 

The legislative body so constituted was called the General 
Assembly. With the advice of his council, the governor 
had full power to convene, adjourn, prorogue, or dissolve 
the General Assembly, as he should judge necessary. 

Laws. — The common law of England was considered as 
the fundamental law of the province. 

l/ie Judicial Poicer. — First, there was a court of chancery 
in which the governor sat as chancellor. The ofiicers of 
this court were a master of the rolls, two masters, two 



clerks in court, a register and examiner, and a sergeant-at- 
arms. Second, the supreme court. Third, the court of 
common pleas. Fourth, justices' courts. These courts 
were the models after which the early courts of the State 
were formed, and their powers were similar to the early 
State courts of the same name previously described in this 
chapter. 

VI.— CIVIL LIST OF SARATOGA COl'NTY. 

The fables of justices of the peace, from 1770 to 1830, 
of coroners, from 1701 to the present time, of assistant 
justices of the court of common pleas, 1791 to 1815, 
have never before been published in consecutive order. 
They have required much labor in searching the records 
in the county clerk's office, and also those in the office of 
the Secretary of State at Albany. In a work involving so 
many names and dates it is not jirobabie that a perfect 
list has been secured. Public records are very uncertain 
upon some initial letters. They are frequently indefinite 
when father and son have the same first names, and the 
affix Jr., is incorrectly added or incorrectly omitted. 

The names of the towns are usually given as they were 
at the time of the appointment or election. 

VII.— ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT 
RESIDING IN SARATOGA COUNTY. 

1792. — S.amuel Clark. Stillwater; voted for Washington. 

ISOO. — Robert Ellis, Saratoga; voted for .lefferson. 

IS04. — Adam Comslock, lladley, and John Cramer, Half-Moon (in 

place of Adam Comstock); voted for Jefierson. 
1S12. — George Palmer, Jr., Stillwater; voted for De Witt Clinton. 
ISlfi. — Samuel Lewis, Nortliumberland ; voted for Monroe. 
1S20. — Howell Gardner, Greenfield; voted for Monroe. 
1821. — Nathan Thompson, Galway; vr)ted for Henry Clay. 
1828.— Salmon Child, Greenfield; voted for J. Q. Adams. 
lS;i6. — Harmon Gansevoort, Northumberland ; voterl for Van Burcn. 
1840. — Earl Stimson, Galway ; voted for Harrison. 
1848. — Samuel Freeman, Saratoga Springs; voted for Taylor. 
1856. — John C. Ilulbert, Saratoga Springs; voted for Fremont. 

VIIL— REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 

1T91-95. — James Gordon, Ballston. 
1799-1801. — lohn Thompson, Stillwater. 
ISO.-i-S.— Bcriah Palmer, Ballston. 
1807-11. — ^John Thompson, Stillwater. 
181.3-3.3.- John W. Taylor, BalLston. 
1833-37.— John Cramer, Waterford. 
1839-40. — Anson Brown, Milton. 
1840-41.— Nicholas B. Doe, Waterford. 
1843-45.— Chescldeu Ellis. Waterford. 
1845-51.— Hugh White, Waterford. 
1851-63. — James B. McKean, Saratoga Springs. 
18G.3-69. — James M. Marvin, Saratoga Springs. 
1871-75. — Henry H. Hathorn, Saratoga Springs. 

John W. Taylor was chosen speaker to fill out Henry Clay's terra, 
1821. Also for a full term. Nineteenth Congress. 

IX.— STATE OFFICERS RESIDING IN SARATOGA 
COUNTY. 

Reuben H. Walworth, chancellor, 1828-47. 

Esek Cowen, justice of the Supreme Court, 1836-44. 

John Willard, justice of the Supreme Court, 1847—53. 

Augustus Bockes, justice of the Supreme Court, 1855; and again 

from 1860 to the present time. 
Samuel Young, secretary of state, 1842-45. 
James M. Cook, comptroller, 1854-56. 
James M. Cook, treasurer, 1852. 
Samuel Young, canal commissioner, 1816-42. 
George W. Chapman, canal commissioner, 1870-72. 



80 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



James M. Cook, superintendent of the blinking department, 1856-62. 
Samuel Young, ex-officio superintendent of common schools, 1842-45. 
Neil Gilmour, superintendent of public institutions, 1874, and now 
in office. 

X.— DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 

Ciinvciitioii of 1788, to deliberate upon the adoption of the Federal Con- 
stitution. — Direk Swart, Stillwater, then a part of Albany county. 

C"nveiilion of 1801. — Adam Coinstock, Greenfield; Samuel Lewis, 
Northumberland; Beriah Palmer, Ballston ; John Thompson, 
Stillwater ; Daniel L. Van Antwerp, Stillwater. 

Coiireiiliiiii of 1821. — Salmon Child. Greenfield; John Ciamer, 
AVaterforJ : Samuel Young. Ballston ; Jeremy Eockwell, Hadley. 

Convmlinn r;/' 1846. — James M. Cook, Milton; John K. Porter, 
Watcrford. 

Ciiiwenliuii vf 1867. — Alembort Pond, Saratoga Springs. 

XI.— STATE SENATORS RESIDING IN SARATOGA 
COUNTY. 
1794-1805. — Jacobus Van Sehoonhoven, Half-Moon. 
1796-1804. -James Gordon, Ballston. 
1806 -9.— Adam Comstock, Hadley. 
lSlO-13.— John Stearns, Half-Moon. 
1814-17.— Samuel Stewart, Half-Moon. 
1815. — Guert Van Sehoonhoven, Half-Moon. 
1818-21— Samuel Young. Ballston. 
1822.— John L. Viele, Waterford. 
182^-25. — John Cramer, Waterford. 
1826-29.— John L. Vielc, Waterford. 
18.30-33.— Isaac Gere, Galway. 
1835-40. — Samuel Young, Ballston. 
1841-42.— John W. Taylor, Ballston. 
1846-47.— Samuel Young, Ballston. 
1848-51. — James M. Cook, Milton. 
1858-59. — George G. Scott, Milton. 
1860-61.— Isaiah Blood, Milton. 
1862. — John Willard, Sariitoga Springs. 
1864-65. — James M. Cook, Saratoga Springs. 
1870. — Isaiah Blood, Milton.* 

XII.— MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY 

Front Afbtnii/ coutiti/, residiiifj hi that pftrt whtvh man a/tcricards set 
off to form S'lratofja Coaiitif. 

1777-78. — James Gordon, Balls Town. 

1778-79. — James Gordon, Balls Town. 

1779-80.— James Gordon, B.alls Town. 

1780-81. — James Gordon, Balls Town ; Direk Sw.art, Stillwater. 

1781-82. — George Palmer, Stillwater; Direk Swart, Stillwater. 

1782-83.— Direk Swart, Stillwater. 

1784. — James Gordon, Balls Town ; Direk Swart, Stillwater. 

1784-85.— Direk Swart, Stillwater. 

1786. — James Gordon, Balls Town ; Jacobus Von Sehoonhoven, Half- 
Moon. 

1787. — James Gordon, Balls Town. 

1788. — James Gordon, Balls Town. 

1788-89. — John Thompson, Stillwater. 

1789-90.— James Gordon, Balls Town. 

1791. — Jacobus Von Sehoonhoven, Half-Moon; Sidney Berry, Sara- 
toga. 

Members of Aieem hit/ from Saratoga County. 

1792. — Sidney Berry, Saratoga; Elias Palmer, Stillwater; Andrew 
Mitchell, Ballston ; Benjamin Roseorans, Half-Moon. 

1793. — Adam Comstock, Milton ; John Ball, Milton; Beriah Palmer, 
Ballston ; Sidney Berry. Saratoga. 

1794. — Adam Comstock, Greenfield; Beriah Palmer, Ballston ; John 
Ball, Milton; John McClelland, Galw:iy. 

1795. — Adam Comstock, Greenfield; John B. Schuyler, Saratoga; 
Beriah Palmer. Ballston ; Jabcz Davis, Ballston. 

1796. — Adam Comstock, Greenfield; John McClelland, Galway; Elias 
Palmer, Stillwater ; John Bleecker, Stillwater. 

1797. — Adam Comstock, Greenfield; Samuel Clark, Stillwater; John 
Taylor, Charlton; Selh C. Baldwin, Ballston; John Mc- 
Clelland, Galway. 

* Died in office November, 1870. 



1798. — Adam Comstock, Greenfield; Seth C. Baldwin, Bal's'on ; 

Samuel Clark, Stillwater; Aaron Gregory, Milton; Douw 

J. Fonda, Stillwater. 
1799. — .Adam Comstock, Greenfield; Seth C. Baldwin, B.allston ; 

Samuel Clark, Stillwater; Henry Corl, Jr., Charlton ; .James 

Warren, Galway. 
1800. — Adam Comstock, Greenfield; Samuel Clark, Stillwater ; Daniel 

Bull, Saratoga; James Warren, Galway; Edward A. Wat- 

rous, Ballston. 
1801. — .\dam Comstock, Greenfield ; Daniel Bull, Saratoga; Henry 

Corl. Jr., Charlton ; J;imes Warren, Galwjiy ; James Merrill, 

Milton. 
1802. — Adam Comstock, Hadley ; Henry Corl, Jr., Charlton ; James 

Warren, Galw.ay ; Edward A. Watrous, Ballston. 
1803. — Adam Comstock, Hadley; Samuel Clark, Malta; Gideon 

Goodrich, Milton ; Othniel Looker. 
1804. — Adam Coinstock, Hadley; John Hunter, Stillwater : Samuel 

Lewis, Northumberland; Othniel Looker. 
1805. — Samuel Clark, Malta; Asahel Porter, Greenfield; William 

Carpenter, Providence; David Rogers, Ballston. 
1806. — Jesse Mott, Saratoga; Asahel Porter, Greenfield; John Cra- 
mer, Half-Moon; John McClelland. Galway. 
1807. — .Jesse Mott, Saratoga; Gideon Goodrich. Milton ; Cb.aunccy 

Belding, Charlton ; David Rogers, Ballston. 
1808. — John McClelland, Galw.ay; Chaunecy Belding, Charlton; 

Salmon Child, (Jreenfield ; Jesse Mott, Saratoga. 
1809. — .Salmon Child, Greenfield ; Nehemiah Cande, G;ilway ; David 

Rogers, Ballston ; Daniel L. Van Antwerp, .Stillwater. 
1810. — Saml. Lewis, Northumberland; Calvin Wheeler, Providence,* 

Joel Lee, Milton; Daniel L. Van Antwerp, Stillwater. 
1811. — John Cramer, Half-Moon; Jesse Mott, Saratoga; Jeremy 

Rockwell, H.adley ; David Rogers, Ballston. 
1S12.— John W. Taylor, Hadley : Joel Keeler, Milton ; Zebulon Mott, 

Half-Moon ; Avery Starkweather, Galway. 
1813.— John W. Taylor, Hadley; John Prior, Greenfield; Caleb 

Holmes, Charlton ; Calvin Wheeler, Providence. 
1814. — Samuel Young, Ballston; Nicholas W. Angle, Moreau; Avery 

Starkweather, Galway ; John Dunning, Malta. 
1815. — Samuel Y'^oung, Ballston; Richard Ketcham, Stillwater; 

Howell Gardiner, Greenfield; Benjamin Cowles, Hadley. 
1816. — .\sa C. Barney, Greenfield ; George Cr.amer. Saratoga ; Isaac 

Gere, Galway ; William Hamilton, Half-Moon. 
1817. — Herman Gansevoort, Northumberland; John Hamilton, 

Edinburgh ; Zebulon Mott, Half- Moon ; John Petit, Green- 
field. 
1818. — Elisha Powell, Milton; John Gibson, Ballston; Earl Stimson, 

Galway; Slaats Morris, Stillwater. 
1819. — Joel Keeler, Milton; John Rogers, Jr., Charlton; William 

Hamilton, Orange; Abner Carpenter, Malta. 
1820. — Billy J. Clark, Moreau; Elisha Powell, Milton; Abraham 

Moe, Half-Moon; Jonathan Delano, Jr., Providence. 
1821.— Zebulon Mott, Half-Moon; John Rogers, Jr., Charlton ; Her- 
man Gansevoort, Northumberland; John House, Waterford. 
1822. — John Prior, Grernlield; John Gilchrist, Charlton; Conrad 

Cramer, Northumberland; Thomas Collamer, Malta. 
1823. — Valentine Campbell, Stillwater; Samuel Belding, Charlton ; 

John Petit, Greenfield. 
1824. — Isaac Gere, Galway; Jeremy Rockwell, Hadley; James 

McCrea, Ballston. 
1825. — Alpheus Goodrich, Milton ; Philip Schuyler, Saratoga ; 

Nicholas B. Doc, Waterford. 
1826. — Samuel Young, Ballston ; Thomas Dibble, Corinth ; David 

Benedict, Stillwater. 
1827. — Howell Gardiner, Greenfield; John Gilchrist, Charlton; 

Nicholas Emigh, Jr., Half-Moon. 
1828. — Alpheus Goodrich, Milton; Thomas Hyland, Northumber- 
land; Eli M. Todd, Waterford. 
1829.— Gilbert Waring, Saratoga Springs; Joshua Mandeville, 

Waterford : Calvin Wheeler, Providence. 
1830.— AV'illiam Shepherd, Clifton Park ; Seth Perry, Wilton ; Samuel 

Stewart, Waterford. 
1831. — Howell Gardiner, Greenfield; John Gilchrist, Charlton; Oran 

G. Otis, Milion. 
1832.— Oran G. Otis, Milton ; James Brisbin, Jr., Saratoga; Ebcnezer 

Couch, Galway. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



81 



1S33. — George Reynolils, Morcau ; Ephraim Stevens, Clifton Park; 

Ebenezer Couch, Gahvay. 
1S34.— Eli M. Todd, Watcrroi-d ; Tliomas J. Marvin, Saratoga 

S|)rings ; Solomon Ellitborp, Edinbnrgh. 
JS35. — Asahel Philo, Ilalf-Moon : William B. Van Benthuyscn, Sara- 
toga; Ely Becchcr, Edinburgh. 
1S36.— Joel Lee, Milton ; David Benedict, Stillwater ; Samuel Stim- 

son, Day. 
1837. — Seabnry .Allen, Providence: Ilalsey Rogers, Morcau. 
1838, — Calvin Wheeler, Provitlence; Walter Van Veghten, Sara- 
toga. 
1839.— Calvin Wheeler, Providence; John Stewart, Watcrford. 
1840.— John Stewiirt, Waterford ; Daniel Stewart, Iladley. 
1841.— Abijah Pejk, Jr., Clifton Park : Jesse H. Mead, Oalw;iy. 
1842. — John Cramer, Waterford ; Halsey Rogers, Moreau. 
lS43.^Azariah E. Stimson, (rahvay ; Lyndes Emerson, Wilton. 
1844. — James Groom. Clifton Park; Ezra Wilson. Greenfield. 
1845. — William AVilcox, Saratogiv : Eihvard Edwards, Corinth. 
184G. — James M.Marvin, Saratoga Springs; Chauncey Boughton, 

Ualf-Moon. 
1847. — -Thomas C. Morgan, Waterford; Joseph Daniels, Greenficltl. 
1848.— 1st District: Cady Holister, Ballston. 

2d District: George Payne, Moreau. 
1849. — 1st District: Roscius R. Kennedy, Clifton Park. 

2d District: William W. Rockwell, Hadlcy. 
1850. — 1st District: James Noxon, Half-Moon. 

2d District: Frederick J. Wing, Greenfield. 
1851. — 1st District: Abraham Leggott, Stillwater. 

2d District: John L. Perry, Saratoga Springs. 
1852. — 1st District: Isaiah Blood, Milton. 

2d District: Alexander II. Palmer, Hadley. 
1853.— 1st District: William Gary, Half-Moon. 

2d District : Henry Holmes, Saratoga. 
1854. — 1st District: George W. Neilson, Stillwater. 

2d District: Joseph Baucus, Northumberland. 
1855. — 1st District: Cornelius Schuyler, Ballston. 

2d District: John Terhune, Northumberland. 
1856.— 1st District: George G. Scott, Milton. 

2d District: Joseph Baucus, Northumberland. 
1857.— 1st District; George G. Scott, Milton. 

2d District: Samuel .J. Mott, Saratoga. 
1858. — 1st District: Chauncey Boughton. Ilalf-Moon. 

2d District: Tabor B. Reynolds, Wilton. 
1859. — 1st District: Chauncy Boughton, Il.alf-Moon. 

2d District: George S. Batoheller, Edinburgh. 
1800.— 1st District: John Fulton, Waterford. 

2d District: Judiah Ellsworth, Saratoga Springs. 
1861.— 1st District: John Fulton, Waterford. 

2d District: James Sumner, Jr., Providence. 
1862.— 1st District: John Fulton, Waterford. 

^ 2d District: Nathaniel M. Houghton, Corinth. 
1863.— 1st District: Ira Brockett, Galway. 

2d District; Nathaniel M. Houghton, Corinth. 
1864. — 1st District; Ira Brockett, Galway. 

2d District; Edward Edwards, Corinth. 
1865. — Ist District : George W. Chapman, Milton. 

2d District; Edward Edwards, Corinth. 
186B.— 1st District: Truman G. Younglove, Half-Moon. 

2d District : Austin L. Reynolds, Moreau. 
18B7. — 1st District: Truman G. Younglove, Half-Moon. 

2d District: Austin L. Reynolds, Moreau. 
1868.- 1st District: Truman G. Younglove, Half-Moon. 

2d District; Alembert Pond, Saratoga Springs. 
1869. — 1st District: Truman G. Younglove, Half-Moon. 

2d District; De Witt C. Hoyt. Greenfield. 
1870.— 1st District: Isaiah Fuller, Galway. 

2d District: Seymour Ainsworth, Saratoga Springs. 
1871. — 1st District ; Isaiah Fuller, Galway. 

2d District : Joseph W. Hill, Saratoga Springs. 
1872. — 1st District: George West, Milton. 

2d District : N. M. Houghton, Corinth. 
1873.— 1st District; George West, Milton. 

2d District: George S. Batcheller, Saratoga Springs. 
1874. — 1st District: George West, Milton. 

2d District; George S. Batcheller, Saratoga Springs. 

11 



1875.— 1st District: George West, Milton. 

2(1 District: N. M. Ilougliton, Corinth. 
187G. — 1st District: George West, Milton. ' 

2d District: Isaac Noycs, Jr., EJinburgh. 
1877.— 1st District: George W. Neilson, Stillwater. 

2d District: Isaac Noyes, Jr., Edinburgh. 
187S.— 1st District: George W. Neilson, Stillwater. 

2d District: Daniel II. Deyoe, Northumberland. 

XIII.— COURT OF COMMON PLEAS AND GENERAL SES- 
SIONS OF PEACE, AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT OF 
OYER AND TERMINER OF SARATOGA COUNTV. 

FIRST JUDGES. 

17iH. — Jolin Thompson, Stillwater. 

1809.— Salmon Child, Greenfield. 

1818. — James Thompson, Milton. 

1833. — Samuel Young, Ballston. 

1838. — Thomas J. Marvin, Saratoga Springs. 



1701.-. 

1793.- 

1794.- 
1803.- 
1806.- 
1809.- 
1811.- 
1812.- 
1813.- 



1815.- 



1816.- 
1817.- 



JUDGKS. 

James Gordon, Ballston: Jaiobus Van Schoonhover., Half- 
Moon ; Beriah Palmer, IJallston ; Sidney Snyder, Saratoga. 

■Adam Comstock, Greenfield. 

■Epcnetus White, Ballston. 

■Samuel Clark, Malta. 

Jithn Taylor, Charlton ; .lohn McCltilhind, Galway. 

John Stearns, Ilalf-Moon; Nathaniel Ketchain. Stillwater. 

Wm. Stillwell, Ballston; Samuel Drake, Ualf-Moon. 

■Benjamin Cowles, Hadlcy. 

■Ashbel Andrews, Malta; Wm. Patrick, Jr., Stillwater; Elisha 
Powell, Miltun : Ziba Taylor, Saratoga; Johu M. Berry, 
Moreau ; Abner Carpenter, Ballston ; Abraham Moe, Hulf- 
Moon. 

Thomas Laing, Northumberland ; Avery Starkweather, Gal- 
way. 

.lercmy Rockwell, Hadlcy. 

Thomas Dibble, Milton ; Herman Gansevoort, Northumber- 
land. 



Until 1818 there was no limit to the number of the 
judges. By an act of the legislature of tliat year the 
number was limited to five, including the first judge. 

1818. — Salmon Child, Greenfield; Abraham Moe, Half-Moon ; James 
McCrea, Ballston : John Prior, Greenfield. 

1820. — Samuel Cook, Milton; James Van Schoonhoven, Waterford. 

1S21. — Harvey Granger, Saratoga. 

1823. — Gucrt Van Schoonhoven, Waterford ; John 11. Steel. Saratoga 
Springs. 

1826.— Nicholas B. Doe, Waterford. 

1829.— George Palmer. Stillwater. 

1836. — Thomas J. Marvin, Saratoga Springs. 

1838.— George G. Scott, Milton; John Gilehrist, Charlton. 

18-41. — Seymour St. John, Providence. 

18-13. — Lewi.': Stone, Galway. 

1845. — Wm. L. F. Warren, Saratoga Spring?. 

1846. — Joshua Mandeville, Waterford. 



JUSTICES OF THE 



PEACE APPOINTED ASSISTANT 
COUKT OF COMMON PLEAS. 



JUSTICES OF THE 



Feb. 19, 1791. 

Andrew Mitchell, Ballston. 
John Vernam. 
Samuel Clark, Stillwater. 
Adrian Hcgcman, Half-Moon. 
Archibald McNeal. 
Epenetus White, Ballston. 
Eliphalet Kellogg, Ballston. 

March 9, 1793. 

Adam Comstock, Greenfield. 

Feb. 14, 1794. 
Samuel Clark, Stillwater. 
Eliphalet Kellogg, Ballston. 



Samuel Bacon, Stillwater. 
Benj. Rosekrans, Half-Moon. 
Richard Davis, Jr., Half-Muon. 
John Ball, Milton. 
Elias Palmer, Stillwater. 



Nov. 24, 1795. 

Cornelius Vanden burgh, 
water. 



Stii: 



Feh. 2, 1797. 

Samuel Clark, Stillwater. 
Eliphalet Kellogg. Ballston. 
Benj. Rosekrans, Half-Moon. 



82 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Richard Davis, Jr., Half-Moon. 
John Bull, Milton. 
Elias Palmer, Stillwater. 

March 13, 1797. 
Henry Walton, Ballston. 

April 2, 1798. 

Guert Van Schoonhoven, Half- 
Moon. 

April 2, 1800. 

Samuel Clark, Stillwater. 
Benj. Kosekrans. Half-Moon. 
Richard Davis, Jr., Half-Moon. 
Elias Palmer, Stillwater. 
Henry Walton, Ballston. 

1S03. 

Samuel Clark, Malta. 
Henry Walton, Ballston. 
Elias Palmer, Stillwater. 
John McClelliind, Galway. 
James Warren, Galway. 
John Taylor, Charlton. 
Daniel Bull, Saratoga. 

Aj^ril 9, 1805. 
Thomas Roger?, Moreau. 

March 15, 1806. 

Samuel Clark, Malta. 
John Taylor, Charltnn. 
John McClelland, Galway. 
Henry AValton, Ballston. 
Elias Palmer, Stillwater. 
James Warren, Galway. 



Thomas Rogers, Moreau. 
John Neilson, Stillwater. 

March 2Q, 1809. 

John Neilson, Stillwater. 
John McClelland, Galway. 
George Palmer, Jr., Stillwater. 
Joel Lee, Milton. 

March 28, 1812. 

John Neilson. Stillwater. 
George Palmer, Jr.. Stillwater. 
Samuel Young, Ball.«ton. 
Thomas Palmer, Milton. 
James Brisbin, Jr., Saratoga. 
Calvin Wheeler, Providence. 
Thomas Laing, Wilton. 
Nicholas W. Angle, Moreau. 

April 2, 1813. 
Josejih Blftckleaeh, Greenfield. 
John Metcalf, Northumberland. 
Samuel G. Huntington, Half- 
Moon. 
Samuel De Forest, Ballston. 
Wm. W. Morris, Ballston. 
John Neilson, Stillwater. 

^pr.7 16, 1814. 

Isaac Garney, Half-Moon. 

March 22, ISlo. 

George Palmer, Stillwater. 
Esek Cowen, Saratoga. 
Thomas Palmer. Milton. 
Nicholas W. Angle, Moreau. 
Perez Otis, Galway. 
Timothy Brown, Hadley. 
Harvey Granger, Saratoga. 
Caleb Holmes, Charlton. 



COUNTY JUDGES. 

1847. — Augustus Bockos, Saratoga Springs. 

1854.— John A. Corey, " ** 

1855. — James B. McKcan, " '* 

1859.— John W. Crane, " " 

]8fi.S.— John C. Hulbert, " " 

1870.— Charles S. Lester, " " 

1876.— John W. Crane, " " 

XIV.— JUSTICES OF THE PEACE APPOINTED FOR THE 
TERRITORY CONSTITUTING THE COUNTY OF SARA- 
TOGA, FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT DOWN TO 
THE YEAR 1S30. 

Until 1791 the names are taken from the list for Albany 
county. Those for 1770 and 1772 were appointed by 
royal authority. The State government having been 
formed in 1777, after that date they were appointed by the 
old Council of Appointment down to 1821. Under the 
constitution of that year a law was passed authorizing the 
appointment of justices of the peace by the joint action of 
the supervisors and judges of the county. Another change 
in the law authorized their choice by the people at the gen- 
eral election in the fall. They were so chosen in 1827 and 
1828. In 1830 the election of justices at the town-meet- 
ings commenced, and after that date their names are given 
in connection with the town histories. 

Appointed April 18, 1770. 
Philip Schuyler, Saratoga. 
Dirck Swarts, Stillwater: re-appointed 1772. 



Thomas Peebles, Half-Moon ; re-appointed 1772. 
John A^ischer, Half-Moon. 

Appointed Jntie 18, 1772. 
James Gordon, Ballston ; re-appointed 17S0, 1786. 
George Palmer, Stillwater. 

Cornelius Van Veghten, Saratoga; re-appointcd 1786. 
Guert Von Schoouhovm, Ilalf-Moon ; re-appointed 1795, 1797, 1800, 

1802. 
Nanning Vischer, Half-Moon: re-appointed 1780. 

Appointed September 29, 1780. 
Cornelius Vandcnburgh, Stillwater; re-appointed 1793, 1794, 1797. 
Nicholas Vaudenburgh, Half-j\Ioon. 
John Taylor, Ballston J re-appointod 1786, 1795, 1797. 

Appointed April 26, 1786. 
Thomas Sickles. 

John Thompson, Stillwater; re-appointed 1808. 
Jacobus Von Schoonhoven, Half-Moon. 
Benjamin Rosekrans, Half-Moon; re-appointcd 1791. 
Adrian Hegeman, Half-Moon. 

Appointed February 17, 1791. 
Samuel Bacon, Stillwater; re-appointed 1797. 
Richard Davis, Jr., Half-Moon. 
Jacobus Pearse, Half-Moon. 
Douw I. Fonda, Stillwater. 
Elias Palmer, Stillwater. 
John Graham. 

Wm. Scott, Half-Moon; rc-nppointed 1794. 1797, 1800. 
John B. Schuyler, Saratdga; re-appointed 1794. 
Daniel Morgan, Saratoga. 
Henry Brevoort. 
John Ball, Ballston. 
Joshua Swan, Ballston. 
Lewis Rodgers : rc-nppointed 180.3. 
Joseph Rue. Ballston ; re-appointed 1794, 1797. 1800. 
Jesse Toll, Saratoga; re-appointed 1794, 1797. 
Nathaniel Douglass. 

Isaac Youngs, Ballston : re-apj.nintcd 1704, 1797, 1800, 1803, 1806. 
Asa Kellogg, Ballston; re-appointed 1794, 1797, 1800, 1803,1806, 
1809. 

Appctinted March 15, 1791. 

Robert Eldred, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1794. 

Appointed Sfpfemher 30, 1791. 
Adam Edson, Half-Moon; -re-appointed 1794, 1797, 1800. 

Ajipointed March 3, 1792. 
Reuben Wright, Stillwater; re-appointed 1794. 
Benjamin Phillips, Saratoga. 
Jonathan Lawrence, Saratoga: re-appointed 1794, 1797. 

Appnintid March 3, 1793. 

Adam Comstock, Greenfield. 

Seth C. Baldwin, Ballston; re-appointed 1794, 1797, ISOO. 

Giles Fitch, Greenfield; re-appointed 1795, 1809. 

Samuel Lewis, Saratoga; re-appointed 1794, 1797. 

Edward A. Watrous, Ballston ; re-appointed 1794. 

Benajah Douglass, Milton. 

James Warren, Galway; re-appointed 1797, 1800. 

Hachaliah Foster, Galway. 

Robert Ellis, Saratoga. 

William Bradshaw, Half-Moon. 

Samuel Scovil, Jr., Northumberland; re-appointed 1803, 1806, 1808. 

Appointed February 14, 1794. 

Jabez Davis, Ballston. 

Stephen Wood, Milton ; re-appointcd 1797, 1800. 

Abel Whalen, Milton; re-appointed 1797. 

Henry Davis, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1797. 

William Clark; re-appointed 1797. 

Alexander Gilchrist, Charlton; re-appointed 1797, 1803, 1806, 1810, 

1813. 
John McClelland, Galway; re-appointed 1797, 1800. 
Hezekiah Ketchum. Half-Moon; re-appointed 1797, 1800. 
John Petit, Greenfield; re-appointed 1809, 1812, 1815, 1818,1821. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



83 



Abraham Moe, Ilalf-Moon ; re-appointed 1797, 1800, 1803, 1806, 

ISOll, 1812. 
Amos Hawley ; re-appointeJ 1707, 1800, 
Solomon Wheeler. 
Benjatnin Risley, Saratoga. 
Lewis (Iravcs; re-appointed 1707, 1800. 
Henry Walton, Ballston ; re-appointed 1707, 1818. 
Jacob liegeman. Half-Moon. 

George Hunter, Half-I^Ioon : reappointed 1797, 1800. 
Henry Von Hyning, Half-Moon. 
Walter Patchin, Milton; re-appointed 1797, 1800. 

Appointed March 15, 1705. 
Henry Corl, Jr., Charlton ; re-appointed 1797, 1800, 1803. 
David Brown. 

John Bleecker, Stillwater; re-appointed 1797, 1800. 
William Force, Saratoga; re-appointed 1797. 

Appointed April 5, 1795. 
John Boyd, Charlton. 

Appointed March 12, 1796. 
Aaron Gregory, Milton; re-appointed 1797, 1800, 1803. 

Appointed November 4, 1796. 
Henry Brewerton ; re-appointed 1797. 
George Shoves; re-appointcd 1797. 
Daniel Boardman, Greenfield. 
Stephen Wait, Providence; re-appointed 1797, 1803, 1806, 1809, 

1813. 
James Goodwin ; re-appointed 1707, 1800, 1803, 1806, 1809, 1812. 
David Boyd, Ch.arlton. 
William Bettys, Charlton. 

Appointed February 2, 1797. 
Jabez Davis, Ballston. 
Edward A. Watrous, Ballston. 

Appointed February 2, 1797. 
Adrian Hegeman, Half-Moon ; re-appointed 1800. 
Hugh Peebles, Half-Moon ; re-appointed 1797, 1800. 

Appointed February 6, 1798. 
Wni. Dudley. 

Appointed April 2, 1798. 
John Neilson, Stillwater ; re-appoiuted 1800, 1803. 
Lettice Weston ; re-appointed 1800. 
Jesse Mott, Saratoga; re-appointed 1803, 1806. 
Broadstreet Emerson, Jr., Northumberland: re-appointed 1800. 
Daniel Couch, Jr., Milton; re-appointed 1800, 1803, 1804, 1806, 1809, 

1812, 1815, 1818, 1821. 
Nehemiah Cande, Galway ; re-appointed 180.3, 1806, 1809, 1812, 1815, 

1818. 
Nicholas Bosevelt; re-appointed 1800. 

Appointed August 15, 1798. 
Thomas Laing, Northumberland; re-appointed 1800, 1803, 1806, 
1809, 1818. 

Appointed March 14, 1799. 
Ellas Willard, Stillwater; re-appointed 1800. 
Ezekiel Hawley. 

John A. Viele, Saratoga; re-appointed 1800. 
Peter Thallheimer, Northumberland. 
Nathan Bennett, Malta; re-appointed 1800, 1803, 1806, 1809, 1811. 

Appointed April 2, 1800. 

Ashbcl Andrews, Jr., S: i water; re-appointed 1803, 1806, 1809, 1812. 

Robert Mitchell, Milton. 

Adam Swan, Galway; re-appointed 1803, 1814, 1815. 

Samuel De Forest, Ballston ; re-appointed 1803, 1806, 1809, 1813. 

Robert Leonard, Ballston. 

Uriah Gregory, Ballston; re-appoin-cd 1803, 1806, 1809, 1813, 1818. 

Thomas Jeffers, Saratoga. 

Ichabod Hawley, Northumberland ; reappointed 1808, 1809, 1812. 

Elisba Miles, Northumberland; re-appointcd 1803. 

Stephen Brayton, Greenfield. 



Joseph Brown, Charlton; re-appointed 1803, 1806, 1810, 1813, 1818, 

1821. 
Samuel Cook, Charlton; re-appointcd 1803, 1806, 1809, 1812, 1815. 
John Stearns, Half-Moon : re-appointed 1803, 1806. 

Appointed October 30, 1800. 
Francis Drake, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1806, 1809. 

Appointed January 27, 1801. 
Hugh Alexander, Galway. 
Wm, Carpenter, Providence; re-appointed 1803, 1806. 

Appointed 1803. 
Joseph Peek, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1806, 1807, 1811. 
John Darby, Half-Moon ; re-appointed 1800, 1809, 1811, 1815, 1818. 
Justus Harris, Half Moon. 
Adam Vi.n Vranken, Half-Moon; re-appointcd 1806, 1809, 1812, 

1815, 1818, 1821. 
Daniel Van Alstyne, Jr., Half Moon. 
Moses Scott, Half-.Moon; re-appointed 1806, 1809, 1812. 
Samuel Perry, Northumberland. 
Herman Gansevoort, Northumberland; re-appointed 1800, 1809. 1812, 

1815. 
Thomas Rogers, Moreau ; re-appointed 1305, 1809, 1812. 
Wui. Huxford, Moreau. 

Benjauiin Cowles, Hadley ; re-appointed 1806, 1809, 1815, 1818, 1821. 
Joseph Blaekleach, Greenfield; re-appointed 1806, 1809, 1813. 
Salmon Child, Greenfield; re-appointed 1806. 

Joel Keeler, Milton: re-appointed 1800, 1809, 1812, 1815, 1818, 1821. 
James Merrill, Milton; re-appoiuted 1806. 

Elisha Andrews, Stillwater; re-appointcd 1806, 1809, 1812, 1815. 
Richard Ketchuui, Stillwater; re-appointed 1805, 1809, 1812. 
Robert Summer, Northlield. 

Jordan Sprague, Northfield; re-appointed 1806. 
Caleb Ellis, Saratoga; re-appointed 1806, 1809. 
Thomas Ostrander, Saratoga : re-appointed 1807,1809. 
George Cramer, Saratcjga; re-appointed 1806, 1809. 
Francis Drake, Ballston. 
John Nash, Ballston ; re-appointed 1806. 
John McCrea, Ballston ; re-appointed 1806, ISOO, 1814. 
Jared Patcbin, Ballstc!n. 

Caleb Holmes, Charlton; re-appointcd 1806, 1809, 1812, 1815, 1818. 
Isaac Gere, Galway; re-appoiuted 1806, 1809, 1812, 1815. 
Samuel L. Barker, Providence; re-appoiuted 1806, 1809, 1815, 1817, 

1818, 1821. 
Levi Hay ward, Providence; re-appointed 1806, 1809, 1812, 

Appointed July 3, 1804. 
S<ilomon Cook, Hadley ; re-appointed 1806, 1809. 
Thomas Lee, Jr., Hadley; re-appoiuted 1806. 
Wm. Stillwell, Ballston; re-appointcd 1806, 1809, 1811, 
Elisha Reynolds, Northumberland ; re-appointed 1806. 
Enos Gregory, Malta; re-appointed 1806, 1809. 
Gideon Goodrich, Milton; re-appointed 1806. 
Ezra Nash. Milton; re-appointed 1806, 1809, 1812, 1815. 
Timothy Hatch, Ballston. 
Perez Otis, Providence; re-appointcd 1806, 1809, 1812, 1818, 1821. 

Appointed April 9, 1805. 
Othnicl Allen, Jr., Providence; re-appointcd 1807, 1809, 1813. 
Samuel Swcatland, Half-Moou ; rc-appointed 1806, 1809. 
John Hunter, Stillwater; re-appointed 1815. 
Timothy Brown, Hadley; re-appointed 1806, 1809, 1812. 
Eliakim Corey, Milton; re-appointed 1806, 1809. 

Appointed March 15, 1806. 
Amos Larkin, Ballston; re-appointcd 1809, 1812, 1815, 1818. 
Nathan Raymond, Ballston. 

Francis Reger, Northumberland; re-appointed 1809. 
Scth Perry, Jr., Northumberland ; re-appoiuted 1809, 1812, 1815, 

1819, 
James Cramer, Northumberland. 

Henry Martin, Moreau; re-appointed 1809, 1812, 1815, 1818, 1821. 
Ebenezer Couch, Galway. 
Job Wells, Providence ; re-appointed 1809. 
Henry Bailey, Half-Moon. 
Peter Morse, Jr., Half-Moon; re-appointeJ 1309. 



84 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUiNTY, NEW YORK. 



Thomas Grimes, NortbGeKl; rc-appointed 1809. 

Willard Trowbridge, Northfiuld; re-appointed 1809, 1812. 

George Palmer, Jr., Stillwater,- re-appointed 1818, 1821. 

Oliver C. Comstoek, Hadlcy. 

James Green, Saratoga; re-appointed 1833, ISIo, 1S20, 1S21. 

Apj^ninted March 15, 1806. 
John Prior, Greenfield; re-appointed 1809, 1812, 1815, 1821. 
Samuel Frink, Greenfield; rc-uppointcd 1809. 
John B. Le Proict-de-Bussy. 

Appointed April 3, 1807. 
Joel Lee, Milton. 

Elisha Powell. Milton; re-appointed 1809, 1812. 
Abuer Carpenter, Ballston ; re-appointed 1813. 
Gilbert Swan, Galway ; re-appointed 1809, 1812, 1815, 1818. 
Robert Sumner, Northfield: re-appointed 1809, 1812. 
James Brisbin, Jr., Saratoga; re appointed 1809. 
David Morehouse, Malta; re-appoiuted 1810. 
Mans C. Vandenburgh, Half-Moon. 

Appointed March 18, 1808. 
Samuel Young, Ballston; re-appointed 1809. 
John W. Taylor, Ballston; re appointed 1809. 

Avery Starkweather, Galway; re-uppointed 1809, 1812, ISIS, 1821. 
Harvey Granger, Saratoga; re-appointed 1809, 1811, 1812, 1818. 
Nicholas W. Angle, Moreau ; re-appointed 1S09, 1818. 
John King. Moreau; re-appoiuted 1809, 1813. 

Appointed April 6, 1808. 
Artemus Chase, Providence; re-appointed 1809. 
Jeremy Roekwell, Hadlcy; rc-appointed 1809, 1812, 1818, 1821. 
Reuben Sprague, Charlton; re-appoiuted 1809, 1812, 1815. 

Appointed Mnrvh 20, 1809. 

John Anderson, Charltou. 

Jesse Seeley, Charlton. 

Ilezekiab Middlebrook, Jr., Milton. 

Barry Fcnton, Hadley ; re-appointed 1811, 1812, 1815, ISIS, 1821. 

Cornelius I. Fonda, Northumberland; re-appointed 1S12. 

Jacob Esmond, Saratoga; re-appointed 1812. 

Asa C, Barney, Greenfield. 

Daniel Gorsline, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1811. 

Elijah W. Abbott, Stillwater; re-appoiuted 1812. 

John Dunning, Malta: re-appointed 1812. 

Barker Collamcr, Malta. 

Appointed March 22, 1810. 
Thomas Morey, Stillwater. 
Luther Hulburt, Malta. 

Luther Landon, Malta; re-appointed 1814. 
Peter Fort, Malta. 
John H. Steel, Saratoga. 

Samuel Bailey, Greenfield; re-appointed 1813, 1815, 1818. 
Alfred Bosworth, Greenfield; re-ai>pointed 1814. 
Abner Carpenter, Ballston, • 

Isaac AVebb, Milton. 
Isaac B. Payne, Northumberland. 

Dudley Emerson, Northumberland; re-appointed 1813. 
Benjamin Chamberlain. Ilalf-Moon. 
John Bradshaw, Hall-Moon. 
Jeremiah Coon, Half-Moon. 

Elijah Porter, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1813, 1815. 
Joseph Lamb, Half- Moon. 

Nathan Comstoek, Galway; re-appointed 1S13, 1815. 
Thaddeus Jewett, Galway. 
TVilliam Metcalf, Northumberland. 

Apjiointed March 9, 1811. 
Calvin AVheeler, Providence; re-appointed 1815, 1818. 
Bushiiiel Benedict, Ballston; rc-appointed 1812, 1815, ISIS, 1821. 
Joseph B. Lothrop, Ballston; re-appointcd 1812, 
Wm. Wait, Saratoga. 

Nicholas Emigb, Jr.. Half-Moon: re-appointed 1812, 1815. 
Nichohis B. Doe, Half-Moon; rc-appointed 1S12. 1815, ISIS. 
John Kinnicut, Edinburgh; re-apj>ointod 1S12, 1S15, 1S21. 



Jonathan Shipman, Providence; re-appointed 1812. 

John Montgomery, Stillwater; re-appointed 1812. 

Elijah Durham, Moreau. 

Samuel Grippin, Moreau; re-appointed 1812. 

James Clark, Malta. 

Solomon Rathbun, Galway. 

Appointed Mnrch 2,3, 1811. 
Ezra Talmadge, Malta; re-appointed 1814, 1815. 
Samuel Richards, Charlton; re-appointed 1812, 1815, 1821. 
Walter Hewitt, Greenfield; reappointed 1812. 

Appointed April 8, 1811. 
Samuel Drake, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1818. 
Charles Deake, Greenfield; re-appointed 1812, 1815. 

Appointed June 7, 1811. 
Cornelius Van Santford, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1812. 
Luther Hulbert, Malta: re appointed 1813. 

Appointed March 28, 1S12. 
Wm. Ta.vlor, Charlton. 

Stafford Carr, Northumberland: re-appointed 1S15. 
Richard Learing, Saratoga. 

Howell Gardner, Greenfield; rc-appointed 1S15, 1818, 1821. 
Thomas Collamer, Malta; re-appointed 1815, 1821. 
Eliphaz Fish, Malta. 
David Garnsey, Half-Moon; re-appointed 1S15. 

Appointed June 18, 1812. 
Jonathan Delano, .Jr., Providence; re-appointed 1815, 1818. 

Appointed March 30, 1813. 
Philip Schuyler, Saratoga, 

Daniel Morgan, Jr., Saratoga; re-appointed 1820. 
Solomon Slate, Edinburgh. 
Eli Beecher, Edinburgh. 
Adam Blake, Saratoga. 
Wm. Hamilton. Half-Moon. 
AVillard II. Smith, Half-Moon. 
Reed Lewis, Northumberland. 
Nathan Hinman, Charlton. 
Philip Brotherson, Charlton. 

Nicholas D. Conde, Charlton ; re-appointed 1817, 1818. 
William Seymour, Stillwater. 
Daniel Rogers, Stillwater. 
Henry Metcalf, Stillwater. 
John L. Viels, Stillwater. 
John Payne, Moreau. 
Lazeile Bancroft, Moreau. 
Enoch Sill, Moreau. 
George W. Fish, Malta. 
Robert Hunter, Malta. 
Alexander S. Piatt, Galway. 
Uriah Cornell, Providence. 
Michael Dunning, Malta. 
John Armitage, Providence. 

Isaac Youngs, Jr., Greenfield; re-appointed 1814. 
Samuel Boardman, Hadley. 
Stephen Ambler, Hadley. 
Nathan J. WeUs, Hadley. 
George H. Beuham, Milton. 

Appointed April 16, 1814. 

Isaac Garnsey, Stillwater. 
Philander Rathboue, Stillwater. 
Valentine Rathliun, Milton. 
John Gibson, Ballston. 
William Allen, Galway. 
Noah Vibbard, Galway. 
Robert Kenyon, Malta. 
Jared Palmer, Northumberland. 
Daniel G. Garnsey, Half-Moon. 

Appointed March 22, 1815. 

Asahel Philo, Half-Moon; re-appointed ISIS, 1821. 
David Benedict, Stillwater; rc-appuintcd ISIS^ 1821. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



85 



Charles Neilson, Stillwater: re-appointed 1818, 1821. 

Oliver Barrett, Stillwater. 

Joseph Wrif^ht, Saratoga. 

John R. Mott, Saratoga; re-appointed 1818. 

George Peck, Saratoga. 

Benjamin Dimraick, Northumberland; re-appointed 1818. 

Conrad Cramer, Northumberland. 

James Vauderwerker, Nortluimbcrland ; rc-appointcd 1818, 1821. 

William ComstocU, Northumberland; re-appointed 1818, 1821. 

James Mott, Moreau ; re-appointed 1820, 1821. 

Solomon Parks, Moreau. 

David Tilfotson, JMoreau. 

Samuel Snowden, Hadley ; re-appointed 1818. 

Philander Hewitt, Edinburgh; re-appointed 1S18, 1821. 

Azariah Ellithorp, Edinburgh; re-appointed 1SI8, 1S21. 

John Hamilton, Edinburgh; re-appointed ISIS. 

Peter H. Bostwick, Providence. 

William Taylor, Charlton; re-appointed 1818. 

Philo T. Beebe, Malta; re-appointed 1818. 

Thomas Hall, Malta. 

Abncr Bivins, Malta. 

Edey Baker, Malta. 

Jesse Robertson, Ballston ; re-appointed 1818, 1821. 

David Rogers, Ballston; re-appointed 1819. 

Elihu Wing, Greenfield; re-appointed 1818, 1821. 

Solomon Rathbun, Milton. 

Appointed April 7, 1815. 
Isaac Tallman ; re-appointed 1821. 
Alpheus Goodrich, Milton; re-appointed 1818, 1821. 
Enos Gregory, Milton. 

Appointed April 2, 1816. 
Washington Chapman, Hadley; re-appointed 1821. 
Josiah Fasset, Hadley. 

Dennis Marvin, Malta; re-appointed 1818, 1821. 
Edward D. Berry, Moreau; re-appointed 1818, 1819. 
Richard M. Livingstun, Saratoga. 
Henry Edson, Watcrford ; re-appointed 1818. 

Appointed April 10, 1817. 
Godfrey Shew, Providence. 
John Bryan, Saratoga; re-appointed 1818. 
William Wait, Saratoga. 

Alvaro Hawley, Moreau; re-appointed 1819. 
Stephen W. Palmer. 
EInathan Smith. 
Michael Moc, Half-Moon. 
William Tearse, Moreau. 
Abner Carpenter, Malta. 
AVilHam Given, Waterford ; re-appointed 1818, 1821. 

Appointed June 10, 1818. 
Oliver Salisbury, Stillwater. 
David Morehouse, Malta. 
Roswell Day, Malta; re-appointed 1821. 
Esek Cowen, Saratoga; re-appointed 1821. 
Thomas Palmer, Milton; re-appointed 1821. 
Alvan Isbell, Charlton. 
Peter S. Van Rensselaer, Hadley. 

Appointed March 13, 1819. 
Jason Adams, Wilton ; re-appointed 1823. 
Jonas Olmstead, Northumberland; re-appointed 1821. 
John Metcalf, Northumberland. 
Alexander M. G. Comstock, Corinth. 
Harry T. Carpenter, Hadley; re-appointed 1821. 
Eliphaz Day lladle^' ; re-appointed 1821. 
Joshua Mandevillc, Waterford; re-appointed 1821. 
William H. Sattcrlcc, Ballston ; re-npj)ointed 1821. 
Sidney Thompson, Northumberland. 
Gilbert C. Bedell, Saratoga, 

Aj^pointcd March 9, 1820. 
■ Piatt B. Smith, Galway ; re-appointcd 1821. 

App'nnted March Vo, 1821. 
Henry Edson, Waterford. 
Reuben Wright, Saratoga. 



Oliver Brisbin, Saratoga. 

Thomas Howland, Northumberland ; re-appointcd 1822, 

Russell Burt, Northumberland; re-appointed 1822. 

Joseph A. Sweet, Moreau. 

James Burnham, Moreau. 

Anson Thompson, Moreau ; re-appointed March 29, 1821. 

Cornelius I. Swartwout. Wilton. 

John Fitzgerald, Wilton. 

John U. Steel, Saratoga Springs. 

Samuel Hunter, Malta. 

Peter Morse, Jr., Half-Moon. 

William Shepherd, Half-Moon. 

Welcome Capron, Edinburgh. 

Samuel Stimson, Concord. 

Appointed March 21, 1821. 
George Hunt, Concord. 

Appointed March 24, 1821. 
William Fellows, Stillwater. 
Isaac Hutton, Stillwater. 
Peter Sprague, Providence. 
Jonathan Delano, Jr., Providence. 
Benedict A. Clark, Providence. 
Jonathan Conde, Charlton. 
Peter Folger, Charlton. 

The following list for 1824 and 1826, appointed by the 
supervisors and judges, is given in full, though it repeats 
previous names to some extent : 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE DURING THE YEAR 1824. 

William L. F. Warren, Saratoga Springs ; George Palmer, Stillwater; 
Thomas Dibble, Corinth. 

January 15, 1826. 
Thomas Dibble, Samuel Snowden, Corinth. Daniel Stewart, Joel 
Dayton, Stephen Gray, Half-Moon. William JI. Satterlec, 
Jesse Robertson, Bushnell Benedict, James McCrea, Ballston. 
Joseph Brown, Alvin Isbell, Samuel Richards, Charlton. 
Benjamin Cowles, Washington Chapman, Thomas Dibble, 
Samuel Snowden, Corinth. Azariah Ellithorp, Juhn Hamil- 
ton, Philander Hewitt, Amos Cook, Edinburgh. Perez Otis, 
Piatt B. Smith, Gilbert Swan, Coddington W. Swan, Galway. 
Howell Gardiner, John Prior, John Petit, Elihu Wing. Green- 
field. Jeremy Rockwell, David Stewart, Joel Dayton, Stephen 
Gray, Hadley. Wm. Shepherd, Asahel Philo, Wm. Fowler, 
Abraham Moe, Half-Moon. Thomas Collamer, Dennis Marvin, 
Samuel Hunter, Roswell Day, Malta. Thomas Palmer, Alpheus 
Goodrich, Daniel Couch, Joel Keeler, Milton. Joseph A. Sweet, 
Anson Thompson, Henry Martin, Moreau. Thomas Howland, 
James Vanderwerker, Samuel Lewis, Russel Burt, Northumber- 
land. Samuel S. Barker, Benedict A. Clark, Peter Sprague, 
Latham Coffin, Providence. John H. Steel, James Green, John 
Eddy, Wm. L. F. Warren, Saratoga Springs. David Benedict, 
George Palmer, Charles Neilson, Isaac Hutton, Stillwater. 
Joshua Mandeville, Henry Edson, Moses Scott, W^aterford. 
Seth Perry, Jason Adams, Wm. Comstock, Wilton. 



The following were chosen at the general elections, 1827- 



29. 



Jesse Robertson, 


November 


1827, 


Ballston. 


James McCrea, 


" 


H 


" 


William H. Satterlee, 


a 


" 


ti 


Bushnell Benedict, 


it 


ii 


" 


William II. Salterlee, 


" 


1828, 


it 


Jesse Roliertson, 


" 


1829, 


it 


Juhn A. Gilchrist, 


" 


1827, 


Charlton. 


Alvin Isbell, 


tt 


" 


ti 


Josiah C. Grant, 


it 


u 


tt 


Walter K. Maxwell, 


(t 


It 


" 


Jt)siah C. Grant, 


•' 


1S2S, 


'■ 


John A. Gilchrist, 


" 


1S29 


" 


Samuel Siimson, 


" 


1S27 


Coacor4 (l>-'y)- 



86 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



George Hunt, 
Amos Lawton, 
Stephen Lawson, 
Anthony Allen, 
George Hunt, 
James D. Long, 
William Jones, 
Jeduthan Lindsey, 
Asahel Deuel, 
Samuel Lowden, 
Benjamin Cowles, 
Winsor Brown, 
Ely Beecher, 
Philander Hewitt, 
Samuel Noyes, 
Solomon Ellithorp, 
Solomon Ellithorp, 
Amos Cook, 
Samuel Noyes, 
Perez Otis, 

Coddington W. Swan, 
Gilbert Swan, 
Piatt B. Smith, 
Coddington W. Swan, 
Perez Otis, 
Howell Gardner, 
John Petit, 
Elihu Wing, 
Adam Boekes, Jr., 
Stafford Lopham, 
Adam Boekes, 
Jeremy Rockwell, 
Stephen Gray, 
Harmon Rockwell, 
Joel Dayton, 
Harmon Rockwell, 
Daniel Stewart, 
William Fowler, 
Asahel Philo, 
Silas Swetland, 
William Shepherd, 
Chauncey Cowles, 
Powell Howlaud, 
Stephen Vernam, 
Samuel Hunter, 
Philo T. Beebe, 
David Newton, 
Gould Morehouse, 
Benjamin Armington, 
Obadiah S. Haight, 
Thomas Palmer, 
Alpheus Goodrich, 
Daniel Couch, 
AVm. J. Angle, 
Thomas Palmer, 
Daniel Couch, 
Joseph A. Sweet, 
Enoch Sill, 
Anson Thompson, 
Truman Hamlin, 
James Newton, 
John Reynolds, 
Thomas Howland, 
James Vandevverker, 
Jesse Billings. Jr., 
Nathaniel McClellan, 
John W. Angle, 
Thomas Howland, 
Calvin Wheeler, 
Jesse Briggs, 
John Barker, 
Uriah Cornell, 
Calvin Wheeler, 
John Barker, 
Harvey Granger, 



November, 1S27, Concord (Day). 



1828, 
1829, 



1827, Corinth. 



1828, " 

1829, 

1827, Edinburgh. 



1S2S, 

1820, " 
1829, •' 
1827, Galway. 



1828, " 

1829, " 
1827, Greenfield. 



1828, " 

1829, « 
1827, Hadley, 



1828, " 

1829, " 
1827, Half-Moon. 



1828, " 

>( it 

1S29, " 

1S27, Malta. 



1S28, " 
1829, " 
1827, Milton. 



182S, " 
1829, " 
1827, Moreau. 



1823, " 

1829, 

1827, Northumberland. 



1S28, " 

1829, 

1827, Providence. 



1828, " 

1829, 

1827, Saratoga. 



Daniel Morgan, Jr., November, 
Wm. B. Caldwell, 

James Mott. " 
Stephen H. Dillingham, " 

Francis K. Winne, " 

Wm. h. F. Warren, " 

Judiiih Ellsworth, " 

Aaron Blake, " 

John B. Oilbert, " 

Ransom Cook, " 

John B. Gilbert, " 

George Palmer, " 

David Benedict, " 
Philip H. McOmber, " 

Charles Neilsou, '* 

David Benedict, " 

Richard Ketcham, ** 

Wm. A. Scott, " 

Manley Arasden, " 

Henry Edson, " 

Joshua Miindeville, " 

Wm. H. Seott, " 

Joshua Mandeville, *' 

Jason Adams. " 

John I. Swartwout, " 

AVui. C. Brisbin, " 

Coles Golden, ** 

Jason Adams, " 

John I. Swartwout, " 

Joseph Reed, " 
Stephen H. Wakeman, " 

Cornelius Hegeman, " 

Isaac E. Garnsey. " 



1827, Saratoga. 



1828, " 

1829, " 

1827, Saratoga .Springs. 



1828, " 

1829, 

1827, StiUw.ater. 



1828, " 

1829, " 
1827, Walcrford. 



1828, 

1829, " 

1827, Wilton. 



1828, " 
1829, 

1828, Clifton Park. 

1829, " 



1791. 
1794.. 
1808. 
1812. 
1816.. 
1834. 
1847.. 
1856. 
1877. 

1801. 
1805.- 
1806.- 
1807. 
1808.. 



1810. 
1811. 
1813. 



1814. 
1815. 



1816. 
1817. 



XV.— SURROGATES. 
-Sidney Berry, .Saratoga. 
-Henry Walton, Ballslon. 
-Beriah Palmer, Ballston. 
-Thomas Palmer, Milton. 
-George Palmer, Stillw.ater. 
-John W. Thompson, .Milton. 
-John C. Hulbert, Saratoga Springs. 
-Cornelius A. Waldron, Waterford. 
-Elias H. Peters, Saratoga Springs. 

XVr.— MA,STERS IN CHANCERY. 

-Samuel Cook, Ballst^n. 

-John Ci-amer, Half-Moon. 

-Wm. Carpenter, Providence; Thomas Lee, Jr., Hadley. 

-Daniel G. Garnsey, Half-Moon. 

-George Palmer, Jr., Stillwater; Thomas Laing. Northumber- 
land; Eli Smith, Galway ; Herman Gansevoort, Northum- 
berland ; Thojnas Palmer, Milton. 

-Ely Beecher, Edinburgh. 

-Elijah W. Abbott, Saratoga. 

-Nathan S. Hollistcr, Charlton; Aaron Blake, Saratoga; Ep- 
euetus White, Jr., Ballston ; Joshua Mandeville, Half-Moon ; 
John Gibson, Ballston ; Othniel Allen, Providence ; Thad- 
deus Jewett, Galway. 

-Henry Metcalf, Stillwater; John Metcalf, Northumberland; 
James Scott, Ballston ; Luther Hulbert, Malta. 

-Esek Cowen, Saratoga; Samuel S. Barker, Providence; Sam- 
uel Belding, Charlton ; Solomon D. Hollister, Ballston ; John 
Petit, Greenfield; Benj.amin Cowles, Hadley. 

-William Laing, Northumberland ; Nicholas W. Angle, Moreau. 

-William B. Van Benthuysen, Saratoga; Bushnell Benedict, 
Ballston; Robert Sumner, Edinburgh; M'iiliam Comstock, 
Northumberland. 



By an act passed March 24, 1818, masters in chancery 
were confined to their powers and duties as officers of that 
court, and their authority to take acknowledgments, etc., 
was conferred upon commissioners. 

1823.— William Given, Waterford; Thomas Palmer, Milton. 
1824.— W. L. F. Warren, Saratoga Springs. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



87 



ISP.l.— George W. Kirtland, Waterford. 

1832. — Judiah Ellsworth, Saratoga Springs. 

1S34.— Oran G. Otis, Milton. 

1836. — John A. Corey, Saratoga Springs. 

1840. — John K. Porter, Walerford; Archibald Smith, Charlton; 

James M. Andrews, Saratoga Springs. 
1841. — Perry G. Ellsworth, Saratoga Springs. 
1843.— Calleuder Beecher, Milton. 
1844.— Edward F. Bullard, Waterford ; Daniel Shepherd, Saratoga 

Springs. 
1846. — William L. Avery, Saratoga Springs.-^' 

XVII.— EXAMINERS IN CHANCERY. 
1821. — Harvey F. Leavitt, Saratoga Springs. 
1823.— Samuel Cook, Milton. 
1824.— Alpheus Goodrich, Milton. 
1828.— Judiah Ellsworth. .Saratoga Springs. 
1834.' — Nicholas Hill, Jr., Saratoga Springs. 
1830.- Oran G. Otis, Milton. 
1837. — Sidney J. Cowen, Saratoga Springs. 
1840. — James M. Andrews, Saratoga Springs; Nicholas B. Doe, 

Waterford; Archihald Smith, Charlton. 
1841. — John K. Porter, Waterford; Perry G. Ellsworth, Saratoga 

Springs. 
1843.— Thomas G. Young, Ballslon. 
1844. — Daniel Shepherd, Saratoga Springs : Edward F. Bullard, 

AVaterford. 
1846. — William L. Avery, Saratoga Springs. 

The offices of master in clianeer}' and examiner in chan. 
eery were abolished by the constitution of 1846. Their 
powers and duties have devolved upon referees. 

XVIII.— JUSTICES OF SESSIONS. 

1847. — Abel A. Kellogg, Saratoga Springs; Wm. T. Seymour, 
Waterford. 

1850.— David W. Wait, Half-Moon; David Ma.Kwell, Milton. 

1851.— David W. Wait, Half-Moon; Thomas G. Young, Ballston.' 

1852.— David W. Wait, Half-Moon; John Gilford, Greenfield. 

18,')3.— William Wilson, Milton ; Samuel B. Edwards, Ballston. 

1854.— Abram Sickler, Half-Moon: David Ma.Nwell, Milton. 

1855. — David I-yon, Corinth ; Cornelius A. Waldron, Waterford. 

1856. — Augustus E. Brown, Milton ; Alexander Haunay, Stillwater. 

1857. — Augustus E. Brown, Milton ; Obadiah Green, AVilton. 

1858.— Tilly Houghton, Corinth; Abraham V. Fowler, Clifton Park. 

1859.— Tilly Houghton, Corinth ; David Ma.xwell, Milton. 

1860. — Seneca Duel, Providence ; Geo. D. Angle, Wilton. 

1861. — David Maxwell, Milton; Seneca Duel, Providence. 

1862.— Jacob Boyce, Wilton ; Reuben H. Barber, Stillwater. 

1863.— David Maxwell. Milton ; Adam Mott, Clifton Park. 

1864. — Malcolm McNaughton, Saratoga; Tilly Houghton, Corinth. 

1865.— William D. Marvin. Malta: Adam Mott, Clifton Park. 

1SG6. — Abraham Marshall, Northumberland ; Malcom McNaughton, 
Saratoga. 

1867. — Abraham Marshall, Northumberland ; William Warner, Balls- 
ton. 

1868.— David Maxwell, Milton ; Adam Mott, Clifton Park. 

1869. — Samuel Wells, Saratoga; George Washburne, Northumberland. 

1870. — George Washburne, Northumberland; Charles E. Gorseline, 
Half-Moon. 

1871. — George AVashburne, Northumberland ; Charles E. Gorseline, 
Half-Moon. 

1872.— H. Ransom Colburn, Edinburgh ; John F. Pruyn, Waterford. 

1873. — John F. Pruyn, AVaterford ; Sanil. Lewis, Northumberland. 

1874. — Melbourne A^an Voorhees, Half-Moon ; Samuel Lewis, North- 
umberland. 

1875. — Melbourne A' an A'oorhees, Half-Moon ; Phineas F. Allen, Sara- 
toga Springs. 

1876.- John Brown, Ballston : John Peck, Clifion Park. 

1877. — AVm. C. Tallmadge, Half-Moon; JerreC. Bogert, Providence. 

XIX.— SHERIFFS. 
1791.— Jacob Fort, Jr., Half-Moon. 
1794.— Douw I. Fonda, Stillwater. 

* Office abolished. 



1799.— Henry Davis, Half-Moon. 

1801.— Seth C. Baldwin, Ballston. 

1804. — Daniel Bull, Saratoga. 

1807. — Asahel Porter, Greenfield. 

1S08.— Daniel Bull, Saratoga. 

1810.— Asahel Porter, Greenfield. 

1811. — Nathaniel Ketcham, Stillwater. 

1813.- Hezekiah Ketcham, Half-Moon. 

1815. — James Brisbin, .Jr., Saratoga. 

1819. — John Dunning, Malta. 

1821. — John R. Mott, Saratoga. 

1823.- John R. Dunning, Milton. 

1826. — Lyman B. Langworthy, Milton. 

1829.— John Dunning, Milton. 

1832.— John A'ernam, AA'aterford. 

1835. — Joseph Jennings, Milton. 

1838. — Samuel Freeman, Ballston. 

1841.— Robert Speir, Milton. 

1844. — Is.aac Frink, Milton. 

1847.— Thomas Low, Charlton. 

1850.— Theodore AV. Sanders, Corinth. 

1852. — AVm. T. Seymour, AVaterford, vice Sanders, resigned. 

1853. — Henry H. Hathorn, Saratoga Springs. 

1856. — Philip H. McOmbor, Milton. 

1859.— George B. Powell, Milton. 

1862. — Henry H. Hathorn, Saratoga Springs. 

1865. — Joseph Baucus, Northumberland. 

1868.— Tabor B. Reynolds, AVilton. 

1871. — Thomas Noxon, Half-Moon. 

1874. — Friinklin Carpenter, Corinth. 

1876. — Douw F. AVinne, Saratoga. 

XX.— DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. 
1818. — Richard M. Livingston, Saratoga. 
1S21. — AVilliam L. F. AA'arren, Sarjitoga Springs. 
1836. — Nicholas Hill, Jr., Saratoga Springs. 
1837.- Cheselden Ellis, Waterford. 
1843. — Wm. A. Beach, Saratoga Springs 
1847. — John Lawrence, AA^aterford. 
1851.- AVm. T. Odell, Milton. 
1S57.— John 0. Mott, Half-Moon. 
1860. — Charles S. Lester, Saratoga Springs. 
1863.- Isaac C. Ormsby, AVaterford. 
1869. — AVinsor B. French, Saratoga Springs. 
1872.— Isaac C. Ormsby, AVaterford. 

XXL— JAILERS. 
The prisoners, eight in number, who had been kept at 
the expense of the county in the Albany jail, were brought 
to the jail in the new court-house, March 23, 1796. 



1796. — Enos Gregory. 
1798. — Joseph Palmer. 
1802.— Samuel HoUister. 
1811. — Jonathan Kellogg. 
1812.— Samuel HoUister. 
1813.- Raymond Taylor. 
1819. — John Dunning. 
1835.— Chester Stebben--. 



1841.— Thomas Low. 
1844.— Rowlaud A. AVright. 
1847.— Philip H. MoOmber. 
1859.- George B. Powell. 
1862.— Frederick T. Powell. 
-874. — Manlius JeflTers. 
.;T5. — Franklin Carpenter. 
1877.— Nicholas T. Howland. 



XXII.— CRIERS. 
1791.— Ezra Buel, Stillwater. 
1833.— Nathaniel Stuart, Milton. 
1836. — Hiram Boss, Milton. 
1848.— Nathaniel J. Seeley. Milton. 
1859. — Freeman Thomas, Milton. 
1863.— David F. AVhite, Milton. 
1873. — Norman S. May, Saratoga Springs. 
1877. — Erastus H. Sohureman, Milton. 

XXIII.— OFFICERS OF THE BOARD 
FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF 



OF SUPERVISORS 
THE COUNTY. 



Moderators. 

1791 Beri.ah Palmer. 

1792 John McClelland. 

1793 Richard Davis, Jr. 

1794 John Taylor. 



Clerks. 
Cornelius Vandenburgh. 



88 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



1705 John B. Scliuyler. Cornelius Vandenburgh. 

17*J(i Benjamin Rosekrans. •* " 

1797 " " " " 

179S Henry Walton. Elislia Powell. 

1799 Benjamin Rosekrans. Jacob Fort^ Jr. 

1800 Selh C. Baldwin. " •• " 

1801 .\sahel Porter. " " " 

1802 John Hunter. Jonathan Kellogg. 

180.3 " " " " 

1804 Ashbel Andrews, Jr. " " 

1805 " " " " " 

1806 Elisba Powell. " 

1807 " " " " 

1808 " " " " 

1809 Ashbel Andrews. " " 

1810 Benjamin Cowles. " *' 

ISU " " " 

1812 Joel Keeler. Alpheus Goodrieli. 

181;i Samuel Young. •' " 

1814 Zebulon Mutt. 

1815 John Low. " " 

181(1 Joel Keeler. " " 

1817 James MeCrea. " " 

1818 Joel Keeler. " " 

1819 Calvin Wheeler. " " 

1820 '• " " " 

1821 Thomas Dibble. " 

1822 John Low. 

1823 Calvin Wheeler. " " 

1824 \Vm. Given. " " 

1825 John Low. " " 

1826 Calvin Wheeler. " " 

1827 Perez Otis. " " 

Chairmen. 

1828 Calvin Wheeler. " " 

1829 John II. Steel. " 

I8:iO Calvin Wheeler. " 

1831 Thomas Dibble. " " 

1832 " " " 

1833 Eli M. Todd. 

1834 Richard Keteham. ." " 

1835 Dudley Smith. " " 

1836 Richard Keteham. " " 

1837 " " '•• " 

1838 Conrad Cramer. " " 

1839 Daniel Morgan. " " 

1840 Harmon Roekwell. 

1841 L_\ ndes Emerson. Horace Goodrich. 

1842 Samuel Cha[iman. Callender Beeeher. 

1843 Harmon Rockwell. " ** 

1844 James M. Cor>k. J. Oakley Nodyne. 

1845 " " Callender Beeciler. 

1846 Theodore W. Sanders. Reuben Westeott. 

1847 Zopher I. Delong. Harmon Rockwell. 

1848 Harmon Rockwell. Zo]>her I. Delong. 

1849 Henry Holmes. Reuben ^Vesteott. 

1850 David T. Lamb. John A. Corey. 

1851 Steiiben H. Dillingham. .Joseph L. Snow. 

1852 AVm. Shepherd. John A. Corey. 

1853 ■* *' Seymour Chase. 

1854 Cruger Walton. E.'j. Huling. 

1855 Franklin Iloag. Abraham Marshall. 

1856 Daniel W. Culver. 

1857 James M. Marvin. Abel Meeker. 

1858 William T. Odell. David Ma.\well. 

1859 William Gary. " " 

1860 Alexander II. Palmer. Jerome B. Buekbee. 

1861 Joseph Baucus. Abraham Marshall. 

1862 " ** Alexander H. Palmer. 

1863 George G. Scott. David Maxwell. 

1864 Horatio S. Brown. John A. Corey. 

1865 Taber B. Reynolds. *' " 

1866 " " " " " 

1867 Hiro Jones. " " 

1868 Wm. V. Clark. David Ma.xwell. 

1869 Williiim V. Clark. 

1870 " ■• 

1871 .\ustin L. Reynolds. Benjamin S. Robinson. 

1872 ^'icholas J. Clute. " ' 

1873 David T. Lamb. David Maxwell. 

1874 James M. Marvin. .David S. Baker. 

1875 Wra. V. Clark. Benjamin S. Robinson. 

1876 George G. Scott. Henry H. Baker. 

1877 Thomas Noxon. Ira L. Moore. 

1878 Henry C. Vandenburgh. Silas H. Torrej. 

XXIV.— COUXTY CLERKS. 
1791.— Dirok Swart, Stillwater. 
1804.— Seth C. Baldwin, Ballston. 
1813.— Levi H. Palmer, Milton. 
1815.— William Stillwell, Ballston. 
1818.— Thomas Palmer, Milton. 
1833. — Alpheus Goodrich, Milton. 



1840.— Archibald Smith, Charlton. 

1843. — Horace Goodrich, Milton. 

1846.— James W. Horton, Milton (still in office). 

XXV.— COUNTY TREASURERS. 
1791. — Guert. Van Schoouhoven, Half-Moon. 
1792.— Samuel Clark, Stillwater. 
1794.— Caleb Benedict, Ballston. 
1796.— Elisha Powell, Milton. 
1798. — Robert Leonard, Ballston. 
1800.— Jonathan Kellogg, Ballston. 
1805.— Edward Watrous, Ballston. 
1810. — Arehy Kasson, Milton. 
1815.— Azari.ah W. Odell. .Alilton. 
1822.- Edward Watrou.s, Milton. 
1831. — George Thompson, Milton. 
1844. — Arnold Harris, Ballston. 
1847.— Edward W. Lee, Milton. 
1849. — Arnold Harris, Ballston. 
1855. — Oryille D. Vaugban, Milton. 
1861. — Henry A. Mann, Milton. 
1876. — James H. Wright, Saratoga Springs. 

XXVI.— SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR. 
(Appointed by the Board of Supervisors.) 
1827. — .\aron Morehouse, Alpheus Goodrich, Jesse Robertson. Hugh 
Hawkins, Roekwell Putnam, Earl Stimson, David Benedict, 
David Garnsey, Jonathan Lapham, Hugh Hawkins, Elisha 
Powell, Earl vStimson, Dayid Garnsey, Christopher Earl. 
1828.— Elisha Powell, Hugh Hawkins, Christopher Earl, Moses Wil- 
liams, Alpheus Goodrich. 
1831. — Elisha Powell, Hugh Hawkins, Aaron Morehouse, Christopher 
Earl. 
(Appointed by the .Supervisors and Judges jointly.) 
1832. — Elisha Powell, Hugh Hawkins, Aaron Morehouse. 
1833-34. — Elisha Powell, Aaron Morehouse, Samuel .Smith. 
1835-42.— Elisha Powell, Lebbeus Booth, William Hawkins. 

(Appointed by the Board of Supervisors.) 
1842-43.— William Hawkins, John Wait, Edward W. Lee. 
1844-46. — Lebbeus Booth, Abraham Middlebrook, James H. .Speir. 
1847.— John Kelly, John Wait, William W. Arnold.* 
Jaitnurtf 1, 1848. — William A-. Mundell, Calvin Wheeler, Abraham 

Middlebrook. 
Junuarii 1, 1849. — Robert Gardner. 
January 1, 1850. — Calvin Wheeler. 
Janitart/ 1, 1851. — Abraham Middlebrook. 
Jannary 1, 1852. — Robert Gardner. 
January 1, 1853. — Samuel Rue. 
January 1, 1854. — Abraham Middlebrook. 
January 1, 1855. — Robert Gardner. 
January 1, 1856. — Samuel Rue. 
January 1, 1857. — Harmon G. Sweeney. 
January 1, 1858. — Robert Gardner, 
January 1, 1859. — Henry Wright. 
January I, 1800. — David Rowley. 
January 1, 1861. — Richard Hewitt. 
January 1, 1862.— Heury Wright. 
January 1, 1863. — Henry Holmes. 
January 1, 1864. — David Rowley. 
January 1, 1865. — Alexander Davidson. 
January 1, 1866. — James Tripp, Henry Holmes. 
January 1, 1867. — James Tripp. 
January 1, 1868. — Alexander Davidson. 
January 1, 1869. — Thomas Sweet. 
January 1, 1870. — Ziniri Lawrence. 
January 1, 1871. — Alexander Davidson. 
January 1, 1872. — James Tripp. 
January 1, 1873. — Zimri Lawrence. 
January 1, 1874. — George W. King. 
January 1, 1875. — James Tripp. 
January 1, 1876. — Gilbert P. Rowley. 
January 1, 1877.^George W. King. 

* After 1847 elected at the general election. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



89 



XXVri.— KEEPERS OF THE COUNTY POOR-HOUSE, ES- 
TABLISHED IN IS27. 

Benjamin Cowlc8, Daniel A. Collainer, Sylvester Blood, Increase 
Hoyt, Henry Wright, Charles R. Lewis, William W. Hunt, John 
J. Gilbert. 

XXVIIL— CORONERS. 

Febnirtri/ 19, 1791. — James Rogers, Saratoga; Ezekiel Ensign, 
Siillwater; Aaron Comstock, llalf-Moon. 

Ft-brunry 21, 1792. — Thomas Rogers, Saratoga; Aaron Comstock, 
II alt'- Moon. 

February 18, 1793. — James Rogers, Saratoga. 

September 29, 1795. — Isaac Keeler, Half- Moon. 

Ftbnutry 16, 1796. — Isaac Keeler, Halt-Moon; Nathan Raymond, 
Ballston ; John Neilson, Stillwater; Zerah Beach, Bail^ton ; 
Stephen Ball, Ballston. 

J/rtn-A 4, 1797.— Stephen Ball, Ballston; Zerah Be.ich, Ballston; 
John Neilson, Stillwater; Isaac Keeler, Half-Moon; Nathan 
Raymond, Ballston. 

Febrnnnj 24, 1798. — John Neilson, Stillwater; Isaac Keeler, Milton; 
Nathan Raymond, Ballston ; Ebenezer Couch, Galway. 

FKbruar)/ 16, 1799. — Thomas Laing, Northumberland; Joseph New- 
land, Galway; Moses Scott, Half-Moon; Robert Leonard, 
Ballston. 

April 2, 1800. — Joseph Newland, Galway; Moses Scott, Half-Moon ; 
Robert Leonard, Ballston; Thomas Laing, Northumberland. 

Jannarij 22, 1801.— Robert Mitchell. 

March 2, 1804. — Chauncey Belding, Charlton ; James I. Brisbin, 
Saratoga; Luther Landon, Malta. 

March 8, 1805. — James Brisbin, Jr., Saratoga; Luther Landon, 
Malta; Chauncey Belding, Charlton. 

March 13, 1806. — James Brisbin, Jr., Saratoga; Hezekiah Middle- 
brook, Jr., Milton. 

March 25, 1807. — John Knickerbocker, Jr., Stillwater. 

March 18, 1808. — Conrad Cramer, Northumberland; Nehemiah Cande, 
Galway. 

April 6, 1808.— Hezekiah Middlebrook, Jr., Milton. 

March 20, 1809. — Nehemiah Cande, Galway; Elisha Howland, Half- 
JMoon ; Conrad Cramer, Northumberland; Wm. S. McRea, Ball- 
ston. 

March 9, 1811. — Elisha Howland, Half-Moon; George H. Benham, 
Milton. 

March 20, 1813. — George H. Benhaui, Milton; Henry Philmore, 
Providence ; Abner Medberry, Greenfield; Isaac B. Payne, 
Northumberland; John Bra<lshaw, Half-Moon; Royal Knights. 

March 20, 1814.— George H. Bonham, Milton; Henry Philmore, 
Providence ; Abner Medberry, Greentield ; Isaac B. Payne, 
Northumberland; Royal Knights; Adam Edson, Half-Moon. 

March 29, 1815.— Henry Q. Wright; Stephen Jackson, Milton. 

March 16, 1816. — Henry Q. Wright; Stephen Jackson, Milton. 

April 2, 1816, — Nicholas Carpenter; Daniel Hicks, Northumberland; 
Wm. Davis; Daniel Rogers, Stillwater; Gilbert C. Bedell, Sara- 
toga. 

March 9, 1817. — James Mott, Saratoga. 

March 11, 1817. — Darius Johnson, Greenfield; Lyman B. Lang- 
worthy, Milton; Jonathan Delano, Jr., Providence; Daniel 
Hicks, Northumberianil. 

June 16, 1818. — Lyman B. Langworthy, Milton ; Daniel Hicks, 
Northumberland; Wm. H. Satterlee, Ballston; Daniel Rogers, 
Stillwater; Wm. Tearse, Moreau ; Truman B. Hicks, Hadley ; 
John Cook; Latham Coffin, Providence. 

March 13, 1819. — Lyman B. Langworthy, Milton; Daniel Hicks, 
Northumberland ; Wm. H. Satterlee, Ballston ; Daniel Rogers, 
Stillwater; Wm. Tenrse ; Truman B. Hicks, Hadley; John 
Cook; Latham Coffi i. Providence; Solomon Parks, Moreau. 

Feb. 5, 1820. — Lyman B. Langworthy, Milton ; Daniel Hicks, North- 
umberland ; David RogLTS, Corinth; Wm. H. Satterlee, Balls- 
ton; Wm. Tearse; Trmuan B. Hicks, Hadley; John Cook; 
Latham Coffin, Providence. 
March 13, 1821. — Isaac Scars, Stillwater; Peter L. Mawney, Moreau; 
John H. Steele, Saratoga Springs; Wm. Davis; Chester Clapp, 
Ballston; Timothy Crane; J.ihn W. Crcal, Corinth; John Bal- 
lard, Northumberland i Daniel Rogers, Stillwater. 

12 



March fi, 1822. — Isaac Sears, Stillwater; Peter L. Mawney, Moreau; 
John H. Steele, Saratoga Springs; AVilliam Davis ; Chester Clapp, 
Ballston;, Timothy Crane; John W. Creal, Corinth; John liaU 
lard, Northuml)erland ; Daniel Rogers, Stillwater; John Pettit, 
Greenfield. 

(Elected by the people). 
7(111. 1, 1S23. — Reuben Wcsteot, Milton; Win. Vcrnam, Half-Moon; 

Benjamin Cowlcs, Corinth; Gilbert Swan, Galway. 
Jan. 1, 1826. — Orcn Sage, Milton : Dirck L. Palmer, Saratoga Springs ; 

Amos Cook, Edinburgh ; William Fellows, Stillwater. 
Jan. 1, 1829. — Harmon Rockwell, Hadley ; Hugh Alexander, Gal- 
way ; Dirck I>. Palmer, Saratoga Springs ; Nathan D. Sherwood, 
Waterford. 
Jan. 1, 1832.— Nathan D. Sherwood, Waterford; Joseph B. V. Fair- 
banks, Moreau; Chauncey G. Dibble, Corinth; Dirck L. Palmer, 
Saratoga Springs. 
Jan. 1, 1835.— George Hunt, Day; Peter Shute, Clifton Park; Eli 

Holbrook, S;iratoga Springs; Israel Baker, Stillwater. 
Jan. 1, 1838, — Rockwell Putnam, Saratoga Springs ; Abraham K. 
Underbill, Charlton; William Brown, Corinth; Nathan D. Sher- 
wood, Waterford. 
Jan. 1, 1840. — Leonard Hodgman, Stillwater. 
Jan. 1, 1841. — Chauncey Boughton, Half-Moon; Abraham Marshall, 

Northumberland : Lemuel D. Sabin, Day. 
Jan. 1, 1843. — John A. Waterbury, Saratoga Springs. 
Jan. 1, 1844.— Nathan A. Philo, Half-Moon; Henry White, Milton; 

Thomas S. Carpenter, Corinth. 
Jan. 1, 1846.— Calvin W. Dakc, Greenfield. 
Jan. 1, 1847. — William A. Mundcli, Saratoga Springs: Harvey H. 

Rogers, Clifton Park; James H. Lockwood, Miltou. 
Jan. 1, 1849.— Gilbert Purdy, Saratoga. 
Jan. 1, ISoO. — Wynant G. Vandenburgh, Waterford; William A. 

Mundell, Saratoga Springs ; James H. Lockwood, Milton. 
Jan. 1, 1851. — David Rhodes, Day. 
Jan. 1, 1853. — James Viall, Half-Moon; Archibald Gow, Saratoga ; 

Nathaniel J. Seeley, Milton. 
Jan. 1, 1854. — Benjamin F. Chadsey, Clifton Park. 
Jan. 1, 1856. — Peter E. Esmond, Saratoga; Emmor K. Uuested, 

Stillwater; Nathaniel J. Seeley, Milton. 
Jan. 1, 1857. — Gideon Comstock, Corinth. 
Jan. 1, 1859. — Nathaniel J. Seeley, Miltou ; Nanning V. Fort, Clifton 

Park ; Archibald Gow, Saratoga. 
Mareh 31, 1859.— James F. Doolittle, Milton. 
Jan. 1, 1860.— Charles H. Andrus, Milton. 
Jan. 1, I860.— Philip T. Heartt (2d), Waterford. 
Jan. 1, 1862.— Cyrus F. Rich, Saratoga. 
Jan. 1, 1862.— Nanning V. Fort, Clifton Park. 
Jan. 1, 1863. — John Barrett, Milton; Nathan W. Buckmaster, 

Corinth. 
Jan. 1, 18G5. — Nanning V. Fort, Clifton Park; John L. Perry, Jr., 

Saratoga Springs. 
Jan. 1, 1866. — Nanning V. Fort, Clifton Park; David F. White, 

Milton ; Alfred Angcll, Corinth. 
Jan. 1, 1868.— Philip Heartt (2d), Waterford. 
Jan. I, 1869— Alfred Angell, Corinth; John J. Clutc, Clifton Park; 

Jacob Boycc, Ballston. 
Ja,u 1, 1871.— Philip Heartt (2d), Waterford. 
Jan. 1, 1872.— David F. White, Milton : Edmund J. Huling, Saratoga ■ 

Spring.^; Ambrttse C. Iliekok, Corinth. 
Jan. 1, 1874.— Philip Heartt (2d), Waterford. 
Jan. 1, 1875, — Benjamin W. No.\on, Milton; Alfred Angell, Corinth; 

Frank Gow, Saratoga. 
.Jan. 1, 1877.— Philip Heartt (2.1), Waterford. 

7.1)1.1,1878. — Frank Gow, Saratoga; Walton W. French, Milton; 
Frank M. Boyce, Saratoga Springs. 

XXIX.— DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON 
SCHOOLS. (ACT OF 1841.) 

(Appointed by the supervisors.) 
1841. — Alanson Smith, Saratoga Springs. 
1843. — Seabury Allen, Providence. 
1845.— Scabury Allen, Providence.® 

* Office abolished in 1847. 



90 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



XXX.— SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS BY ASSE.MBLY DIS- 
TRICTS, UNDER THE ACT OF 1856. 
(Appointed by the Board of Supervisors.) 
1856. — 1st District : Samuel Tompkins, Stillwater. 
2d District: Anson M. Boyce, AVilton. 

(Elected.) 
1858.— Ist District : Charles D. Seeley, Milton. 

2d District: Ansom M. Boyce, Wilton. 
1861. — Ist District: Seymour Chase, Milton. 

2d District : Walton AV. French, Wilton. 
1864. — 1st District: Thomas McKindley, Charlton. 

2d District: Henry Wilcox, Jr., Saratoga Springs. 
1867. — 1st District: Neil Gilmour, Milton. 

2d District: Henry Wilcox, Jr., Saratoga Springs. 
1870.— 1st District: Seth Whalen, Milton. 

2d District : Oscar F. Stiles, Saratoga Springs. 
1873. — 1st District : Hon. Neil Gilmour (succeeded on his resignation 
by Henry L. Grose). 

2d District: Oscar F. Stiles. 
1876. — 1st District: Nelson L. Roe, Ballston. 

2d District: John AV. Shurter, Moreau. 

XXXI.— VARIOUS COMMISSIONS. 
Commimiotipra for bnildinf) the Jirft C'ntit- HouKe, appointed in 1794. — 

John Bradstrcet Schuyler, Richard Davis, Jr., James Emott, 

John Ball, John McClelland. 
CuiniiiiHsinuera fnr bnUdiuy the present Conrt-Huuse, appointed in 

1817. — Elisha Powell, James Merrill, Isaac Gere, John Gibson, 

Gilbert Waring. 
Comminsioners for biiildintj the Jirst Clerk's O^Vf, appointed in 1824. — 

Edward Watrous, Eli Barnum, Moses Williams. 
Commlnsitiiiera for bnildiyty the present Clerl'a OJ}ive, appointed in 

1S65. — Arnold Harris, Joseph Baucus, David T. Lamb, James 

W. Horton, Edwin H. Chapman, Charles S. Lester, William V. 

Clark. 

Coinmiaaionera of Ta,refi. 

1799. — James Gordon, Ballston; Henry Walton, Ballston; Hugh 
Peebles, Half-Moon. 

XXXII.— LOAN OFFICES. (LOAN OF 1792.) 
1792. — Guert Van Schoonhoven, Half-Moon ; Cornelius Vandenburgh, 

Stillwater. 
1798. — Elisha Powell, of Milton, rite Vandenburgh.* 

XXXIII.— COMMISSIONERS OF LOANS. (LOAN OF 1808.) 

1S08.— John AV. Taylor, Ballston ; John Cramer, Half-Moon. 

1829. — Gideon M. Davison, Saratoga Springs; Joshua Bioore, AVater- 

ford. 
1S32. — George AA^. Kirtland, AVaterford, vice Bioore. 
1840. — Daniel Morgan, Saratoga; De AA'itt C. Austin, Moreau. 
1843.— Cyrus Perry, AVilton ; George G. Scott, Milton.+ 

XXXIV.— COMMISSIONERS OF THE UNITED STATES 
DEPOSIT FUND. (LOAN OF 1837.) 
1837. — Isaac Frink, Milton; Joshua Bioore, Waterford. 
1840. — John House, AVaterford; Lebbeus Booth, Ballston. 
1843. — John Cramer (2d), AVaterford; Alvah Dakc, Greenfield. 
1845. — AVm. I. Gilchrist, Charlton ; James V. Bradshaw, Half-Moon. 
1848.— Calvin AV. Dake, Greenfteld; George B. Powell, Milton. 
1855. — Andrew AVatrous, Saratoga Springs; Albert A. Moor, Milton. 
1861. — Seymour Gilbert, Saratoga Springs ; Nathaniel Mann, Milton. 
1865. — Joshua Swan, Milton; Calvin W. Dake, Greenfield. 
1869. — Isaac Grinnell, Milton ; Daniel C. Coy, Greenfield. 
1873. — AVarren Dakc, Greenfield ; Alonzo Russell, Saratoga. 
XXXV.— COMMISSIONERS OF EXCISE. 
(Appointed by the County Judge under act of 1857.) 
1857. — John Stewart, AVaterford ; Samuel Lewis, Northumberland; 
Truman Safford, Saratoga Springs. 

'^ Office abolished in 1832, and books and papers transferred to the 
commissioners of loans. 

f Office abolished in 1850, and books and papers of loans of 1792 
and 1808 transferred to the commissioners of the United States 
deposit fund. 



1S58. — Ransom Cook, Saratoga Springs, rice SafiTord. 

1861. — AValter Doty, Northumberland, rice Lewis. 

1863.— John W. Eddy, Saratoga Springs, i-iVc Cook. 

1864. — Austin L.Reynolds Moreau, vice Doty; Morgan L. Finch, 

Clifton Park, vice Stewart, 
1867. — Alfred Angell, Corinth, vice Reynolds. 

CLERKS TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF EXCISE. 
1857.— AVilliam B. Harris, Stillwater. 
1859. — Jerome B. Buckbee, Saratoga Springs. 
1863. — John A. Corey, Saratoga Springs. 



CHAPTER XX. 

MILITARY ROLLS. 

The following lists of the officers of the militia of Sara- 
toga County, from the first enrolment in 1775 up to the 
beginning of the War of 1812-15, are all we have been 
able to gather from the records in the office of the adjutant- 
general at Albany. From the year 1812 to the year 1830 
there are no records in this office of the military rolls. Pre- 
vious to 1803 there seem to have been but few records of 
rolls kept. 

I.— REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 
NEW YOKK MILITIA— 12TU REGIMENT. 

HALF-MOON AND BALLSTUN DISTRICTS. 

CommiBsiona itsued Oct. 20, 1775. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Jacolius Van Schoonhoven, colonel. 

Jamus Goniun, liputeiiaiit-culouel. 

Ezekiel Taylor. Ist major. 

Andrew Mitchell, 2il major. 

David Ilumaey, adjutant. 

Simeon Fort, qnarteruiaster. 

Company Officrrn. 

1st Company. — Guardus Cluet, c;ipt. ; Albert Van De Werk^r, 1st licut. ; Ruliert 
Rowland, 2d lieut. ; John Van De Weiker, enf^ign. 

2d Company. — NanningN. ViHscher, capt.; Juhn \i\n Vranken, 1st lieut.; Nich- 
olas Van Vranken, 2d lieut. ; Maaa Van Vranken, enfiiga. 

3d Company. — Jeremiah Vincent, capt.; Jost^ph Pinkney, Ist lieut. ; Peter Fer- 
guson, 2d lieut.; Elias Van Steenburgh, ensign. 

4th Company. — Joshua Losee, capt.; Thumas Hicks, 1st lieut.; Cornelius Vil- 
linp, 2d lieut. ; Oliver W'ait, ensign. 

5th Company. — Tyrannuu Collins, capt.; Wm. McCrea, 1st lieut.; Benjamin 
Wood, 2<i lieut.; David Claik, ensign. 

Gth Company. — Stephen White, capt.; Thomas Brown, Ist lieut.; Epcnctus 
White, 2d lieut.; Nathan Raymond, ensign. 

NEW YORK MILITIA— lOTH REGIMENT. 

SARATOGA DISTRICT. 

Commissions issued Oct. 20, 1775. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

John McCrea, colonel. 

Cornelius Van Veghten, lieutenant-colonel. 

Daniel Dickinson, 1st major. 

Jacob Van Schaick, 2d m:ijor. 

Archibald McNiel, adjutant. 

John Vernor, quartermaster. 

Comjianii Officers. 

iBt Company. — Peter Van Woert, capt.; James Stoma, 1st lieut.; Jonathan 
Dunham, 2d lieut. ; Gerrit Van Buren, ensign. 

2d Company. — Jolm Tlioiti8on,capt.; Josiah Benjamin, 1st lieut. ; John Hunter, 
2d lieut.; Joseph Row, ensign. 

3d Company.— Henry O'Hani, capt.; Benjamin Giles, Ist lieut.; JonatUao Pet- 
tit, 2d lieut.; James Pcttit, ensign. 

4th Company.— Ephraim Woodward, capt. ; Tliomas Ballard, 1st lieut. ; Holturu 
Dunham, 2d lisut.; .\be Belknap, ensign. 

olh Company, — Epbraim Lake, capt.; Samuel Sheldon, 1st lieut.; Jabez Gage, 
2d lieut.; Benajah Sheldon, ensign. 

Gth Company.— J osqih Palnur, capt.; Juhn Davis, 1st lieut.; llezekiah Dun- 
ham, 2d lieut.; Alpheus Davis, ensign. 

7th Company.— David Junes, capt.; Samuel Perry, 1st lit-ut.; Peter Winne, 2d 
lieut.; Elifcha Beutley, ensign. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



91 



RETURNS OF OFFU'ERS OF MINUTE-MEN. 

SARATOGA DISTRICT. 

'* A return of tlio officers of the miniite-iiK>n for tlio ilistrict of Saratoga, in t!io 
County of .\Iliaiiy, In-itis iluly electcij by tlieir company in presence of tliis com- 
niittcf, viz., Alexander Ilahlwin, capt.,SauiUL'I Bacon, 1st lietit., Walter Hewitt, 
2>l lieiit., Elifts Palmer, ensign. That the above persons may with greater ea.se 
aixl facility c;irry into execution the late resolutions of the Continental Con- 
grt'ss witli their company, we beg the favor of their being properly commis- 
Biunetl for that purpose. 

" By order of the committee, 

" EBENEZER MARVIN, Chairman. 

*• To THE IIOXORABLE TIIK PltOVIJJCtAL CONVENTION OF THE PROVINCE OF NkW 

York. 

"Saratoga, February 12, 1776." 

II.— FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE WAR OF 1812. 
BRIGADE OF THE COUNTY OF SARATOGA.— 9TII. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Jan. 27, 1S03, Asalie! Porter, brigatle inspector. 

July 3, 1801, Samuel Clark, brigadier-general. 

Feb. 8, 1808, David Rogers, brigade major. 

Jan. C, 1809, Daniel L. Van Antwerp, brigade quartermaster. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Daniel G. Garnsey, brigade major. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Dudley Smith, brigade major. 

Fob. 11, 1811, Leonard II. Gansevoort, brigade quartermaster. 



C'lptaia^. 



WiTch 23, 1803, Daniel Rathbun. 



Firttt Lieutfttantx. 
March 23, 1803, James Garnsey. 

March 22, 1804, Joseph Hanchet. 

Second Lieutenunf". 
March 2:i, 1803, Joseph Stanchet, Jr. 
March 22, 1804, Ebenezer Couch. 

This brigade compri-ted six regiments, as showa by an order of the adjutant- 
general, subsequently given. 

The commissioned officers of these regiments from 180:i to 1812 were as fol- 
lows : 

m._2iTH REGIMENT. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

June 30,1804, Restcomf Potter, lieutenant-colonel. 

June 30, 1804, Ezra Kellogg, 1st major. 

June 30, 1804, Isaac Gere, 2d major. 

June 30, 1804, Willard Trowbridge, aijutiint. 

June 30, 1804, Pilgrim Durkee, 2d major. 

June yO, 1804, Stephen Sherman, Ist major. 

June 30, 18i4, Stephen Potter, surgeon. 

April 3, 1806, Isaac Gere, lieutenant-colonel. 

April 3, 1806, Jolin Rhodes, 1st major. 

April 3, 180G, Gershom Proctoi", 2d major. 

April G, 1807, Nathan Thompson, surgeon. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Amos Cook, adjutant. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Eail Stimson, paym^ister. 

Feb. 29, 1812. Iisajic Gere, lieutenant-colonel. 

Feb. 23, 1812, Charles Rhodes, 2d major. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Thaddeus Jewett, paymaster. 

May 21, 1812, John Rhoades, lieutenant-colonel. 

May 23, 1812, Eli Smith, 1st major. 

May 23, 1812, Jonathan Delano, 2d major. 

Captain*. 

June 30, 1804, Eli Smith, Daniel D. Wolf, Amasa Sumner, Edward Shipman, 
Eleazar Smith, Amos Smith, Anson Fowler. 

April 8, 180.% Elihu B. Smith. 

April 3, 180G, Oliver Edwards, Peter Boss, Jonathan Smith, Othniel Alien. 

April 6, 1807, Job Weils. 

April 4, 1808, Charles Rhodes. 

March 12, 1810, Phinead Warren, Jonathan Delano. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Samuel Hawley, Eli Beechei-, James Carpenter, James N. Smith. 

June 5, 1811, Benjamin Wright, Noah Sweet. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Andrew Comstock, Michael Dunning, Earl Stimson, James N. 
Smith. 

May 23, 1812, Paul Edwards. 

Lieutenants. 

June 30, 1804, Barnet Stillwell, Joseph Brewster, Jonathan Smith, Oliver Ed- 
monds, Othniel Allen, Jr., Job Wells, Elihu B. Smith, David Fortes, 
Nathaniel Adams. 

April 8, 180:>, Elihu Dean. 

April 3, 1800, Charles Rhodes, Samuel Hollister, Abraham B. Walker, Miles 
Ely, Thomas Grimes. 

April 0, 1807, Mi.hael Dunning, John Blair, James Smith, John Salisbury, Wm. 
Randall. 

April 4, 1808, John Uambler, James Carpenter, Uenry Skinuer. 



May 31, 1809, Jonathan Delano, John Hamilton, James Perry, Samuel Hawley. 

March 12, 1810, James Perry, Aanm Wheeler, Aaron Grinwold. 

Feb. 11, lail, John Derrick, Noah Sweet, Wm. Tripp, Paul Edwards, Andrew 

Comstock, Josei)h Brewster. 
June 5, 1811, Pliilo Dauchy, Edmond Hewitt, Jr. 
Feb. 29, 1812, John Brown, Wm. Richardson, Jr., Henry Warren. 
May 23, 1812, John Herringtun, Jo.shua Finch. 

Ensi'jns. 
Juno 30, 1804, James Northrup, Arnold Earl, George Bradford, Charles Rhodes, 

Michael Dunning, Joseph Pinney, Montgomery Evans, Jacob Culver. 
April 8, 180.3, Lewis Stone. 
April 3, 1806, Charles Hamilton, James Smith, Jame'i Perry, John Blair, John 

Salisbury, Nathaniel Adams, Wm. Rjindall, John Munm. 
April 6, 1807, Samuel Halstead, Henry Skinner, Wm. Tripp, Henry Anderson, 

H<-zckiah Runney. 
April 4, 1808, Amos Cook, Marcus Goodwin, Elisha Carpenter, Aaron Wheeler, 

John Pettit. 
May 31, 1809, Thomas Perry, Joseph Brewster, Franklin Oliver. 
March 12, 1810, Thomas Perry, Daniel Smith, Paul Edwards. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Sampson Woolsey, Edmund Hewitt, Edward Wood, Reuben 

Buck, Wm. Richards, Jr., Benjamin Wright, John Brown, Ezekiel O. 

Cogswell. 
June 5, 1811, Ira T. Freeman, John De Golyer. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Calvin Palmer, Joshua Finch, Andrew Thatcher, John Herring- 
ton, Urial Cornell. 
May 23, 1812, Seth Benson, Seth C. Burch, James A. Smith. 

IV.— 32D REGIMENT. 

FIELD AND STVFF. 

Uriah Gregory, lieutenant-colonel. 
March 23, 180 J, John N.tsli, 1st major. 
March 23, 1803, Walter Palchin, 2d ninjor. 
March 24, 18ii3, Jonathan Kellogg, quartermaster. 
April 8, 1805, Matthew McKinney, 1st major. 
April 8, 1805, Ebenezer S. Coon, 2d major. 
April 8, 1805, William Kingsley, adjuUmt. 
April 8, 1805, Jason Bannister, surgeon's mate. 
April 3, 18116, Ebenezer S. <l!oon, lieutenant-colonel. 
April 3, 1800, Eliud Davis, 1st major. 
April 3, 1806, Chauncey Belding, 2d major. 
April 6, 1807, Jason Bannister, surgeon. 
April G, 1807, Eliud Davis, lieutenant-colonel. 
April 6, 1807, Chauncey Belding, l^t major. 
April 6, 1807, David Rogers, 2d major. 
April 4, 1808, Dudley Smith, 2d major. 
April 4, 1808, Edwanl Satterlee, a<ijutant. 
April 4, 1808, William Taylor, quartermaster. 
April 4, 1808, Eliud Davis, lieutenant-colonel. 
April 4, 1808, Chauncey Belding, l^t nirtjor. 
June 8, 1808, Edward R. Satterlee, adjutant. 
March 22, ISitO, William Hawkins, Jr., adjutant. 
March 12, 1810, David Rogers, lieutenant-colonel. 
March 12, 1810, Dudley Smith, Ist major. 
March 12, I8t0, Jacob L. Sherwood, 2d major. 
March 12, 1810, Amos Smith, paymaster. 
Feb. 11, 1811,.Tacob L. Sherwood, let major. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Zerah Beach, Jr., 2d major. 
Feb. 11, 1811, William H. Bridges, adjutant. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Zerah Beach, Jr., 1st major. 
Feb. 29, 1812, John Holmes, Jr., 2d niMJor. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Samnel Pitkin, surgeon. 

Capl'iins. 
March 23, 1803, Onesimus Hubbel, Jonathan Hunting, Chauncey Belding. 
March 24, 1803, David Rogers. 
April 8, 18U5, Dudley Smith, Zerah Beach, Jacob L. Sherwood, Alexander 

Ferguson. 
April 3, 180G, Levi Benedict, Samuel Belding. 
April G, 1&07, Ezekiel Horton. 

April 4, 1808, Ezekiel Horton, Silas Foster, Daniel Ostrom, Nathaniel Jennings. 
March 12, 1812, Sherwood Leavitt, Philo Hurd, Sylvester Harmon, John 

Holmes. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Jonathan Minor, Richard Freeman, James Wilkins, Jr., John 

Holmes, Jr., Isaac Smith, Jr. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Wm. Ely, Alexander Dunlap, Andrew Rich, David Gordon. 
May 23, 1812, Stephen R. Warren, James Smyth, Isaac Curtis. 

Lietiteiiunts. 
March 23, 180:1, Solomon Rowland, Lemuel Wilcox, Asa Beach, Samuel Belding. 
March 24, 1803, Ezekiel Horton. 

April 8, 1805, Joseph Meach, Miles Beach, Aaron Angle, David Hubble. 
April 3, 1800, Reuben Hollister, John Holmes. 

April G, 1807, Silas Foster, Nathaniel Gunning, Daniel Ostrom, John Holmes, Jr_ 
April G, 1808, James Wilkins, Jr., David Fowler, Isaac Smith, Jr., Philo Hurd, 
Sylvester Harmon. 



92 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



March 22, 1809, Jonatlian Minor. 

March 12, 1810, David Gordon, James Smith, Wm. Ely, Andrew Kitchie, Richard 
Frei-nian. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Stephen R. Warren, Alexander Dunlap, Benjamin H. Burnet, 
Juhn Bell. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Mansfield Barlow, Samn el Richards, Juhn Ferguson , Joel Sher- 
wood. 

May 23, 1812, Isaac Curtis, John J. Luther, Seth Kirby, Jr., Henry Miller. 

March 23, 1803, Job Torry, Zerah Beach, Joseph Meach, Daniel Ostrom, John 

Holmes, Jr., Donistus Hollister. 
March 24, 18(i4, William Kiiigsley, Nathaniel Cook, 
April 8, 1805, Jonas Havens, William Hawkins, Jr., John Jones, Joseph Mc- 

Knight, Silvester Harmon. 
April 3, 1806, Jonathan Smith, William Ely. 
April G, 1807, David Fuwler, Pbilo Hurd, I.taac Smith, Jr., James Wilkins, Jr., 

Amos Wamsley. 
April 4, 1808, John Haiman, Richard Taylor, James Smith, Amos Wamsley, 

Bf-njamin H. Burn' t. 
March 22, 1809, Wm. H. Bridges, Richard Freeman. 

March 12, 1810, Juel Sherwood, Seth Kirby, Jr., Mansfield Barlow, John Fer- 
guson, Alexander Diinlnp. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Benjamin Marvin, Jr., Samuel Richards, Isaac Curti<<s, Thom.'ia 

Kirby. 
Feb. '29,1812, Daniel Holmes.Rodney Smith, Philip Hn-tbei-sun, Alvin S. French. 
May 23, 1812, Henry Miller, Reuben Weatcott, Nathiiniel I. Seely, Robert W. 

Oliphant. 

V._41ST REGIMENT. 

FIELD AND PTAFf. 

Samuel Clark, lieutenant-colonel. 

July 3, 18(>4, Deliverance Andrewa, lientenant-colonel. 

July 3, 1804, John Dunning, Ist major. 

July 3, 18U4, Ui>bert Hunter, 2d miijor. 

April 3, 1800, Pontns Hooper, adjutant. 

April 6, 18(J7, Kenben Smith, quartermaster. 

April G, 1807, John Tiittle, imymaster. 

April 4, 18<l8, George Palmer, Jr., adjutant. 

March 22, 1809, Elijah W. Abbott, adjutant. 

March 21, 1809, William Fellows, quartermaster. 

Feb. 9, 1810, J<.hn Dnniting, lieutenant-colonel. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Robert Hunter, 1st major. 

Fob. 9, 1810, RculM-n Woodwoilh, 2(1 m;ijor. 

Feb. 9, 181i», John W. Patriek, adjutant. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Ephraini Child, snrgeon. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Dinforlh Siiuuiway, surgeon's mate. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Peter Andrews, paymaster. 

Feb. 11, ISll, Reuben Woodworih, Ist major. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Lawrence Ho<)per,2d major. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Lawrence Hooper, 1st major. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Coleman G;ites,2d major. 

C'aptainti. 
March 23, 1803, Eiisebius Matthews, Felix Fitzsinimona. 
March 2, 1804, Samuel Cooper, Amos Hodgman, Noah Gates. 
July 3, 1801, Lawrence Hooper. 
April 3, 180*>, Richard Dunning, Dean t.'hase. 
April G, 1807, Samuel Clai k, Jr., Selah Horst'ord, Joseph Wilbur. 
April 4, 1808, Cdenian Gates. 

Feb. 9, 1810, David G. Keeler, John Montgomery, Daniel Weeks. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Patrick Parks, Stephen Valentine, Peter Fort, Edward Colwell, 

John Wilcox, David Benedict. 
Feb. 29, 1812, William Dunning, John Weeks. 
May 3, 1812, No;idiah Moody. 

LieuO mints. 
March 23, 1803, George Peck, John Barber, Af-hbel Hoffoid, Lawrence Hooper. 
March 2, 1804, Daniel Cole, John Montgomery, Abraham Latbrop. 
July 3, 1804, Pontus Hooper. 
April 8, 1S05, Joseph Wilbur. 

April 3, 1S06, Coleman Gates, John Gilbert, Robert Montgomery. 
April G, 18(t7, Daniel WeekH, Gordridge Keeler, John Wilcox, Jr., Henry Curtis. 
April 4, 18it8, Wm. Dunning. 

Feb. 9, 181(1, Wm. Strang, Jr., Noadiah Moody, Stephen Valentine, Zera Wilbur. 
Feb. 11,1811, Reuben Bidwell, Lewis Smith, Robert Crawford, Jonas Olmsted, 

Wm. Cooper, Machivel Andrews. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Mose^ Landon, David Acidmore, Ira Belts. 
May 23, 1812, Gradna Downey. 

Enaiijns. 

March 23, 1803, Wni. Waterbury, Joseph Wilbur, Abraham Lathrop, Edw. Col- 
well, George Dunn. 

March 2, 1804, Selah SatTord, Noadiah Moody, Coleman Gates. 

July 3, 1S04, John Gilbert. 

April 8, 1805, Selah Hosford, Henry Curtis, Bushnell Benedict. 

April 3, 18UG, Wm. Dunning, Patrick Parka, Wm. Fuller. 

April 6, 1807, Stephen Valentine, Wm. Strang, Jr., Wm Cooper, Jr., Zerah Wil- 
bur, Wm. Dunning, Jr., Wm. Fellows. 



April 4, 1808, Moses Landon. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Reuben Wright, Gardus Downing, Lewis Smith, Peter Fort, Will 

Davis. 
Feb. n, 1811, John Valentine, Jolm Wicks, James Bibbins, David Scidmore, 

Isaac Myers, John Nelson, Jr. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Thomas CuUamer, Earl Whitford, Josiah Johnson, Silas Smith. 
May 23, 1812, Garraer Conklin. 

VI.— 631) REGIMENT. 

riEI.D AND STAFF. 

Thomas Rogers, lieutenant-colonel. 
March 2G, 1804, Abel Colwell, adjutant. 
Nov. 2, 1804, Abel Colwell, adjutant. 
April 8, 1805, Nicholas Angle, adjutant. 
April 8, 1805, Tbonias Littleton, surgeon. 
April 8, 1805, Billy J. Clark, surgeon's mate. 
March 15, 180G, Nicholas W. Angle, adjutant. 
April 4, 1808, Jeoee Billings, quartermaster. 
April 4, 1808, Ziali Barnes, paymaster. 
Feb. 9, 1810, John M. Berry, 1st major. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Mahom Cn.foot, 2d major. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Daniel Hicks, surgeon's mate. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Billy J. Clark, surgeon. 
Feb, 29, 1812, James Burnbam, 2d major. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Henry Reynolds, surgeon's mate. 
April 1, 1812, Jeremiah Terhnne, adjutant. 

Captains. 
March 14, 1803, Jonah Mead, John Thompson, Asa Welsh, James Milligan' 

Walter Hewitt. 
Mai'ch 2G, 1804, James Burnham. Harmnnus Van Veghtcn. 
Nov. 2, 1804, Philip Delano. 
April 8, 1805, David Tillotson, John Pettit. 
April 3, 180G, Harmon Gansevoort, John S. Taylor, Luke Fenton, Ebenezer 

Brown. 
April 4, 1808, Jacob Detinis, Thomas Lang, Thomas Reed, Wm. Bumham. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Seth Perry. 
Feb. 11, 1811. Wm. Ross. 
Feb. 29, Selah Bishop, Daniel Finch, Daniel Lindsay, James Mott. 

Lieutfiiauls. 
March 14, 1803, John Petlit, James Vandewerker, Tlionias Breed, Seth Peiry, 

Jr., Josiah St. John. John J. Taylor. 
March 2G, 1804, Selah Bishop, Walter Van Veghten, Solomon Dunham, Eben- 

ez«r Brown. 
April 8, 1805, Abel Calilwell, Eldad Garnsey. 

April 3, 1806, Wm. Harris, Jr., Peter Butler, Samuel Ludliins, Joseph Rockwell. 
April 4, 18i»9,Wm. Wilcox, Wm.Cbub, Daniel French, John Payne, Wm. Smith, 

Daniel Finch. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Dudley Emerf^on, Samuel Cripton. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Wu). Ross, Samuel Crippen, Wm. Wilcox, Daniel Lindsay. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Elijah Dunham, Wm. Kings, David Patterson, John McDowell, 

Abraham Bennett, Josiah Perry, Jr. 

Ensigns. 

March 14,1803, David Walker, Ehlad Garnsey, Wm. Harris, Daniel Finch, Dud- 
ley Emerson, Lewis Scott, Solomon Dunham, Aaron Hale. 

March 26, 1804, Paulinns Potter, Jacob S. Viele, John McDowell, Peter Butler. 

April 8, 1805, Samuel Crippen, Richard McHess. 

Ajiril 3, 18(»6, Albert Terhnne, Joseph Wyiiian, James W. Berry, Luke Johnson. 

April 4, 1808, Richard E>mund, Win. Ross, David Pattison, Sylvester Lewis. 

Feb. 9, 181(1, Rozell Perry, Will King. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Daniel Lindsay, Wm. King, Henry Stafford. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Jeremiah Terhnne, Thomas Dunham, Wm. Clark, Jr., John Pat- 
terson, Benjamin Meriill, Henry Chai>man, Thomas B. Thompson, Curtis 
Wheeler. 

VII.— 59TH REGIMENT. 

FIELD AND STAFr. 

Rnfus Price, lientenant-colonel. 

March 29, 1803, Isaac Young, 2d major. 

April 2, 1804, Asa C. Barney, surgeon. 

April 8, 1805, Gideon Goodiich, lieutenant-colonel. 

April 8, 1805, John Prior, Ist major, 

April 8, 1805, Samuel Bailey, 2d major. 

April 8, 18H5, Daniel Hicks, surgeon's mate. 

April 3, 18UG, Joshua Swan, pajmaster. 

April 4, 1808, Howell Gardner, adjutant. 

April 4, 1808, Abel Baldwin, surgeon's mate. 

May 31, 1809, Isaac Young, quartermaster. 

March 12, 1810, John Prior, licutenant-colonel. 

March 12, 1810, Saniml Bailey, 1st major. 

March 12, 1810, John Bockes, 2d major. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Walter Hewitt, ^,1 nuijur. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Darius Johnson, surgeon's mate. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



93 



Ciiptuinit. 

Miirch 29. 180:i, Abel Deuel. 

April -J, 181H, Kli Couch. 

Apiil S, 181)5, C'uleb Biiiley, George Pock, Ezra Sturr, Wm. G. Boss, Wm. M'uter- 
bury. 

April G, 1807, Samuel Annuble. 

May 31, 18ii9, Lewis Scott, Asher Tftylor, Giles Fitch. 

Feb. 11, 1811, George H. Beiibum, Jacob KeUogg, John Smith, Jr. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Anron liale. Jr., Wni. Scofield, Joseph Morehouse, Jr., Alsop 
Weed. 

LietUenatits. 

March 29, 1803, Amos Smitli, Steplion Seam.ins. 

April 8, 1805, Lewis Scott, Isaac Darrow, Aaron Hale, Jr., William Wateibiirj'. 

April 3, 1800, Perez Billings, Isaac Van Atiatiri, William Scofield, Joseph More- 
house, Samuel Annable. 

April G, 1807, John Ladu, John Billings, Barzillai Richmond. 

April 4, 1808, George Eightnee. 

May 31, 1809, Lotus Watson, John King, Zachariah Curtis, Isaac Van Ostrand, 
David Bockes. 

March 12, 1810, George H. Benham, John Smith, Jr., Dariua Wright, Abner 
Med berry. 

Feb. n, 1811, Edward Giliuan, Alsop Weed, Burr Hendrick. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Potter Johnson, Nathanitd Ingerson, William W. Deake, Jon- 
athan Kellogg, Niclioliis Carpenter. 

Ensigns. 
March 29, 1803, Joseph Morehouse, Jr., David Foster, Hezekiah Lippet. 
April 2, 1804, William S. Cliai>in. 
Apiil 8, 1805, Jonathan Rogers, John King, Archibald Wheeler, Lemuel Hale, 

Samuel Annable. 
April 3, 180G, Elias Manning, William Clark, Nathaniel Ingerson, Gershorn 

Morehouse, Bezaleel Richmond. 
Apiil 0, 1S07, George Eighmee, Giles Fitch, Jr., Asa Taylor. 
April 4, 1808, Jacob Richards, Lotui Watson. 
May 31, 1809, Charles Hoyt, Nicholas Carpenter, Aimer Medberry, Darius 

Wright. Abel Whalen, John Smith. 
March 12, 1810, Edward Gilnian, Burr Hendrick, Caleb Strong, Justin Day. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Alexauddi' C. Kellogg. Jonathan Keltogg, Jr., Nathan Daniels, 

Jtistin Day, Abel Whalen. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Bunzon B. Wiggins, Henry Bump, Asahel Fancher, John Ambler, 

Stephen Medberry, Jeremiah Eddy, Nathaniel Leavens. 

Vlir.— 144TII REGIMENT. 

FIKLO AND STAFF. 

Hezekiah Ketchum, lieutenant-colonel. 

March 29, 1 803, Gradus Clute, 2d major. 

March 2!l, 1803, Joscpli Ketchum, adjutant. 

April 8, 180.^, John Stearns, surgetin. 

April 8, 1805, Elijah Porter, surgeon's mate. 

March 22, 1806, John Ilaswell, adjutant. 

March 22, 180G, Henry Ten Broeck, 2d major. 

March 22, 180G, Henry Fantiing, paymaster. 

April 4, 1808, Henry Fanning, quartermaster. 

April 4, 1808, Joshua Mandeville, paymaster. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Henry Bailey, 2d major. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Samuel Stewart, 2d major. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Nathan Bailey, adjutant. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Gettrge W. Ten Broeck, quartermaster, 

Feb. 11, 1811, Samuel D. Lockwood, jijiymaster. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Elijah Porter, surg<'on. 

Feb. 11, 1811, John Haight, surgeon's mate. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Samuel G. Huntington, 2d major. 

Feb. 29, 1812, William McDonald, paynuister. 

Captains. 
March 29, 1803, Sam u( 1 Stewart, Benjamin Mix, Jacobus Rosecrans, John Mow, 

Christian Sackrider. 
April 8, 18(i5, Joseph Peck, Nathan Garnsey. 
March 22, 18(»6, Jo8*-ph Ketchum, William Comstock, Adam I. Van Vranken, 

Samuel Weldon. 
March 31, 1809, Cornelius C. Van Santford. 
March 12, 1810. Andrew Emigh. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Nathan Bailey, Joshua ULinndoville, Samuel Demarest, William 

Neff, Jr., JoUittlian Irisli, Ephraim Knuwlton. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Anthony S. Badgely. 
May 23, 1812, Andrew Erasier. 

Lieidmants. 
March 29, 18i3, James Welden, Jo-ieph Peek, Peter Davis, Jason Gillespie. 
April 8, 1805, Samuel Demarest, Andrew Emigh, John Cramer, Gideon G. De- 

grafr, John Barnes. 
March 22, 180G, Benjamin Hicks, Wm. Nefl, David Garnsey, Ephmim Kaowlton, 

Jonathan Irish. 
April 4, 18(t8, Francis Dr.ike. 
June 13, 180H, Corneliuij C. Van Saniford. 
May 31, 1^09, Jacob Pudney. 
March 12, 1810, Anthony S. Badgely. 



Feb. n. 1811, Felix Tracy, Asahcl Philo, Tertullus Frost, John Ne-stle, Garret 

J. Van Vmnkeii, Smith Irish, Frederick Clements. 
Feb. 29, 1812, John Stewart, Silas Sweetlaud, David Ash, Wm. Gates. 
May 23,1812, Laurence Travers, Benjamin t'hamberlaiu. 

Evgigns. 
March 29, 1803, Selah Blatehley, Gideon Degraff, Benjamin Hicks, John 

Cramer. 
April 8, 18115, Daniel G Garnsey, Jonathan Irish, .\nthony Badgely, George W. 

Ten Broeck, Alfred White, William Neff, Jr., David Garnsey. 
March 22, 18(IG, Tertullus Frost, Frederick Clements, Daniel Lane, Smith|Irish, 

John Hnbbs. 
Ajiril 4,1808, Tcjtullus Frost, Garret Van Vninken, Cornelius Van Santford, 

John Ilubbs. 
June 13, 1808, Jacob Pudney. 
May 31, 1809, Nathan Bailey. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Felix Tracy. 
March 12, 1810, Wm. Gates. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Silas Cogswell, John Stewart, Samuel G. Huntington, Andrew 

Fraiser, Granrtus Levisee, David Ash, Silas Sweetland, Isaac B. Wix. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Charles H. Wetnuire, Benjamin Chamberlain, Robert Powers, 

Michael Weldiui, Henry Clow, Luther Brown. 
May 23, 1812, Ira Moe, David Spencer. 

IX.— CAVALRY. 
The first squadron of the Seventh Regiment was com- 
posed of the cavah-y in the county of Saratoga. 

FIELD 0FF1CEB8. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Henry Edson, adjutant. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Daniel Dickinson, quartermaster. 

Feb. 2!i, 1812, William Rohards, niaj..r. 

May 20, 1812, Isaac Q. Carpenter, adjutant. 

Captains, 
Feb. 11, 1811, Daniel Montgomery, John Linnendoll, Daniel Starr. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Sidney Berry, Jr., Curtis Burton, Noah Vibbert, Nathan Rogers. 
May 20, 1812, John Sayles. 

Li^ut^nanUi. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Daniel Dickinson, Issiac Q. Carpenter, Sidney Berry, Jr., George 

Reynolds, Jr., Curtis Burton, Paiker Manning, Henry Duel, Charles 

Foster. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Henry Duel, James Meeker, Isaac Q. Carpenter, John Sayles, 

George Reynolds, Seth Pope, Parker Manning, Samuel Bacon, Stephen 

Swan, Elijah E. Smith. 
May 20, 1812, Hezekiah Reynolds, Jeremiah Rutidle. 

Comets. 
Feb. 11, 1811, John Sayles, Scth Pope, Samuel Bacon, James Meeker, St*'phen 

Swan. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Samuel Swetland, Hezekiah Reynolds, Lyon Emerson, James 

Hawkins, Jr., Charles Tripp. 
May 20, 1812, Lodowick Viele. 

X.— ARTILLERY. 

ARTILLERY APPOINTMENTS FOR THE 2D BATTALION OF THE 
4TU REGIMENT. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

March 27, 1805, Amos Potter, 2d major. 
March 30, 1809, Kiah Harnden, paymast'-r. 

Ctipi'iins. 
April 4, 1805, Solomon Day, Cornelius Wbitrn-y, James Hawley. 
April 3, 180G, Joseph I. Green. 
April G, 1807, Lott Wood, James Garnsey. 
March 30, 1809, David Richardson. 

(This appeal's to be entered in the military records as a part of tlie 5th Regi- 
ment about 1810, and composed of the artillery in Samtoga, Montgomery, and 
Schoharie.) 

Feb. 9, 1810, Joseph Ketchum. 
Feb. 11, 1811, David Waterman, Simeon Simmons. 
June 5, 1811, Samuel Drake. 
May 23, 1812, Thomas Mackin, Jr. 

First tientcnants. 
April 4, 1805, Israel Hand, Butler Bcckwith, John Savage. 
April 3, 1806, John M. Thompson. 

April G, 1807, Wm. Van Kark, Lemon Foot, Walter Reed. 
March 30, 1809, Absalom Daley. 

Second Lieutenants. 
April 4, 1805, John Baker, Isaac Phelps, Jr., Abner Stone. 
April 8, 1805, George W. McCracken. 

April 3, 1800, Aaron Waters, Ebenezer Rice, Robert Areliibiild. 
April G, 1807, Solomon Warner, Thomas Talmage, Peter Roe. 
March 30, 1809, Henry Harris, Abel Foster. 



94 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



(Cliang:o(l apparently to the 5tli Regiment.) 
First LitutenanU. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Francis Driike. 

Feb. 11, 1811, Cliaiincey Guernsey, Hiram Musber. 
June 5, 1811, Jacob Snyder, John B. Miller. 
Fell. 29, 1812, Wm. H. Satteilee. 
May 23, 1812, John Yatinan, John G. Murray, Nathaniel Stewart. 

SeeoHti LinUcnants, 
Fell. 9, 1810, Jesse Tracey. 
Feb. 11, 1811, Wm. H. Satterlee, Ely Foster. 
June 5, 1811, Peter Sternl»erg, Wm. Powler. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Jessup Raymond. 
May 2:!, 1812, John Eddy, Silas Wood. 

SARATOGA COUNTY B.^TTALION, AFTERWARDS FORMED INTO THE 
lOCTH REGIMENT. 

FIFLD AND STAFF. 

April 3, 1806, George Taylor, major. 
March -2, 18U9, Jobn Cornwall, adjutant. 
Feb. 9, 1810. William Leavens, 2d major. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Ira Woodworth, paymaster. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Levi Scovill, maj .r. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Avery Benedict, surgeon. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Willard Leavens, quartermaster. 
Feb, 29, 1812, Isaac Woodwolth, paymaster. 

Captains. 
Aprils, 1806, Daniel Hunt. 
April 6, 1807, Daniel Church, John Lindsay. 
March 22, 1809, David Walker. 
Feb. 9, I-^IO, Joseph Rockwell, Ira Heath. 
Feb. 29, 1812, Peter Butler. 

Lieutenants, 

April 3, 1806, David Walker. 

April 6, 1807, Gideon Orton. 

March 22, 1809, Wm. Johnson, Ira Heath, John Taylor. 

Feb. 9, 1810, Luke Johnson, Lawrence Barber. 

Feb. 29, 1812, Artemus Aldrich, David Hemstreet. 

Eiingiis. 
April 6, 1807, Wdliam Johoson, Joel Sprague. Ira Heatli. 
March 22. 1809, Artemus .\ldricli, David Hemstreet, Elijah Buttolpf, John Scho- 

field, Lawrence Barlier. 
Feb. 9, 1810, Laban Keatcli, Levy Heath. 
Feb, 29, 181i, Isaiah Palmater, Jonatlian Flanders. 

" APJlTAVT-GF.KF.nAl.'S OFFICE, 

"City of New York, April 13, 1812. 
"Sir, — In pursuaTice of the authority vested in me liy law, I have determined 
by lot tlie numliers of the several biigades and regiments of iufautry and cav- 
alry in this State, and have now the Iionor of comniuiiiuatiug to you the result. 
"Wm. Paulding, Jr., Adjntant-Gttienil.'^ 

So fitr as this oriier applied to Saiatoga County, it as- 
signed to the command of " the 9th Brigade," Brig.-Gen. 
Samuel Claik, and this brigade is to be formed of six regi- 
ments, — tlie 2-lfli, commaded by Isaac Gere; lite 32rf, com- 
manded hy David Rogers ; the 41s?, commanded hy John 
Dmitiing ; the 59th, commanded by John Prior; the Q3d, 
commanded by Thomas Rogers; tlie 144</i, by Hezekiah 
Ketch Kin. 

The order further provided that the militia of Saratoga, 
Montgomery, and Schoharie should constitute " the 4th 
division," jind Abram Veeder was appointed major-general 
ill the place of Gen. Gansevoort, resigned. 

Xr.— ROLL OF OFFICERS COMMISSIONED IN THE YEARS 

18.Sn-32. 
Oct. 30, 1830, Egbert C. Noxon, Half-Moon, 1st lieut., 1st Ait., 3d Brig., 2d Uiv. 
Oct. 30, 1830, Joel Gould, Clifton Park, capt., 1st Art., 3d Brig., 2d Div. 
Nov. 20, 1830, Gilbert Purdy, Saratoga, capt., 03d Inf., .Olst Brig., 15th Div. 
Nov. 20, 1830, Leonard Adams, Wilton, lieut., 03d Inf., 61st Brig., ISth Div. 
Nov. 20, 1830, James McCi-eedy, Saratoga, ensign, 63d Inf.. 61st Brig., l.^th Div. 
Aug. 7, 1830, Leman A. Grippen, Corinth, ensign, IGGth Inf., .list Brig., 15th Div. 
Aug 7, 1830, Alfred M.allory, surgeon's mate, 160th Inf., 51st Brig., 15tU Div. 
Aug. 14, 18 0, Francis Milliman, lieut., 24th Inf., 5l8t Brig., I5tb Div. 
Aug. 14, 1830, Ira Swan, ensign, 24 h Inf , 51st Brig., 1.5th Div. 
Aug. 4, 1830, John S. Andrews, Milton, major, 7th Cav., 3d Brig., 1st Div. 
Feb. 3, 1831, VVilli:im Fuller, Ballston, capt., 32d Cav., 9th Brig., l.ith Div. 
Feb. 3, 18.31, Isaiah Blood, Ballston, lieut., 32d Cav., 9th Bri^-., 15th Div. 
Feb. 3, IStl, Sanuiel Jrish, Saratoga Springs, ensign, 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 15th 
Div. 



Feb. 19, 1831, Joseph W. Wood, Ballston, capt., 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 15th Div. 

Feb. 19, 1831, Samuel Rue, Ballston, lieut., 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 161h Div. 

Feb 19, 1831, William D. F. Jennings, Ballston, ensign, 32d Cav., 9tU Brig., 

15th Div. 
April 30, 1831, Aaron R. Pattison, Ballston Spa, col., 32J Cav., 9th Brig., 15th 

Div. 
April 30, 1831, Archibald Spiers, Jr., B.illston, lieut.-col., 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 

15th Div. 
April 30, 1831, Jas. A. Brinkerhoff, Ballston, maj., 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 15th Div. 
April 30, 1831, Samuel Irish, Milton, lieut., 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 15th Div. 
April 30, 1831, Ira Howell, Ballstxm Spa, ensign, 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 15th Div. 
Aprii 30, 1831, Isaiah Blood, Milton, capt., 32d Cav., 9th Brig., 15tli Div.. 
May 7, 1831, John Penfield, Ballston, capt., 7th Cav., 3d Brig., 2d Div. 
April 30, 1861, Dauiel P. Wakeman, Ballston Spa, adjt., 32d C.iv., 9tli Brig., 

15th Div. 
May 7, 1831, Elijah W. Weed, Saratoga Springs, Ist lieut., 7th Cav., 3d Brig., 

2d Div. 
May 7, 1831, Clement Patchiu, Milton, 2d lieut., 7th Cav., 3d Brig., 2d Div. 
Blay 7, 1831, Hiram Loomis, Milton, cornet, 7tb Cav., 3d Brig.. 2d Div. 
June 1, 1821, Thomas M. Burtis, Saratoga Springs, paymaster, 7th Cav. 
April 23, 1831, Thomas L. Hewitt, Gal way, ensign, 24th Regt., 51st Brig., loth 

Div. 
Sept. 2, 1830, Thomas C. Hale, Greenfield, ensign, 59th Regt., 51st Brig., 15th 

Div. 
June 4, 1831, George Hanford, Galway, major, separate battalion Riflemen. 
July 4. 1831, John Shutter, Malta, capt., 41st Regt., 0th Brig., lotli Div. 
July 4, 1831, Elisha D. Miller, Ballston, lieut., 41st Regt., 9th Brig., 15th Div. 
July 4, 1831, Hiram Hutchinson, Malta, ensign, 41st Regt., 9th Brig., 16th Div. 
July 2, 1831, Henry Van Duz-n. Clifton Park, capt., 144tli Regt., 9th Brig., 16th 

Div. 
July 2, 1831, George Peck, Clifton Park, lieut., 141th Regt., 9th Brig., 15th Div. 
July 2, 1831, Lewis E.Sheldon, Clifton Park, ensign, 144th Regt., 9th Brig., 15th 

Div. 
Sept. 30, 1831, Lemuel Spiers, Ballston, suig., 32d Regt., 9th Brig., 15th Div. 
Sept. 10, 1831, Jesse Morey, Ballston, capt., 32d Regt., 9tli Brig., 16th Div. 
Dec. 10, 1830, Henry C. Rice, Stillwater, capt., 41st Regt. 
Nov. 11, 1830, Gilbert Piirdy, Saratoga, capt. 
Nov. 11, 1830, Leonard Adams, Wilton, lieut. 
Nov. 11, 1830, James McCreedy, Sar.itoga, ensign. 
Sept. 3, 1831, Ephr.iim Hill, S.iratoga, ensign. 
Sept. 28, 1831, Chauncy D. Bull, Saratoga, surgeon's mate. 
Nov. 12. 1831, Henry D. Chapman, Saratoga, col. 
Sept. 14. 1831, Clark Taber, Providence, capt. 
Sept. 14, 1831, Pardon Soule, Providence, lieut. 
Sept. 14, 18.tl, Huesfin McMiiUin, Providence, ensign. 
Sept. 24, 1831, Philip James, Galway, capt. 
Sept. 24, 1831, Richard M. Livingston, Jr., Galway, lieut. 
Sept. 24, 1831, John H. Dingman, Galway, ensign. 
Nov. 12, 1831, Siimuel Lewis, Northumberland, lieut.-col. 
Nov. 12, 1831, Henry Holmes, Saratoga, maj. 
Oct. 29, 1831, Rensselaer Thompson, Moreau, capt. 
Oct. 29, 1831, Charles A. Sill, Moreau, lieut. 
Oct. 29, 1831, Richard Davenport, Rtoreaii, ensign. 
Aug. 27, 1831, Benjamin F. Prior, Greenfield, capt. 
March 10, 1832, Lodewick P. Shaw, Providence, col. 
March 10, 1832, John S. Green, Galway, ensign. 
March 10, 1832, Jonathan Bristol, Edinburgh, capt. 
March 31, 1832, George W. Downing, Edinburgh, lieut. 
Slarch 31, 1832, George B. .Robinson, Edinburgh, ensign. 
Oct. 5, 1831, James A. Swartwout, Wilton, ensign. 
April 16, 1832, Henry L. Swartwout, Wilton, q.-m. 
March Itl, 1832, Jonathan Edgecomb, Galway, maj. 
lilarch 31, 1832, .Seth Warren, Galway, capt. 
March 31, 1832, Thomas L. Hewitt, Galway, lieut. 
March 31, 1832, Solomon Ellilhorp, Edinburgh, lieut.-col. 
May 12, 1832, .\ichibnld Spier, Ballston Spa, col. 
May 1'2, 1832, Wm. Fuller, Ballston, lieut.-col. 
May 12, 1832, Isaiah Blood, Milton, maj. 

May 10, 1832, Joshua T. Blaiicliard, Saiatoga Springs, q.-m. cav. 
April 28, 1832, Andrew Taylor, Half-Moon, 1st lieut. cav. 
April 28. 1832, Christopher Snyder, H.ilf-Moon, 2d lieut. cav. 
April 28, 1832, Mina Morse, Half-Moon, cornet, cav. 
April 28, 1832, Duncan McMasters, Charlton, capt. 
April 28, 1832, Wm. Fowler, Charlton, lieut. 
April 28, 1832, Robert Gilchrist, Charlton, ensign. 
Aug. 18, 1832, Wright I. Esmond, Half-Moon, capt. 
Aug. 18, 1832, Wm. Gates, Jr., Half-Moon, lieut. 
•\ug. 18, 18.32, .\braham James. Half-Moon, ensign. 
Aug. 20, 1832. Sliatlracli Burlison, Waterfonl, capt. 
Aug. 20. 1832, Harry B. Scott, Waterford, lieut. 
Aug. 20, 1832, M.ason K. Eastman, Waterford, ensign. 
Ang. 27, 1831, Rensselaer Ballon. Greenfield, lieut. 
Aug. 27, 1831, Alvin Day, Greenfield, ensign. 
Oct. 7, 1831, Isaac Ambler, Greenfield, q.-m. 
Sept. 3, 1831, Uriah B. Couch, Milt .n, lieut. 
Sept. 3, 1831, Charles M. L. Andrus, Milton, ensign. 
Sept. 3, 1831, John Potter, Milton, capt. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW .YORK'. 



95 



Sept. 3, 1831, Isaac K. Friiik, Milton, lieiit. 

Sept. 3, 18:il, Poller W. Earl, MiltDii, ensign. 

Oct. 8, 18;il, Daiiii'l I). \ llroen. Milt. in, lieut.-col. 

0.-t. 29, 18-il, Uiiiih D. Couch, Milt.m, capt. 

Oct. 29, 1831, Cliai lea M. L. Andnis, Milton, liout. 

Oct. 29, 1831, Benjamin N. Looinis, Milt in, eiiHign. 

Dec. 31, 1S:!1, Gordon Jenkins, Haillej-, capt. 

Dec. 31, 1831, Cornelius Dul.ois, lladley, lieut. 

Dec. 31, l.S;ll, Jcff.-rsoii .Teffers, Hadley, enmgn. 

Nov. 20, 1831, Ephraini Hill, Saratoga, ciipt. 

Nov. 26, ISn, Oili-a B. Sli-cnni, Saratoga, liout. 

Nov. 26, 18.31, .Tames A. Granger, Saratoga, ensign. 

Dec. 10, 1831, Stephen Welch (2d), Schnylerville, capt. 

Dec. 10, 1-831, Orra Warner, Morean, 1st lieiit. 

Dec. 10, 18;il, John W. Vandenbnrgli, Sftratoga, 2d lieut 

Sept. 10, 1831, Isjuic E. Garnsey, Clifton Park, capt. 

Sept. 10, 1*11, William Golden, Biillslon, 1st liiut. 

Sept. 10, 18:11, .John Cole, Stillwater, 2d lienl. 

Aug. 27, 1831, David T. Zimmerman, Stillwater, capt. 

Aug. 27. 18^11, John A. J, Country man. Stillwater, 1st lieut. 

Aug. 27, 1831, Cornelius Cmnkliite. Stillwater, 2d lieut. 

Sept. 10, 1S.U, Wm. McGregor, Jr., Wilton, q.-m. 

Sept. 10, 18:^1, Wm. U. Walton, Greenfield, iiaymaster. 

April 13, 1832, John R. McGregor, Wilton, aid-de-caaip. 

July 7, 1832, Samuel Rice, B:illston,capl. 

July 7, 1832, A.K. Be.lfield, Ballston, licnt. 

Jnly 7, 18:i2, James Wakeniiin, Ballston, ensign, 

June 30, 1832, Hiram Barra-^, Greenfield, ensign. 

June 30, 18.32, Rosweli Finch, Saratoga, capt. 

June 30, 1832, Henry W, Peck, Sivratoga, Ist lieut. 

June 30, 1832, Robert Burdee, Saratoga, 2d lieut. 

June .'io, 1832, Henry W. De nis, Saratoga, ensign. 

June 9, 1832, Alvah Dake, Greenfield, 2d lieut. 

June 9, 1832, Levi B. Alcott, Greenfield, ensign. 

March 9, 1832, Wm. Stewart, Edinliurgh, capt. 

March 9, 1832, Orson Wi iglit, Edinlmrgli, lieut. 

Aug. 31, 1832, A-/ariali E, Stinison, Galway, adjt. 

Aug. 31, 1832, John O. Ellitliorp, Edinburgh, q.-m. 

Sept. 14, 1832, Clark Tabor, Piovidence, capt. 

Sept. 14, 1832, Pardon Soule, Providence, lieut. 



CHAPTER XXI. 
COUNTY SOCIETIES. 

I.— SARATOGA COUNTY AGRICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 

The act of the Legislature to provide for the formation 
of county agricultural societies was |)a.ssed May 15, 1811. 
The friends of the movement were prompt iu Saratoga 
County to commeuce action iu accordance with its provi- 
sions. The county clerk, Archibald Smith, issued a call, 
and the first meeting was held at the court-house June 24, 
1841, but little more than a month after the act had re- 
ceived the executive approval. Howell Gardiner, of Green- 
field, was appointed chairman, and Archibald Smith, of 
Ballston Spa, secretary. The following resolution was 
adopted, after ample consideration had been given to it: 

" Resolved, That an agricultural society be formed in this 
county, pursuant to the provisions of said statute." 

A committee of five, consisting of Calvin Wheeler, A. 
J. Chadsey, Judiah p]ll.sworth, Increase Huyt, and J. A. 
Corey, was appointed to draft the constitution and by-laws. 
The first oiBccrs chosen were — 

Piesulent.— KovieW Gardiner, Greenfield. 

First Vice-Piesideut. — Calvin Wheeler, Providence. 

Si'coitd Vice- President. — Jacob Denton, Saratoga Springs. 

Treasurer. — Hiram E. Howard, Jliiton. 

Corresponding Secretary. — Archibald Smith, Ballston 
Spa. 

Recording Secretary. — John A. Corey, Saratoga Springs. 



An executive committee was also constituted, consisting 
of two members from each town in the county : 

Ballston. — Isaac Curtis, Stephen Merchant. 

Charlton. — John Low, Henry Ostrom. 

Clifton I'ark. — Abijah Peck, Jr., Henry Palmer. 

Corinth. — Baviil Rogers, Edward Edwards. 

Day. — E. M. Day, Amos Hunt. 

Edinburgh. — Samuel Batcheller, Ira Beecher. 

Galway. — Jesse H. Mead, Jeremiah Whitlock. 

Greenfield. — Joseph Daniels, Henry Lincoln. 

lladley. — Charles Stewart, Harman Rockwell. 

Half-Moon.—^. G. Philo, Stephen R. Smith. 

Malta. — John Tallraadge, Seneca Hall. 

Milton. — Seth Whalen, George B. Powell. 

Moreuu. — Thomas S. Mott, G. P. Reynolds. 

Northumherlaud. — Walter Doty, Coles Golden. 

Providence. — William V. Clark, Seymour St. John. 

Saratoga. — Henry D. Chapman, William Wilcox. 

Saratoga S/rrings. — P. H. Cowen, John H. Beach. 

Stillwater. — Lewis Smith, Yates Lansing. 

Water/ord. — John Knickerbocker, John Cramer (2d). 

Wilton. — John Morris, Duncan McGregor. 

The successive presidents of the society have been How- 
ell Gardiner, 1842 ; Elisha Curtis, 1843 ; Joseph Daniels, 
1844; David Rogers, 1845; Henry D. Chapman, 1846; 
Samuel Cheever, 1847 : Samuel Young, 1848 ; Jesse H. 
Mead, 1849 ; Seth Whalen, 1850 ; Lewis E. Smith, 1851 ; 
William Wilcox, 1854; Seneca Daniels, 1855 ; Chauncey 
Boughton, 1856; Nathaniel Mann, 1857 ; Oscar Granger, 
1858 ; Isaac Frink, 1859 ; William Wilcox, 1860 ; Joseph 
Baucus, 1861 ; Sherman Batcheller, 1862 ; James Thomp- 
son (to fill vacancy), 1862 ; Samuel J. Mott, 1863 ; Edward 
Edwards, 1864 ; Chauncey Boughton, 1865 ; Isaiah Ful- 
ler, 1866 and 1867; Frank D. Curtis, 1868; Do Witt C. 
Hoyt, 1869 ; John Titcomb, 1870 ; John P. Conklin, 1871 
and 1872 ; William Lape, 1873 ; Henry C. Holmes, 1874 ; 
Joseph B. Enos, 1875; A. B. Baucus, 1876; Charles Le- 
land, 1877 ; B. F. Judson, 1878. 

The recording secretaries have been John A. Corey, 1841 
to 1854; Edmund J. Huling, 1855 to 1859 ; Frederick S. 
Root, 1860; John A. Corey, 1861; John H. White, 
1862; John A. Corey, 1863 to 1869; Jonathan S. How- 
laud, 1870 to 1871, died in office, and B. S. Robinson 
appointed to fill vacancy; B. S. Robinson, 1872 to 1877 ; 
John W. Shurter, 1878. 

The annual fairs were held for two or three years at 
Ballston Spa, and then for ten years consecutively at Me- 
chanicsville. At the expiration of this period the society 
located permanently at Saratoga Springs, purchasing grounds 
and erecting the necessary fixtures. These were sold about 
1870, and in 1871 the society secured a lease for twenty 
years of the beautiful grounds at Glen Mitchell. No fair 
was held in 1866, on account of the fact that the State 
Society held its annual fair at Saratoga Springs. 

Among those delivering tinnual addresses before the 
society have been Col. Samuel Young, 1842 ; Daniel Shep- 
herd, 1844; Win. I. Gilchrist, 1845 ; Gen. E. F. BuUard, 
1847; John W. Fowler, 1851: John A. Corey, 1853; 
lion. James H. Titus, 1855 ; lion. James B. McKean, 
18.')7 ; E. L. Fursmaii, 18611 ; ilou. Wm. A. Sackctt, 



96 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



1861 ; Hon. Augustus Bockes, 1862 ; Hon. Reverdy John- 
son and A. B. Conger, 1863; Gen. B. F. Bruce, 1865; 
Hon. Horace Greeley, 1867 ; Hon. Horatio Seymour, 
1868; Hon. Charles S. Lester, 1869; X. A. Willard, 
1870; Hon. Fernando AVood, 1871; Hon. Martin I. 
Townsend, 1875 ; Hon. L. Bradford Prince, 1876. 

II.— SARATOGA COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. 

The formation of the American Bible Society will ever 
be regarded as a most remarkable era in the history of 
Bible Societies in this country. But before that was formed 
nearly sixty local societies already existed, thirty-five of 
which united iu forming the American Bible Society, on 
the 8th of May, 1816. 

The Saratoga Bible Society was organized on the 24th 
of August, 1815, nearly one year before the formation of 
the American Bible Society, and only seven years later 
than the formation of the Philadelphia Bible Society, which 
was the first society formed in the United States. 

To give anything like a detailed history of the county 
society, for these sixty years and upwards of its existence, 
its steady progress and wide, extended usefulness, however 
pleasant it might be, would be wholly inconsistent with the 
designs and limits prescribed to this volume. 

The following is an exact copy of the minutes of the 
first meeting, at which the society was organized, and of 
the constitution as presented and adopted at that meeting : 

"Ballsto.v, August 21, 1815. 

" Agreeably to previous notice, a large and respectable number of 
the inhabitants of the county of Saratoga assembled at the court- 
house, for the purpose of forming a Bible Society in said county. 

*' The Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D.D., was chosen chairman, and 
the Rev. Gilbert McMaster clerk. 

*' The occasion of the meeting was briefly and appropriately stated 
by the chairman, who then opened it by prayer. 

" It was moved and seconded that a Bible Society bo formed in 
this county; which motion, after an interesting discussion of the 
subject, was unanimously agreed to. 

"A draft of a constitution was read, and the several articles 
thereof, after various amendments, were adopted, with the following 
preamble : 

" Impressed with a deep sense of the value of the Holy Scriptures, 
and their salutary influence upon society, not only in correcting the 
morals of men, and restraining their vicious propensities, but also in 
ftjrming their characters for eternity, and convinced that many indi- 
viduals and families in this county and its vicinity are destitute of 
those heavenly means of instruction, we, the subscribers, have agreed 
to form ourselves into a society for the gratuitous distribution of the 
Holy Bible." 

Sixty-eight names were subscribed to the constitution 
then adopted, in the order below given. 

ORIGINAL SIGNERS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SARATOGA COUNTY 
BIBLE SOCIETY. 



Samuel Blatchford. 
Parker Adams. 
Reuben Sears. 
Samuel G. Huntington. 
Richard Davis. 
Elisha Powell. 
George Palmer. 
John Thompson. 
William Gilchrist. 
Philo Hurd. 
Salmon Cliild. 
H. Ketcham. 



Guert Van Schoonlioven. 
Ezra Nash. 
William Bangor. 
Abijah Blanchard. 
Isaac B. Payne. 
James Thompson. 
John W. Taylor. 
Ezra Buell. 
Daniel Montgomery. 
Loyd Wakcman. 
Moses Hunter. 
William Foster. 



William Fellows. 
Alpheus Goodrich. 
Elisha Andrews. 
John McCrea. 
R. Schuyler. 
Oncsiraus Hubble. 
John Dunning. 
S. Hawling. 
James Grassie, 
.John Taylor. 
John Lowe. 
William Blain. 
James XLiirs. 
J. L. Viele. 
Raymond Taylor. 
Lewis Waterbury. 
David Morris. 
Daniel Noble. 
William Garrett. 
William Cooper. 
John K. Davis. 
John Kelly. 



Gilbert McMasters. 
Jeremy Rockwell. 
Abijah Peck. 
Terence P. Donnell. 
Amos Hodgman. 
Alex. Gilchrist. 
John House. 
James Comstock. 
Joseph Taylor. 
Jonathan Wood. 
Joseph Wood. 
James Olmsted. 
Thomas Palmer. 
Peter Andrews. 
Jesse Seymour. 
Thomas Fellows. 
Jeremiah Bundle. 
Dennisim Andrews. 
Amos Hawley. 
Dirck C. Lansing. 
.James Brisbin, Jr. 
n. Metcalf. 



At that meeting the following officers were chosen : 

President. — Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D.D. 

Vice-FrcsiJenls. — Rev. Dirck C. Lansing; Rev. James 
Mairs. 

Corresponding Secretary. — -Rev. Gilbert McJIasters. 

Recording Secretary. — Rev. Reuben Sears. 

Treasurer. — Elisha Powell, E.sq. 

Managers. — Samuel Child, Greenfield ; Parker Adams, 
Waterford ; Isaac B. Payne, Northumberland; John 
Taylor, Charlton ; Ezra Nash, Milton ; George Palmer, 
Stillwater; John W. Taylor, Ballston ; John Dunning, 
Malta; Amos Hawley, Moreau; Jeremy Rockwell, Hadley; 
William Foster, Galway ; Rev. Abijah Peck, Half-Moon ; 
James Brisbin, Jr., Saratoga ; Guert Van Schoonhoven, 
Waterford. 

Elisha Powell, Reuben Sears and James Thompson were 
appointed a committee to publish the constitution of the 
society, with an address to the inhabitants of the county. 

The forejioinn; constitution was revised and amended in 
1827, and again in 1844, but it is substantially the basis 
upon which the society has operated through all the event- 
ful years of its successful career. 

The first president of this society. Rev. Samuel Blatch- 
ford, D.D., was one of the honorable .si.Kty members of the 
convention which formed the American Bible Society, nearly 
a year after the Saratoga County Bible Society was or- 
ganized. 

The following were the first presidents of the society in 
order, and their respective terms of service : 

Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D.D., two years in succession. 

Rev. James Mairs, nineteen years in succession. 

Rev. Francis Wayland, one year. 

Rev. Darius 0. Griswold, three years in succession. 

Rev. John Clancy, four years in succession. 

John House, Esq., one year, 1846. 

Thomas Lowe, Esq , one year, 1847. 

R. R. Kennedy, E.sq., one year, 1848. 

Jesse H. Mead, Esq., one year, 1849. 

Lebbeus Booth, E.sq., one year, 1850. 

Abraham Marshall, Esq., one year, 1851. 

Jiihn Lowe, Esq., one year, 1852. 

Howell Gardiner, Esq , one year, ISJo. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



97 



From tlii; above stLitement it will be seen tluit for tlio 
first thirty years and upwards clergymen were uniformly 
chosen to preside over this society, since which time, lay- 
men, with two exceptions, have been the presiding officers. 

The following is a list of presidents of the Saratoga 
County Bible Society since 1853: 



llcv. Iteubeu Smith. 
John Wood, Esq. 
Wm. T. llainilton, Esq. 
Hon. John House. 
Giirnscy Kennedy, Esq. 
Hon. R. H. Walworth. 
Henry D. Chapman. Esq. 
Hon. Jas. li. McKeuu. 
P. H. McOmber, Esq. 
Samuel H. Cook, Esq. 
John Lowe, Esq. 
Hon. John C. House. 
Jesse H. Mead, Esq. 



Prof. H. A. Wilson. 
Thomas Mairs, Esq. 
i George Harvey, Esq. 
Hon, John C. House. 
Samuel IJ. Howland, Esq. 
George F. Watson, Esq. 
B. S. Kobinson, Esq. 
Hon. C. S. Lester. 
Wm. Shepherd, Esq. 
Rev. Ale.xander Proudfit. 
Henry Ostrom, Esq. 
Joseph Kingsley, Esq. 
Hon, Abnihani Marshall. 



Henry Doolittle was secretary from 1S4J: to 1808, since 
which time H. A. Wilson has been the continued secretary, 
and is so at present. 

The organization of two of the town au.xiliaries is men- 
tioned in the society's centennial memorial, 1876. 

That of Ballston was very early, as shown by the follow- 
ing notice and record : 

BIBLE SOCIETY. 

" The members of the Bible Society of Saratoga County, 
residing in the town of Ballston, are requested to meet at 
the Presbyterian meeting-house in said town, on Monday, 
the 2d day of October next, at two o'clock in the afternoon, 
for the purpose of organizing a Department Society for 
said town. Dated September the 2.")th, 1815. 

''John W. Taylor, Manager." 

At a meeting of the members of the Bible Society of 
Saratoga County, residing in Ballston, held on the second 
day of October, in the year 1815, pursuant to public 
notice, for the purpose of organizing a Department So- 
ciety for said town, the following members were present: 
John W. Taylor, Lloyd Wakeman, 0. Hubbell, John K. 
Davis, Joseph Taylor, Samuel Young, James McCrea, 
Nathaniel Booth, David Bacon, D. L. Palmer, Samuel De 
Forest, Edmond Lacy. Sarah Garnsey, Johii Gibson, J. 
Peter Dibble. 

Samuel Young was then chosen chtiirman, James Mc- 
Crea, assistant chairman, Joseph Taylor, clerk, and John 
K. Davis, treasurer, who, together with Onesimus Hubbell, 
Lloyd Wakeman, and Peter Dibble, compose the committee 
of charity. 

The Northumberland Bible Society was organized De- 
cember 18, 1821, four years after the formation of the 
American Bible Society. A constitution and by-laws were 
presented and adopted, to which twenty inhabitants of the 
town affixed their signatures, not one of whom is now 
living. With but few exceptions, yearly meetings have 
been regularly held, and the organization has been, from 
the first, kept in a healthy woiking condition. 

As far as can be ascertained, this society has raised and 
paid to the Saratoga County Bible Society, and to the 
parent society, one thousand five hundred and seventy dol- 
13 



lars, averaging thirty dollars a year. The town has. been 
thoroughly canva.ssed several times, the last time in 1869, 
when twenty-one families were found destitute and su]iplied. 

The society has had eleven different presidents. John 
Craig, its first president, served fourteen years. It has 
liad only three secretaries. Hon. Abraham Marshall is 
the present incumbent, and has held this office almost forty 
years, being now upwards of seventy years of age. This 
noble veteran in the Bible cause, with the exception of 
only two or three times, has been present at all the anni- 
versary meetings of the county society. In the various 
capacities of president, secretary, and collector, he has 
served the Northumberland Bible Society for nearly forty- 
five years, and has been president of the county society 
several times. 

The American Bible Society during the past few years 

has received the following liberal legacies from individuals 

deceased, late of this county, viz. : 

Phobo Jones, la'e of Pallston Spa, in November, 1870 $10.00 

Hon. .Austin Fuller, late of Saratoga Springs, in February, 

1871 .".. S-ID.OO 

Mrs. L. Stnitton, late of Jiinesvillc', in August, 1S72 1000.00 

Mr, II. Boggs, lateof West Galway. in May, 1873 500.00 

Catharine S. Bailey, late of Waterfurd, in May. 187:! 25.00 

Margaret Wilco.x, late of Saratoga County, in April, 1875.. 250.00 



.Making a total of .•ft2(!25.00 

The sixty-second anniversary, held in the Presbyterian 
church, Ballston Spa, Jan. 20, 18TG, was a meeting of un- 
usual interest, occurring as it did in the centennial year 
of the republic. 

The meeting was called to order by the president, Rev. 
A. Proudfit, of Saratoga. The ses.sion was opened with 
the reading of a part of Psalm CXIX. by the president, 
and prayer by Rev. J. B. Ford, of Bacon Hill. 

Minutes of last meeting read and approved. 

The chairman of the executive committee presented the 
following annual report, which was adopted : 

" Upon the return, this day, of another anniver.sary of 
our county Bible Society, our friends no doubt are looking 
for the annual report of the executive committee. In lay- 
ing this before them, we would be glad if we po.ssessed 
some specially interesting matter for their gratification and 
encouragement ; but so few of our auxiliary associations 
have presented their annual reports, that we have but little 
to lay before you ; and as our plan continues to work as 
favorably as any other that has been suggested, wo htive 
nothing new in this respect, in the way of change, to pro- 
pose for your consideration. 

" We are satisfied that this plan, if we are only seconded 
by the persistent and active support of the friends of the 
Bible cause throughout our county, and especially by the 
faithful supervision of our vice-presidents in their various 
localities, would prove more and more successful in advanc- 
ing the noble work in which we are engaged. 

" We congratulate our friends in meeting them once 
more on this occasion, and under circumstances so favor- 
able. While, from the peculiarity of the times, all our 
benevolent operations have been carried on amidst much 
difficulty and embarrassment, the Bible cause, we trust, 
still maintains its strong hold upon the affection and suji- 
port of its friends, its grand mi.ssion recognized by the 
community at large, and its claims liberally responded to." 



98 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The following is a list of the officers of the Saratoga 
County Bible Society at the present time : 

President. — Hon. Abraham Marshall. 

Vice-Presidents. — Henry Clark, Elisha Curtiss, John 
Skinner, Mathew Owens, Wm. H. Van Vranken, Lucius 
M. Smith, Jas. H. Clark, Jas. H. Paine, I. J. Flansburg, 
Winslow E. Snow, G. R. Crouch, Charles D. Gardiner, 
John J. Best, R. H. Barber, Frederick Dodd, S. B. How- 
land, Wm. H. Coon, Geo. H. Thomjison, C. S. Skinner, B. 
F. Edwards, J. H. De Ridder, Alfred W. Gray, John C. 
House, Henry Kieler, and Geo. H. Traver. 

Treasurer. — E. W. Lee. 

Correspond 111 (f and Recording Secretar)/. — H. A. Wil- 
son. 

Executive Committee. — Rev. A. Proudfit. Paolia Durkee, 
Rev. W. R. Terrett, Rev. Giles P. Hawley, and Rev. 
Abram Viole. 

Chairman of Executive Coviviiftee. — Rev. A. Proudfit. 

Secretary of Committee. — H. A. Wilson. 

REPORT OF DEPOSITARIES 



Wo add the following valuable tabular statements : 



FINANCUL STATEMENT. 

Donations to Puient Society, first fifty-five years S19,970.S.') 

" " in 1871.! '. 8li;i.72 

" " " 1872 841.21) 

" " " 1873 1,270.110 

" " " 1874 90(1.110 

" " " 1875 99l).)M) 

Amount of Donations §24,874.77 

Paiil to Parent Society on Book Account, first fifty-five years $14,475.42 

in 1871 870.85 

" 1872 909.16 

1873 42ij.();i 

" " " " " 1874 .172.55 

" " " " " 1875 IIO.BC 

Anumnt paitl for Books J17,.1(14.20 

It is estimated tliat the incidental expenses of the Society since 

its organization have been in the aggregate ahoilt $-3,000.0(1 

Paid Donations 24,874.77 

Paid for Books 17,364.26 

Making a grand tot.ll of. ¥45,239.03 



AND DEPARTiMENTS, 1875. 



COVNTY A'ICE 
PR(^8IDEST. 



Ballston Spa E. W. Lee.. 

Ballston Centre Elisha Cnrliss.. 

Bacon Hill 

Cliarlton 

West Cliarlton, 

Corinth 

Clifton Park ! Francis N. Vischer. 

C Pack &. Newton 
Crescent 



T. M. Mitchell.. 
lEIisba Curtiss... 



•I-. 



Henry Ostrom John H. Skinner.. 



|M. Owens 

W. H. Van Vranken. 



Day 

Edinlinrgh 

GaUva.v Bev. J. H. Coh-nian. 

Greeniield 'Rev. E. N. Howe 

Gansevoort 

Jimesville Joseph Kingsley 

Ketch iim's Corners.' 

Quaker Sprii:^^ 

Meclianicville Rev. M. A. Wicker, 

Maltn 

NortlioniliiTlaml 
K<.cli I'ii.v K.ilU . 
Saritti.;;a S|'lillgs 

Schuylerville 

Stillwater..: 

Waterford 

Wilton 



N. F. Philo 

I. J. FliiTishurg 

Winslow E. Snow.. 

G. K. Kroueh 

C. D. Gardiner 



Alex. B. Baucus.. 



Geo. Harvey 

Samuel Wells 

Jared W. Haiglit.. 



Joseph Kingsley 

R. H. Barber 

Frederic Dodd 

S. B. Howland 

W. H. Coon 

Abraham Marshall.. 

P. S. Kilmer 

Geo. F. Blackmer.... 

J. H. DeRiflder 

Alfred W Gray 

.lolin C. House 

Geo. H. Traver 



H. Orapo 

None 

Stephen 0. Burt.. 



N. W. Buckmaster . 

None 

N..ne 

N.F. Philo 

1. J. Flansburg 



Dr. C Preston 

M. Spanhling & Bros.. 

Harlow Lawrence 

James Edwards 



R. Riclianis 

Harlow Lawrence 



Amovnt 
Appor- 
tioned. 



Amount 
Raised. 



Jl 20.00 
70.00 



35.00 
104.00 



E. B. Stevens 

Isaac Whitman . 
0. T. Bostwick... 
John C. House... 



25.00 
10.00 
15.00 
100.00 
50.00 

60.00 
34.00 

ibV.iw 

42.00 
85.00 
40.00 
250.00 
104.00 
80.00 
120.(W 
40.00 



1(31.00 
44.00 



11, ((0 
39.28 



100.92 
40.24 

"7a96 

"18.39 

m.H 

29.50 
80.35 

Maoti 

82.00 
42.11 
46.73 
40.00 



Book AccoCSt, 1873-75. 



$184..50 


878.06 






18.34 
2.6U 
28.25 


4.30 
90 
60 






17.84 
18.90 


16.65 
2.40 


6.10 

9.15 

20.04 

7.30 


7.95 
9.10 
5.40 
2.60 






48.08 


59.36 










646.68 
50..io 
60 96 
87 57 


68.69 

16.20 

9.36 

20.50 







$1195.71 



Dona- 
tions. 



Paid to 
Members. 



$301.02 



$86.00 

4.20 
1.00 



48.00 
13.40 



47.86 
121.50 



10315 
34.00 
21.76 
16.50 



$501 .3fi 



Books on 
hand. 



S353.G5 



8.49 
6 60 
92.30 



77.40 
8.20 

"soJVs 

16.10 
38.86 
60.95 



524.35 
85.50 
.33.94 

132.77 



$1714.09 



III.— SARATOGA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 

The Saratoga County Medical Society was organized at 
the court-house in Ballston Spa, the finst Tuesday of July, 
1806. 

Wm. Patrick was chosen chainuan of the meeting, and 
John Stearns secretary. 

In attendance were Drs. Daniel Bull, William Patrick, 
John Stearns, Asa C. Barney, Elisha Miles, Samuel Pitkin, 
Wm. C. Lawrence, Billy J. Clark, Thomas S. Littlefield, 
Daniel Hicks, Elijah Porter, Alpheus Adams, Ephraim 
Childs, Jesse Seymour, Grant Powells, Samuel Davis, Isaac 
Finch, Francis Pigsley. 

The meeting being in order for business, the following 
officers were elected for the ensuing year ; 

President. — Dr. Daniel Bull. 

Vice-President. — William Patrick. 

Secretary. — John Stearns. 

Treasurer. — Samuel Davis. 



Censors — Elijah Porter, Asa C. Barney, Samuel Pitkin, 
Billy J. Clark, Ephraim Childs. 

Delegate to the Neiv York State 3Iedical Society. — John 
Stearns. 

Elijah Porter, John Stearns, and Asa C. Barney were 
appointed a committee to draft by-laws for the future regu- 
lation of the society. 

In addition to those before mentioned the following are 
among the earlier and active members of the society, and 
were distinguished for their zeal and energy in the advance- 
ment of not only every interest connected with the success- 
ful pursuit of the profession of their choice, but the ad- 
vancement of every philanthropic enterprise. They were 
of the strong men of the age in which they lived, viz. : 
Daniel Hicks, Northumberland, now Wilton ; Beroth Bul- 
iard, Saratoga Springs, now Greenfield ; John H. Steel, 
Saratoga Springs ; Josiah Pulling, Galway ; Nathan Thomp- 
son, Galway ; Oliver Brisbin, Schuylerville ; Samuel Free- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



99 



man, Ballston Spa, afterwards Saratoga Springs ; John D. 
Bull, Stillwater; Henry Reynolds, Northumberland, after- 
wards Wilton ; William Tibbitta, Mechanicville ; Silas 
Wood, Abel Baldwin; Darius Johnson, Greenfield; Fran- 
cis Pixley, George Burrouglis, Gideon Thompson, Isaac 
Y'oungs. 

OFFICEHS OP THK SIEDICAL SOCIETV OF THE COUNTY OF SARATOGA 
FOR 1877-1878. 

President. — B. W. No.ton, M.D. 

Vice-Prenident. — I. G. Johnson, M.D. 

S'ecretari/ uiid Treasitrer. — C. C. Bedell, M.D. 

Deleijalen to State Medicnl Socieli/. — No vacancy. 

Dekifates to Ameriran Medicttl Association. — W. H. Hall, M.D., 
F. M. Boyce, M.D., S. N. Rowcll, M.D. 

Cennors.—R. C. McEwcu, M.D., F. M. Boyce, M.D., J. G. Bacon, 
M.D., C. C. Bedell, M.D., T. G. Paikman, M.D. 

Committee of lieeiaion. — J. G. Bacon, M.D., F. M. Boyco, M.D., W. 
H. Hall, M.D., C. C. Bedell, M.D. 

Committee of I'liblication. — J. 6. Bacon, M.D., F. M. Boyce, M.D., 
T. B. Reynolds, M.D., C. C. Bedell, M.D. 

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE 
SOCIETV IN 1800. 

Pfeneiit Members and their Post-0 ffice Address. 
Austin. J. M., New York. 
Babcock, M. N., Canstatt, Ger- 
many. 
Bacon, J". G., Saratoga Springs. 
Ballou, N. H., Mechanicville. 
Bedell, C. C, Saratoga Springs. 
Bcckwith, G. S., Charleston, S. C. 
Boughton, C, Waterford. 
Boyce, F. M., Saratoga Springs. 
Bull, C. D., Stillwater. 
Burger, A. B., Gansevoort. 
Burrus, D. R., Burnt Hill. 
Colby, M. H., Saratoga Springs. 
Cooper, H. C, Clifton Park. 
Creal, C. E., Saratoga Springs. 
Crothers, T. D., Binghamton. 
Ensign, C. W., Mechanicville. 
Freeman, S. H., Albany. 
Garbut, Frank, Mechanicville. 
Gow, Frank, Schuylerville. 
Graut, C. S., Saratoga Springs. 
Hall, W. H., Saratoga Springs. 



Hammond, H. L., Killingly, Ct. 
Heartt, P. T., Waterford. 
Hodgman, W. H., Sar. Springs. 
Houghton, N. M., Corinth. 
Johnson, I. G., Greenfield Centre. 
Lewis, Morgan, Ballston Spa. 
McEwen, R. C, Sar. Springs. 
Moore, Leverett, Ballston Spa. 
Murry, B. J., Wilton. 
Noxon, B. W., Ballston Spa. 
Parkman, T. E., Rock City Falls. 
Preston, J. R., Schuylerville. 
Preston, Calvin, Galway. 
Putnam, L. B., Sar. Springs. 
Reynolds, T. B., Sar. Springs. 
Rowcll, S. N., Dunning St., N. Y. 
Sherman, F. A., Ballston S]ia. 
Steenburgh, H.W., Green Island. 
Van Vranken, G. D., Saratoga 

(Springs. 
Van Woert, Abram, Amity. 
Young, T. A., West Charlton. 



Adams, Alpheus. 
Allen, J. H. 
Allen, R. L. 
Andrus, C. H. 
Atwell, P. P. 
Baldwin, Abel. 
Bannister, Jason. 
Barney, A. C. 
Baruum, T. 
Barrus, J. J. 
Baxter, Hiram. 
Benham, G. H. 
Benedict, Avery. 
Bent, Stephen. 
Bennett, John. 
Berry, Abram. 
Billings, S. 
Boyd, David. 
Brisbin, Oliver. 
Brown, C. B. 
Bruce, N. F. 
Bullard. Beroth. 
Bull, Daniel. 
Bull, J. D. 
Burroughs, Geo. 



Deceased Members. 

Bryan, M. L. 
Carey, William. 
Carpenter, Cyrel. 
Carpenter, Abner. 
Chadsey, A. J. 
Childs, Ephraim. 
Childs, J. W. 
Childs, A. F. 
Chambers, W. 
Clark, B. J. 
Colby, J. B. 
Cole, John. 
Crandell, E. G. 
Crandell, E. F. 
Culver, D. W. 
Davidson, Oliver. 
Davis, Samuel. 
Davis, R. R. 
Day, Roswell. 
Dean, Josiah. 
Derbyshire, R. 
Defreest, J. C. 
Dickinson, E. 
Dimmick, Ira. 
Drake, Samuel. 



Everett, Jesse. 
Finch, Isaac. 
Finch, M. L. 
Fiske, J. M. 
Filch, Asa. 
Fletcher, P. 
Freeman, S. 
Gaylord, S. 
Gow, Archib.ald. 
Green, N. J. 
Griswold, H. 
Goodrich, 0. 
Hamilton, Silas. 
Haight, John. 
Hart, R. H. 
Hatch, Ira. 
Hewitt, D. J. 
Hicks, Daniel. 
Hicks, F. B. 
Hicks, M. D. 
Higgins, John. 
Howard, J. 
Johnson, Darius. 
Johnson, G. F. 
Johnson, T. E. 
Keeney, B. M. 
King, John. 
Kinley, John. 
Landon. H. J. 
Langworthy, James. 
Lathrop, M. D. 
Lee, James. 
Littleficld, Thom.as. 
Losee, H. D. 
Low, David. 
Miles, Elisha. 
.Alillard, W. M. 
Martin, F. M. 
McLean, W. H. 
McLeary, Samuel. 
Mott, Walter. 
Mulford, E. 
North, M. L. 
Northrop, Booth. 
Patrick, William. 
Pearce, Wm. 
Pedrom, J. W. 
Perry, J. L. 
Perry, J. C. 
Peters, Samuel. 
Pitkin, L. 
Potter, Stephen. 
Porter, James. 
Porter, Elijah. 
Porter, E. H. 
Porter, D. L. 
Porter, S. 
Portery, W. P. 

IV.— HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY OF SARATOGA 
COUNTY. 

This society was organized in 18(53. Its annual meet- 
ings are held on the second Tuesday in July. 

LIST OF MEMBERS LAST REPORTED. 

B. F. Cornell, Fort Edward ; Zina Clement, Saratoga 
Springs; S. J. Pearsall, Saratoga Springs; Tliomas E. 
Allen, Saratoga Springs; J. F. Doolittle, Ballston Spa 
William E. Rogers, Rcxford Flats ; A. G. Peckham, Water- 
ford. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

FresideiU. — B. F. Cornell. 
Vice-President.— J. F. Doolittle. 



I 



Powell, Grant. 
Fowling, Josiah. 
Pulling, J. 
Raymond, 0. P. 
Rathbun, John. 
Reynolds, Henry. 
Reynolds, J. H. 
Richards, R. R. 
Rixby, Francis. 
Rigsley, F. 
Sabin, L. D. 
Saile, John. 
.Savage, Win. 
Sauntlers, Henry. 
Scott, W. K. 
.Sears, Isaac. 
Simpson, S. M. 
Sherman. D. 
Shaw, Wm. 
Shelton, D. S. 
Smith, J. W. 
Shumway, D. 
Safford. -loseph. 
Spraguc, L. 
Sprague, Peter. 
Sprague, L. U. 
Spencer, James. 
Spencer, A. J. 
Stearns, John. 
Steel, John H. 
Straing. Ira. 
St. John, E. 
Seymour, Jesse. 
Taylor, Aiilcs. 
Tibbitts, Win. 
Tinker, Martin. 
Tippet, Wm. 
Thomas. James. 
Thompson. C. N. 
Thompson, Gideon. 
Thompson, G. 
Tourtelot, F. 
Torry, Cave. 
Tracy, S. M. 
Underhill, A. K. 
Uphom, Timothy. 
Van Woert, A. W. 
Walls, J. W. 
Webber, A. B. 
Weed, Isaac W. 
Wells, David. 
Wetmore, C. H. 
Wood, Silas. 
Williams, J. W. 
Wright, Ir.a. 
Wright, NcwcU. 
\*oungs, Isaac. 
Youngs, Israel. 



100 



HISTOllY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Secretary and Treasurer. — A. G. Peckham. 
Censijrs.—3. F. Doolittle, S. J. Pearsall, A. G. Peckham. 
Delegates to State Society. — Thomas E. Allen, J. F. 
Doolittle. 



CHAPTER XXII. 
THE PRESS OF SARATOGA.. 

I.— THE BALLSTON I'RESS. 

CouRT-HOUi5E HiLL, ill tile town of Ballston, one mile 
and a half southwesterly from the village of Ballston Spa, was 
the first place in the county of Saratoga in whicli a news- 
paper was established. In Frencii's " Gazetteer of the State 
of New York," published in 18U0, it is stated that " the 
Waterford Gazette, established at Waterford about 1801, 
was the first paper published in the county;" but this is an 
error, — the first of several, occurriTig in the notiees of the 
county press, which have been detected by the investiga" 
tions entered into by tlie autlior of this sketch. 

Seventy-nine years liave elapsed since the first Ballston 
printing-office was opened, and during this period ten dif- 
ferent weeklies have made their bow to the public ; only 
two of which continue to be publi-shcd at the county-seat, 
— one of them being the BaUstoii Democrat, first issued in 
1845 ; the other the Ballston Journal, the first in chrono- 
logical order, and now in its eightieth year. Its lineage is 
as follows : 

1. The Saratoga Register or Farmer s Journal, issued 
June 14, 1798; size of page eleven inches by eighteen; 
four columns to a page ; sheet about one-half the present 
size of the Bidhlon Journal. Under the title, and ex- 
tending across the page, were these words : " Ballston, 
Saratoga County : printed every Wednesday morning, 
by Increase and William Child, over the Store of 
Messrs. Robert Leojiard k Co., nearly opposite the Court 
House. — Where subscriptions for this paper, articles of 
intelligence, miscellaneous pieces, advertisements, &c., are 
thankfully received, and printing in general executed with 
neatness and dispatch, and on moderate terms."' 

The Journal supported the administration of President 
John Adams, then the head of the political party which 
bore the name of Federal, and which was opposed by the 
party called Republican, whose acknowledged leader was 
Jefferson. 

These party divisions had grown out of discussions in 
Congress during the first administration of Washington, 
whose second election was a triumph of the Federal party, 
as was also the election of Adams, under whose presidency 
the " alien and sedition laws" were passed, with features so 
obnoxious as to defeat him at his next candidacy. 

The Journal favored those laws, as is shown by the fol- 
lowing articles copied from the issue of August 22, 1798 : 

" There is at the present so strong an opposition to the 
measures of the general government prevailing through the 
counties of Ulster and Orange, that it is dangerous for a 
man to applaud the administration, and he is fortunate to 
escape personal injury. In many parts of those counties 



the friend of the government is viewed as an enemy to the 
general cause, and is treated with marked contempt and 
disrespect. Almost every town exhibits a Liberty Pole, as 
they falsely term it, which these sons of Belial have erected 
to their idol faction. Our informants saw these poles at 
Newburg, New Windsor, Montgomery, Wardsbridge, Go- 
shen, Florida, Warwick, etc., etc., but they could give us 
no information concerning the intention of this combina- 
tion of knaves and fools to oppose the execution of the laws 
by force. We believe, however, they know too well their 
own insignificance and weakness to be the deliberate au- 
thors of their own destruction. The sedition and stamp 
acts, added to their long-invited enmity to the constitution, 
are the chief cause of this display of democratic fervor. 
The former of these laws will never give a moment's unea- 
siness to any good citizen ; and the latter imposes a tax 
which promises to be highly productive, and not felt by the 
agriculturist, as it will fall almost exclusively on the mer- 
cantile jiart of the community." 

From the same issue is copied the following : 

"Married.— On Sunday evening liisl, Mr. D.WID M.\KER, of Stillwiiter, 
to the amialjle Miss ELIZ.\ SWEET, of Milton." 

"COMMUNICATION. 

"Greenfield, Avg. 14, 1798. 
"In the field of Elisha Carpenter, Esq., of thi.s town, were pulled this djiy a 
nuiiiher of eiU'S of Coin, completely filled out and fit foi' roasting, which were 
planted on the 14th of .lone, on a piece of hiud which was never plowed, and 
the said corn was never hoed." 

FIRST BOOK PRINTED, 1798. 

Soon after the press of the Cliilds was set up, they got 
out the first book ever printed in the county, with this 
title-page : " A Plain Account of the Ordinance of Bap- 
tism ; in which all the texts in the New Testament relating 
to it are proved, and the whole Doctrine concerning it drawn 
from them alone. In a Course of Letters to the Right 
Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hoadley, late Lord BLshop of Win- 
chester; author of the ' Plain Account of the Lord's Sup- 
per;' ye shall not add unto the word which I have com- 
manded you, neither shall you diminish from it. First 
Ballston Edition. London. Printed: Ballston. Re-printed 
by I. & W. Child. Sold at their Printing-Office, nearly 
opposite the Court-House. 1798." 

In April. 1800, the firm of Increase & William Child 
dissolved, the former retiring and the latter taking sole 
charge. 

SECOND BOOK PRINTED, 1800. 

In that year William Child printed a book of two hun- 
dred and twenty-two pages, entitled "A Plea for the Non- 
conformists," by Thomas Delaune, with a preface by Rev. 
Elias Lee, pastor of the Baptist church at Ballston Spa. 
It was published by subscription, and the names of the 
subscribers, numbering over one thousand, are printed at 
the end of the volume. 

Mr. Child continued the pajicr under its original name 
until September 27, 1808, on which day it was issued 
under the name of The ludepemlent American. Its poli- 
tics were unchanged. 

James Madi.son was elected President in 1809 by the 
Republican party, after an unusually excited campaign. 
Party spirit ran high, and was kept up long after the inau- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



101 



guration in 1809. From the issue of June 6 of that year 
are taken the following extracts, to .show that political 
writing was as harsh and severe as in these modern times : 

" It is whispered in private Democratic circles at Wash- 
ington that Madison has turned a damned Federalist. The 
next President is to be pledged beforehand to a certain line 
of policy. General Snyder has been mentioned as a can- 
didate, but it is generally thought that though he has by 
no moans too much sense, he has too little nerve, as he did 
not carry on the war against the Ihiited States with suffi- 
cient energy. 

" The gentlemen who now appear to be most peculiarly 
possessed of what are now settled to be the true Demo- 
cratic qualifications for the presidency, are Mr. Smilie, 
Mr. Alston, and Mr. Alexander Wilson; the last a repre- 
sentative of Virginia, as different a man in point of mind 
from his namesake, the author of the ' American Orni- 
thology,' as a Satyr is different from a Hyperion. 

" Some of the Democrats now begin to cast the blame 
of the recent settlement with Great Britain upon the Pres- 
ident's wife. They say she is a Federalist, and has too 
much influence over her spouse. What a happy circum- 
stance it would have been for this country had Thomas 
Jefferson been governed by such a woman !" 

From the same old paper we obtain something of the 
same miscellany as at present. 

" Married. — On Saturday evening, the 27tli ull., Mr. John Viindenlierg, Jr., 
of Hiilf-Muon, to Miss Betsey Putlieli, daugliter of Cii plain Kol.ert W. Tntricli, 
of Ballstun." 

" Died.— At Stillwater, on the 26tli nit., of typhoid fever, Miss Pliebe W'ood- 
woi-th, aged fifteen years, daughter of Epliraim Woodwortli, Jr., of that place." 

" ADVERTISKMENT. 
" Money is said to he the root of all evil ; nevertheless, the Post-riders are 
willing to run the risk of receiving their dues from the subscribers for the ptist 
two quarters." 

Margaret Cornell, who seems to have been advertised by 
her husband, indignantly retorts : 

" He should have showed that he had a bed, for this is 
the first time I ever knew that he was the owner of one. 
Indeed, I am now inclined to believe that he alludes to one 
of mine. He .says I have left his board. Now he never 
provided any board, except now and then a .scanty meal of 
potatoes. As iijr running him in debt he need have no 
apprehension, as no one will trust him where he is so un- 
ibrtunate as to be known." 

Politicians in those days were up to " tricks that were 
vain and ways that were dark," equally with those of the 
the present time. Joshua Burnham .seems to have written 
a private letter, which the opposite party obtained possession 
of, and published it broadcast as follows in a hand-bill : 

" Lansingbl'rg, April 2a, 1800. 

"Sir. — Mr. T has been up from Albany, and says the county ticket 

nominated at Troy must not be elected. .\t all events, he says keep F out 

if possible. You must therefore turn out at the election every day. It won't 
cost much. Eat your breakfast late and you can stand it tilt the poll adjourns. 

Do all yon ran against F , He is our mark. Tell the people that he makes 

cards out of old liibles and then carries tliem to ClaveracU, and gets folks 
drunk, ami then cheats them. Tell tlietn it is he that makes those awful lights 
in the north. The ignorant Dntchnieu will believe it. Tell them everything 

published in the hand-bills about F is true — stop — no, that won't do. There 

are some of them that recommend him that are really true. These you must 
say are all lies. Lest you should be confounded, mind this rule. Everything 
in his favor say it is a lie, eveiything against him say it is true, and you can 

prove it by D L . D is good at that you may depend. In short 

tell them F ■ h-xs done everything except shoot his daildy. 

" Vours, in haste, 

" Mr. J V . " J B ." 



After seventeen years of service, Mr. Child sold to James 
Comstock in 1815, and the name was changed to The People s 
Wntch TMOf-.r. 

In 1820, Horatio Gates Spafford, LL.D., became proprie- 
tor, and changed the name to The Stiratoga Farmer. In 
1821 he made the title. The Balhton Spa Gazette and 
Sariitdr/d Farmer. Mr. Spafford was a learned, intelligent, 
well-informed man, and an indefatigable worker. He com- 
piled and published the first complete Gazetteer of the State 
in 1813, and in 1824 republished it, with large additions, 
making it more accurate and complete, embodying a vast 
amount of useful information from which others have 
drawn in later years. 

He removed to Albany in 1822, disposing of his paper 
to its former proprietor, Mr Comstock, who abbreviated 
its name to The Balkloii. S/ia Gazette, under which it was 
continued until 1847. For thirty years Mr. Comstock had 
charge of the paper, conducting it ably »nd successfully. 

THIRD BtlOK PRINTED, 1822. 

In 1822 ho i.ssued from his press the third book printed 
in Ballston, entitled "The Friend of Peace," a volume of 
three hundred and eight pages, designed to show the evils 
of war and the blessings of peace. 

In April, 1847, the establishment was bought by J. 0. 
Nodyne, who changed the name to the Ballston Democratic 
Whiff Journal, the date of his first issue being the 20th. 

January 18, 1848, Albert A. Moor, Esq., became joint 
proprietor with Mr. Nodyne, the latter continuing to occupy 
the chair editorial, and the name being shortened to The 
Balhton Journal. January 25, Mr. Moor first appears as 
one of the editors, and on December 5 he became sole 
editor, occupying that po.sition about twelve years. He 
was a good writer, a member of the bar, and for several 
years one of the loan commissioners for the county. 

In April, 18G0, the journal passed into the hands of H. 
L. Grose, who enlarged its size, and otherwise improved its 
appearance. 

In 1804 it was again enlarged, increasing its dimensions 
beyond that of most country papers. It has remained 
under his control from that day to this, and during the 
period of seventeen years its patronage and circulation have 
steadily increased. During mo,st of this time Mr. Grose's 
four sons have been associated with him in office work, 
business management, and editorial charge. Three of them 
are now in the establishment. The fourth is the New York 
correspondent of the Cliicago Dally Trihnne. 

The political relations of the paper whose career is now 
sketched will readily be known by the character of the 
presidential administrations which it has supported or op- 
posed, and for that character any general history of our 
country may be consulted. The administrations opposed 
were those of Jefferson, Madi.son, Jackson, Van Buren, 
Polk, Pierce, Buchanan, and Jolinsou, extending over a 
period of forty-four years. It supported the administra- 
tions of John Adams, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, 
Harrison and Tyler, Taylor and Fillmore, Linciiln, Grant, 
and Hayes, extending over a period of thirty-seven years. 

2. In 1804, David C. Miller began at Court-house Hill 
the publication of the Saratoga Advertiser, size of page, 



102 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



thirteen by eigliteen, or one-fuurth that of the present 
Ballston JuuriKil ; terms of subscription not stated ; politics 
iinti-Federal. In the issue of Sept. 23, 18U6, appeared the 
following advertisement : 

"FOR SALE. — .\ healthy middle-aged negro wench and child. For piirticu- 
lars, inquire of tlie printer." 

In that year a man named Riggs was taken into partner- 
ship. He was bought out in 1807 by Samuel R. Brown, 
and the name was coolly changed to The Aurora Borealls 
and Saratoga Advertiser. In 1808, Mr. Brown retired 
from the establishment, and Mr. Miller restored the origi- 
nal name. It was discontinued in 1811, and the office 
merged into that of The Independent American. Mr. 
Miller moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., and there, in con- 
nection with Benjamin Blodgett, started the Rrpabliain 
Advocate, which is still published. Mr. iNIiller continued 
to issue the Advocate until near the end of the year 1828. 
He printed the Morgan pamphlet, which professed to dis- 
close the secrets of the first three degrees of Freemasonry ; 
and a weekly paper, called Tlie Morgan Investigator, was 
issued from his office in 1827, continuing about a year. 
At that day he was a conspicuous and famous man. Mr. 
Brown went to Saratoga Springs in 1809, and in that year 
began the publication of the Saratoga Patriot. He moved 
his establishment to Albany in April, 1812, and gave his 
paper the name of the Albany liepahlican. He sold out 
in the latter part of the year 1813, and went to Auburn, 
Cayuga Co., where in 1814 he started the Cayuga Patriot, 
which he conducted for several years. 

3. Tlie Saratoga Journal, first number was published 
in the village of Ballston Spa, by Isaiah Bunce, in the first 
week of January, 1813; terms, two dollars, payable quar- 
terly ; size of page, fourteen by eighteen. In politics 
it was Republican, the name of the party then oppo.sed to 
the Federal party. The Federals in Saratoga County were 
few — the Republicans many ; and having everything their 
own way, in 181G there was a split in their ranks, one part 
being called " Old Liners," embracing such prominent men 
as John W. Taylor, David Rogers, George Palmer, Thomas 
Palmer, Seth C. Baldwin, L. B. Langworthy, A. W. Odell, 
Esek Cowen, and others. The " New Liners," so called, 
embraced such men as Judge James Thompson, Colonel 
Samuel Young, Joel Lee, Judge Salmon Child, William 
Stillwell, Colonel Isaac Gere, and others. (These names 
will be found in the official list given in another part of 
this work.) The Journal was very violent in its opposition 
to the " New Liners," and consequently they established an 
organ of their own, whose history follows. 

4. The Saratoga Courier was issued at Ballston Spa, in 
1816, with Ulysses F. Doubleday as editor. This reduced 
the patronage of the Journal, without securing sufficient 
for its own maintenance, and, after about three years of 
Kilkenny fighting, both papers suspended indcfiuitel}'. Mr. 
Doubleday went to Auburn and bought an interest in the 
Cayuga Patriot, of which he became the editor. He was 
elected a member of Congress in 1831 and 1835, and made 
himself conspicuous among the public men of the time. 

In collecting the facts respecting the papers thus far 
noticed, material aid has been rendered by Hon. G. G. 



Scott, of Ballston Spa, who has preserved a rare collection 
of old papers and documents. 

5. The Saratoga Recorder and Anti- Masonic Democrat 
was started in 1831 by Thomas Jefferson Sutherland. 
The purpose of its publication is indicated by the title. At 
the end of a year it was discontinued. 

(i. The New York Palladium was begun in 1831 by 
Ansel Warren. It supported the administration of General 
Jackson. In 1832 it was bought by Israel Sackett, and 
the name was changed to Tlie Schenectady and Saratoga 
Standard. Elias G. Palmer became proprietor in 1833, 
and gave it the name of The Ballston Spa RepuLlican. 
It supported the administrations of Jackson and Van 
Buren until the latter part of the year 1839, when it was 
discontinued. 

7. The Ballston Democrat was started in 1845 by 
Newell Hine. The name indicates its politics, and it gave 
its best support to James K. Polk for President. In 1848, 
Thomas G. Young, Esq., son of Hon. Samuel Young, of 
Ballston, became proprietor and editor, and so continued 
until 1853, when he sold to Seymour Chase, Esq., who 
consolidated it with 

8. The Northern Mirror, which he established in 1850, 
■ — and first named it the Gem of the N'orth. After 
the union the title was The Ballston Democrat and 
Mirror. 

9. In November, 1856, Mr. Chase purchased The 
Ballston Spa American, an organ of the " Know Noth- 
ings," which was first issued in the early part of the year 
1855, by Joseph S. Brown. 

Upon this consolidation the name chosen was The 
Ballston Atlas, in politics following the Albany Atlas, 
which supported the Free-Soil wing of the Democratic 
party under the lead of Martin Van Buren. In 1860 it 
supported the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas for the 
pre.sidency, and subsequently ranked itself among the 
organs of the Democratic party. 

Abraham A. Keyser became proprietor January 1, 1861, 
and in April following sold to Ephraim W. Reynolds, now 
one of the publishers of the Auburn Daily News. In 
1864, Mr. Reynolds sold to Daniel Shepherd, who moved 
the office to Saratoga Springs, and continued the weekly 
issues under the name of the Saratoga County Democrat 
for a few months, when he suspended the publication. 

In December, 1865, it was revived by Sanford H. 
Curtis and Enos R. Mann, of Ballston Spa, at which place 
it was issued under the original name. The Ballston 
Democrat. Mr. Curtis was a good practical printer ; Mr. 
Mann an easy, clever writer, now connected with the 
Albany Argns as reporter and correspondent. John M. 
Waterbury became proprietor in 1866, and changed the 
name to The Ballston Register. He sold iu 1868 to his 
brother, William S. Waterbury, who restored the original 
name under which he still continues its publication. The 
Ballston Democrat, which was enlarged in 1877 to an 
eight-column page. It has supported the administrations 
of Polk, Pierce, and Buchanan, and opposed those of 
Taylor, Lincoln, Grant, and Hayes. For this historical 
chain, I am mainly indebted to E. R. Mann, Esq. 

10. In January, 1853, The Temperance Helper was 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



103 



established by the Carson League, a county temperance or- 
sranization, and issued by a committee of publication, with 
Prof. J. McCoy, of the Ballston Law School, as e<litor. It 
was printed at the Jotcnial office about one year, after 
which time the publishing committee opened a new print- 
ing-office, ill which was sot up the first cylinder press ever 
used in the county. In 1855 the establishment was sold 
to Potter & Judson, and removed to Saratoga Springs. In 
1856 they made it a political paper, and gave it the name 
of 77(6 Siiriitdfffdii, which it still bears. 

REV. H. L. GROSE. 

Tlie publishers of this work are under obligation to Rev. 
H. L. Grose for the above full and accurate history of the 
press of Ballston. His own active career as a journalist 
and pastor may properly be added to this sketch. 

Mr. Grose's connection with journalism began in his 
native town in Montgomery county in 1832. His first 
paper was The Fort Plain Gazette, neutral in politics. 
In 1834 the name was changed to Fort Plain Republican. 
Politically, it favored the nomination of Martin Van Buren 
for the presidency. In 1835 the paper was .sold to C. W. 
Gill, the politics remaining the same. In 183G, Mr. Grose 
was connected with the Owego Advertimr, of which tlie 
present Oicego Times is the regular successor. Some years 
before this Mr. Grose had completed a course of study in 
medicine, but never gave himself wholly to that profession. 
From 1837 to 1810 he studied for tlie ministry, and in 
December, 18'10, was ordained to that work in the Baptist 
denomination. He then served as a pastor for twenty 
years, during a portion of which time he also practiced 
medicine. 

In 1860 he bought the Ballston Journal. In 1SG3, 
though still retaining the Journal, he bought a half-interest 
in the Schenectady Daily Star. This he sold to W. D. 
Davis in 1864. From 1868 to 1874 he served again as a 
pastor in Vermont ; keeping, however, his interest in the 
Journal. In 1874 he was appointed school commissioner 
in place of Hon. Neil Gilmour, resigned. In November 
following he was elected to the same office. This long and 
varied service has left him still a vigorous and successful 
worker in whatever field of labor he may engage. 

II.— THE PRE.'SS OF SARATOGA SPRINGS. 

The establishing of newspapers was not so early by sev- 
eral years at Saratoga Springs as at Ballston. It is stated 
that an effort was made in 1802, and a weekly paper pub- 
lished for a short time by Mathew Lyon. Inquiries among 
old residents, however, develop nothing but the tradition, 
as there seems to be no record of the enterprise, nor any 
copies of the paper preserved. 

It is stated in the " New York Gazetteer" that the Sara- 
toga. Gazette was published here in 1810; but no account 
seems to be obtainable of either the paper or the pub- 
lisher. 

In 1809, as shown in the account of the Ballston Press, 
Samuel R. Brown came from Ballston to Saratoga Springs 
and established the Saratoga Patriot. Two years later 
he removed the paper to Albany. There was then an in- 
terval of seven years, during which there seems to have 
been no paper published here. 



The Saratoga Whig, alluded to in the account of the 
Sentinel, was started in 1839 by Iluling & Watts. In 
1840 it pa.ased into the hands of G. W. Spooner, and after- 
wards to E. G. Huling. In 1851 it was changed to the 
Saratoga C'ovnfy Press. A daily edition, started in 1844, 
was published in 1855 as the Saratoga Daily News. 
Huling & Morehouse were the publishers. 

A few other publishing enterprises of brief duration 
may be noticed. 

The Old Letter was issued at Saratoga Springs in 1849, 
by A. H. Allen. 

The Advent Jievievi and Sahhath Helper was published 
semi-monthly in 1850, by James White. 

The Temperance Helper, started at Ballston Spa in Jan- 
uary, 1850, was soon after removed to Saratoga Springs. 

THE S.\RATOGA SENTI.\EL. 

TIte Saratoga. Sentinel, the only pioneer paper that has 
survived the changes in this now world-renowned watering- 
place of Saratoga Springs, was fii-.st i.ssued in 1819, by Gid- 
eon Mason Davison, a practical printer, a native of Ver- 
mont. He continued the publication, assisted in later 
years by his sons, until 1842, when he transferred the 
subscription-list and good-will to Wilbur & Palmer, contin- 
uing his book-printing office himself Wilbur & Palmer, 
after a few years, sold the paper to Castle k Paul, and they 
sold the same to Cowen & Butler. It was finally merged 
in the Saratoga Repuhlican (established in 1844 by John 
A. Corey). In 1853 Thomas G. Young purcha.sed the 
Saratoga Repuhlican, and Allen Corey continued the pub- 
lication of the Sentinel. In 1859 the Republican and 
Sentinel were again united, the paper taking the joint title 
of Republican and Sentinel for a time, but the old title of 
The Saratoga Sentinel was soon adopted again as the sole 
name, and so continued by Mr. Young. In February, 1872, 
the firm of Huling & Co. became the proprietors; Ed- 
mund J. Huling. who commenced his news}ia{)er career in 
the office of the newly-established Saratoga Whig in March, 
1839, becoming the editor and business manager, bringing 
his experience of over thirty-two years in connection with 
the press of Saratoga Springs to the conduct of the paper. 
The Sentinel was Bucktail and Democratic in politics when 
under the control of Mr. Davison, supporting Andrew Jack- 
son and Martin Van Buren as candidates for President in 
1824, 1828, 1832, 1836, and 1840. It was continued as 
a straight Democratic paper until 1848, when it supported 
Mr. Van Buren as the Free-Soil candidate for President. 
In after-years it became again Democratic, supporting 
Franklin Pierce in 1852, Mr. Buchanan in 1856, John C. 
Breckinridge in 1860. and the regular Democratic candi- 
dates following up to 1872. It took liberal ground in 1872, 
supporting Mr. Greeley for President before and after his 
adoption by the Democratic national convention. Its dis- 
tinctive features since 1872 have been great care in the 
collection of local news relating to the county and vicinity, 
and independent criticisms of passing events. 

EDMUND J. HULING. 

Edmund James Huling, one of the proprietors and the 
manager of ?V(e Saratoga Sentinel, was born in the town 



104 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



of Milton, Saratoga Co., Dec. 18, 1820. He was the only 
son of Beekman Hiding and hiis wife, Jlaiia Smith. He 
is a direct descendant from Captain Alexander Haling, who 
was a prominent citizen of North Kingstown, R. I., who 
died there in 1725, after having filled various prominent 
positions in his town. His grandson (John), a son of his 
younger son, born in 1731, emigrated to Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., with a younger brother, Walton, and there a son, 
Jolin, was born in 17G2, who married Charity Eighmy for 
a second wife. Beekman Huling, father of E. J. Huling, 
was the fifth child and second son of the aforesaid John 
Huling and Charity Eighmy, and was born in the town of 
Beekman, Dutchess Co., Nov. 20, 1794. John Huling 
moved to Saratoga County with his family about the year 
1800, settling first in the town of Malta, and a few years 
afterwanis he removed to the north part of the town of 
Jlilton, about half a mile north of where the present stone 
church stands, on the farm on which E. J. Huling was 
born and resided until JIarch 29, 1831. On that day 
Beekman Huling and family removed to Saratoga Springs, 
and there E. J. Huling has resided ever since. He attended 
the common schools there, also select schools taught by E. 
H. Jenny (afterwards an editorial writer on the Aeiv York 
Tn'/iiine) until Feb. 1, 1835, when he became a clerk in 
the store of Rockwell Putnam, remaining in that place for 
three years. In February and Marci), 1838, after leaving 
the store of Mr. Putnam, he attended a select school kept 
by Alanson Smith. In the season following he was a clerk 
in the Union Hall, then kept by \Va.shington Putnam and 
Asher S. Taylor. In the winter following he taught a dis- 
trict school for two months in the town of Milton. In 
February, 1839, James C. Watts, a.ssisted by Rockwell 
Putnam, Beekman Huling, Peter V. Wiggins, James R. 
Wescott, and other prominent citizens, established The 
Sariitogd Whig newspaper, the second paper established 
in Saratoga Springs. 

In the following month, March, on the closing of his 
school, E. J. Huling entered the office of The Whig, his 
father having become a partner with Mr. Watts therein. 
He learned the business as a practical printer, and began 
writing for the paper, so that he took the charge of its 
columns the following winter, which Mr. Watts spent in 
New York in the editorial charge of Horace Greeley's New 
Yorker, while Mr. Greeley acted as legislative reporter of 
The Albany Evening Journiil, and coirespondent of the 
S'iratoga Whig. In the spring following the Whig was 
sold to George W. Spooner, of Brooklyn, E. J. Huling occa- 
sionally acting as assistant thereafter, and also Saratoga cor- 
respondent of the New York Tribune and A'ew York Ex- 
press, while assisting his father in his book-store. In Feb- 
ruary, 1842, E. J. Huling purchased the drug-store of 
Henry Y. Allen, and in the following month of March he 
married Anna R. Spooner, sister of George W. Spooner, of 
TIte Whig, and third daughter of Alden Spooner, of Brook- 
lyn, who established The Long Ishind Star, and was a 
prominent editor for many years. Mr. Huling's inclinations 
for the newspaper business, which led him to keep up his 
connections with The Whig and other papers, finally led to 
his selling out his drug-store in February, 1851, and he at 
once started a job-printing ofiiee. In September he started 



a weekly paper, which, in the November following, was 
merged in Tiie S'lni.loya Whig, of which he became sole 
proprietor. He continued T/te HVu'y (changing the name, 
in 1855, to The Snnitogn Cmmty Press) until January, 
1863, when he sold it to Potter & Judson, and it was 
merged in T/ie Suratoginn, upon which paper he took a 
position during the summer following. In September, 
18G3, he edited the Newark, New Jersey, Diiilg Mercury 
for a few weeks, spending the winter following, however, 
in Saratoga Springs. In June, 1864, he was appointed 
acting assistant paymaster in the United States Navy, and 
ordered to service in the Mississippi squadron, under Ad- 
miral Porter. He .served until the close of the war on the 
steamer " Huntress," cruising from the mouth of the Ohio 
river to Memphis. Returning home in August, 1865, he 
made up his accounts, and was honorably discharged in 
November following. In June, 1866, he took the local 
editorship of Tiie Sardtogiun, which he held until Oct. 1, 
1870. In 1871 he was elected a coroner of the county, and 
the following February, 1872, became one of the proprietors 
and m.mager of The Snratoga Sentinel, a position which he 
has held ever since. 

THE DAILY AND WEEKLY SARATOOIAN. 

The Weekly Snrcitogian is the parent of the Daily S(ir((- 
togion, the former having attained the respectable age of 
twenty-seven years in January, 1878, the Daily Snratogian 
completing its ninth year in June, 1878. The Weekly 
Soratogiiai was the product of The Temperance Helper, a 
weekly paper about the size of the present Daily Saratu- 
gian, advocating as a specialty the temperance cause, and 
published for one dollar per year by B. F. Judson & Co. 
7Vie Helper was started in February, 1855, with B. F. 
Judson & Co. as proprietors. On the 3d of January, 
1858, the change of name was announced, and the name of 
M. E. Willing appears as the editor. At that time the 
prohibitory law was the uppermost theme in State piolitics, 
both The Helper and The Saralogian sustaining it, and 
energetically opposing its repeal. The leading article in the 
first number of The Saratogian concludes with these words, 
referring to the possible repeal of this law : " Let no rude 
hand tear from the statute-book this great charter of pro- 
tection to a bruised and bleeding community." The same 
number contains a report of a debate before the Young 
Men's Association on the all-engrossing topic, Shall the pro- 
hibitory law be repealed? Hon. James B. McKean, then 
county judge, .since chief justice of the Supreme Court of 
Utah, opposed the repeal, Mr. C. S. Lester, since county 
judge, taking the affirmative. The Saratogian records 
the triumph of the temperance people by stating that only 
five votes were cast in favor of the affirmative. The name 
of Mr. Willing appears connected with the paper but a few 
months, Waldo M. Potter, who had been interested in the 
paper, contributing most of the editorials, and doing most 
of the editorial work. Mr. Potter was at this time study- 
ing law, which pursuit he subsequently relinquished to be- 
come a business partner with Mr. Judson, and the editor 
of the paper for a long term of years. 

On the 24th of April, 1856, the name of George W. 
Demers, then about eighteen years of age, appears as the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



105 



editor of tlie paper, altliougli tlie forcible pen of Waldo M. 
Potter contributed many of the political articles duriiij; tbe 
eventful political campaign of that year, tlic Suriitoijlua 
ardently and ably sustaining the Republican ticket, with 
John C. Fremont at its head as candidate for President. 
During the fall of 1856 its columns were filled with power- 
ful arguments in defense of the then infant party, the 
words of BVemont, declaring his equal opposition to either 
the extension of or the interference with slavery, standing 
at the head of its editorial columns through the period of 
the campaign. It was also an industrious and zealous 
exponent of prohibition principles. Mr. Potter's name first 
appears as the responsible editor in the issue of Mnj' 14, 
1857, in which number is a vigorous reply, two columns in 
length, to the assaults of Mr. Bennett, of the New York 
Herald, on the hotels of Saratoga Springs, and on the 
village generally. 

The first number of the Summer Daily, with the title 
of the Dtiili/ Saratogion, was issued on the 23d of June, 
1855, George W. Demers editor. The paper was twenty 
by twenty-eight inches square, and contained a full list of 
the arrivals till the close of the saason, together with brief 
abstracts of general news, local items, personal gossip, etc. 
The Daily was discontinued on the 23d of August, and in 
the following year it was again published during July and 
August, Waldo M. Potter being its editor, and B. Frank Jud- 
son publisher. From that time to the present a daily pajier 
was issued every summer only, till June, 18G9, when the 
publication of a permanent daily was begun, and has con- 
tinued uninterruptedly to the jiresent date. 

On the 11th of February, 1858, Mr. Potter having then 
fairly entered upon the practice of the law, formed a co- 
partnership with B. F. Judson, under the firm-name of 
Potter & Jud.son. This continued till Sept. 22, 1870, 
when Mr. Potter disposed of his interest to B. F. Judson, 
Mr. Potter being succeeded as editor by David F. Ritchie, 
who had, since June, 1869, been the assistant editor of the 
paper. Mr. Judson remained the sole proprietor of the 
paper till July 1, 1873, when Mr. Ritchie purchased a half- 
interest in the ofiice, retaining the jiosition of editor of the 
daily and weekly editions. 

From 1868 to June, 1869, the date of the first issue of 
the daily, a semi-weekly was jiublished. This ceased with 
the publication of the daily. 

On the 23d of December, 1876, Charles F. Paul pur- 
chased Mr. Judson's interest in the establishment, the style 
of the new firm being Paul & Ritchie, Mr. Ritchie remain- 
ing still the editor. 

This sketches the proprietary and editorial conduct of 
the jiaper during the period of its existence uj) to the 
present time. To narrate the history of its life, embodying 
its treatment of political and social topics, would require 
space far exceeding that allowed in these pages. Coming 
into existence as a special champion of temperance princi- 
ples, as indicated by its original name, the Temperance 
Helper, it was for about three years a sturdy and formid- 
able advocate of the theory of prohibition, when it es- 
poused with vigor and power the rising fortunes of the 
Republican party. Mr. Potter, its editor, was a born con- 
troversialist, and both with voice and pen did much to build 
14 



up the political party the jirinoiples of which he ardently 
espoused. 

The Snrafofjiaii has from the beginning been a Repub- 
lican journal, and is regarded as the leading exponent of 
its party in the political district in which it is published. 
It has always had a wide circulation, especially in the 
summer season, when it reflects, day after day, the mar- 
velous picture of life in America's great watering-place. 
Both politically and socially. The Saratogian wields an 
extended and potent influence, its peculiar location render- 
ing it more cosmopolitan in character than most newspapers 
of the interior. 

DAVID FRANCIS RITCHIE, 

editor of the Daily and Weekly Saratogian, was born in 
Rochester, N. Y., in 1840. He was the son of George 
Gavin Ritchie, a Baptist preacher. Mr. Ritchie was edu- 
cated by his father, in various select and public schools, 
and at the Utica Academy. In 1860 he became the city 
editor of the Utica Herald, having previously done some 
writing for various journals. Immediately after the assault 
on Fort Sumter, April 13, he enlisted as a private in 
the Utica Citizens' Corps, which, as " A" Company of the 
Fourteenth New York Volunteers, was sent to Washington 
in June. In the fall of 1861 he was promoted to be 
second lieutenant of " A" Company, Fir.st New York Light 
Artillery, rising to the grade of captain, and serving through 
the entire war. He was brevetted major, lieutenant-colonel, 
and colonel for faithful services in the field. In July, 
1865, he became one of the assistant editors of the Utica 
Herald; in January, 1866, assumed the management of 
the Utica Evening Telegraph; and in 1869 came to Sara- 
toga as assistant editor of the Daily Saratogian. In 1870 
he became the editor of The Saratogian, Waldo M. Potter 
having retired, which position he still holds. 

The Saratoga Sun was started in September, 1870, by 

A. S. Pease. It is the leading Democratic journal of the 
county. 

ALBERT S. PEASE. 

Mr. Pease was born at Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., and in his youth served a full apprenticeship at the 
printing business in the oflSce of the Poughkeepsie Tele- 
graph. On becoming of age he became partner with E. 

B. Rilley in the publication of that paper, and upon Mr. 
Rilley's death, sole editor and manager for five years. 

He was postmaster of the city of Poughkeepsie during 
the whole term of President Pierce. 

He afterwards sold the Telegraph and entered the State 
and National Law School of John W. Fowler. He first 
graduated an attorney, and was also admitted to practice 
as attorney and counselor-at-law, after e.N;amination, by the 
general term of Supreme Court in Brooklyn. 

He bought the Poughkeepsie Daily Press in 1858, and 
published it until 1863, when he moved the material to 
Troy, and in July of 1863 issued the first nuiuber of the 
Troy Daily Press. In 1861 he entered the Union army 
as first lieutenant of Twentieth Regiment N. Y. S. M. 
(subsequently Eightieth Volunteers), Col. George W. 
Pratt, commanding. He sold the Troy Daily Press in 
1867, and the Troy Weekly Press in 1868. 



106 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The material of tlio Troy Weehly Press came back into 
his hands, and he moved it to Saratoga Springs, and in 
August of 1870 issued the first number of The Saratoga 
Sun, which is still published, — weekly throughout the year, 
a daily edition being added during the summer season. 

III.— THE PRE.?S OF WATERFORD. 

The Waterford Gazette was established about 1801, by 
Horace L. Wadsworth, and was continued until after the 
close of the War of 1812. 

The Waterford Reporter was published in 1822, by 
Wm. L. Pi.sh. 

The Anti-Masonic Recorder was issued at Waterford in 
1830, by J. C. Johnson. 

The Waterford Atlas was started December 1, 1832, by 
Wm. Holland & Co. In 1834 it became the Waterford 
Atlas, Mechanics' and Manufacturers' Journal. It was 
soon after discontinued, perhaps unable to bear so long a 
name. 

The Democratic Champion was published in 1840, by 
H. Wilbur. 

The Waterford Sentinel was started May 18, 1850, by 
Dr. Andrew Hoifman, now of Albany. In 1858 it was 
sold to J. H. Hasten. He sold it to Wm. T. Baker. 
Baker continued it two or three years until 1870, when it 
was sold to Haywood & Palmateer. This partnership 
ended in 1871 by the death of Mr. Haywood. The office 
was then purchased by S. A. Hathaway. In April, 1872, 
the Waterford Advertiser was started by R. D. Palmateer, 
who purchased the interest of the Sentinel in July, 1873, 
since which time there has been but one paper, the Adoer- 
tiser, published by R. D. Palmateer. 

Dr. Hoflman enlarged the Sentinel twice, and continued 
it eight years. J. H. Masten, who bought of him, was the 
publisher of the Cohoes Cataract, and he issued the Sentinel 
from the same office. Mr. Haywood, spoken of above, had 
been an early publisher of one of the Waterford papers. 
Dr. Hoffman went from Waterford to Vermont, and pub- 
lished lor a time the Northfield Herald, a Democratic paper, 
also the Veimonl Christian Messenger, a Methodist journal. 
Then ho published the Coxsackie Union for three years, 
and finally settled in Albany, in the practice of his profes- 
sion of dentistry. 

IV.— THE PRE.SS OF SCHUYLERVILLE. 

The Schnylerville Herald was published at Schuylcr- 
ville, in 1844, by J. L. Cramer. This was the first attempt 
to establish a newspaper in the town. It w:ts finally dis- 
continued. In 1848 the Old Saratoga was established by 
Allen Corey. This was discontinued in 1852. The Battle 
Ground Herald was published by R. N. Atwell & Co. 
from Aug. 1, 1853, to July 31, 1857, and discontinued. 
In December of the same year The Saratoga American 
was started by J. R. Rockwell. He published this to the 
fall of ISGl, when he enlisted, and became captain of Com- 
pany K, Seventy-seventh Regiment, and the paper was dis- 
continued. R. N. Atwell continued a job-printing office 
for several years. Finally other parties established the 
Schuylerville Neios, about the year 1807. 

In the spring of 1870 this was succeeded by the present 



Saratoga County Standard, a large and handsome sheet, 
issued weekly by the Standard Publishing Co. 

v.— THE PRESS OF STILLW.-VTER. 

The Stillwater Gazette was started at Stillwater village, 
in 1845, by Isaac A. Pitman, and was published three 
years. 

The Coldioater Battery was also published in 1845, by 
Isaac A. Pitman. It had only a brief existence. 

VI.— THE PRESS OF MECHANICVILLE. 

The Hudson River Chronicle was published at Mechan- 
icville from October, 1856, to March, 1868, by Samuel 
Heron. 

The Morning Star was published at Mechanicville, in 
1854-55, by C. Smith & Co. It was an experiment con- 
tinued for only a short time. 

Vir.- THE PRESS OF CRESCENT. 
The Crescent Eagle was published in 1852, by C. Acker- 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

SARATOGA COUNTY IN THE GEEAT 
REBELLION OP 1861. 

The citizens of the county of Saratoga are justly proud 
of her brilliant record in the great southern Rebellion. In 
the following pages we give two separate accounts of the 
doings of the 77th Regiment of New York Volunteers, 
and one account of the 30th Regiment of New York 
Volunteers. The first account of the 77tli has been kindly 
written for this work by General French, and the reader 
will find it a highly interesting and exhaustive article. The 
second account of the 77th Regiment has been kindly fur- 
nished by a prominent officer connected with the regiment, 
and although it duplicates some matters touched in the 
first account, it is so interesting that it is given entire. 
The account of the 30th has been written by Col. Searing, 
and will be perused with equal interest. 

I.— THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT NEW YORK 
STATE VOLUNTEERS. 

The 77th Regiment New York State Volunteers, also 
called " The Bemus Heights Battalion," was organized in 
and largely recnuted from Saratoga County. Three of 
its companies bad their .skeleton organizations outside 
of the county, — one in Westport, and one in Keeseville, 
in Essex county, and one in Gloversville, Fulton county. 
On the 2Lst day of August, 1861, Hon. James B. McKean, 
of Saratoga Springs, then being in Congress as a represen- 
tative from the Fifteenth (now Twentieth) district, issued 
the following circular letter to his constituents : 

"Fellow-Oitizkns of the Fifteenth Congressional Disthict, — 
Traitors in arms seek to overthrow our constitution and to seize our 
Capitol. Let us go and help to defend thein. Who wiil despond be- 
cause we lost the battle of Bull Run? Our fathers lost the battle at 
Bunker Hill, but it taught them how to gain the victory at Bemus 
Heights. 

*' Let us learn wisdom from disaster, and send overwhelming num- 
bers into the field. Let farmers, mechanics, merchants, and all classes 
— for the liberties of all are at stake — aid in organizing companies. 



HISTORY OV SARATOGA COUxNTY, NEW YORK. 



107 



'• I win cheerfully assist in procuring the neijessary papers. Do 
not luisuiiderstanil ine. I ara not askin;^ for an office at your hands. 
If you who have most at stake will go, I will willingly go with you 
as a private soItUer. 

" Let us organize a Bemus Heights Battalion, antl vie with each 
other in serving our country, thus showing wc are inspired by the 
holy memories of the Revolutionary hattle-fleUis upon and near 
which we are living. 

".I vs. B. McKk.vs. 

"Saratoga ,Sritixr.s. .Aug. 21, ISOl." 

This call met with a pfoin[)t and patriotic rosponso from 
every town in the county, and tVoni otlier parts of the con- 
gres.sioiial district. Company or^anizitions and recruiting 
stations were established in variou.s localities. Everywhere, 
indeed, the fife and drum could be heard calling to arms, 
and enthusiastic young men went from place to place bear- 
ing the stars and stripes, and urging their fellows to enlist 
for the icar. 

Orders were at once issued from the adjutant-general's 
office at Albany, establishing a branch depot and recruiting- 
station at Saratoga Springs, and directing all companies 
organizing for the regiment to assemble there preparatory 
to being mustered into the United States service. 

The county fair-grounds lying a little east of the village 
of Saratoga Springs were chosen and very soon put in 
readiness for the reception of the recruits. This rendez- 
vous was called " Camp Schuyler," and before the 1st of 
October seven companies, containing over six hundred men, 
had enlisted, marched into its inclosure, and chosen their 
company officers, as follows : 

Saratoga Compaiiy. — Captain, B. F. Judson ; first lieu- 
tenant, L. M. Wheeler. 

BnUston Cumpany. — Captain, C. C. Hill ; first lieuten- 
ant, N. P. Hammond. 

Wilfuit Company. — Captain, W. B. French ; first lieu- 
tenant. John Carr. 

Northumberland Company. — Captain, Calvin Rice; first 
lieutenant, James Terhune. 

Greenfield Company. — Captain, Lewis W^ood ; first lieu- 
tenant, William R. Carpenter. 

Charlton Company. — Captain, A. F. Beach ; first lieu- 
tenant, N. H. Brown. 

Vieslport C'r'm/Joty.^Captain, R. W. Arnold ; first lieu- 
tenant, William Douglas. 

Then came the Waterford company, Jesse White com- 
manding ; the Stillwater and Half-Moon company, J. C. 
Green commanding ; the Clifton Park company, J. B. An- 
drews commanding ; and the Edinburgh and Providence 
company, J. J. Cameron commanding ; all of which organ- 
izations wore soon after consolidated into one company, with 
J. B. Andrews as captain, Jesse White as first lieutenant, 
and John J. Cameron as second lieutenant, Mr. Green 
retiring on account of ill health. 

The Keeseville company soon after arrived, Wendell 
Lansing commandiii ; also a company from Greenwich, 
Washington county, Henry R. Stone commanding; both 
of which were subsequently consolidated, and chose Wen- 
dell Lansing captain, and Jacob F. Haywood first lieuten- 
ant. Gloversville sent a full company, commanded by N. 
S. Babcock, which was the hist, and completed the ten 
company organizations of the regiment. 

Hero at " Camp Schuyler'' the soldiers had their first 



experience of army life. They were fed by R. H. 
MoJIichael, one of the proprietors of Congress Hall, and 
soon became accustomed to the tin-plate and pint cup, roll- 
call, reveille, and tattoo. They were instructed in the 
school of the soldier and guard and camp duty. 

The officers, for a while, shared the quarters of their 
comrades, but afterwards procured accommodations at Con- 
gress Hall, and there remained, studying military tactics, 
and receiving instruction in the manual of arms, sword 
practice, and army regulations, until the regiment moved 
to the front. Recruits were added daily, and the company 
officers directed all their energies in obtaining sufficient 
men to enable them to choose second lieutenants and non- 
commissioned officers, and thus complete the company or- 
ganization. 

Some changes were made in company officers already 
chosen. Winsor B. French, who had been elected captain 
of the Wilton company, and held the rank of fourth cap- 
tain, at the request of the colonel, resigned and accepted 
the appointment of adjutant with the rank of first lieu- 
tenant. Wendell Lansing resigned the captaincy of the 
Keeseville company on account of age and ill health, and 
Franklin Norton, of Greenwich, was elected in his place. 
James Terhune also resigned the first lieutenancy of the 
Northumberland company, George S. Orr being chosen in 
his place. At length all the companies, having obtained 
the requisite number of enlisted men, elected their second 
lieutenants and completed their organization. The captains 
then drew by lot their places and rank in the line, as fol- 
lows: A being first; B, second, etc. 

Company A. — Read W. Arnold, captain ; William 
Douglas, first lieutenant; James H. Farusworth, second 
lieutenant, — Westport, Essex Co. 

Company B. — Clement C. Hill, captain ; Noble P. 
Hammond, first lieutenant ; Stephen S. Horton, second 
lieutenant, — Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co. 

Company C. — Benjamin F. Judson, captain ; Luther 
M. Wheeler, first lieutenant; John Patterson, .second lieu- 
tenant, — Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Co. 

Company D. — John Carr, captain ; Winsor B. French, 
adjutant and first lieutenant; Chester H. Fodow, second 
lieutenant, — Wilton, Saratoga Co. 

Company E. — Lewis Wood, captain, Greenfield, Sara- 
toga Co. ; William B. Carpenter, first lieutenant, Provi- 
dence, Saratoga Co. ; Halsey Bowe, second lieutenant, 
Saratoga, Saratoga Co. 

Company F. — Judson B. Andrews, captain, Mechanic- 
ville, Saratoga Co. ; Jesse White, first lieutenant. Water- 
ford, Saratoga Co. ; John J. Cameron, .second lieutenant, 
Saratoga, Saratoga Co. 

Company G. — Calvin Rice, captain ; George S. Orr, 
first lieutenant, — Gansevoort, Saratoga Co. Lucius E. 
Shurtleft", second lieutenant and quartermaster, Galway, 
Saratoga Co. 

Company H. — Albert F. Beach, captain ; N. Hollister 
Brown, first lieutenant, Charlton, Saratoga Co. George 
D. Story, second lieutenant, Malta, Saratoga Co. 

Company I. — Franklin Norton, captain, Greenwich, 
Wasliington Co.; Jacob F. Haywood, first lieutenant; 
Martin Lennon, second lieutenant, — Keeseville, Essex Co. , 



]0S 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



, Compniiy K. — Nathan S. Babcock, captain ; John W. 
McGregor, first lieutenant ; Philander A. Cobb, second 
lieutenant, — Gloversville, Fulton Co. 

Field and staff officers were then appointed as follows: 

Cuhmvl. — James B. McKean, Saratoga Springs. 

Lieutenant -OjI< 111 el. — Joseph C. Henderson, Albany. 

Major. — Selden Hetzel, Albany. 

Surgeon. — John L. Perry, BI.D., Saratoga Springs. 

Assistant Surgeon. — George T. Stevens, M.D., Westport. 

Chaplain. — David Tally, Ballston Spa. 

Adjutant. — Winsor B. French, Wilton. 

Quiirtermaatcr. — Lucius E. Shurtleff, Galway. 

All of which officers were duly commissioned by the 
governor of the State of New York, and on the 23d day 
of November, 18G1, with the enlisted men, mustered and 
sworn into the United States service " for the terra of the 
war unless sooner discharged," and on the 28th day of 
November marched out of camp and started for Washing- 
ton, D. C. They numbered as follows : 

Oflicera. Men. Total. 

Field and staff. 8 

CompaDV .\ 3 S4 87 

" ■ B 3 ill 94 

C 3 78 81 

" D 3 SO ' 83 

" E 3 80 83 

" F 3 82 85 

" G 3 83 88 

H 3 80 83 

1 3 79 82 

" K 3 87 90 

In all 864 

A few men of each company were left behind on account 
of ab.sence and sicknes.s, and joined the regiment after- 
wards. First Lieutenant N. P. Hammond being left in com- 
mand of the depot. 

During the fall about fifty recruits were enlisted by hira 
and sent on to the regiment ; and in the summer of 1862, 
the regiment liaving become greatly depleted by losses sus- 
tained in the peninsular campaign, disease, and resigna- 
tions, effiDrts were made to fill it up, and Capt. John R. 
Rockwell, 1st Lieut. William H. Fursman, and 2d Lieut. 
Cyrus F. Rich, with a company of eighty-nine men raised 
at Schuylerville, were added to it. At the same time 
Lieuts. S. S. Hastings, Joseph H. Loveland, and John W. 
Belding organized a company of sixty men and joined the 
regiment. Lawrence Van Demark, of Stillwater, and Alonzo 
Howland,of Mechanicville, recruited about sixty-four men, 
were commissioned first and second lieutenants respectively, 
and with their men were also assigned places. Maj. W. B. 
French and Lieut. David J. Caw, and others, while the 
regiment was lying at Harri.son's Landing, were sent home 
on recruiting service, recruited two hundred and thirty 
men, and thereafter about fifty men were added to the 
regiment and six officers appointed from civil life, making 
in all fifty-two officers and fourteen hundred and sixty- 
nine men who, from first to last, joined the regiment. 
Of these a large number re-enlisted in ISGi for three years 
more. 

The regiment thus organized proceeded by rail to Albany, 
thence by boat to New Y'ork city, where the resident sons of 
Saratoga gave them a splendid collation, and a beautiful 
regimental banner and guidons. " The banner was an ex- 



quisite piece of work, of the richest fabric, — a blue ground, 
with elegant designs in oil. On one side was represented 
an engagement, in which the American soldiers, led by 
Washington, were fighting under the old flag, — tliirteen 
stripes and the union jack. On the reverse was pictured 
the surrender of Burgoyne, at Saratoga, under the new 
flag, — the stars and stripes, — first unfurled in the goodly 
city of Albany, and first baptized in blood at the decisive 
battle of Bemus Heights, which resulted in the suiTender 
of Burgoyne and the virtual success of the Revolution. 

" We had already a beautiful national flag, the gift of 
the patriotic young ladies of Mr. Beecher's seminary at 
Saratoga." 

, The regiment arrived at Washington on the 1st day of 
December, and were at once ordered into camp at Meridian 
Hill, about two miles north of the city. On the 15th day 
of February, 1862, the regiment crossed the Potomac and 
joined the 3d Brigade of the 2d Division, at Camp Griffin, 
with which organization it remained through the war. It 
will be interesting to know that, at this first advance of the 
enemy, it took one hundred and thirty mule teams to move 
the camp equipage, and that after Chancellorsville but one 
team was allowed to each regiment for that purpose. The 
brigade comprised, besides our own regiment, the 33d and 
49th New York, and the 7th Jlaine, and was commanded 
by Gen. Davidson. Gen. W. F. Smith ('^ Old Baldy") 
commanded the division. 

Soon after arriving in camp the regiment had its first ex- 
perience in night marching, having been ordered out on a 
reconnaissance about six miles towards Vienna and return. 
The New York papers called it a general advance of the 
army. The army moved on the 8th day of March to 
Mana.ssas. but finding no enemy it was decided to proceed 
against Richmond by way of Fortress Monroe and the Pe- 
ninsula. Accordingly, the army was embarked and sent 
down the Potomac to the mouth of the James river, and 
debarked at Portress Monroe, the 77th at Hampton, a little 
deserted village near by. On March 26 a grand advance, 
or reconnaissance in force, was ordered. 

Here began a weeding-out process, graphically described 
by Dr. Geo. T. Stevens as follows : 

" In this advance or recoiniaissance of the whole army 
the qualities of the individual soldiers composing it were 
brought out in bold relief. The efifect on our own division 
was marked. During the months we had been in winter 
quarters many officers and men had established marvelous 
reputations for bravery and hardihood, merely by constantly 
heralding their own heroism. But from this time these 
doughty heroes went back. Officers suddenly found cau.5e 
for resigning, and enlisted men managed to get sent to the 
rear, and never showed their faces at the front again. On 
the contrary, some who were really invalids insisted on 
dragging them.selves along with the column, fearful that an 
engagement might take place in which they would not par- 
ticipate. A sifting process was thus commenced through- 
out the whole division, and, to its honor, the poltroons were 
very soon sifted out ; and from that time forth Smith's 
division never affijrdod a comfortable resting-place for men 
of doubtful courage. ' They went out from us, because 
they were not of us.' " 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



100 



FIRST ENGAGEMENT. 

On April 4 the regiment received its first baptism of fire 
at a small place on Warwick creek called Lee's Mills. Here 
the enemy were intrenched, waiting to receive the attack. 
Their line of earthworks extended across the Peninsula 
about seven miles, Yorktown being about three miles to 
the east of Lee's Mills ; and here began a "sifting process" 
that came near destroying the whole army. 

Frank Jeflbrds, Company C, was the first of our regi- 
ment killed. Comparatively few were killed outright in 
battle, but the more deadly scourge of camp fever held higli 
carnival and swept our ranks as with the besom of destruc- 
tion. Nearly one-fifth of the regiment was put hors-de- 
com/nit at this place. On the 3d and 4th of May the 
enemy retreated to William.'^burg, where they were attacked 
and defeated after a long and severe engagement. 

The 77th, with Smith's Division, stood in reserve all day 
ready to be called into action if needed, but was not 
actually engaged. On the 15th day of May, the army ad- 
vanced to White House on the Pamunky, where the 6th 
Corps was organized and the 2d Division made a part of it; 
and thereafter during the period of its service the 77lh 
formed a part of the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, and 6th 
Corps of the Army of the Potomac. 

On May 23 the regiment first came in sight of the 
rebel capital, and from a small eminence received the fire of 
a battery and the 7th and 8th Georgia Regiments, who stood 
guard in front of the little village of Mechanicsville. Dr. 
Stevens describes the affair as follows : " Wheeler's battery 
responded nobly to the rebel artillery, and presently Gen. 
Davidson ordered Col. McKean to charge the village with 
his regiment. The men rose to their feet and started fur- 
ward with a yell. Down the hill they rushed impetuously, 
cheering and yelling; but the two rebel regiments, the 7th 
and 8th Georgia, startled by the shouts, seized their mus- 
kets and ran, firing but one parting salute. Their battery 
also limbered up and beat a hasty retreat." 

From this delightful village the regiment was recalled, 
and on June 5 transferred to Golden's Farm, on the south 
bank of the Chickahominy, and their advance on the city 
of Richmond, towards which they had .so long toiled and 
struggled, forever postponed. The regiment lay here about 
three weeks, and .so near the enemy that rifle-bullets from 
their picket lines frequently came whistling into camp. 

At this time Col. ^IcKean was compelled on account of 
sickness to abandon the front and leave the regiment. The 
terrible hardships of the march, the bivouac, the camp, and 
the Chiekahoniiny swamp fevers had fearfully scathed the 
regiment, and many of its bravest ofiicers and men were 
compelled to yield to the ravages of disease. Many died 
and many were dischai-ged, the absent and sick often out- 
numbering those present and fit for duty. On June 26 
Gen. Lee began the first of the series of battles that drove 
McClellau's once magnificent army from in front of the 
rebel capital to Harri-son's Lauding on the James river. 
The result of the first day's fight was announced as a great 
victory for the Union army. The joy of the army at this 
announcement knew no bounds. Bands of music played 
which had not sounded a note fur nearly two months (not 



even a roll-call or drum-beat had been allowed, lest the 
enemy should learn our exact position); but now the air 
was filled with music, the camps were ablaze with patriotic 
fervor. All expected to march into Richmond at daylight. 
All night the regiment was under arms awaiting the hoped- 
for order to advance. Alas I alas ! the order was passed 
in whispers from camp to camp, " Leave your tents stand- 
ing ; save a few of your most valuable eflfects ; destroy the 
balance; the army must retreat. Be ready to meet any 
attack on your front and to march instantly on receiving 
the order." On the next day came the great battle of 
Gaines' Hill, just across the Chickahominy, in plain view 
of the regiment, which was all day under arms, and on 
June 28 the battle of Gaines' Farm. 

At three o'clock on Sunday morning, June 20, the 2d Di- 
vision, as the rear-guard of the army, quietly withdrew and 
marched to Savage's Station. Then came the battle of 
Savage's Station, and another repulse of the enemy ; after 
that a long and terrible night march to White Oak swamp, 
which was reached about daylight ; then a short rest, when 
a terrible artillery fire was opened upon the division by the 
rebels, described by Dr. Stevens as follows : 

'• Suddenly, like a thunderbolt, seventy-five pieces of 
artillery belched forth their sheets of flame and howling 
shells, and in an instant our whole division was thrown 
into the most perfect confusion by the deadly missiles which 
flew among us in every direction. Such cannonading had 
never before been heard by our army, and before our bat- 
teries could reply with any effect the horses were killed, 
the gunners dispersed, and the pieces disabled. It was a 
most perfect surprise ; no one was prepared ; men ran 
hither and thither seeking shelter behind any object which 
seemed sufficient even to conceal them from the view of 
the enemy." 

Then the retreat was continued. The 77th led ; Gen. 
Davidson directing that Adj. French ride at the head of 
the regiment and at his side, ready to receive any orders 
to be given to his " di-ar 77th," as he always afterwards 
called it. On the next day occurred the great battle of 
Malvern Hill. The 6th Corps held the right of the line, 
and was not actually engaged ; then the further retreat to 
Harrison's Landing. Dr. Stevens thus speaks of the part 
the 77th took in this campaign : 

" Since the arrival of the army on the Peninsula the 
experiences of the regiment have been varied. With the 
other regiments of Smith's Division it has spent a month 
at Yorktown, within musket-shot of the enemy. At Wil- 
liamsburg it, with other regiments of its brigade, supported 
batteries in front of Fort Magruder, and when, in the 
afternoon, it received the order to go with the 49th to the 
a.ssistance of Hancock, it started forward with cheers; the 
men going through the mud at double-quick. But when 
the two regiments arrived on the field their gallant brothers 
of Hancock's and of their own brigade had nobly accom- 
plished the work in which they would gladly have assisted. 

" We have seen how gallantly the regiment routed the 
rebels at Mechanicsville, capturing a flag and other trophies ; 
and when on the Chickahominy Smith's Division held the 
line closest upon the enemy, it bravely assumed its part of 
the labor and danger. A portion of the regiment on picket 



110 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



on tho 28th of June exhibited sterling; heroism ; and we 
need hardly refer to tho noble sacrifice of that brave young 
soldier, John Ham. Disease and exhaustion had made 
terrible inroads upon the 77th. Instead of nearly a thou- 
sand men, with whom wo came to the Peninsula, inspection 
in the middle of June siiowed only about two hundred and 
fifty men present for duty. Although this reninieiit had, 
from the very beginning, occupied an exposed position in 
the very front line ; although it composed a part of Smith's 
Division, which had already become famous, both in the 
Union and rebel armies, for being always in closest prox- 
imity to tlie enemy, yet it had thus far lost very few men 
in battle. All the rest of those now absent had been 
stricken down by fevers, or worn out by the exhausting 
labors and exposures of the camp:iign. Among those 
attacked by typhoid fever was Col. McKean. After suifer- 
iug a few days in the vain hope of soon being able to place 
himself again at the head of his regiment, he was removed 
from the poisonous atmosphere of the swamps to Washington, 
and thence to his home in Saratoga. The men looked upon 
his departure with sincere regret, for they not only respected 
him as an able commander, but loved him for his never- 
failing interest in their welfare. He had been to the regi- 
ment in the capacity of commander and father. His leave 
of the regiment was destined to be final ; for, except as an 
occasional visitor, he never returned to it. 

" Lieut. Bowe, a young man of fine abilities and greatly 
beloved by his regiment, after several weeks of absence, 
returned to camp on the 18th of July restored to health. 
On the very next day, while standing with several officers 
in a tent, he was fatally wounded by an accidental shot 
from a pistol, and died soon after. 

" Changes occurred among the officers. The lieutenant- 
colonel and major left the service, — the first by resignation ; 
the other by dismissal. Adj. French was made major, and 
afterwards lieutenant-colonel, which office he held during 
the remainder of the term of the regiment." 

THE RETREAT FROM THE PENINSULA. 

On the 16th of August came the order to " pack up 
and be ready to move," and at midday the regiment left 
with delight its camp at Harrison's Landing. Two days' 
march brought it to Williamsburg, a third to Yorktown, 
another to Big Bethel, and a fifth to Hampton, where boats 
were waiting to transport the army to Alexandria. What 
a change ! Five months before it had debarked on those 
very wharves, and stepped proudly out, the most splendid 
army in the world ; now it was broken, dispirited, beaten, 
and humiliated. Look at the 77th. Then the ranks were 
full, officers and men healthy, proud, full of esprit de 
corps, firmly believing that nothing could oppose their 
onward march. Now, how changed ! Not a field-ofiicer 
present to command it, many of its bravest and best lying 
scattered from Hampton to Richmond in unmarked graves, 
many dying in rebel hospitals and prison pens, and many 
languishing on beds of sickness ; the remainder bronzed 
and brown, hardened by war, saddened by defeat, drilled 
into veterans, ready for victory or for defeat. 

The regiment arrived at Alexandria, with the fith Corps, 
on the 2iid of August. It was not engaged in the second 



Bull Run battle, but acted as part of the rear-guard of 
Pope's retreating army from Centreville to Washington. 
It participated in the Maryland campaign, and took part 
in the battles of Crampton Pass and Antietam. 

Its share in the latter battle is thus described by Dr. 
Stevens : 

" It was at this critical moment, when Sumner's troops, 
weary and almost out of ammunition, were for the third 
time repulsed, . . . that the Sixth Corps, our second di- 
vision in advance, arrived upon the field. The scene before 
us was awful. On the left, as far as the eye could reach, 
the lines of the contending forces, stretching over hills and 
through valleys, stood face to face, in some places not more 
than thirty yards apart. The roar of the musketry rolled 
along the whole extent of the battle-field. The field upon 
which we had now entered, thrice hotly contested, was 
strewed with the bodies of friend and foe. Without waiting 
to take breath, each regiment, as soon as it arrives on the 
field, is ordered to charge independently of the others. . . . 
On the right of the 7th Maine come the glorious 49th and 
our own 77th, Capt. Babcock in command. On the right 
of all is the old 33d, within supporting distance. The men 
of the 77th )ush forward and receive the fire nobly, and 
although far ahead of all the other regiments, it stands its 
ground and returns the fire with spirit, although it is but 
death to remidn thus in the advance. The brave color-bearer, 
Joseph Murer, falls shot through the head ; but the colors 
scarcely touch the ground when they are seized and again 
flaunted in the face of the enemy. Volley after volley 
Clashes through our ranks ; our comrades fall on every side ; 
yet the little band stands firm as a rock, refusing to yield 
an inch. At this juncture Gen. Smith, riding along the 
line and discovering the advanced and unprotected position 
of the regiment, exclaims, ' There's a regiment gone,' and 
sends an aid to order it to retire. ... It did so, and re- 
formed again with a loss of thirty-three killed and wounded. 

" The advent of the 6th Corps upon the field had decided 
the contest upon the right of the line, and after the first 
charge of the 3d Brigade the battle lulled. Of all the 
brilliant charges made in the army on that memorable day, 
none was more gallant or more important in its lesults than 
this noble charge of the 3d Brigade of Smith's Division." 

Before the army left Harrison's Landing, Maj. French, 
Lieut. Caw, and others had been ordered to Saratoga 
Springs on recruiting duty, and through their exertions, 
aided by the patriotic efforts of the people of Saratoga 
County, large accessions were made to the regiment. Dr. 
Stevens thus describes some of the methods used and the 
prevailing excitement : 

" In Saratoga a large concourse of people . . . gathered 
for a war-meeting. Stirring speeches were made. Ladies 
offered their diamond rings, their watch-chains, their 
watches, and other valuables to those who should come 
forward and enter the service. Under the influence of 
such enthusiasm many came forward and enrolled their 
names, and received the jewels from the fair hand.s of the 
patriotic donors." 

In October, 1862, Col. French, with Lieut. Caw and a 
large number of recruits, joined the regiment, took com- 
mand, and thoroughly reorganized it, Co.'s F and K being 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Ill 



consolidated, and Co. K being replaced by the new com- 
pany from Schuylerville, and other recruits were assigned 
to Co.'s D. and I. The regiment was held in reserve at 
the first battle of Fredericksburg, and met with no loss. 
It went into winter quarters at White Oak Church, shared 
in " Burnside's mud march," and all the festivities of the 
camp so pleasantly described by Dr. Stevens. 

" We had our share of disease and desertions. We had 
our ball-players and our violinists, our singers and our story- 
tellers, as every regiment had, and at regimental lieadquar- 
ters matters went on gayly." 

FREDERICKSBURG. 

On May 1, 18G3, the Army of the Potomac crossed the 
Rappahannock a second time, and the 6th Corps was or- 
dered to carry by assault the " Heights of Fredericksburg." 
Storming columns were formed ; the 3d Brigade of the 2d 
Division preceded by the 77th, under command of Col. 
French, as skirmishers, led the advance. Stevens writes : 

" It was a moment of contending emotions of pride, hope, 
and sadness, as our gallant boys stood face to face with those 
heights, ready to charge upon them. At double-quick and 
in splendid style they crossed the plain. Our lino was per- 
fect. The men could not have made a more orderly ap- 
pearance had they been on drill. Proud of their commands, 
Gens. Howe and Neill, and Col. Grant, cheered the men 
onward, while Lieut.-Col. French, in charge of the skirmish 
line, inspired by his own intrepid behavior the utmost con- 
fidence and bravery in liis men. They took the matter as 
coolly as though on parade. ... A more grand spectacle 
cannot be imagined. There were the hills, enough to fatigue 
any man to climb them without a load and with no one to 
oppo.se. At the foot of the hills were thousands of the 
enemy, pouring into them volleys of musketry, and on the 
heights were their lines of earthworks with their artillery, 
from which poured grape and canister in a frightful storm. 
But the boys pushed nobly, steadily on, the rebels steadily 
retreating, the division coming up in splendid style, Gens. 
Howe and Neill and Col. Grant directing the movements 
and cheering on the men as they pressed undauntedly against 
the murderous storm of iron and lead that met them from 
above. Our men were falling in every direqtion, but the 
lines were immediately closed and on they passed. With 
shouts and cheers that drowned the roar of artillery, the 
noble division with bayonets fixed mounted the heights, the 
rebels retreating in confusion. Of that noble column, the 
skirmishers of the 77th first reached the heights of Marye's 
Hill, the 33d New York in line of battle following, and then 
the Gth Vermont. . . . 

" The 77th New York captured a stand of colors belong- 
ing to the 18th Mississippi regiment, two heavy guns, a 
large number of prisoners, among whom was Col. Luce, of 
the 18th Mi.ssi.ssippi, and great numbers of .small arms. 
As the regiment reached the heights and took possession 
of the guns. Gen. Howe rode up and, taking off his hat, 
exclaimed, ' Noble 77th ! you have covered yourselves 
with glory !' The general's' words were greeted with 
tumultuous cheers. . . . Thus the heights were won. It 
was a glorious day for the 6th Corps. Never was a charge 



more gallantly made. But it was a sad day, for many 
scores of our brave comrades lay stretched in death along 
the glacis and on the steep ascent, in the ravines and along 
the road. . . . The 77th New York was among the 
greatest losers. . . . 

" Captain Luther M. Wheeler, of the 77th, was shot 
while we halted at the foot of Marye's Hill. It was a sad 
loss to this regiment and to the corps. Few more gifted 
young men could be found in the army. He was one of 
our bravest and most efficient officers. Gentle in his re- 
lations with his fellows, cool and daring in battle, his 
youthful fiice, beaming with fortitude, was a continual joy 
to his men in time of danger. He died as he had lived, a 
hero." 

In the next day's fight, when the 6th Corps was pressed 
by Lee's whole army, the 77th held the left front of the 
line and bore the shock with the same intrepidity as before. 

After the army had been withdrawn I'rom this disastrous 
campaign it remained encamped near White Oak Church 
until called to follow Lee into Pennsylvania. 

The march from that encampment to Manchester, Penn- 
sylvania, will ever be remembered by the regiment. It 
tested the strength and endurance of the men to the ut- 
most. In four days they had marched* over one hundred 
miles, and at midnight of the fourth the stern command, 
" Fall in !" rang out, and the wearied men roused them- 
selves at once and started to relieve Reynolds at Gettys- 
burg. All night and all day the men pressed on, on, on, 
only halting ten minutes for breakfast. The roads being 
occupied by the artillery and wagon-trains, the infantry 
picked their way through the fields. In fourteen hours 
the regiment marched thirtj'-six miles, with only such food 
and drink as the men could snatch during occasional five- 
minute halts. The field of battle was reached, however, in 
time, and the knowledge that the " fighting 0th Corps"' 
was in reserve nerved the arms of their comrades in that 
most terrible of modern combats. It was not actually en- 
gaged, but stood a sure support at the post of greatest 
honor, — in reserve. 

After Gettysburg the 3d Brigade followed Lee's army 
over the mountains to Waynesboro', and among the pleas- 
antest incidents of army life were the encampment and 
picket duty on Antietam creek, the march again across the 
Potomac, along the Blue Riugo among the blackberries to 
Warrenton, the delightful camp at Hart's Mills, outpost 
duty on the banks of the Rapidan, with no enemy visible 
in front, and the three weeks at Stone House Mountain. 
It was at the latter place that occurred the pleasant inci- 
dent of the presentation to Col. French of an elegant sword 
by the line-officers of the regiment, the festivities incident 
thereto, the torchlight procession of the 7th Jlaine Regi- 
ment, marching into camp to oft'er congratulations to the 
officers and men ou the pleasant relations existing between 
them. 

At length, on December 1, came the short and fruitless 
campaign of Mine Run, — those bitter cold nights of suffi;r- 
ing, — and the return to camp at Brandy Station The 
regiment had the extreme right-front in the expected at- 
tack, and was rear-guard to the whole army on its with- 
drawal across the Rapidan. 



112 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



After the winter's cantonment of 1863-64 at Brandy 
Station, came 

THE WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN. 

On the 4th of May, 18G4, the regiment broke camp and 
marched beyond the Eapidan, and on the next day tooii an 
active part in tlie fir.st of that terrible series of engage- 
ments known as the battles of the Wilderness, in all of 
which it actively participated. 

SPOTTSYLVANIA. 

On the 8th of May the 6th Corps arrived at Spottsyl- 
vania, and on the 10th was called upon to make one of the 
most leniarkable charges on record, which is described by 
Dr. Stevens as follows : 

At five o'clock the men of the corps were ordered to un- 
sling knapsacks and divest themselves of every incum- 
brance, preparatory to a charge. Col. Upton, commanding 
the 2d Brigade of the 1st Division, was directed to take 
twelve picked regiments from the corps and lead them in a 
charge against the right centre of the rebel line. The 77th 
was chosen one of the twelve. " It was indeed an honor to 
be selected for this duty, but it was an honor to be paid fur 
at the cost of fearful peril. . . . 

" At six o'clock all things were ready, and the artillery, 
from the eminences in our rear, opened a terrific fire, send- 
ing the shells howling and shrieking over the heads of the 
charging column and plunging into the works of the enemy. 
This was the signal for the attack, and Col. Upton's clear 
voice rang out : ' Attention, battalidiis ! Forward, Jouhle 
quick ' Charge !' And in an instant every man was on 
his feet, and with tremendous cheers, which were answered 
by the wild yells of the rebels, the column rushed from 
the cover of the woods. Quick as lightning a sheet of 
flame burst from the rebel line, and the leaden hail swept 
the ground over which the column was advancing, while 
the canister from the artillery came crashing through our 
ranks at every step, and scores and hundreds of our brave 
fellows fell, literally covering the ground. But, nothing 
daunted, the noble fellows rushed upon the defenses, leap- 
ing over the ditch in front and mounting the breastworks. 
The rebels made a determined resistance, and a hand-to- 
hand tight ensued, until, with their bayonets, our men had 
filled the rifle-pits with bleeding rebels. About two thou- 
sand of the survivors of the struggle surrendered, and were 
immediately marched to the rear under' guard. Without 
halting for breath, the impetuous column rushed towards 
the second line of works, which was equally as strong as 
the first. The resistance here was less strong than at the 
first line, yet the gray occupants of the rifle-pits refused to 
fly until forced back at the point of the bayonet. Our 
ranks were now fearfully thinned, yet the brave fellows 
passed on to the third line of the defenses, which was also 
captured. . . . 

" Capt. Carpenter, of the 77th, one of its first and best 
ofiicers, and Lieut. Lyon, a young officer of great bravery, 
were killed in the interior line of works, and many other 
noble fellows of that regiment were left on that fatal field." 

On the next day occurred the struggle for the " Angle," 
when the regiment fought hand to hand with the enemy ; 



after that a long night march, and on the 17th of May a 
charge, under a galling fire, across a field covered with 
abatis to the second line of the enemy's works, and a re- 
pulse therefrom with heavy loss. Then the marches by 
night and fights by day until Cold Harbor was reached, 
where the useless sacrifice of life was terrible ; the 77th 
Regiment holding the front and most advanced line most of 
the time, and being constantly exposed to the enemy's fire, 
it not ceasing even during the night. On the 10th of June 
the army was moved to Petersburg, where the regiment 
again received the shock of battle. Here it was that the 
three James', — James Barnes, James Lawrence, and James 
Allen, — all belonging to Company A, each lost a leg and 
two others wounded by the explosion of a single shell fired 
from the enemy's guns in the midst of the regiment. On 
the 9th of July the 1st and 2d Divisions of the 6th Corps 
left the front at nine o'clock in the evening, and, marching 
all night, arrived at City Point on the James river at day- 
light, whence it was immediately transported to Wa.shing- 
ton, to defend the capital against the threatened attack by 
the rebels under Jubal Early. 

Thus the regiment left the Army of the Potomac, with 
which it had fought so long and so well, and to which as a 
regiment it was never destined to return. The two divi- 
sions arrived at Washington on July IH, and marched 
through its crowded streets amid the shouts of the people, 
who came out to meet them, crying, " This is the old 6th 
Corps," " These are the men who took Marye's Heights,"' 
" We are safe now." The city, which a few hours before 
had been wild with fright, was now calm with the assurance 
that their homes were safe, and that the invaders would 
soon be driven from their soil by the boys who wore the 
Greek cross. 

The President and large numbers of the city oflScials 
had gathered in Fort Stevens, before which Early was sta- 
tioned, to witness the fight. Soon Col. French was ordered 
to take his own, the 7th Maine, and the 49th New 
York Regiments, and drive the enemy from its position in 
front of the fort ; and to that end, to move his command 
under the brow of a hill to a point designated, and, when 
ready to advance, to signal the corps commander. The new 
flag of the 77th, not yet baptized in blood, waved the 
signal of readiness. The guns of the fort sent a few 
rounds of shell towards the enemy, doing no apparent 
damage, however, and Gen. Wright gave the signal for the 
charge, which is thus described by Dr. Stevens ; 

" In magnificent order and with light steps they ran 
forward up the ascent, through the orchard, through the 
little grove on the right, over the rail-fence, up to the road, 
making straight for the first objective point, — the frame 
hou.se in front. The rebels at first stood their ground, then 
gave way before the impetuous charge. The President, the 
members of his cabinet, and the ladies, as well as the mili- 
tary officers in the fort, and the crowd of soldiers and 
citizens who had gathered about it to witness the fight, 
watched with breathless interest the gallant advance as our 
boys pushed forward, keeping their line of battle perfect, 
except when now and then some regiment, having the ad- 
vantage of ground in its favor, in its eagerness got a little 
in advance of others, until they saw the rebels take to 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



113 



flight. Then the crowd at the fort rent the air with 
exultant cheers, and, as the boys reached the liouse, the 
people were wild with excitement, shoutiiij; and clapping 
their hands, leaping and dancing with joy. But the 
rebels did not yield without resistance. They met our 
men bravely, and, though forced to seek safety in flight, 
turned and poured their volleys into the ranks of their pur- 
suers, which told fearfully on them, and many were killed 
and wounded. 

..." Col. French, of the 77th, was injured, but not 
severely. The commanding oflicer of every regiment in 
the brigade was either killed or wounded." 

THE CAMPAIGN IN THE " VALLEV." 

After the battle of Fort Stevens the 6th Corps' joined 
tlie Army of the Shenandoah, to the command of which, 
after a long series of marches and countermarches, and 
much time spent in dancing attendance on Early, Gen. 
Philip II. Sheridan was assigned, aud very soon attacked 
and routed the enemy at Winchester, in which battle the 
77th participated, losing heavily. There it was that Sheri- 
dan, riding up to Gen. Bidwell, in the very front, shouted, 
in the presence of the 77th, " Press them, general, they'll 
run ! G — d d — n them, I know they'll run ! Press them." 
The result justified his spirited prophecy. After Winches- 
ter, Early retreated to Strasburg, where he occupied a po- 
sition seemingly impregnable. Our leader, however, was 
not a man to be daunted, and at once made his arrange- 
ments to drive the rebels from their strong position. Here 
Col. French, who had charge of the corps picket line, was 
slightly wounded in a preliminary skirmish. The attack 
was soon made, and the rebels utterly discomfited. 

On October 19 occurred the battle of Cedar Creek, that 
glorio«s struggle, where a reinforcement of one man— Sheri- 
dan, who was at the time absent at Winchester — changed 
defeat into victory. Early attacked at two o'clock in the 
morning, and completely surprised the 8th Corps, which 
became utterly demoralized and panic-stricken. The 19th 
Corps was vigorously attacked, and forced to retreat in 
confusion, and, to quote from Dr. Stevens, — 

'• It was at this critical moment that the warning was 
given to the 6th Corps. Gen. Wright being in command 
of the army, the corps was in. charge of Gen. Ricketts. 
He at once faced the corps to the rear, and moved it over 
the plain in the face of the advancing hosts of the enemy. 
. . . The 2d Division held the left of the new line, the 
1st the centre, and the 3d the right. . . . 

" We now waited the onset of the victorious columns 
which were driving the shattered and disorganized frag- 
ments of the 8th and 19th Corps, beaten and discouraged, 
wildly through our well-formed ranks to the rear. The hope 
of the nation now rested with those heroes of many bloody 
fields. Now that peerless band of veterans, the wearers of 
the Greek cross, whose fame was already among the choicest 
treasures of American history, was to show to the country 
and the world an exhibition of valor which should tower 
above all the grand achievements of the war. The corps, 
numbering less than twelve thousand men, now confronted 
Early's whole army of more than thirty thousand men, 
who, flushed with victory, already bringing to bear against 
15 



us the twenty-one guns wliich they had just captured from 
the two broken corps, rushed upon our lines with those 
wild, exultant yells, the terror of which can never be con- 
ceived by those who have not heard them on the field. 
With fearless impetuosity the rebel army moved up the 
gentle rise of ground in front of the 6th Corps, and the 
attack from one end of the line to the other was simul- 
taneous. It was like the clash of steel to steel. The as- 
tonished columns were checked. They had found an 
immovable obstacle to their march of victory. 

" The 2d Division, on the left nearest the pike, had re- 
ceived the most severe shock of the attack. Bidwell's 
Brigade held the extreme left, the key to the pike, and sus- 
tained the attack of the whole of Kershaw's rebel division, 
which came up in compact order to within very close range. 
The gallant brigade received the onset with full volleys, 
which caused the right of the rebel line to stagger back, and 
the whole line was, almost at the same moment, repulsed 
by the corps. The cavalry on our flank — and never braver 
men than the cavalry of our little army mounted saddles — ■ 
were doing their best to protect the pike leading to Win- 
chester, and it was the great aim of both the cavalry and 
the single organized corps of infantry to hold this pike ; for 
on this depended the .safety of the whole army and, more, 
of our cause. Gen. Bidwell ordered his brigade to charge. 
Rising from their places in the little grave-yard and the 
grove, the brigade rushed forward, the rebels breaking and 
running in confusion down the declivity which they had 
but just ascended with such confidence, and across the little 
stream. But the rebel artillery sent our men back to their 
places, to the shelter of the roll of ground. The charge 
cost us dearly. . . . Capt. Lennon of the 77th was mor- 
tally wounded, Lieut. Tabor was killed, . . . and many 
other valuable lives were lost ; but the most severe blow to 
the brigade and the corps was the loss of our gallant Gen. 
Bidwell. He fell, while bravely directing the charge, with 
a frightful shell wound. 

..." The fall of Gen. Bidwell left Col. French of the 
77th in command of the brigade. The line was quickly 
reformed in tlie position from which the charge was made, 
and again the rebels came on with cheers and yells. They 
were as bravely met as before, and a second countercharge 
sent them again iu disorder across the creek, leaving the 
ground covered with their dead and wounded. The great- 
est shock of the second charge of the rebels had fallen upon 
our 3d Brigade, and nobly had it been met. ... At length 
a new line was formed just north of Middletown, which was 
about two miles in the rear of the position held by the 2d 
Division of our corps early in the morning. . . . 

" The grand old 6th Corps, directed by our own loved 
Gen. Getty, had turned the fortune of the day. It was 
now ten o'clock ; far away in the rear was heard cheer after 
cheer. What was the cause ? Were reinforcements coming ? 
Yes ; Phil. Sheridan was coming, and he was a host. He 
had ridden from Winchester at amazing speed, and now, as 
he passed the long trains of ambulances in which were the 
hundreds of bleeding victims of the morning's work, the 
wounded men, whose shattered limbs or mangled bodies 
attested that they had not run away, raised themselves and 
cheered with wild enthusiasm the hero of the valley. . . . 



lU 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



" Dashing along the pike, he came upon the line of 
battle. ' What troops are those?' shouted Sheridan. ' The 
6th Corps,' was the response from a hundred voices. ' We 
are all right!' said Sheridan, as he swung his old hat, and 
dashed along the line towards the right. ' Never ruind, 
boys, we'll whip them yet! We shall sleep in our old 
quarters to-night I' . . . 

" At three o'clock, Sheridan gave the order to move, 
wheeling from right to left, as a gate swings upon its 
hinges. The 3d Division, on the right of our corps, be- 
came for a moment embarrassed in passing through a strip 
of woods; the 1st Division moved slowly but firmly, gain- 
ing a strong position. The 2d Division also advanced, but 
were ordered to go very slowly, and this was iar more 
difficult than to rush quickly over the ground. Yet the 
division obeyed the order, and forced the rebels to fall 
back. In front of the 1st and 2d Brigades was a stone 
wall. This they seized and were at once partially .sheltered ; 
but there was no such protection for the 3d Brigade. In 
its front was a meadow and a gradually inclined plane, and 
behind a wall, which skirted the crest, was the rebel line. 
Between that line and ours, in a hollow, .stood a brick mill, 
from the windows of which the enemy's sharpshooters* 
picked off our men. The galling fire from the line of 
battle, and the fatal shots of the sharpshooters in the mill, 
made it impossible to advance slowly, and the line fell back. 
Our best men were falling fast. 

" The color-sergeant of the 77th fell dead ; another ser- 
geant seized the flag and fell. Adj. Gilbert Thomas, a 
youth of rare beauty and surpassing bravery, seized the 
fallen flag. Ho cried, ' Forward, men !' and fell dead with 
the staff grasped in his hands. ' I cannot take my brigade 
over that field slowly,' said Col. French. ' Then go quickly,' 
responded Gen. Getty. The word was given, and with a 
bound and a shout the noble brigade went across the field, 
(juickly driving the Confederates from their strong position. 

" By this time the right of the army had started the 
rebels, and their whole line was giving way. The three 
divisions of the 6th Corps bounded forward and commenced 
the wildest race that had ever been witnessed, even in that 
valley, so fiimous for the flight of beaten armies. The 
rebel lines were completely broken, and now in utmost con- 
fusion every man was going in greatest haste towards Cedar 
creek. Our men, with wild enthusiasm, with shouts and 
cheers, regardless of order or formation, joined in the hot 
pursuit. There was our mortal enemy, who had but a few 
hours since driven us unceremoniously from our camps, now 
beaten, routed, broken, bent on nothing but the most rapid 
flight. 

"... From the point where we broke the rebel ranks 
to the crossing of Cedar creek was three miles, an open 
plain. Over this plain and down the pike the panic- 
stricken army was flying, while our soldiers, without ever 
stopping to load their pieces, were charging tardy batteries 
with empty muskets, seizing prisoners by scores and hun- 
dreds. ..." 

So the battle ended, and the 6th Corps was ordered to 
occupy the same spot from which it so suddenly decamped 
to meet the enemy iu the eai-ly morning. 

With this grand and wonderful battle the fighting ex- 



perience of the 77th Regiment closed, and, its term of 
service having expired, it was ordered to Saratoga Springs 
to be mustered out, where it arrived on the 23d of Novem- 
ber, 1864. just three years after the day of its mustering 
in. The regiment was received with all the love and 
honor a patriotic people could bestow. A committee of 
the most prominent citizens had been appointed to make 
arrangements for its reception, and an immen.se crowd 
assembled at the depot to welcome the little (only fourteen 
officers and one hundred and five men) band of icar-wurn 
soldiers, — a mere remnant of the thirteen hundred and 
sixty-nine noble men who had gone from there three years 
before. They were escorted to the public hall, where they 
were welcomed by the president of the village on behalf of 
the people of Saratoga, and, after a prayer by D. E. TuUy, 
the first chaplain, Col. James B. WcKean delivered an ad- 
dress, which was responded to by Col. French, after which 
Dr. Luther F. Beecher read a poem of welcome, written by 
Mrs. M. C. Beecher. In the evening a splendid banquet 
was tendered them by the citizens of Saratoga Springs, at 
the American Hotel. Speeches were made by Hon. C. S. 
Lester, William A. Sackett, Hon. James M. Marvin, Hon. 
A. Pond, Dr. Beecher, Hon. James M. Cook, W. M. Potter, 
and others, and by many officers and soldiers of the regi- 
ment. 

On the 13th day of December, 1S64, the 77th Regi- 
ment was duly paid and mustered out of the service, hav- 
ing served feithfully for three years, the whole term of its 
enlistment. As has been previously stated, many of the men 
who enlisted during the winter of 1863-64 re-enlisted, 
and, together with the recruits added to the regiment in 
1862 and later, were formed into a battalion, under the 
command of Capt. D. J. Caw, and as.signed to the place 
vacated by the regiment, and remained in the service until 
the close of the war. The battalion, with the 6th Corps, 
on Dec. 9, 1864, returned to the vicinity of Petersburg. 

On the 26th of March the 3d Brigade was ordered to 
take and hold the rebel jiicket line to the left of our army, 
which it did with some loss, Capt. Oakey, Lieut. Pierce, 
and many others being killed. In the charge of the 6th 
Corps, April 2, which broke the rebel lines, the 77th and 
4I)th New York had the advance, the corps being formed 
en echelon, like a wedge. .Dr. Stevens thus describes the 
charge : 

" Axemen were ready to be sent forward to remove aba- 
tis, and Capt. Adams had twenty cannoneers ready to man 
captured guns. Every commanding officer of battalions was 
informed what he was expected to do, and thus all was in 
readiness. At half-past four in the morning of April 2 
the signal-gun from Fort Fisher sounded the advance. 
Without wavering, through the darkness, the wedge which 
was to split the Confederacy was driven home. The abatis 
was passed, the breastworks mounted, the works were our 
own. Thousands of prisoners, many stands of colors, and 
many guns were our trophies, while many of our friends, 
dead or wounded, was the price of our glory." 

This was the crowning act of the war. Lee's army was 
broken and put to rout ; then came the fight at Sailor's 
creek, and then the surrender of the Army of Virginia, 
which for three years had stood before the Army of the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



115 



Potomac like a wall of fire. The war over, the battalion 
returned to Albany, where it was mustered out June 27, 
1865. 

This is the history, in brief, of Saratoira County's pet 
regiment, the 77th, a record of noble deeds without a 
single blot. It never by any act on the field or in the camp, 
on the march or in the fight, disgraced the county from 
which it was sent. It never flinched or wavered from any 
duty, however perilous, which was assigned to it, nor, until 
properly ordered, did it ever turn its back upon the foe. 
From the beginning to the end of its service the regiment 
bore its colors untouched by the hands of the enemy. They 
were often shattered and torn by shot and shell, often lev- 
eled to the dust by the death or wounds of their bearers, 
but they were always kept sacred, and on the muster-out of 
the regiment were deposited in the Bureau of Militar}' Sta- 
tistics at Albany. 

A beautiful Quincy granite monument, surmounted by a 
bronze statue of a soldier, erected to the memory of the 
dead of the regiment, stands in a public square in the vil- 
lage of Saratoga Springs. The plain Greek cross and the 
words " 77th Regiment New York State Volunteers," cut 
upon Its face, indicate that the soldiers whose deeds it com- 
memorates belonged to the 77th Regiment New York State 
Volunt-eers, of the 2d Division of the Gth Corps, Army of 
the Potomac. 

The following is a list of the officers of the Seventy- 
seventh Regiment, N. Y. Vols., with promotions, discharges, 
resignations, and deaths, from Nov. 23, 1861, to close of 
war : 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Jiiiiies B. McICcan, col., resigned July 27, ISGii. 

Jusi-pli C. Hcndorsiin, lieiU.-col., resigned June 19, 1862. 

Seidell Hetzel, niaj., <lisiiiissed by ortler of secretary of war, May 1 j, 1SG2. 

Lucius Sliin tliffc, tj. in., resigned June 21, ISGi. 

John L. Perry, 8urg., resigned Feb. 1, 1802. 

Augustus Campbell, surg., resigned Feb. 7, 18G3. 

Jiilin M. Fny, asst. surg , dismissed Marcti 2, IS&J. 

David Tully, chap., resigned July S, 18r.>. 

Winiiijr IJ. Frencli, adj., promoted niaj. Juno 1, 1S02 ; licut.-col. July 18, 1802 ; 
fol. Aug. 2"), I86;i (ruit mustered out as cul., regt. being reduced below 
minimum number of men ; breveted brig.-gen. U. S. Vols., for gallant 
and meritorious conduct on the field ; mustered out witli regt. 

Nathnn S. Babcock, capt., promoted nrij. Aug. 31, 1862; mustered out with 
regt. 

William H. Fursinan, 1st lient., Cd. K, promoteil adj. Ulay 3, ]86;{; resigned 
Feb. 12, lS6-t. 

Lawreiiee Van Dcuiark, 2d lieut., Cm. (', promoted 1st lieut. Feb. l^!, ISiU ; adj. 
Feb. 2;'., 1864 ; resigned Sept. :jn, lS(i4. 

William W. Wordeu, seigt., Co. C, promoted 2d lieut. Nov. 23, 1803; adjt. Oct. 
24, 1801; mustered out with regt. 

Thomas M. White, private, Co. C, promoted Feb. 27, 1803; com. sergt. Feb. 1(1, 
18GJ, 2d lient ; March, 18G5, 1st lieut. and adjt. ; mustered (Uit with bat- 
talion ; breveted major for services rendered in battle, .\pril 2, 1865. 

Jacob F. Hay ward, 1st lieut., Co. I, promoted quar.-nias. June 21, 18G2; mus- 
tered out with regt. 

George T. Stevens, asst. surg., promoted Feb. 27, 18G3, surg.; mustered out 
with rogt. 

Jn&tin G. Thompson, asst. surg., Nov. 17, 18G2 ; transferred and mustered out 
with battitlioti. 

Nornnin Fox, Jr., chaplain, appointed from civil life Dec. 10, 1862; mustered 
out with regt. 

Job S. Safford, promoted from sergt., Co. F, to sergt.-major. 

Seymour Bunch, sergt.-major; discharged Feb. 1, 1862. 

Wemiell Lansing, com.serg.; discliarged. 

Aaron B. Quivey, private, Co. C, promoted June 5, 1862, com. sergt.; dis- 
charged March 1, 1861; re-enlisted, and Uilk-d on picket May 18, 1804. 

Luther F. Irish, prin. musician ; discharged. 

Isaac D. Clapp, Corp., Co. C, promoted May 15, 1802, sergt.-major; June 1, 1S62, 
adjt.; Juno G, 1803, capl.; June 13, 1864, major (but not mustered); mus- 
tered out with regt. 

Wra. A. De Long, asst. surg., appointed from civil life JIarch 2,1863; mustered 
out with regf. 



Chas. D. Thurber, private, Co. D, promoted q-m. sergt.; afterwards 2il lieut., 

Co. E; thenq.-m,; mustered out with battalion. 
Andrew Van Wie, private, Co. C, juomoted July 1, 1804, prin. mus. 
Alex. V. Wiildrnn, private, Co. D, promoted Sept. 8, 1802, hosp. Ptew. 
Sidney O. Ci'omach, sergt. Co. B, ju-omoted May 3, 1863, sergt.-maj.; June 5, 

1863, 1st lieut.; discharged March 11, 1805. 
George H. Gillis, sergt. Co. C, promoted N..v. 17, 1862, sergt.-maj.; Fob.2n, 18G3, 

2d lieut. ; mustered out with regiment. 
Edwards. Armstrong, corporal Co. C, promoted Jan. 1. 1862, q.-m, sergt.; May 

19, 1S62, 1st lieut. Co. B; discharged Jan. 14, 1863. 
Thomas S. Fowler, private, Co. D, promoted Aiiril 3, 1862, q.-m. sergt.; Oct. 2, 

18GJ, 2d lieut.; discharged ou account of wounds, Aug. 12, 1801. 
Gilbert F. Thomas, corporal Co. C, promoted Jan. 6, 1803; 2d lieut., May 1, 

1803; killed in action Oct. 19, 1864, Cedar Creek. 
Chas. H. Davis, sergt. Co. D, Feb. IS, 1865, promoted a Ij. of baltaliou ; April 22, 

1865, captain ; mustered out with battalion. 
Obed M. Coleman, private Co. C, promoted q.-m. sergt. 
Eilward II. Tliorn, private Co. C, promoted com. sergt. 
Duvid J. Caw, promoted to 2d lieut., Co. H, »lay 21, 1802; Ist lient. Sept. 23, 

1862; capt. Deo. 10, 1862; maj. Dec. 20, 1804; lieut.-col. Dec. 24, 18G4 ; 

col. July 6, 1865 (not mustered as colonel); mustered out with battalion. 

LINE OFFICERS. 
Cmnpany A. 
Capt. Ruel W. Arnold, resigned April 3, 1S62. 
Ifit Lieut. William Douglas, resigned April 21, 1802. 
1st Lieut. Stephen S. Ua-stings, resigned Dec. 23, 1802. 
2d Lieut. James H. Farnsworth, resigned Feb. 8, 18G2. 
Capt. George S. Orr, promoted from lieut. April 3, 1862 ; lost right arm at Cedar 

Creek; mustered out with regt. 
Capt. Charles E. Stevens, promoted March 21, 1862, 2d lieut.; Jan. 23, 18G:J, 1st 

lieut.; Sept, 10, 1864, captain ; commissioned but not mustered colonel; 

mustered out with battalion. 
2d Lient. Lewis T. Vanderwerker, promoted Jan. 27, 1803, 2a lieut. ; Nov. 10, 1803, 

1st lieut. ; mustered out with regt. 
2d Lieut. Sorell Fountain, promoted April 22, 1865, 2d lieut.; mustered out 

with regt. 
1st Lieut. Adam Fhuisburgh, promoted 1st lieut, iti battalion. 

Compan'j B. 

Capt. C. C. Hill, resigned July 1, 1802. 

Capt. Stephen S. Horton, promoted from 2d lient. to capt., July 25, 180J; dis- 
charged May 31, 1863, on account uf wounds received at Autietam. 

Capt. Fred. Smith, dismissed. 

1st Lieut. Noble P. Hammond, resigned July 24, 1802. 

2d Lieut. G. U. McGunnigle, dL-^mitised. 

2d Lieut. Sidney O. Cromack. (See Staff.) 

2d Lieut. Wm. II. Quackenbnsh, promoted Feb. 16,1865; mustered out with 
battalion. 

Company C. 

Capt. Benjamin F. Judson, resigned March 29, 18G2. 

Capt. Luther M. Wheeler, 1st lieut., pronu)tcd March 29, 1862 ; killed in action 
at Fredericksburg, Va., fliay 3, ISG-i. 

Ist Lieut. John Patterson, resigned Sept. 8, 1862. 

Capt. E. W. Winne, 1st sergt., promoted March 29, 1862, 2d lieut.; Sept. 8, 
1862, 1st lioiit.; captain Co. F, May 0, 186 J; discharged Sept. 9, 1864. 

2d Lieut. Gilbert F. Thomas. (See tilaff.) 

2d Lieut. Stephen H. Pierce, transferred to battalion; promoted March 15, 
1864, 1st lient.; kiUed in action, March 25, 1805. 

2d Lieut. David Pangburn, promoted from sergt. 

Coinpawj I). 
Capt. .Tnhn Caw, resigned. May IS, 1802, at White Ilou^e, Va., ou account of 

disability, and died before reaching home. 
Capt. Soth W. Deyoe, promoted from 1st sergt. to 1st lieut., Nov. 23, 1S61 ; Sept. 

3, 1802, capt.; discharged July 26, 1804, ou account of wounds received 

in action. 
2d Lieut. Chester H. Fodow, resigned May 31, 1862. 
2d Lieut. Robert H. Skinner, promoted June 4, 1862, 2d lieut. ; discharged on 

account of wounds received in action, March 12, D5G3. 
1st Lieut. Joseph H. Loveland, promoted Nov. 2, 1803, capt.; mustered out 

with regt. 
Capt. Sumner Oakley, sergt., promoted Sept. 16, 18G4, 1st lieut. ; transferred to 

battalion 77th, Jan. 20, 1865 ; killed in action March 25, 1865. 
2d Lieut. Robert E. Nelson, sergt., promoted May 25, 1S64, 2d lieut. ; Aug. 20, 

1S64, 1st lieut.; transferred to and mustered out with battilion. 
Capt. Lewis Wood, discharged on account of disability, Oct. 4, 1802. 
Capt. William B. Carpenter, Ist lieut.; promoted apt. Dec. 25, 1862 ; killed in 

action May 10, 1804. 
2d Lieut. ILilsey Bowe, accidentally shot in camp at Harrison's Landing, Va., 

and died of the wound at Philadelphia, Aug. 16, 1802. 
1st Lieut. Henry C. Rowland, promoted from sergt. Jan. 23, 1803 ; mustered out 

with regt. 
2d Lieut. William F. Lyon, promoted March 17,1803; missing; supposed to 

have been killed in action May 10. 1864. 
2d Lieut. Chas. D. Thurber. (See Stuff.) 



116 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



2(1 Lieut. Thomas M. White. (See Staff.) 

1st Lieut. James A.Monroe, promoted Irom Istsergt. Nov. 15, 18C4; mustered 
out with battalion. 

Company F. 

Capt. Judson B. Andrews, resigned July 16, 1862. 

Capt. Jes-e White, promoted from 1st lieut. Sept. 2:i, 18G2 ; discharged Feb., 1863, 

for disaliilit.v. 
2d Lieut. Euimett J. Patterson, resigned Dec. 18, 1862. 
2d Lieut. Thomas S. Fowler. (Sec Staff.) 
2d Lieut. John J. Cameron, died May 6, 18G2, on Peninsula, Va. 

Company G 
Capt. Calvin A. Rice, dismissed Oct. 4, ]8(i2, by order of secretary of war. 
1st Lieut. Eilward S. Armstrong. (See S(>/i/'.) 
2d Lieut. AVni. K. Young, res'gned April l.'j, 1862. 
Capt. George Ross, sergt., promoted 2d lieut., Jan. 23, 1863 ; to 1st lieut., March 

17, 1863 ; to capt., Dec. 28, ISC'"), and mustered out with battalion. 
2d Lieut. George H. Gillis. (Sec Ulaff.) 
Capt. Orin P. Eugg, promoted from sergt,, April 28, 1862, 2d lieut. ; Dec. 10, 

1862, capt.; killed in action May 12,1864. 

Company H. 

Ciipt. Alfred H. B-ach, resigned Jan. 28, 1862, on account of physical disability. 

Capt. N. HoUister Bi own, promoted from 1st lieut., Jan. 30, 1862 ; resigned Dec. 
26, 1862. 

Iftt Lieut. George D. Storey, promoted from 2d lieut., Jan. 30, 18G2; resigned 
May 31, 1862. 

1st Lieut. Frank Thomas, promoted from 1st sergt , Co. C, Jan. 23, 1863, 2d 
lieut.; Maixh 13, 1863, 1st lieut. ; discharged Aug. 10, 1864, on account 
of wounds received in action May 10, 1864. 

Capt. David J. Caw. (See Field.) 

Ist Lieut. Alonzo Howland, appointed 2d lieut., from civil life, Aug. 10, 1862; 
promoted, Nov. 1.5, 1864, 1st lieut.; mustered out with haltaiion. 

2d Lieut. Wni. Caw, promoted from sergt., Jan. 20, 186.!> ; mustered out with 
battalion. 

Cvmpauy I. 

Capt. Franklin Norton, resigned Aug., 1802 ; appointed lieut.-col. 123d N.Y.Vols. 

2d Lieut. Cailos Rowe, prunioled June 1, 1862, from sergt.; May 1, 1863, mus- 
tered out with regt. 

1st Lieut. Jacob F. Hayward. (See l<taff.) 

1st Lieut. William E. Merrill, promoted Nov. 15, 1864, 2d lieut. ; April 22, 1865, 
1st lieut. ; mustered out with battalion. 

Capt. Martin Lenuon, promoted from 2d lieut. Dec. 10, 1862; died Nov. 1, 1864, 
of wounds received at Cedar Creek, Oct. 10, 1864. 

1st Lieut. John W. Belding, promoted M.irch 19, 1863, 1st lienl.; killed at 
Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 18C4. 

Company K. 

Capt. N. S. Babcock. (See Field.) 

Ist Lieut. Ansil Dennison, promoted from sergt., Feb. 6, 1S62, to 2d lieut.; 
MaroJi 11,1862, Ist lieut. ; died Feb. 28, 1861, of Wuuuds received in ac- 
tion at Antietam, Md. 

1st Lieut. William Fursman. (See Staff.) 

Capt. John R. Rockwell, discharged for disability, Oct. 2, 1803. 

1st Lieut. John W. McGregor, discharged Ftb. 10, 1862. 

Ist Lieut. Philander A. Cobb, discharged May 11, 1862. 

2d Lieut. Cyrus F. Rich, resigned on account of physical disability, Nov. 30, '62. 

2d Lieut. Stephen Redshaw, dismissed Oct. 31, 1863. 

1st Lieut. WiUi.am J. Taber, promoted from sergt., May 3. 1863; killed in ac- 
tion, Oct. 19, 1804. 

2d Lieut. Jeremiah Stebbins, promoted from sergt., May 9, 1863j mustered out 
with battalion. 

The thirteen liundred and sixty-nine enlisted men who 
joined the regiment, as before stated, were accounted for 
as follows on the 13th day of December, 1SG4, when the 
regiment was mustered out : 

Blustered out with regiment 105 

Transferred to battalion and left in the field — veterans 151 

" " " " " recruits 364 

Killed in action S3 

Died of wounds received in action 40 

" disease 140 

Missing in action, most of whom are stipposed to be dead 25 

Died in rebel prisons 20 

Deserted 61 

Discharged on account of disability 300 

" " " " wouTids received in action 56 

Promoted to commissioned officers 24 

Total 1360 

II.— TUE 77TH REGIMENT NEW YORK STATE VOLUN- 
TEERS. 

ANOTHER ACCOUNT. 

At last the long controversy growing out of slavery had 
culminated. Lincoln had been elected President. State 



after State, following the lead of South Carolina, had 
seceded from the Union. The southern senators and rep- 
resentatives had withdrawn from Washington. The Con- 
federate government had been organized. Fort Sumter 
had fallen. The Federal army had been beaten at Bull 
Run. The nation was stunned, bewildered, and, for the 
moment, paralyzed. Gen. Marcy, chief of staff to Gen. 
McClellan, had written to that commander, advising that 
he call upon the government to order a draft of troops, 
saying, " Volunteering is at an. end." In this supreme 
crisis of our history as a nation, T/ie Daily Saratogian 
contained, and from it was copied into other newspapers far 
and wide, a call to arms.* 

More than fourteen years afterwards, the Saratogian 
contained an interesting account of the unveiling, at that 
place, of a monument erected to the memory of the dead 
of the 77th Regiment, New York Volunteers, otherwise 
called " The Bemus Heights Battalion." The principal 
speech on the occasion was made by Gen. W. B. French, 
who commenced as follows : 

"Comrades and Fellow- Citizens, — On the 21st 
day of August, 1861, Hon. James B. McKean, then our 
representative in Congress, issued a circular letter to the 
citizens of the then Fifteenth Congressional district appeal- 
ing to the patriots of his constituency to rally in defense of 
their country. It was published in the Daily Saratogian 
of the 22d of August, and immediately thereafter by all 
the papers of this Congressional district." 

Gen. French here read the circular, and then added : 

" This call to arms rang out ' from northern lake to 
southern strand,' like the ' thunder stroke' of the Bell 
Roland that hung in the city tower at Ghent. 

' It was tlie warning caII 
That freedom stood in i)cri] of a foe,' 

" The whole north was smarting under the disaster and 
defeat at Bull Run, the severing of all connection with the 
national capital, and the arrogance and treachery of the 
rebels. The patriotic pride of the loyal people had been 
greatly humbled by our country's misfortunes, and the 
young men along the shores of that historic lake, Cham- 
plain, about Fort Ticonderoga, at Johnstown, Saratoga, Still- 
water, and Bemus Heights, were impatiently waiting for a 
leader whom they could follow to the front. This was the 
opportunity, and the response to the call was instantaneous 
and beyond the expectation of the most sanguine. " 

The author of this " call" at once took the field in a 
campaign of war-meetings ; and along the Pludson, the 
Mohawk, the Sacandaga, on the shores of Lakes George 
and Champlain, at Ticonderoga, Fort Miller, Fort Anne, 
Fort Edward, Saratoga, everywhere, farmers' sons, me- 
chanics, clerks, pupils, teachers, students of law, of medi- 
cine, of divinity, came to hear him. They said to hini, 
" Judge SIcKean, are you going to the war ?" His 
answer invariably was, " Yes, I will not ask you to do what 
I will not do myself." They said, " Then we will go with 
you;" and enlisted. He sent them at once into camp on 
the fair-ground, at Saratoga Springs. Thus in a short 

* For this call see previous account at page 106 of this work. 



HISTOBY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



117 



time w;is raised a regiment composed, not of " city rouglis" 
or "bounty-jumpers," but of the best blood, morals, and 
intellects of the rural regions and beautiful villages of the 
most classical and historic portions of the State. 

When, after the fall of Sumter, the Baltimore bridges 
were burned, and Washington was cut off from communi- 
cation with the north, although Congress was not in 
session, several senators and representatives were in the 
city. Not a few of them hired private conveyances, left 
tlie supposed-to-be-doomed capital, traversed the State of 
Maryland, and escaped into Pennsylvania. McKean re- 
mained.* Detectives discovered that secret Confederate 
military organizations existed there, and were drilling in 
halls in the night-time, with closed doors and windows. 
The President and cabinet were in imminent peril of being 
kidnapped and cairied off to Richmond. The government 
had not a single company of troops in or near the city. The 
permanent residents of the city were almost wholly disloyal. 
History has not yet given sufficient prominence to the 
awful peril of that moment. A movement was set on foot 
to organize, if possible, the non-resident friends of the gov- 
ernment then hemmed in there into an armed force. 
McKean threw himself zealously into this movement ; and 
afler inviting and urging everybody he knew to co-operate, 
he enlisted as a private soldier in Cassius M. Clay's bat- 
talion. Another battalion was organized under Gen. J. H. 
Lane, of Kansas. 

These two battalions, consisting of several hundred men, 
were regularly enrolled in the War Department, and armed 
by the government. Clay's battalion headquarters were in 
Willard's Hotel assembly-room, opening on " F" street. 
There, by day and by night, a reserve of the force was on 
duty ; while the rest were patroling the city and guarding 
the departments and the executive mansion. Armed with 
a breech-loading carbine, with fixed ammunition in his 
pockets. Judge McKean frequently paced to and fro as a 
sentinel before the front door of the " White House " in 
the night-time, while President Lincoln slept. Soon after 
these demonstrations were commenced, the most active 
leaders of the secret Confederate organizations slipped over 
the Potomac into Virginia and disappeared. At the end 
of about two weeks troops arrived from Massachusetts and 
New York. They were hailed as deliverers by the few 
beleagured loyalists in Washington. 

That peculiar phase of " the times that tried men's 
souls" having passed^away. Clay's and Lane's battalions 
now petitioned to be mustered out of the service. The 
jietition was granted, and they were honorably discharged, 
with the written thanks of Secretary Cameron and Presi- 
dent Lincoln. Some day some competent historian will 
write the history of those two battalions. It will make an 
interesting chapter in our national annals. 

Events crowded fast upon each other in those days. 
Soon the Federal and Confederate armies were to meet. 
Obtaining a pass from Gen McDowell, Judge McKean was 
present at the battle of Bull Run. A month thereafter he 
issued his call for troops, and soon had a regiment. 

The battle of Bemus Heights was fought in the year 1777, 



"* For a bios^raphical sketch of Judge McKean, sec history of 
Saratoga Springs. 



and in the numbering of the regiments raised in this State 
during the war the number 77 fell to the Bemus Heights 
Battalion. It is known in the records as the '■ 77th 
Regiment New York State Volunteers." The officers and 
men of the regiment unanimously elected Judge McKean 
to be colonel. He was commissioned by Gov. Morgan, and 
accepted the position. 

The ladies of Dr. Luther Beecher's Female Seminary at 
Saratoga Springs presented the regiment with a beautiful 
silk stand of national colors; and a new organization, called 
" Sons of Saratoga Resident in New York City,'' wrote to 
Colonel McKean, apprising him that it was their intention 
to present to him, for his regiment, a State regimental flag, 
and askitig him to suggest some device to be painted upon 
the flag by a competent artist. Col. McKean answered, 
calling their attention to the historic facts that the first flag 
ordered by the Continental Congress was a flag of union, 
but not a flag of iaJependence, consisting of thirteen 
stripes, alternate red and white, but retaining the field of 
the British flag, indicating the union of the colonies, but 
loyalty to the home government ; while the second flag, 
ordered about the time of the '• Declaration," was indica- 
tive both of union and independence, and consisted of the 
thirteen stripes, red and white, and thirteen argent stars 
arranged in a circle on a blue field. He called attention to 
the further fact that the battle at Bemus Heights was fought 
under the first of these flags, while, when Burgoyne's army 
marched out to surrender, the second was thrown to the 
breeze. He therefore suggested that two devices be painted 
on the regimental flag, one representing American troops, 
in Continental uniform, in action under the first flag, and 
the other representing a commander and troops in British 
uniform surrendering to the Americans under the second 
flag. About this time, Samuel B. Eddy, Esq., of Still- 
water, presented to Col. McKean a pike-head or halberd, 
which had been captured from the British at Bemus 
Heights. 

On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 29, 1861, amid the huzzas 
and adieux of thousands of people of the village and sur- 
rounding country. Col. McKean and his regiment marched 
from their barracks to the railroad depot, and embarked for 
the seat of war. In New York city the " Sons of Sara- 
toga" entertained the regiment with refreshments, and pre- 
sented the gorgeous banner bearing the devices suggested 
by the colonel, with the pike-head presented by Mr. Eddy 
crowning the tip of the staff. 

(The battered and tattered remains of this beautiful 
banner are now — 1878 — preserved among the archives of 
the State at Albany, while the pike-head is retained by the 
first colonel of the regiment as one of his mementos.) 

The " Old Cooper Shop" of Philadelphia, where men 
made barrels by day, and the ladies fed the marching troops 
by night, has become famous. While many chivalrous and 
knightly soldiers were entertained there, some were very 
coarse and rude. One night a regiment, largely composed 
of New York city " roughs," had behaved very badly there, 
and the lights had to be turned down before the profane 
and boisterous boors could be got rid of. The next regi- 
ment marched in in perfect order, filed round the tables, 
came to an " order arms," " rest," and stood as if on dress 



lis 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



parade. Witli the utmost civility they partook of what 
was offered them, and the " Old Cooper Shop" was as 
quiet as the dining-room of a first-class hotel. The ladies 
and their few male companions could be overheard saying, 
"Did }'()U over see such a contrast? What gentlemanly 
fellows they are !" An officer of the regiment was asked 
a question by a lady, and, saluting in true military style, 
he answered, '' The 77th New York, Col. McKean com- 
manding." The lunch ended, the colonel called " At- 
tention !" and then proposed the sentiment; "The loyal 
ladies of the City of Brotherly Love !" The men gave 
three rousing hurrahs, passed quietly out, and resumed 
their march. 

At W;i.shington, the regiment was put into the provi- 
sional division of Gen. Silas Casey, and went into camp on 
the grounds of the Porter mansion, on Fourteenth Street, 
near the north suburbs of the city. The daily sessions of 
Congress commenced at. noon. Col. MoKean slept in camp 
every night, drilled his men, and attended to regimental 
duties during the forenoon of each day, and at half-past 
eleven o'clock rode to the capitol, gave his horse into the 
care of a livery-man near by, took his seat in the House, 
sat through the session, and in the evening rode back to 
camp. This busy routine lasted several months. In the 
spring following the regiment crossed the Potomac into 
Virginia, and the colonel was excused from attending upon 
the sessions of the House. When the army was organized 
into corps the 77th became a part of the 4th Coips, Gen. 
Keyes commanding. Gen. William F. Smith (" Baldy 
Smith") was division and Gen. John W. Davidson brigade 
commander. Col. McKean was present in command of 
Ills regiment in the second advance upon Manassas, in the 
descent of the Potomac, in the Peninsular campaign, at the 
battle of Lee's Mills, in the siege of Yorktown and opera- 
tions in that vicinity, and at the battle of Williamsburg. 
While the army was lying on the Pamunky river the 6th 
Army Corps was organized, and Gen. Smith's division, to 
which the 77th belonged, became the second division of 
this new corps, — a corps destined never to be routed, almost 
always to be victorious, and when compelled to retreat to 
do so in order and in obedience to command ; a corps whose 
achievements alone would make glorious the military annals 
of the nation. 

A few days befoi'e the battle of Hanover Court-House 
a Confederate force was thrown into Mechanicsville, a ham- 
let five miles from Richmond, and on the most direct road 
by which reinforcements could be sent from that city to 
Hanover. A Federal force was sent forward to take that 
key to the position, and, after a sharp artillery duel. Col. 
McKean and the 77tli, in double-quick, charged into, took, 
and held Mechanicsville, the Confederate artillery galloping 
away, their inftuitry throwing off their knapsacks and flyhig 
across the fields. Before this charge was made several 
men of the 77th had been .struck by the enemy's shot, but 
during the charge not a man was hit. This singular result 
was probably owing to the fact that when they started on 
the double-quick the Bern us Heights men uttered as terri- 
ble a shout as was ever heard on any field. The Coiifed- 
erates, no doubt thinking a whole corpst d'armee was coming, 
turned and fled. 



In honoi'of this event, the well-known musical composer, 
Mr. J. W. Alfred Cluett, of Troy, wrote a spirited 
march, entitled " CoL. ]\IcKean's Quickstep," several 
editions of which have been sold. The colonel preserves 
among his mementos a rebel flag, the " Stars ami Bars," 
captured in this charge. 

The battle of Fair Oaks was fought under the following 
circumstances : Gen. Casey's Division had been thrown over 
to the right, the Richmond side, of the Chickahominy 
river. All the rest of the Federal army was for some rea- 
son, or without reason, still lying on the left bank. A great 
storm came on, the little river rose rapidly, overflowed its 
banks, and spread over the valley. There were no bridges 
for many miles. And now a Confederate force, greatly 
superior in numbers, was hurled upon Casey. For hours 
and hours Casey and his men fought like Spartans, while 
the rest of the Federal army, almost within speaking dis- 
tance, were powerless to aid them. But many of the troops 
on the left bank made herculean efforts to get over the river. 
Col. McKean and the 77th, and thousands of others, 
arming themselves with all the axes that could be obtained, 
went down into the submerged flats, some of them wading 
waist-deep, and commenced felling the forest-trees, to make, 
if possible, some sort of bridge by which to go to Casey's 
relief For n.iany hours this work went on, and several 
rods of a rude bridge were made; but when the work ap- 
proached the centre of the stream the rushing waters were 
too powerful, and the timbers were swept away. But the 
tireless workers would not give up, and still tried again 
and again until night put a stop to their efforts. The next 
day, the battle being over, the getieral commanding the 
army ordered the 6th Corps, and other troops, to join Casey 
by making a long march down the river, crossing a bridge, 
and marching up on the other side. Who can tell why 
this was not done before the battle '? 

On the slow march up the Virginia Peninsula more of 
our men died of disea.se than were killed in battle. " Josh 
Billings" thus defines : " Militai-y strategy — that means 
tryin' to reduce a swamp by ketchin' the billious fever out 
of it." 

Col. McKean was now prostrated with typhoid fever. 
He remained in camp, however, until the surgeons decided 
that, situated ;is they were, they could do no more for liim, 
and that he must go to the rear or die. He was then taken 
back to the Hygeia hospital at Hampton. On arriving 
there Dr. Cuyler, medical director, and Mr. Tucker, Assist- 
ant Secretary of War, who happened to be present, decided 
that he must be sent to his home, and he was accordingly 
taken back to Saratoga Springs. About two months after- 
wards, against the advice and repeated protests of his family 
physician, he returned to the front. Going up the James 
river to Harrison's Landing, he found that the army had 
started on its march down the Peninsula. Returning to 
Hampton Roads, he there rejoined his command and with 
the army came up the Potomac, and with the 6th Corps 
went into camp in rear of Alexandria. Gen. Smith said 
to him, " Col. McKean, your health is not sufficiently re- 
stored to justify you in remaining in camp. We shall 
probably lie here some time. Go up to \Vashington and 
take care of your health.'' The colonel went to Wa,shing- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



119 



ton, and was there joined by Surgeon Stearns of his regi- 
ment, who had also been down with typhoid fever. In a 
short time the Confederate forces again made their appear- 
ance in the vicinity of Bull Run, and another battle was 
imminent. 

One day, about sunset, McKean and Stearns learned that 
during the day the Gth Corps had moved on towards Bull 
Run. As the transport bringing their horses up the Poto- 
mac had not yet arrived, the colonel and surgeon went at 
once to a livery establishment and got horses to take them 
to the front, but the government seized the horses for other 
purposes. They then secured other and .still other livery 
horfses, which, however, were in every instance seized by the 
government. They then reported at the headquarters of 
Gen. Wadsworth, military governor of the city. A staif- 
officer gave them seats in a vehicle loaded with bread ; they 
traveled thus all night, and on the morrow overtook their 
command near Bull Run. But it was all in vain. The 
second battle of Bull Run was lost. Not a single regi- 
ment of the 6th Corps was ordered into the fight. The 
army retreated upon Washington. Col. McKean has always 
said that retreat was the gloomiest experience of his life. 
For the Gth Corps to retreat without being beaten, or to be 
beaten by not being permitted to strike a blow, was well- 
nigh unbearable. 

Soon after these events. Col. McKean was attacked with 
ulceration of the bowels, and was admonished by physicians 
that his life was in imminent peril, and that he must leave 
the army. He thereupon tendered his resignation of his 
commission, but Secretary Stanton, instead of accepting it, 
sent him a long leave of absence, and advised that he go 
to his home in Saratoga, and try to regain his health. He 
went home, but health did not soon return. Indeed, for 
six years he was not able to practice his profession, much 
less to serve in the field. In July, 18G3, while confined to 
his bed, he again tendered his resignation, and it was 
accepted. 

III.— TUE SOTII IlEGIMEXT NEW YORK STATE VOLUN- 
TEER,S. 

Three companies of the 30th Regiment New York Vol- 
unteers were raised in the towns of Saratoga Springs and 
Greenfield. 

Company D was organized Sy the election of Miles T. 
Bliven captain, Mervin G. Putnam first lieutenant, and 
John II. Mar.ston second lieutenant. 

Company F, Albert J. Perry captain, Andrew M. Frank- 
lin first, and James M. Andrews, Jr., second lieutenant. 

Company G, Morgan II. Chrysler captain, William T. 
Conkling first, and Asa L. Gurney second lieutenant. 

The 3Uth Regiment was organized by the election of 
Edward Fri.sby, of Albany, colonel, Charles E. Brinttiall, of 
Troy, licutenantr-colouel, and William M. Searing, of Sara- 
toga Springs, major, and was mustered into the service of 
the United States on the 1st day of June, 18G3. After 
some two weeks' delay, the regiment was armed with old 
flint-lock muskets altered to cap-lock, and was sent to 
Wa.shington, and was sent to the front, making its first 
camp at Bright Wood, near where Fort Stephens was built. 
From thence it was marched to Arlington, and there bri- 
gaded with the 22d and 24th New York and the Brooklyn 



14th, afterwards the S4th New Y'ork Volunteers, making 
the 1st Brigade in the Lst Division and 1st Corps in the 
organizaticm of tlie army. This brigade formed camps near 
Upton's Hill, and passed the balance of the year 18G1, up to 
Ajiril, 1862, in building forts, and picketing on the front. In 
April, 1862, Gen. McClellan, after nine months of prepara- 
tion, prepared to obey the call of " On to Richmond !" that 
had been ringing in our ears from the north all winter, 
moved forward with bauds playing, drums beating, and 
colors flying, following our brave leader, " Little Mac," who 
announced that hereafter his headquarters would be in the 
saddle, — all joyful that active service had come at last, and 
confident that the Rebellion would bo squelched in about 
sis months, late in the afternoon of that or the next day 
were drawn up in battle aray in front of these impregnable 
rebel works at Centre Hill and Manassas. The skirmi.sh 
line was moved forward, and, being anxious to cover them- 
selves with glory, charged on the works and tarried them 
without giving the rest of the army a chance to participate 
in the glorious work, captured seven colored persons, eight 
wooden cannon, and a lot of old shanties, vacated five days 
before by the rebels. The order was given to bivouac for 
the night. The next day was spent in inspecting the 
woi'ks and adjacent country, and the next day after this 
grand army retreated back to our old camp, through a reg- 
ular Virginia rain-storm, caused, probably, by the dust of 
battle ! This brigade went in to make up the Army of 
Virginia, under the command of McDowell, and the 1st 
Division, 1st Brigade ahead, moved for Fredericksburg, 
Va., by the way of Catlett and Bristoe Station, on the 
Orange and Alexandria railroad, and arrived there some 
three or four days before the balance of the division. In 
this march the brigade earned the name by which it was 
afterwards known, — " The Iron Brigade." 

Gen. Augur commanded the brigade and Gen. King the 
division. This regiment served at Fredericksburg, engaged 
in picket duty and making reconnaissance until in August, 
1862, when the division joined Gen. Pope's army, and while 
under him were engaged in battles as follows : Cedar Moun- 
tain, Rajipahannock Station, three days. White Sulphur 
Spring, Gaines' Corners, Grafton, and Bull Run (2dj. Then, 
under McClellan, were engaged in the battles of South 
Mountain and Antietam. In the battle of 2d Bull Run, 
out of four hundred and sixty-three men, there were killed, 
wounded, and missing, two hundred and fourteen, and from 
twenty-three oflicers, seventeen were killed and disabled. 
Col. Frisby, the brave and noble commander, was killed, 
and Lieut.-Col. Searing was promoted on the field to its 
command. At the battle of South Blountain the regiment 
could muster only one hundred and ten men fit for service. 
At the battle of Antietam the brigade was put on the 
skirmish line, and withdrawn as soon as the battle was 
fairly commenced. The army, then under the command of 
Gen. Jleado, followed the enemy up by the way of Warren- 
ton to Fredericksburg, and on the 12th and 13th of De- 
cember were engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg, and 
on the 20th of .fanuary, 1863, the army, under the com- 
mand of Burnside, participated in what was generally called 
Burnside's mud march. The army then went into winter- 
quarters, the 1st Brigade and 1st Division, commanded by 



120 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



that brave and good man, Gen. Wadsworth, encamped at Belle 
Plain near Aquia Creek, Va. The regiment remained there, 
performing the ordinar}' camp and piclvet duty, until the 
hitter days in April or first in May, wlien the 1st Corps 
moved to the Rappahannock river, crossed over, and took 
position in front of the enemy. Gen. Hooker, in command, 
remained there for two days, when the corps was withdrawn 
and sent to take the place of the ] 1 th Corps in the battle 
of Chanceliorsville, under Gen. Hooker's immediate com- 
mand ; arrived there and took part in the battle for two 
days. The regiment then encamped before Fredericksburg, 
and soon after were ordered home, and mustered out and 
discharged at Albany, N. Y., June 18, 1863. A large por- 
tion of the officers and men of the 30th Regiment, under 
Lieut. -Col. Chrysler, organized the 2d Veteran Cavalry 
Regiment, N. Y. Vols., and re-entered the service in October, 
1863, and served until November, 1865, the close of the 
war. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS. 

I.— SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBR.\TIONS. 

There were two semi-centennial celebrations in Saratosa 
County in the year 1826 that were of especial interest. 

The one held at Ballston Spa, July 4, 1826, surpassed 
in interest and pageantry all Fourth of July observances in 
this county that have preceded or have followed it. The 
most prominent feature of the procession was a car forty- 
two feet long and fourteen feet wide, named the Temple of 
Industry. 

It was drawn by thirteen yoke of oxen, each yoke in 
charge of a driver clad in a tow frock, and all under the 
command of Jacob Near, of Malta. Upon the car were 
thirteen representatives of so many branches of the me- 
chanic arts plying their vocations. Among them were the 
printer striking off semi-centennial odes, the blacksmith 
with his anvil keeping time with the music, the cooper 
making more noise than all the others, and Mr. Wm. Van 
Ness, who, while the procession was moving, made a oair of 
shoes for the president of the day, to whom they were 
presented with an appropriate address and response. 

Another interesting feature of the procession was a band 
of thirty-seven Revolutionary veterans, who kept step to 
the music in a way that indicated they had not forgotten 
their military discipline. Lemuel Wilcox, a soldier of the 
Revolution, bore a standard inscribed " Declaration of In- 
deijendence." John Whitehead, another Revolutionary 
veteran, bore a standard inscribed " Constitution of the 
United States ;" and another veteran, Jeremiah Pierson, 
carried the national standard. Another attractive feature 
was the corps of Union Cadets, composed of two fine- 
looking and admirably-drilled uniformed companies from 
Union College, one commanded by Captain Knox and the 
other by Captain Jackson, now the senior professor in that 
institution. The corps was under the command of Major 



Holland, the register of the college and a veteran of the War 
of 1812. The procession moved through the principal 
streets, amid the salvos from a brass six-pounder, captured 
from Burgoyue, to the Baptist church, which stood upon 
the lot now occupied by the railroad water-tank. Samuel 
Young, then Speaker of the Assembly, presided. Prayer 
was offered by Rev. Eliphalet Nott, president of Union 
College. The Declaration of Independence was read by 
Anson Brown, a young lawyer of this village, who died 
while representative in the Twenty-sixth Congress. The 
oration was delivered by John W. Taylor, then Speaker of 
the House of Representatives. His closing remarks were 
addressed to the Revolutionary soldiers, who arose in a 
body, and the scene was quite dramatic. The Union 
cadets dined at the Sans Souci Hotel, and toasts were at 
the Vilkga. Hotel. Among the regular toasts were the 
following : " John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Charles 
Carroll of Carrollton, the surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. As the measure of their days, so is 
that of their fame, — overflowing." 

When this sentiment was uttered it was not known that 
since the sun had risen on the morning of that day two of 
those illustrious patriots had been numbered with the dead, 
leaving Charles Carroll the sole survivor. By previous ar- 
rangement the cadets marched into the room, when the 
president of the day addressed them in highly appropriate 
and complimentary terms. Maj. Holland responded, reading 
from a manuscript in the familiar handwriting of Dr. Nott: 

" Gentlemen, — In behalf of the corps I have the honor 
to command, permit me to tender their acknowledgments 
for your polite attentions. If our humble exertion to aid 
in the duties of the day have met the approbation of the 
patriotic assemblage it is the highest gratification we can 
receive. In retiring, permit me to propose as a toast : The 
county of Saratoga, — its hills, monuments of valor ; its 
springs, resorts of fashion ; its hamlets, signalized liy patriots 
and statesmen." 

Union College and its distinguished president were com- 
plimented by two of the alumni as follows : By Thomas 
Palmer, Esq. : " Union College : Crevit, Crescit, CrescatT 
By Anson Brown, Esq. : " The president of Union College : 
Diffiium laude virum musa vetat mori." 

If these sentiments were not duly appreciated by all 
present, the following was expressed in such plain, unmis- 
takable English, that there was no doubt as to its meaning. 
By Edward Watrous, Esq. : '• The Legitimates of Europe: 
May they be yoked, poked, and hopped, cross-fettered, tied 
head and foot, and turned out to browse on the pine plains 
of Old Saratoga." 

In regard to the remaining festivities at the table and 
the exuberance of patriotic feeling manifested, the truth of 
history perhaps reijuires the statement that temperance 
societies were not then in active operation. 

The committee of arrangements consisted of James Bler- 
rill, David Corey, William Clark, John Dix, Jerry Penfield, 
Charles Field, Alexander Russell, Robert Bennett, Ros- 
well Herrick, David F. White, George W. Fish, Hiram 
Middlebrook, Joseph Barker, David Herrick, Sylvester 
Blood, Samuel R. Garrett, and Abraham Middlebrook. 
The general manager of this superb celebration was Ly- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



121 



man B. Langwortlij', then the sheriff of the county, now 
living at Rocliester, and ahuost a nonagenarian. 

The only survivors of those who offieiated on that occa- 
sion, beside Sheriff Langworthy and Prof. Jackson, are 
Joseph Barker, Hiram Middlebrook, and Samuel R. Gar- 
rett. 

The celebration of the semi-centennial at Schuylerville 
was also an imposing affair. It is alluded to in the chapter 
upon the town of Saratoga, in connection with reminiscences 
of Schuylerville. Of this affair, Giles B. Slocum, of New- 
ton, Wayne Co., Mich., writes: 

•' The leading actor of the occasion was Philip Schuyler, a 
grandson of the general. The extensive tables were set 
on the grounds of old Fort Hardy, with a canopy of ever- 
greens to protect the guests from the sun, although the 
oration was delivered in a shady grove on the eastern slope 
of the heights, near where the Dutch Reformed churcli 
now stands, by the eloquent but unfortunate Rev. Hooper 
Cummings, of Albany, at that time a brilliant light in 
the American pulpit, but destined like a glowing meteor 
to go suddenly down in darkness and gloom. I well re- 
member also that there were about a dozen old Revolu- 
tionary soldiers seated in a row on a bench close under the 
voice and eye of the orator (so that they could the better 
see and hear), and that when the speaker in the course of 
his remarks addre.s.sed them personally, it was in such glow- 
ing terms of thankfulness and honor for their invaluable 
services few dry eyes could have been found within hearing 
of his voice. John Ward, one of the body-guard of Gen- 
eral Schuyler, and who was carried off by the Tory Walter- 
meyer to Canada, when the latter attempted the abduction 
of the general from Albany, was among those seated on 
this bench. 

" The gathering was a very large one, the people of the 
whole county being nearly all there. Brigadier-General 
De Ridder, from across the river, a substantial property- 
holder and a general in the War of 1812, was mounted 
on a fine horse at the head of a large troop of light horse 
(as they were then called), and other military companies. 
The soul-stirring drum and the ear-piercing fife were the 
materials in that day in the way of music. I recall the fact 
also that the breastworks surrounding the fort were then 
nearly perfect, as General De Ridder, at the head of the mili- 
tary, marched around on the top of the intrenchments." 

II.— CENTENNIAL IIISTORK'AL ADDRESSES. 

The preparation of historical material and the delivering 
of public addresses recommended by Congress for the great 
centennial year, 1876, was partially responded to in Sara- 
toga County. 

At Saratoga Springs a preliminary meeting was held 
June 5, 1876, called to order by General E. F. Bullard, 
Captain J. P. Butler called to the chair, and Frank H. 
Hathorn chosen secretary. A resolution was adopted invit- 
ing N. B. Sylvester to prepare and deliver an historical 
address. 

This invitation was accepted, and the address delivered 
in the town hall on the evening of July 4, Judge Augustus 
Bockes occupying the chair. 

In accordance with the arrangements of Congress and 
16 



the invitation of the citizens of Saratoga, the addre.ss was 
published and copies deposited in the archives of the county 
and also at Washington. 

At Ballston Spa similar an-angements were made. 
Hon. George G. Scott delivered the historical address, and 
I. S. L'Amoreaux pronounced a centennial oration. These 
valuable documents were published in pamphlet form and 
copies deposited as requested. 

At Schuylerville the address was delivered by General 

E. F. Bullard. As in other places, the address was pub- 
lished and filed, as requested by the proclamation of the 
President. 

III.— CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 1877, 
AT BEMUS HEIGHTS. 

Tlie first of these was at BE.\iirs Height.*, on the 19th 
of September, the centennial anniversary of the first of the 
two battles. For this celebration extensive preparations 
were made, numerous committees appointed, and the result 
was a splendid commemoration of the great event. Neigh- 
boring towns and counties joined in the patriotic effort. 

At Saratoga Springs a meeting w;is held on the evening 
of the 12th to make the necessary arrangements, and Gen- 
eral French issued the following order of the day : 

One hundred guns will be fired at sunrise on the old 
battle-field by Battery B, Tenth Brigade, Captain A. H. 
Green. 

The procession will be formed on the square at Bern us 
Heights Hotel, near the river at nine a.m., and march to 
the battle-field, about half a mile distant, in the following 
order : 

Platoon of Police. 
General W. B. French, chief marshal. 

Assistants to chief marshal : Colonel Hiram Rodgers, 
Saratoga Springs; Captain I. S. Scott, Troy; Captain B. 

F. Judson, Saratoga Springs ; Lieutenant Vandermark, Still- 
water ; Colonel George T. Steenburgh, Troy; J. Wiliaid 
Lester, Saratoga Springs ; Charles L. Pond, Saratoga 
Springs. 

Major-General J. B. Carr and staff. 
Brigadier-General xVlonzo Alden and staff. 

FIRST DIVISION. 



Doring's band, of Troy. 
Tenth Brigade, Third Division, N. Y. S. N. 

lowing order : 
Lin(?. Separate Ciinipauy. 

1st Third P. 

2d Sixth J. 

3d Fourth J. 

4th Seventh J. 

5th First F. 

6th Fifth F. 

7th Second G. 

Battery B, Tenth Brigade, Captain A. H. 
'^ N. Y. 
His Excellency Lucius Robinson, governor 

der-in-chief, and staff. 
Brigadier-General J. S. Dickerman, Ninth 
staff. 



G., in the fol- 

Captain. 

R. Sbadwiek. 
W. Cusack. 
Egolf. 
H. Patten. 
S. Atwell. 
Gleesettle. 
T. Hall. 
Green, Troy, 

and comman- 

BriMde, and 



122 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



President of the day, Hon. George G. Scott, of Ballston, 

N. Y. 
Orator of the day, Hon. Martin I. Townsend, of Troy, 

N. Y. 

Poet of the day, Robert S. Lowell, Union College, N. Y. 

Reader of the Historical Address, John Austin Stevens, 

Secretary of the Historical Society of New York. 

Eminent speakers from abroad. Lieutenant-Governor 

William Dorsheimer, Senator Francis Kernan, 

es-Goveruor Horatio Seymour. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Seventy-seventh Regiment band, Saratoga Springs. 

Saratoga Veteran Cavalry, in Centennial uniforms. 

Veterans of Bemiis Heights Battalion, under command of 

Captain Frank Thomas. 

Soldiers of the War of 1861. 

Soldiers of the War of 1861. 

Ballston Spa band. 

Grand Army of the Republic associations. 

Civic associations. 

Fire Department of Stillwater, Mechanieville, Schuyler- 

ville, Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, and 

Waterford. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Veterans. of the War of 1S12, veterans of the War of 
Mexico, crippled veterans of the War of 1861, eminent 
citizens, and invited guests in carriages. 

ORDER OF EXERCISES ON THE B.\TTLE-FIELD. 

1. Opening address by the president of the day, Hon. 
George G. Scott, of Ballston Spa. 

2. Oration by Hon. Martin I. Townsend, of Troy, N. Y. 

3. Poem by Robert S. Lowell, of Union College. 

4. Address by Lieutenant-Governor William Doi-sheimer. 

5. CoUatiou, at which short speeches will be made by 
Senator Francis Kernan, ex-Governor Horatio Seymour, 
Judge A. Bockes, Hon. C. S. Lester, of Saratoga Springs, 
and others. 

6. Review of the Tenth Brigade by his excellency, Gov- 
ernor Lucius Robinson. 

7. Manoeuvring of General Alden's Brig-ade in evolu- 
tion of the line, illustrating the engagement on the same 
ground between the armies of Generals Gates and Burgoyne, 
one hundred years ago, in which evolution the artillery, 
cavalry, and inftintry present at the celebration will be en- 
gaged, thus affording the people assembled an opportunity 
to form some idea of the battle that won for them their 
independence, and at the same time giving them a '• smell 
of gunpowder.'' 

By order of the committee of arrangements. 

W. B. French, Marshal. 
The following had been issued : 

"TO THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF THE WAR OF 

1S61." 
" Veterans, — The one hundredth anniversary of the battle of Beiuus 
Heights will be celebrated on the 19th day of September, on the old 
battle-field in Stillwater. You should not fail to take part in the 
interesting exercises then to take place. 



That battle was decisive of the American Revolution, and may 
be said to have achieved the independence which your valor and 
patriotism has maintained, and secured to yourselves and your pos- 
terity. 

You are, therefore, earnestly invited to be present on that occasion. 

Assemble without uniforms in citizens' dress at the Bemus Heights 
Hotel, near the battle-ground, at 9 a.m., on the 19th, and report your 
name, company, regiment, brigade, division, and corps to Captain 
Frank Thomas, who will give the designation badge and assign you 
a place of honor in the procession, where the electric touch of the 
elbow will again inspire you as of yore it did the patriots of 1777. 

" By order of the committee. 

" W. B. Fbexcb, Miirslinl ()/ Ihe Day." 

Dated Sei)tember 11, 1S77. 

The centennial celebration of the battle of Bemus Heights 
could not have fallen on a lovelier daj". It was one of those 
beautiful autumn days which are so well known in northern 
New York. The occasion was improved by the people of 
the surrounding country, who flocked to the grounds in all 
sorts of conveyances, on foot, and on horeebatk, and even 
on canal-boats. The programme of the celebration was 
successfully carried out, the affair ending in a fierce sham 
battle between an imaginary British foe concealed in a 
clump of woods and General Alden's Brigade. Battery B 
was on both sides, and did some pretty sharp firing. The 
troops were manauvred by Generals Carr and Alden, the 
former suggesting the movements on both sides, and General 
Alden carrying thcni out, handling the troops with ease 
and swiftness. 

The people began to come in before daylight, and con- 
tinued to arrive in crowds until the sun indicated high 
noon. Comparatively few came from the cities. It was the 
country people's holiday, and they ob.served it faithfully. 
The road from Mechanieville to the ground was sprinkled, 
and was in firet-ciass condition early in the morning. Be- 
fore eight o'clock the dust was nearly a foot deep. This 
statement may give a faint idea of the numbers of vehicles 
which passed over it. Saratoga County turned out almost 
en masse. The greatest interest was taken in the sunrise 
salute to be fired by Battery B. After the salute the 
final preparations for the celebration were pushed with 
vigor. 

One of the most interesting places in the vicinitj' of the 
celebration-grounds was the old Neilson house. This ven- 
erable structure was decorated with flags and turned into a 
refreshment saloon. The chief article on the bill of fare 
was pumpkin-pie, baked in the room where General Poor 
had his headquarters, and where the wounded British Gen- 
eral Acklaiid was joined by his wife the day after the second 
battle. At this house was exhibited a large collection of 
battle-field relics. Twelve-pound cannon-balls, rifle-bullets 
covered with the rust of a century, were wonderingly in- 
spected by the crowd who entered the ancient building. 
There were also a number of ludiau weapons and tools, 
such as stone hatchets, flint arrow-heads, and pestles. 

The Troy companies reached the Bemus Heights Hotel 
at about ten o'clock, where they were joined by the Port 
Henry, Whitehall, and Glen's Falls companies. At length 
all the arrangements for the grand procession were com- 
pleted. At about eleven o'clock the order to march was 
given. 

The following was the arrangement : 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



123 



FFRST DIVISION. 

Police. 

Grand marelial — -W. B. French, nf Saratoga. 

Aids to the grand marsluil. 

Major-General J. B. Carr and staff. 

Brigadicr-Orcncral .Mdc^n and staff. 

Doring'.s band. 

Cliadwick Guard.s, of (Julioes, Captain 1'. II. Chadwick 

coniinaiidiii;^. 

Troy Citizens' Corps, Ca|)tain J. W. Cusack com- 

niiindiiig. 

Troy Til)bits Corps, Captain J. Egolf commanding. 

Troy Tibbits Cadets, Captain J. H. I'attcn commanding. 

Sherman (iuards, of Port Henry, Captaiii F. G. Atwell 

commanding. 

Hughes' Light Guard, of Suutii Glen's Falls, Captain F. 

Glccscttlc commanding. 
Burleigh Corps, of Whitehall, Captaiii G. T. Hall com- 
manding. 
Battery B. of Troy, Captain A. H. Green eonimaiiding. 
Generals Hughes and Tracy, and Colonel Lodowick, of the 
governor's staff. 
Brigadier-Gcnoral Dickerman, of Albany, and staff. 
Hon. George G. Scott, president of the day. 
Orators, poet, and clergy. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Colonel D. J. Caw, assistant marshal, marshal's aids. 
Seventy-seventh Regiment band, of Saratoga. 
Saratoga veterans, carrying the old Bemus Heights regi- 
mental flag, commanded by Captain Frank Thomas. 
Saratoga Continentals, mounted. 
Citizens of Saratoga. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Captain B. F. Judson, assistant marshal, commanding. 

Marshal's aids. 

Huliiig's band, of Ballston. 

J]agle engine company, of Ballston. 

Hovey fire company, of Ballston. 

Ballston veterans. 

Citizens of Ballston. 

Schuylerville baud. 

Schnylerville fire-company. 

Mounted yeomanry. 

Schnylerville citizens. 

The procession was very imposing. The Tenth Brigade 
was the centre of public admiration and the theme of pub- 
lic praise. The Saratoga Continentals were hastily organ- 
ized, but made a fine appearance. 

The piocession moved over historic ground and by noted 
landmarks. Flags and bunting were displayed from every 
building in the hani'et of Bemus Heights. North of the 
hotel the site of General Gates' liead([uarters was visible. 
The soldier boys could see, over the river, Willard's moun- 
tain, from the summit of which, in early September, 1777, 
Willard, the scout, watched the niovcinents within the 
British camp, communicating his discoveries by signal or 
messenger to General Gates. Near the celebration ground 



a placard indicated that there stood on the spot, one hun- 
dred years ago, a barn which was used for hospital pur- 
poses. Passing up a not too steep acclivity, the procession 
entered the twenty-two acre field in which the exercises 
were held. The various bodies marched around the grand 
stand, and also passed over that portion of the ground in 
which the American and British dead of the battle were 
interred. Tiiis ground w;us indicated by a small sign-board ; 
there is not, and has not been for many years, a trace of 
the graves ; the soldiers killed in the battle of one hundred 
years ago have no memorial or inomiineiit to this day. 
After the procession hail been dispi:rsed the people gathered 
about the grand stand. The field was a fine place for a 
crowd. Although thirty thousand peoph; stood there, there 
was no crowding. Among the conspicuous persons there 
were Lieutenant-Governor Dorsheimer, General Hughes, 
Colonel Lodowick, of the governor's staff, Hons. G. G. 
Scott, George West, John M. Franci.s, Martin I. Town- 
send, G. Robertson, James S. Smart, Henry G. Burleigh, 
Charity Commissioner Brennan, of New York, T. B. Car- 
roll, C. S. Lester, George W. Chapman, George W. Neil- 
son, Edward Edwards, and Judges Ingalls, Yates, and 
Crane. Besides the.se gentlemen. Generals Carr, Alden, 
and Dickerman, with their staffs, and the general commit- 
tee occupied .seats on the stand. Shortly after noon the 
vast multitude was called to order, and Doring's band 
opened the exercises with music. Rev. Dr. Peter Stryker, 
D.D., of Saratoga, offered prayer. 

Hon. George G. Scott, president of the day, delivered a 
brief address. Afterwards he introduced Hon. Martin I. 
Townsend, who delivered the oration. Mr. Townsend very 
properly rendered honor to whom honor is due, and gave 
the credit of the victories of Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, 1777, 
to Benedict Arnold. Speaking of the cau.se of Arnold's 
traitoiisni, he a.scribed it to that soldier's infatuation for a 
Tory lady of Philadelphia. 

The poem, by Robert Lowell, of Union College, was read 
by Judge Yates in an impressive manner. 

The historical narrative, by John Austin Stevens, of 
New York, was a production of great merit. Mr. Stevens 
gave a history in detail of the campaign, and, departing 
from the general custom, instead of depreciating Gates' gen- 
eralship and personal bravery, eulogized that officer. It 
will be treasured in after-years as one of the most valuable 
of all the accounts of this decisive campaign. When Mr. 
Stevens finished, the invited guests proceeded to the spot 
where, on the 19th of September, 1777, Gates ate his break- 
fast, and enjoyed a collation. 

At four o'clock the troops were formed in lino. The 
ground was not as even as it might be desired, but the 
movements were all executed in a most praisinvortliy manner. 
After the parade the soldiers pa.ssed in review before Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Dorsheimer and General Can- and staff. 

The sham battle took place immediately afterward. 'J'liis 
was in the eyes of a great number of people the chief at- 
tractiiiii iif the day. In the woods to the north of the 
grand stand a gun was placed, under Lieutenant Myer, of 
the Eleveiilh Infantry, United States army. A detachment 
of the Tibbits Corps was also lodged in the woods. 

The Continimtal cavalry, of Saratoga, under the command 






12-t 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



of General Goldwin, together with Lieutenant Myer and 
the Tilibits veterans, represented the British force. It was 
a small representation, but as the Britii^h were supposed to 
be concealed in the woods it answered all purposes. The 
Americans were on open ground. The other troops of the 
Tenth Brigade were constituted the colonial forces. The 
Chadwick Guards, of Cohoes, were held as reserve. Gen- 
eral Carr was supposed to personate General Gates, and 
Colonel Chamberlain represented Benedict Arnold. Lieu- 
tenant Goldman, of the Fifth United States Cavalry, was 
one of the aids of General Alden, who directed the move- 
ments. The British cannon first opened fire, which was 
returned on the right and left of the American lines. The 
British cannon from its ambuscade kept up the dialogue. 
Part of the American corps advanced, and dropping on the 
ground fired a volley into the woods. Charges, retreats, 
and advances were repeatedly made. The Americans at 
times rushed into the woods with wild cheers and retreated 
in disorder. The line being reformed, another charge was 
made, supported by movements in every direction. All 
the while the artillery duel continued. One thing notice- 
able was the precision with which the volleys of musketry 
were fired. Finally, the whole American force made a 
grand charge, the enemy's cannon was silenced and cap- 
tured, the cavalry retreated in disorder, and victory belonged 
to the Americans. 

The battle was one of the best of the sort ever seen ; 
the movements and the general plan on which it was fought 
brought to the minds of many the real battles of which 
more than a decade ago they were component parts. 

The addresses were appropriate. Judge Scott's brief 
opening remarks closed with the following beautiful pas- 
sage: " This is classic ground. It will be to our country 
what the plain of Marathon was to Greece. Unlike that 
memorable battle-field, however, upon which at dilTerent 
points monuments of victory were raised, no column rises 
from this to perjietuate the memory of this great event, to 
honor the valor that achieved it, and to distinguish the 
place of its occurrence. But the scene which surrounds 
us, these fields marked by the redoubts and intrenchments 
of the confronting armies, the historic river below, and 
yonder mountain overlooking the whole, from whose sum- 
mit Willard, the American scout, with spy-glass in hand, 
watched the movements of Burgoyne and reported by sig- 
nals to Gates, all these will constitute one va.st and imper- 
ishable monument sacred to the memory of those heroes 
and patriots who fought and conquered here one hundred 
years ago." 

The lengthy and exceedingly valuable historical address 
of John Austin Stevens closed with the following words: 
" The last days of a century are closing upon these memor- 
able scenes. How long will it be ere the government of 
the Empire State shall erect a monument to the gallant 
men who fought and fell upon their fields, and here secured 
her liberty and renown ?" 

Hon. Martin I. Townsend said, in the opening of his 
address, " We stand to-day upon one of the most illustri- 
ous battle-fields of the American revolution. A hundred 
years ago upon these fields thousands of hearts throbbed in 
patriot bosoms. They were here to suflFer and, if need be, 



to die in the cause of liberty and in the cause of their 
infant country." 

IV.— THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF BURGOYNE'S 
SURRENDER. 

The celebration of the surrender of Burgoyne at Schuyler- 
ville called forth equal enthusia.sm with that of Beiuus 
Heights. As the two great historic events were counterparts 
to each other, so were the centennial anniversaries of those 
events. 

The Schuylerville people entered with all their might 
into the project for celebrating the one hundredth anniver- 
sary of the surrender of Burgoyne and his army. Every 
house in the village was decorated, and arches were raised 
across the principal streets. The most conspicuous decora- 
tion was an excellent representation of the surrender stretched 
across the main street. 

The old Burgoyne cannon, which General De Peyster 
has presented to the monument a.s.sociation, arrived on 
Monday. That night it .spoke within a short distance of 
the field where, a century ago, it carried death to the pa- 
triots. At noon it wa.s fired again, and was used for that 
duty at intervals during the day. Battery B's four guns 
were brought up by the members of the battery, and fired 
the sunrise salute. 

The decorations were all tasteful, while some were elabo- 
rate. The arches which were erected at many street cross- 
ings were all beautiful. The decorative spirit extended to 
Victory Mills, Galesville, and even to Greenwich. In fact, 
the national colors were in sight for miles. 

The ISth was devoted to preparation. The road leading 
to the square, upon which the monument will stand, was 
being worked all day, and was put in excellent condition. 

An old tree on the main street of the village had this 
inscription : " Near this spot, Oct. 16, 1777, American and 
British officers met and consummated the articles of capitu- 
lation of General Burgoyne to General Gates; and on this 
ground the British army laid down their arms, thus seeurirjg 
American independence." 

It is evident that the citizens did not underrate the im- 
portance of the event which they celebrate. The enthu- 
siasm of the people was boundless. 

The sky was overcast, but there was no rain. The or- 
ganizations which participated in the procession began to 
arrive at early morning. Apollo Commandery, of Troy, 
reached here at ten o'clock. Everybody from the surrounding 
country flocked in. They came in stylish barouches, hack- 
loads, stages, and on foot. At noon, fully fifteen thousand 
strangers were in the village and vicinity. Governor Sey- 
mour and George William Curtis came over from Saratoga 
early in the morning, and waited patiently, as did the great 
multitude, for the moving of the procession. It was half- 
past twelve before everything was in readiness. Finally 
the procession formed in the following order : 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Platoon of police. 

General W. B. French, chief marshal. 

Chief marshal's staff. 

Veteran color-guard. 

Boring's band of Troy. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



125 



Co. F, Tenth Regiment, Captain George Weidman com- 
manding, of Albany. 
Co. I, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Captain Walker commmand- 

ing, of Albany. 

First Company Governor's Foot Guards, of Hartford, Conn., 

in old English uniform worn in George III.'s reign. 

W. A. Takott, Major, commanding battalion. 

Colt's band, Hartford, Conn., Thomas G. Adkins, leader. 

Captain A. H. Wiley, commander first company. 

Lieutenant R. D. Burdick, commander second company. 

Lieutenant S. E. Hascall, commander third company. 

Lieutenant W. E. Eaton, commander fourth company. 

Park Guards of Bennington, Vt., Captain O. N. Wilcox, 

commander, with band. 

Hughes Light Guards, of Glen's Falls, Captain Gleesettle 

commanding. 

Burleigh Corps, Captain Thomas Hall. 

^^'hitehall band. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Sir Townscnd Fondey, R. E. Grand Commander. 
Sir Chas. H. Hoklen, V. D. Grand Com- 
mander, Sir Knight B. F. Judson. 
Ballston Spa cornet-band. 
Washington Coinmandery, Saratoga Springs. 
Apullo Conmiandery, Troy. 
Temple No. 2 Commandery, Albany. 
St. George's Commandery, No. 37, Schenectady, N. Y. 
Holy Cross Commandery, Gloversville. 
Lafayette Commandery, Hudson, N. Y. 
Little Falls Commandery, Little Falls, N. Y. 
De Soto, No. 49, Commandery, Plattsburgh, N. Y. 
Kellington Commandery, Rutland, Vt. 
Tefft Commandery, Bennington, Vt. 
Grand Master of Master Masons, J. J. Couch. 
Deputy Grand Master, Jesse B. Anthony. 
Master Masons. 

THIRD DIVISION. 
Captain W. W. Worden, assistant marshal, commanding 

New York State officials. 
President of the day, Hon. C. S. Lester, of Saratoga, ora- 
tors, poets, speakers, clergy, and chaplain in carriages. 
Bemus Heights Centennial Committee. 
Saratoga Monument Association and invited guests in car- 
riages. 
Schuylerville cornet-band. 
Veterans of the late war. 
Grand Army of the Republic associations. 
Veterans of the War of Mexico. 
Veterans of the War of 1812. 
Descendants of Revolutionary soldiers. 
Seventy-seventh Regiment band, Saratoga Springs. 
Cavalry in Continental uniform. Major Fassett, Comman- 
der, Saratoga Springs. 
Fort Ann Martial band. 
Civic associations. 
Municipal authorities of Schuylerville. 
ROUTE OF MARCH. 
Gates avenue to Grove street ; Grove to Pearl ; Pearl to 



Burgoyne ; Burgoyne to Broad ; Broad to Spring ; Spring 
to Church; Church to Burgoyne; Burgoyne to Pearl; 
Pearl to Saratoga ; Saratoga to Green ; Green to Burgoyne ; 
Burgoyne to Monument grounds, where a hollow square 
was formed by the military outside the Knights Templar, 
and the corner-stone of the monument laid by M. W., J. J. 
Couch, Grand Master, and 11. W., Edmund L. Judson, 
Deputy Grand Master Masons of the State of New York. 
After which ceremony the procession marched down Bur- 
goyne to Pearl ; Pearl to Grove ; thence to Schuyler's 
square. 

The monument, when completed, will be.a most imposing 
affair. It will be constructed entirely of granite. One- 
quarter of the base has been constructed, and the corner- 
stone is a finely-cut piece of granite about three feet square. 

The ceremony of laying the stone was performed by J. 
J. Couch, Grand Master of Masons of the State, assisted by 
several of the officers of the Grand Lodge. The ceremony 
was as follows : 

The Grand Master called up the lodge, saying, "The first 
duty of Masons in any undertaking is to invoke the blessing 
of the Great Architect upon their work. Let us pray." 

INVOCATION BY THE (iRAND CHAPLAIN. 

" Thou vSupreme Architect. Thou master builder of the 
universe. Thou who hast made all things by the word of 
Thy power. Thou who hast formed the earth and the world 
from everlasting to everlasting. Thou art God, Thou art He 
whom we worship and adore, and in whom we are taught 
to put our trust, and whose blessing we seek in every un- 
dertaking in life and in all the work of our hands. Thou, 
God, hast blessed the fraternity before thee, and pros- 
pered them in numbers, in strength, and in influence, so 
that we are here assembled as Thy servants and as mem- 
bers of the ancient and honorable craft to begin the erec- 
tion of a monument, which we devoutly trust shall stand 
as a monument for future generations to the praise and 
glory of Thy name. Grant Thy blessing, Lord God, 
upon this enterprise, that it may be carried to successful 
completion, and may answer the end for which it was de- 
signed. Grant that each of us may so adorn our minds 
and hearts with grace that we may be fitted as living stones 
for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, 
eternal in the heavens ; and unto Thy holy and ever-blessed 
name will we ascribe honor and praise, through Jesus 
Christ, our Redeemer. Amen " 

The Grand Master then said, " The Grand Treasurer 
will place in the corner-stone articles prepared for the pur- 
pose." Which was done. 

The Grand blaster then said, " The Grand Secretary 
will read a list of the articles so deposited." 

The list of articles deposited in the corner-stone was then 
read as follows : 

1. "History of the Saratoga Monument Association," 
by the society. 

2. "The Campaign of General Burgoyne," by Wm. L. 
Stone. 

3. " The Saratoga Battle-Gun," by Ellen Hardin Wal- 
worth. 

4. The centennial addresses of George G. Scott, J. 



126 



HISTORY OF SARATOaA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



S. L'Amoreaux, Greneral E. F. Bullard, and N. B. Syl- 
vester. 

5. " Major-General Philip Schuyler," by General T. W. 
De Peyster. 

6. J. Austin Stevens' historical address at the celebra- 
tion of Bemus Heights. 

7. Copies of the Troy Daily Press, Troy Daily Times, 
Troy Daily Whig, Troy Northern Budget, Troy Observer, 
Sunday Trojan, Schuylerville Slmidard (daily), Daily Sura-. 
togian, Saratoga Sun, Albany Argus, Press, Express, Jour- 
nal, Times, and Post, Now York Herald, Times, Tribune, 
Sun, World, and E.rjjress. 

8. Relics of Burgoyne's campaign. 

The Grand Master then spread the cement upon the 
stone. 

Music b}' the band, and the stone was lowered to its 
place. 

The (iraiid Master then seating the lodge, proceeded as 
follows : 

G. M. — " Brother D. G. M., what is the jewel of your 
office ?' 

D. G. M.— " The square." 

G. M.— " What does it teach ?" 

D. G. M. — " To square our action by the square of virtue, 
and by it we prove our work." 

G. M. — " Apply your jewel to this corner-stone and 
make report." 

(Done.) 

D. G. M. — " The stone is square, the craftsmen have 
done their duty." 

G. M. — " Brother S. G. W., what is the jewel of your 
office?" 

S. G. W.— " The level." 

G. M.— " What does it teach ?" 

S. G. W. — ■" The equality of all men, and by it we 
prove our work." 

G. M. — •" Apply your jewel to this corner-stone and 
make report." 

(Done.) 

S. G. W. — " The stone is level, the craftsmen have done 
their duty." 

G. M. — -" Brother J. G. W., what is the jewel of your 
office ?" 

J. G. W.— " The plumb." 

G. M.— " What does it teach ?" 

J. G. W. — " To walk upright before God and man, and 
by it we ]irove our work." 

G. M. — " Apply your jewel to this corner-stone and make 
report." 

(Done.) 

J. G. W. — " The stone is plumb, the craftsmen have 
done their duty." 

The Senior and Junior Grand Deacons advanced to the 
stone, bearing trowel and gavel. The Grand Master, pre- 
ceded by the Grand Marshal, advanced to the stone, took 
the trowel, and spread cement, then took the gavel and struck 
three blows on the stone, retired to his station and said, '• I, 
John P. Couch, Grand blaster of the Masons of the State 
of New York, declare this stone to be plumb, level, and 
square, to be well formed, true and trusty, and duly laid." 



The Grand Stewards proceeded to the stone, followed by 
D. G. M., S. G. W., and J. G. W., bearing the corn, wine, 
and oil. 

The D. G. M., scattering the corn, said, " May the 
blessing of the Great Architect of the universe rest upon 
the people of this State and the corn of nourishment 
abound in our land." 

The S. G. W., pouring the wine, said, " May the Great 
Architect of the universe watch over and protect the work- 
men upon this monument, and bless them and our land with 
the heavenly wine of refreshment and peace." 

The J. G. W., pouring the oil, said, " May the Great 
Architect of the universe bless our land with union, har- 
mony, and love, the oil which niaketh man be of joyful 
countenance." 

The Grand Marshal presented the architect, saying, 
" I present the architect of this monument. He is ready 
with craftsmen for the work, and asks the tools for his 
task." 

The Grand Master handed him the plumb, level, and 
square, and directed him to proceed with his work. 

The Grand Jlaster then said, " j\Ien and brethren, we 
have assembled here to-day as regular Masons, bound by 
solemn engagements to be good citizens, faitliful to the 
brethren, and to fear God. We have commenced the erec- 
tion of a monument which, we pray, may be a memorial 
for ages to come. May wisdom, strength, and beauty 
abound, and the fame and usefulness of our ancient and 
honorable institution be greatly promoted." 

Benediction. 

The Grand Marshal then made the following proclama- 
tion : " In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge 
of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, 
I proclaim that the corner-stone of this monument has 
this day been found square, level and plumb, true and 
trusty, and laid according to the old custom by the Grand 
Master of Masons." 

After the laying of the corner-stone the procession 
marched to Schuyler square, the field in which the exer- 
cises had been held. 

Sunrise salutes were fired by the battery from different 
points in the village, while away on historic Mount Willard 
the people of Easton sent back answering thunder. The 
road leading from Saratoga was black with vehicles. The 
Greenwich road was in the same condition. 

The various organizations began to arrive at ten o'clock, 
but it was twelve before the last one arrived. The Al- 
bany soldiers left their homes before breakfast, and were 
served in the large dining-teut at eleven o'clock. At half- 
past twelve o'clock everything was in readiness and the 
pageant moved. 

The line of march was gone over in an hour, and then 
the corner-stone of the monument was laid. The opening 
prayer was made by Rev. Mr. Webster, R. W. Grand Chap- 
lain of the Grand Lodge of Masons. One very remarkable 
circumstance was the presence of Edwin Gates, of Brooklyn, 
who is a descendant of General Gates (who was the " grand 
sword-bearer" of the American army in the North in 1777) 
and who is the grand sword-bearer of the Masonic grand 
lodge. Grand Master Couch used a gavel made from a 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



127 



piece of the Hartford charter oak. The stone is Cape Ann 
granite. Besides the articles mentioned elsewhere, the box 
contains a Bible, a copy of Mrs. Willard's History of the 
United States, an American flag, report of the canal com- 
missioners, architect's statement of the progress of the work, 
an appeal to tlie people of the United States to erect the 
monument, by J. C. Markham ; silver half-dollar coined in 
the reign of George III., dated 1777, and a half-dollar coined 
in 1877. 

After the stone had been lowered, and after Masonic procla- 
mation had been made, Grand Master Couch made a brief 
address. He said it ivas fitting that a single word be spoken 
by him on this occasion. We are conscious that we are 
standing on historic ground. As citizens we commemorate 
the birth of the nation one hundred years ago. As Masons 
we represent an antii|uity far more remote. The speaker 
referred to the relations which Masons held to the events 
which occurred a century ago. He held this to be a truth, 
that the civilization of a people is proved by its architecture. 
Look back into the history of Egypt. We find in the pyra- 
mids this great truth exemplified and crystallized in a single 
word — mystery. In Grecian arcliitecture, represented in 
the Acropolis, the same story is told and crystallized in a 
word — classic art. Rome's story of architecture is symbol- 
ized by the Parthenon and crystallized, too, in a word — em- 
pire. All over Europe is a class of architectural ruins, in 
which we read the story of feudalism. Crossing the channel 
the same story of crystallization is told by the same monu- 
ments. Out of this combination of Egyptian, Greek, 
Roman, and Gothic, the art of architecture has crystallized. 
This monument, the corner-stone of which we have just 
now laid, is but the crystallization of the thoughts of the 
])eople. We shall pass away, but behind us let us leave a 
monument which shall tell the story of this people's civiliza- 
tion in one word — patriotism. 

Alter the address had been concluded, the procession 
marched to the field, where the following exercises were held : 

FIRST STAND. 

Music, Boring's band. 

Prayer, Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D.D., of Albany. 

Music. 

Introductory Address by president of the day, 

Hon. C. S. Lester. 

Music. 

Oration by ex-Governor Horatio Seymour. 

Oration by Hon. George William Curtis. 

Music. 

Reading of poems. 

Address by Hon. L. S. Foster, of Connecticut. 

SECOND STAND. 

Colt's Armory band, Hartford, Conn. 

Prayer by the chaplain of the day. 

Music. 

Addre.ssby Hon. B. W. Throckmorton, Subject: "Arnold." 

Fitz Greene Halleck's " Field of the Grounded Arms," read 

by Gen. James Grant Wilson. 

Mu.sic. 

Historical Address, by William L. Stone, of New York city. 

Short Addresses, by Hon. A. A. Yates and H. L. Gladding. 



The addresses upon this memorable occasion are given 
at length in the memorial volume which has been issued. 
They are replete witli historic value and patriotic elo- 
quence. 

Judge Lester said, " It was in defense of their homes, 
in defense of their liberties, in defense of their families 
from the savage allies of Burgoyne and the still more cruel 
arts of domestic traitors, in defense of those noble prin- 
ciples of human rights and human liberty that animated 
the signers of the immortal Declaration, not then two years 
old, that the Americans from every settlement, from every 
hillside, from every valley, from the log hut of the pioneer, 
and from beautiful mansions like Schuyler's, flocked to the 
standard of Gates to aid in repelling the invader." 

Hon. Horatio Seymour said, " One hundred years ago 
on this spot American independence was made a great fact 
in the history of nations. Until the surrender of the 
British army under Burgoyne the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence was but a declaration. It was a patriotic purpo.se 
asserted in bold words by brave men, who pledged for its 
maintenance their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred 
honor. But here it was made a fact by virtue of armed 
force. It had been regarded by the world merely as an 
act of defiance ; but it was now seen that it contained the 
srerms of a government which the event we celebrate made 
one of the powers of the earth. Here rebellion was made 
revolution. Upon this ground that which had in the eye 
of the law been treason became triumphant patriotism." 

George William Curtis closed as follows : " We who 
stand here proudly remembering, — we who have seen Vir- 
ginia and New York, the north and the south, more bitterly 
hostile than the armies whose battles shook this ground, — 
we who mutually proved in deadliest conflict the constancy 
and the courage of all the States, which, proud to be peers, 
yet own no master but our united selves, — we renew our 
hearts' imperishable devotion to the common American 
faith, the common American pride, and the common Ameri- 
can glory. Here Americans stood and triumphed. Here 
Americans stand and bless their memory. And here for a 
thousand years may grateful generations of Americans come 
to rehearse the glorious story, and to rejoice in a supreme 
and benignant American nationality." 

Hon. Gf'orge W. Schuyler said, "The memory of General 
Philip Schuyler needs no eulogy from one who bears his 
name, and in whose veins is only a trace of collateral blood. 
History will yet do him justice. Posterity will crown him 
the hero of Saratoga. The nation will recognize him as the 
general who prepared the battle which won our freedom." 

Wm. L. Stone read a long and valuable historical 
address. 

B. W. Throckmorton, of New Jersey, spoke upon " Ar- 
nold." 

H. L. Gladding closed his remarks with a plea for the 
monument. 

A. A. Yates also devoted a brilliant passage to the monu- 
ment: " Let, then, this monument rise till it meets the sun 
in its coming, whose first rays, lingering on Mount Willard 
to gild the spot where the faithful sentry stood, shall glitter 
and play upon its summit. Grand and everlasting, its solid 
firmness shall commemorate the faith of those who stood 



128 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



so proudly here one hundred years ago, and perpetuate the 
memory of those whose dust has been traceless for a cen- 
tury within sight of its sphere. Let the last rays of the 
evening fasten its shade on the pathway our fathers walked 
amid the ringing praises of their grateful countrymen. Let 
us all come close together beneath its base. We, too, have 
had our sorrows. We have had our killed in battle. We 
have the mourners who go about the streets ; we have 
the widow and the fatherless ; we have the poor in heart. 
The evening of our first century has been red as theirs 
with the scarlet tinge of blood.' 

To this account of the celebration at Schuylerville, and 
the laying of the corner-stone of the monument, we add 
the names of the ofiiccrs of the monument association : 

President. — Horatio Seymour, Utica. 

Vice-President. — James H. Marvin, Saratoga Springs. 

Secretary. — William L. Stone, New York city. 

Corresponding Secretary. — Ed. W. B. Canning, Stock- 
bridge, Massachusetts. 

Treasurer. — Daniel A. Bullard, Schuylerville. 

Standing Committees. — Committee on Design : William 
L. Stone, Charles H. Payn, K. W. B. Canning, James M. 
Marvin, Leroy Mowray. 

Committee on Location : Asa C. Teift, Benson J. Loss- 
ing, E. F. Bullard. 

Building Committee: Charles H. Payn, Asa C. Teift, 
William L. Stone. 

Executive Committee: Leroy Mowray, James M. ]Mar- 
vin, Daniel A. Bullard, D. F. Ritchie. 

Advisory Committee : E. F. Bullard, P. C. Ford, B. W. 
Throckmorton, Oscar Frisbie. 

Trustees. — Horatio Seymour, William J. Bacon, Utica; 
James M. Marvin, Charles H. Payn, E. F. Bullard, David 
F. Ritchie, Saratoga Springs; William L. Stone, Gen. J. 
Watts De Peyster, Algernon S. Sullivan, B. W. Throck- 
morton, New York city ; Daniel A. Bullard, P. C. Ford, 
H. Clay Homes, Schuylerville ; Leroy Mowray, Greenwich ; 
Asa C. Tefft, Fort Miller ; Charles W. Mayhew, Victory 
Mills; E. R. Mudgc, Boston, Massachasetts ; E. W. B. 
Canning, Stockbridge, Massachusetts ; Webster Wagner, 
Palatine Bridge; Frank Pruyn, Mechanicville ; James H. 
Kelly, Rochester; Giles B. Slocum, Trenton, Michigan; 
Benson J. Lossing, Dover Plains ; Gen. John BL Read, 
Lemon Thompson, Albany. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS— CANALS- 
BAIL ROADl? -1795— 1838. 

I.— CAXALS. 

That part of the State of New York which has now 
universally come to be known as, and called, Northern New 
York, and of which the county of Saratoga forms so im- 
portant a part, is a region almost, if not quite, surrounded 
by natural water-courses, making of it virtually an island.* 



* See Historieal Sketches of Northern New York ami the Adiron- 
dack Wilderness, by the author, page 17. 



Northern New York, as it has been seen in the opening 
chapter of this work, is an elevated plateau, rising into 
lofty mountain peaks in the interior, and gradually sloping 
on every side into the deep surrounding valleys. On the 
north of it flows the great river St. Lawrence, di'aining 
the great lakes. To the east of it, in the great " northern 
valley," is the Hudson river, running southerly into the 
Atlantic ocean, and the waters of Lake Champlain and its 
tributaries, flowing northerly into the St. Lawrence. On 
the south of it the Mohawk river runs easterly into the 
Hudson, while the waters of the Oneida lake run westerly 
through the Oswego river into Lake Ontario. On the 
west is Lake Ontario, from which runs the St. Lawrence, 
completing the encircling chain of almost one thousand 
miles of living navigable waters. 

Around this region the Indian could paddle his canoe, 
and the white, in the colonial period, could row his bateau, 
finding, save the portages around the somewhat numerous 
falls and rapids, only two carrying-places. One was from 
the Hudson, at Fort Edward, to Fort Nun, on the Wood 
creek, that runs into Lake Champlain at Whitehall. The 
other was from the iMohawk, at Port Stanwix, to Fort 
Williams, on the other Wood creek, which runs into the 
Oneida lake. 

But these natural obstacles to navigation were long since 
overcome by artificial means, and Northern New York is 
now entirely surrounded by navigable routes. The arti- 
ficial means mentioned above are the Erie and the Cham- 
plain canals, the first running through and skirting the 
whole southern border of Saratoga County, and the latter 
running through almost the whole extent of its eastern 
border. 

To these great artificial water-courses, thus supplement- 
ing her natural water-courses and overcoming their ob- 
stacles, the State and city of New Y'ork are mainly indebted 
for their wonderful material and industrial prosperity. 

If to their distinguished governor, De Witt Clinton, 
much gratitude is due from the people of the State for the 
building and completion of these important works, some 
slight acknowledgment they also owe to their last colonial 
governor, William Tryon, for the conception of the scheme 
and its first official recommendation to their favorable 
notice. 

In his report on the state of the province, bearing date 
11th June, 1774, Governor Tryon, in speaking of the 
navigation of Hudson and Mohawk rivers, recommends 
that the obstacles to their navigation be overcome by a 
system of locks and canals. 

CHRISTOPHER COLLES. 

The first projector of inland navigation in America was 
Christopher Colles. He was born in Ireland in the year 
1738. He first appears in this country as delivering pub- 
lic lectures in Philadelphia, in 1772, upon pneumatics, 
illustrated by experiments in an air-pump of his own in- 
vention. He is said to have been the first in this country 
to undertake the building of a steam-engine for a distillery 
in that city, but failed for want of means, although his 
plan secured the approval of David Rittenhouse and the 
Philosophical Society. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



129 



In 1773 lie lectured at the Exchange in New I'^ork on 
the advantages of loch ndvlgation. The benefits of this 
mode of transportation had recently been demonstrated by 
the opening by the Duke of Bridgewater, in 1761, of the 
first navigable canal constructed in Great Britain. 

On the Gth day of November, 1784, he addressed a 
memorial to the two Houses of the New York Legislature, 
proposing a plan for inland navigation on the Mohawk river. 
It was referred to a committee, of which Mr. Adgate, of Al- 
bany, was chairman, who, on the 6th of the same month, 
reported that while these laudable proposals merited en- 
couragement, " it would be inexpedient for the Legislature 
to cause that business to be undertaken at public e.xpen.se," 
and added that if Mr. Colles, with a number of adventurers, 
would undertake it, they ought to be encouraged in the 
enterprise. 

The next time the canal policy was suggested to the 
Legislature was in a speech made in that body by Governor 
George Clinton, in 1791. 

Again on the 5th day of January, 1795, Governor Clin- 
ton, in his speech to the Legislature, warmly recommended 
inland navigation, saying " that he trusted that a measure 
so interesting to the community would continue to command 
the attention due to its importance." On the 7th of Feb- 
ruary, 1792, General Williams, of Salem, Washington 
county, brought a bill into the Legislature entitled " An act 
for constructing and opening a canal and lock navigation in 
northern and western parts of the State." 

These efforts resulted in the formation of two companies 
in the year 1795, one for the northern and one for the 
western improvement. The northern company was incor- 
porated by the name of the " Northern Inland Lock Navi- 
gation Company." The object of the company was to build 
a canal and locks from the sprouts of the Mohawk up along 
the west bank of the Hudson around the rapids. For this 
purpose surveys were commenced in the summer of 1795, 
and a considerable part of the work was begun and com- 
pleted before the year 1800. One of the surveyors em- 
ployed on this northern canal in 1795 was Mark Isambard 
Brunei, who afterwards filled the world with his fame as 
the engineer of the Thames tunnel. Brunei had been in 
the French navy, and was exiled from France on account of 
his socialistic proclivities. 

General Schuyler was at the head of this company, and 
the remains of this undertaking were long called locally 
" Schuyler ditch." The enterprise failed bpcause private 
means were inadequate to its completion. But these efforts 
finally resulted in the building of the Erie and Champlain 
canals, those stupendous improvements to which our State 
owes so much of its prosperity. 

The early but abortive efforts in this direction having 
been mostly made in Saratoga County, so far as the northern 
company was concerned, are of peculiar interest to the 
people of the county. 

IL— RAILROADS. 
THE SARATOGA AND SCHENECTADY RAILROAD COMPANY. 

This company was incorporated Feb. 16, 1831 ;, Henry 
Walton, John Clarke, William A. Langworthy, John H. 
Steele, Miles Beach, Gideon W. Davison, aijd Rockwell 
17 



Putnam, " with such other persons as shall associate with 
them for that purpose," being constituted a body politic 
and corporate, with power to construct a single or double 
railroad or way betwixt the village of Saratoga Springs and 
the city of Schenectady, passing through the village • of 
Ballston as near the centre thereof as is practicable, and 
were vested with the sole and exclusive right and privilege 
of constructing and using a single or double railroad or 
ways for the purpose of transporting and carrying persons 
and property over the same, and were to have succession 
for fifty years. 

Churchill C. Camberleng, Walter Bowne, Henry Walton, 
John Clarke, Samuel Young, Thomas Palmer, Daniel J. 
Toll, John J. De Graff, William James, James Stevenson, 
and John Townsend were the commissioners for receiving 
subscriptions to the capital stock, which was to be $150,000. 
Terminating at Saratoga Springs, and having but little 
business except during the summer months, the road wa.s 
not a financial success until the opening of the Rensselaer 
and Saratoga railroad, and the Saratoga and Washington 
railroad, made it a part of the continuous line between the 
head of navigation on the Hudson river and Lake Cham- 
plain. It was afterwards durably leased to the Rensselaer 
and Saratoga railroad company, and has since been operated 
by that company. So limited was the business of the road 
that prior to its being leased, and on some occasions after 
that, it was not uncommon to cease operations in the winter 
season, particularly after a heavy fall of snow, carrying the 
mails and such stray passengers as might offer by the less 
expensive horse and cutter. Since the opening of the 
northern and eastern connections, however, it has been the 
highway of a large and prosperous traffic between the great 
west and Boston and northern New England. 

THE RENSSELAER AND SARATOGA RAILROAD COMPANY 

was incorporated April 14, 1832, the act providing that 
" Stephen Warren (of Troy), and such other persons as 
shall hereafter become stockholders," should constitute a 
body corporate under that name. The capital stock was to 
be $300,000. The road was to be constructed "from 
some proper point in the city of Troy, in the county of 
Rensselaer, passing through the village of Waterford, in 
the county of Saratoga, to the village of Ballston Spa, in 
said county of Saratoga :" with privilege " to take, trans- 
port, carry, and convey property and persons upon the 
same, by the power and force of steam, of animals, or any 
mechanical power, or of any construction of them, for the 
term of fifty years from the passage of this act. John 
Knickerbocker, of Waterford, John House, Stephen War- 
ren, William Pierce, William Haight, James Cook, and 
Joel Lee were appointed commissioners to open books of 
subscription. 

The road was constructed, and operated with varying 
success, but finally went into the hands of its creditors. It 
was purchased by a new organization, who raised the capi- 
tal stock to $600,000, and afterwards, the vigor and energy 
of the new management, the rapid growth of the village 
of Saratoga Springs, and the opening of new rail con- 
nections to the north and east, requiring funher outlay to 
meet the wants of its business, to $800,000. In 1868 it con- 



130 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



solidntcd wiili the Saratoga and Whiteliall railroad and the 
Troy, Sakni and Rutland railroad, from Rutland to Eagle 
Bridge, -nhen its capital stock was raised to §2,500,000, 
and in 1870 it was further increased to $6,000,000, when 
the whole property was durably leased to the Delaware 
and Hudson canal company. 

It will be seen that the original charter of the road was 
from Troy to Ballston Spa. The Saratoga and Sclienec- 
tady railroad was already in operation from Ballston Spa 
to Saratoga, so that the Rensselaer railroad was but twenty- 
five miles in length, and made a connection at Ballston Spa 
with the Saratoga and Schenectady railroad for its Saratoga 
business. 

In 1860 the Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad company 
took a lease — since made a perpetual one — of the property 
of the Saratoga and Schenectady railroad, and has continued 
to operate it as a part of its line since that time. It also, 
in 1860, took a perpetual lease of the Albany and Vermont 
railroad company's property from Albany to the Junction 
above Waterford, and in 1867 leased the Glen's Falls rail- 
road from Fort Edward to Glen's Falls. So that, from its 
small beginning of twenty-five miles, it has, by gradual de- 
velopment of its business and the energy and thrift of its 
management, grown to the control and direction of one 
hundred and eighty-one miles of track, running through 
and giving facilities of transportation to a populous and 
important section of the State. 

The village of Saratoga may well consider itself under 
the highest obligation to the railroad companies, which 
have given her her proud title of " the queen of the water- 
ing-places." Without their aid, while doubtless the heal- 
ing waters which bubble from her springs would have 
attracted numerous visitors, as they did in the days of 
four-horse coaches and the Boston chaise, the throngs of 
thousands who now seek amusement and relaxation there 
would have found transportation an impassibility. 

It is difficult now, in the days of powerful locomotives, 
steel rails, and drawing-room cars, to realize the humble 
beginnings of the railway enterprises of the country. The 
Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad was the third road built 
in the State, — the Albany and Schenectady and the Sara- 
toga and Schenectady being constructed but a brief time 
before. The coaches of that day would now be a curiosity. 
For many years a single car drawn by a horse was used for 
the local business between Troy and the village of Water- 
ford, and " old Fisk's liearse " will still be remembered 
by the older citizens of the two places. The writer well 
remembers how the competent and genial superintendent 
of those days, the late Leonard R. Sargeaut, promised Mr. 
risk that if he overtook him again on the route he would 
" pitch his old hearse down the bank," and how he literally 
performed his promise. Few persons are aware that it was 
supposed when railroads were first being constructed in 
this country that the tolls for the running of private cars 
for freight or passengers on the track would constitute a 
part of the income of the company, and that any respon- 
sible party would be allowed to run his own cars, operated 
by his own horse or steam-power, on payment of the regu- 
lar toll, very much as the practice runs on McAdamized or 
turnpike roads or the public canals. That this was at once 



found impracticable was matter of course, as time-tables 
and responsibility to one head by those operating the road 
were absolutely necessary for safety to life and property. 
But it will be found that in several of the early charters 
of the country the board of directors were authorized, 
among other rights, to fix the rate of tolls. 

III.— OTHER R.4ILR0ADS. 

The following list of railroads and of railroad projects 
formerly authorized, including those abandoned and those 
merged in others, is derived from oflScial sources, and is 
nearly complete from the first, in 1826, to November, 1877. 
Those now in existence, so far as can be ascertained, and 
either done or in actual and advanced stages of construction, 
have their titles printed in small capitals. Such historical 
and statistical data and dates as our restricted limits allowed 
have been given in connection with the more important. 
The constant changes going on have, however, rendered this 
list necessarily somewhat imperfect, even at the time of 
going to the press, and it must become more so every day. 
It will, however, afford useful and, for the most part, relia- 
ble facts, so far as it goes, concerning the railroad interests 
of the county. 

Adirondack Company. — Articles filed Oct. 24, 1863, 
and formed under chapter 236. laws of 1863, succeeded 
the "Adirondack Estate and Railroad Company." Allowed 
by act of March 31, 1865, to extend its road to Lake 
Ontario or the St. Lawrence, as to increase its capital to 
$5,000,000 ; finished sixty-two miles, from Saratoga 
Springs to North Creek, in Warren county. It is proposed 
to extend a branch of this road to Ogdensburg. 

The articles were amended July 10, 1870, and the capi- 
tal increased with the design of this extension ; and an 
appropriation was granted by the Legislature in 1871, but 
fiiiled to receive the governor's sanction. Distances — Sara- 
toga to Greenfield, six miles; Kings, four; South Corinth, 
three ; Jessup's Landing, four ; Hadley's, five ; Quarry, 
five; Stoney Creek, three ; Thurman, six ; and The Glen, 
eight. Besides the railroad, this company is engaged in 
mining and other business enterprises. 

Adirondack Estate and Railroad. — Articles filed 
Aug. 11, 1860; merged in the "Adirondack Company'' 
under chapter 236, laws of 1863. 

Adirondack Railroad Company. — Incorporated 
April, 1839 ; did not attempt construction of road. 

Albany and Vermont R.\ilro.\d. — Articles filed 
Oct. 6, 1859; formerly the Albany, Vermont and Canada 
Railroad. Leased June 12, 1860, to the Rensselaer and Sara- 
toga railroad, and has since (until recently) been operated by 
them. Length, twelve miles. A " Y" branch to near the 
ferry, in West Troy, was constructed, but was discontinued 
several years since. This branch is now under the control 
of the "Delaware and Hudson Canal Company." 

Delaware and Hudson C.^nal Co.mp.\ny. — This 
company, on the 9th of May, 1871, became the lessee of 
the Albany and Susquehanna railroad for the term of its 
charter. It is also lessee of the Rensselaer and Saratoga rail- 
road (May 18, 1871), and of the Utica, Clinton and Bing- 
hamton railroad, and is building a road from Nineveh to 
Lauesboro', Pa. See Albany and Susquehanna railroad, etc. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



131 



Sacket's Harbor and Saratoga Railroad. — In- 
corporated April 10, 1848, and organized Jan. 10, 1852. 
Lenjcth about one hundred and sixty miles. The woric has 
begun and a large amount of money expended, but nothing 
furnished under thi.s name. Changed to Luke Ontario and 
Hudson River railroad. 

Saratoga and Fort Edward Railroad. — Incor- 
porated April 17, 1833; seventeen miles. Not completed. 
Its survey, maps, etc., were allowed by act of May 2, 1834, 
to be sold to the Saratoga and Washington lailroad company. 

S.VRATOGA and Hudson River Kailroad. — Articles 
filed April 1(J, 18(J1. Not built. 

Saratoga and Montgomery Railroad. — Incorpo- 
rated May G, 1836. Not constructed. 

Saratoga and Schuylerville Railroad. — Incor- 
porated April 20, 1833 ; nine miles. Not built. 

Saratoga and Washington Railro.4D. — Chartered 
May 2, 1834. Capital $600,000. Company organized 
April 20, 1835, and work begun, but stopped in 1836. 
Finally opened to Whitehall, from Saratoga Springs, Dec. 
10, 1848, and to Lake station, April 9, 1851. Sold Feb. 
27, 1855, on foreclosure of a mortgage, and the Saratoga 
and Whitehall railroad took its place. 

Saratoga and Whitehall Railroad. — Organized 
June 8, 1855, as successor of the Saratoga and Washing- 
ton railroad. Capital $500,000. Leased and run the 



Rutland and Whitehall railroad to Castleton, Vt., many 
years. Leased in perpetuity, and transferred under chap. 
254, laws of 1867, to the Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad 
company, and the articles filed Oct. 22, 1868. Now oper- 
ated under the Delaware and Hud.son canal company. 

Saratoga, Schdylerville and Hoosaic Tunnel 
Railroad. — Article filed April 4, 1870. From Saratoga 
Springs to Schuylerville, about eighteen miles. Capital 
$300,000. Not built. 

Saratoga Springs and Schuylerville Railroad. 
— Incorporated April 26, 1832. Not constructed. 



CHAPTER XXVL 

STATISTICAL TABLES. 

The tables given below are mostly compiled from the 
records in the oftice of the Secretary of State, and from 
those in the ofiice of the State superintendent of public in- 
struction, at Albany. The statistics here given present 
a most comprehensive view of the chief industrial interests 
of the county of Saratoga, as well as of its progressive 
development in population and wealth since its early set- 
tlement more than a hundred years ago. 



No. I.— AGGREGATE POPULATION OF SARATOGA, BY TOWNS, AT BACH OF THE CENSUSES FROM 1790 TO 1875. 



Saratoga County. 



Ballston 7,833 

Cliarlton .... 

Clifton Park 

Coiiulh I 

Day 

Eiliiiburgh I 

Galwa.v 

Greenfield 

Hadley 

Half-Moon ' 3,002 

Mnlta 



Milton I 

Morpjin 

N">rtliunilterland I 

Providence ' 

Saratoga 3,U7l 

Saratoga Springs I 

Still wjiier 3,071 

Waterlord 

Wilton ,;.-.. ... ; 



2,(109 
1,746 



2,310 
3,073 



3,851 

2,li6 

2,007 
1,888 
2,4ai 



1,115 
1,916 



1,319 

2,705 
3,087 
1,725 
5,2fl2 
1.438 
2,763 
1,347 
2,041 
1,694 
3,183 



2,106 
1,907 



2,402 



1,324 

2,521 
3,054 
1,005 
6,123 
1,41(] 
2,899 
1,378 
1,946 
ftil 
3,254 



2,678 



Total il7,U7Y 



33,147 



2,407 
1,953 

i.iVo 

671 
1,469 
2,579 
3,024 

798 
4.024 
1,618 
2,796 
1,549 
1,279 
1,515 
2,233 
1,909 
2,821 
1,184 
1,293 



1,8.52 
1,912 



1,341 
790 
1,690 
2,5m6 
3,298 
913 
4,232 
1,518 
2,746 
1,613 
1,042 
1,682 
2,010 
2,054 
2,.652 
1,323 
1,392 



31,139 36,052 36,295 38,079 



1830. 


1835. 


1840. 


1845. 


2,113 


2,001 


2,044 


2,072 


2,023 


1,981 


1.933 


1,787 


2,194 


2,282 


2.719 


2.421 


1,412 


1,261 


1,365 


1,36 i 


758 


829 


942 


992 


1,571 


1,147 


1,4.58 


1,413 i 


2,710 


2,038 


2,412 


2,386 [ 


3,144 


2,927 


2,803 


2,744 


829 


862 


865 


842 


2,042 


2,146 


2,631 


2,331 


1,517 


1,386 


1,457 


1,324 


2,079 


3,020 


3,160 


3,607 


1,690 


1,502 


1.576 


1,701 


1,606 


1,647 


1,672 


1,699 


1,.679 


1,497 


1,607 


I,4:)6 


2,461 


2,4:i6 


2,624 


2,7,66 


2,204 


2,438 


3,384 


4,276 


2.601 


2,565 


2,733 


2,807 


1,473 


1,998 


1,824 


2,248 


1,373 


1,260 


1,438 


1,374 


38,079 


38,012 


40,653 


41,477 



2,299 
1,902 
2,808 
1,601 
1,046 
1,330 
2,1.68 
2.890 
1,003 
2,788 
1.349 
4,220 
1,834 
1,776 
1,458 
3,402 
4,650 
2,907 
2,083 
1,458 



34,646 



2,201 
1,701 
2,917 
1,634 
1,079 
1,318 
2.441 
2,842 
1,172 
3,316 
1,236 
4,009 
2,166 
1,008 
1,368 
3,832 
6,307 
2,961 
3,241 
1,401 



2,234 
1,752 
2,804 
4,568 
1,209 
1,479 
2,427 
2,970 
1,017 
3,130 
1,240 
5,264 
2,210 
1,606 
1,44:1 
3,843 
7.496 
3,238 
3,260 
1,499 



2,089 
1,5S9 
2,712 
1,491 
1,185 
1,367 
2,202 
2,891 
1,067 
3,032 
1,190 
4,923 
2,279 
1,705 
1,295 
3,730 
7,307 
3,0S7 
3,309 
1,362 



2,180 
1,607 
2,657 
1,500 
1,127 
1,405 
2,174 
2,698 
1,039 
3,093 
1,212 
4,946 
2,256 
1,655 
1,155 
4,0.52 
8,537 
3,401 
3,631 
1,204 



1,946 
1,689 
2,.505 
1,600 
1,199 
1,495 
1,945 
2.092 
1,067 
3,188 
1,216 
6,277 
2,315 
1,624 
1,1.33 
4,.622 
10,775 
3,4:i9 
4.392 
1,218 



49,892 51,529 55,233 



No. 2.— CENSUS OF 1875— STATISTICS OF CHURCHES. 



Sauatog^ Covxty, 



Afiican Methodist Episcopal... 

Baptist 

Christian Cotinection 

Congrt'gatiunal 

Frce-Will Baptist 

Friends 

Methoiiist Ejiiscopal 

Methodist Protestant 

Presbyterian 

Protestant EpiscojHll 

Reformed Cliureh in America.. 

Knman Cathidic 

Union 

United Methodist Free Clinrch 

United Prcsbyteiian 

Universalist 

Total 



Organiza- 
tions. 



Nitmber, 

1 
21 

8 

1 

1 

2 
.37 

2 
17 
11 

4 

8 

1 

1 

1 

1 



Knmher. 

1 
21 

7 

1 

1 

1 
30 

2 
17 
11 

4 

8 

1 

1 

1 

1 



Sittings. 


Member- 
ship. 


Number. 


Numb'r. 


350 


126 


6,900 


2,465 


1,075 


367 


260 


48 


260 


33 


450 


105 


12,025 


3,920 


460 


70 


0,125 


1,646 


3,i'.60 


1,102 


1,600 


397 


3,846 


6,960 


200 


iO 


260 




■.',:,i\ 


176 


300 




38,080 


17,483 



Clinrch 
Edifices, 
with Lots. 



Dollars. 
5,01X1 

147,900 
10,7.'iO 
3,500 
3,IKI0 
1,000 

265,500 
1,800 

234,000 

113,000 
37,(H)0 

131,(X)0 

1,000 

5,000 

4,000 

800 



904,250 



Other Real 
Estate. 



Dollars. 



16.000 

1 .500 

1,500 

600 

27,950 

28,0<)6 

19,300 

6,000 

16,600 



1,500 



Annual 

Amount paid for 

Salaries of 

Cleigy. 



Dollars, 

8oO 

12,255 

1,7.50 

350 

100 



19,830 
1,50 

16,0.50 
7. .525 
3,600 
5,-00 

600 
1,000 



132 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



No. 3.— CENSUS OF 1875— NUMBEll OF FARMS AND THEIR SIZE. 



Saratoov County. 



Ball«tnn 

Charlton 

Clifton Piirk....:.. 

Corinth 

Day 

Ediulmrgh 

Galway 

Grppritield 

II:irll..V 

Ilair-JIoopi 

Malta 

Milton 

Moffan 

Northumlierlanil 

Pi-ovidenCL* 

Sarato^'a 

Saratoga Springa. 

StillwatiT 

Waterford 

■VVilton 

Total 



or all ' Under .1 
Sizes Acres. 



\'uwhfr. 
■iai 
24!) 
291 
ISO 
102 
li27 
34U 
463 
16(1 
252 
2:16 
273 
285 
223 
192 
285 
141 
289 
48 
247 



4795 



Number. 

4 

10 

1 

2 

1 
20 
4:i 
23 

30 
16 
60 

1 

5 
12 

3 

6 

3 
13 



Sand 
under 10. 



Xvmber. 
28 



7 

6 

1 

9 
13 
19 

4 
26 
27 
15 
30 
11 
12 
29 
11 
29 

9 
18 



10 and 
under 20. 



Number. 
25 
20 



2 

6 
20 
23 

3 
21 
19 
2(1 
11 
21 

9 
28 

7 
11 
11 
17 



20 and 
undergo. 



Number. 
53 
.31 
40 
28 
19 
26 
61 
70 

4 
38 
31 
62 
23 
34 
35 
32 
34 
39 

8 
31 



50 and 
under 100. 



Number. 
72 
96 
67 
44 
58 
75 

1(19 

167 
39 
78 
52 
90 
67 
66 
64 
67 
.35 
75 
17 
76 



100 and 500 and 
under 500. | under 1000. 

I 



I^vmher. 

71 

82 
107 

89 

78 
106 
127 
138 

86 

89 

77 

80 

88 

9(1 

60 
117 

49 
129 



lOOOand 
over. 



No. 4.— CENSUS OF 1875— STATISTICS OF FARMS. 



Saratoga County. 



Baliston 

Charlton 

Clifton Park 

Corinth 

Day 

Edinburgh 

Galway 

Greenfield 

Hadley 

Half-Moon 

Malta 

Miltun 

Moreau 

Northumberland.. 

Providence 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs.. 

Stillwater 

Watc-rford 

Wilton 



Area of Land in Farms. 



Improved. 



Total.. 



Acre.1. 
14,979 
15,527 
23,159 
12,438 

9,534 
16,8:17 
22,284 
27,955 

9,7:i7 
17,617 
13,903 
18,192 
lS,9a6 
15,902 

8,920 
10,:!41 
11,127 
21,693 

3,204 
16,950 



Unimproved. 



Wood- 
land. 



A errs. 
2,041 
2,820 
3,778 
8,698 
9,416 

15,064 
3,479 
7,997 
3,995 
2,113 
1,996 
1,509 
3,083 
2,924 
9,980 
2,3:;8 
1,709 
2,542 
315 
3,495 



Other. 



Acres. 

436 

1,890 

222 

15,423 
312 

10,461 
2,042 
1,993 
3,765 
1,151 
1.110 
l,2:i4 
1,677 
1,515 
8,261 
1,720 
3,069 
1,205 



1,550 



Present Cash Valuf. 



Of Farms. 



Dollars. 

I,0:i4,6a5 

1,155,140 

2,070,660 

403,860 

237,260 

438,705 

1,108,315 

1,223.300 

242,290 

1,827,200 

l,141,:i00 

1,287,050 

1,106,934 

1,221,905 

258,600 

1,814,390 

1,054,000 

1,897,875 

361,480 

943,468 



Of Farm 

Buildings „f „ , 
other than I "> »">'=''■ 
Dwellings. 



Dollars. 

263,126 

2:18,125 

316,.540 

71,056 

38,460 

72,3:i5 

186,905 

184,405 

44,526 

280,760 

138,210 

18:!.800 

120,150 

206,485 

44,045 

240,7:i5 

117,010 

260,830 

44,075 

131,725 



317,201 89,192 69,026 20,834,667 3,153,881 2,229,452 820,492 15,758 1,708,738 

I 



Dollars. 

148,020 

147,866 

168,401 

62,903 

66,765 

84,369 

165,340 

102,667 

51,217 

162,706 

99.068 

128,.")40 

102,951 

127,4:!4 

45,766 

169.205 

67,.575 

185,6:11 

25,675 

80,839 



Of Tools 

and 
Imple- 
ments. 



Dollars. 
70,471 
53,528 
$4,405 
18,210 
12.238 
18,700 
40,l:J9 
63,977 
14,321 
62,769 
33,280 
49,380 
49,304 
39,(J98 
12,280 
66,185 
24.518 
64,331 
12,739 
40,026 






Dollars. 

416 

307 

979 

183 

37 

380 

1,901 

1,322 

210 

441 



1,288 

604 

1,309 

465 

1,230 

2,022 

1,156 

89S 

500 



00 s 

o a 
o 3 oo 






Dollars. 

120,977 
93,231 

173,962 
22,292 
15,896 
17,166 
72,742 
74J45 
26,1175 

162.177 
84,684 
71,820 
81,621 

131,646 
10,863 

179,644 
57,640 

180,136 
45,300 
80,241 



No. 5.— CENSUS OF 1875— STATISTICS OF FARMS.— Confiuiierf. 



Saratoga County. 



Baliston 

Cliarltun 

Cliltou Park 

Corinth 

Day 

Edinburgh 

Galway 

Greenfield 

Hadlev 

Half-Moon 

Malta 

Milton 

Moreau 

Northumberland 

Providence 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs. 

Stillwater 

Waterford 

Wilton 

Total 



Area Plowed. 



I 



In 1874. 



Acres. 
4,227 
3,984 
7,480 
2,113 
1,109 
1.651 
4.790 
4,668 
I,;il2 
6,222 
4,406 
4,2.50 
6,590 
6,743 
1,438 
5,849 
2,790 
7,167 
907 
5,834 



80,530 



Acres. 
4,278 
4,181 
6,902 
2,301 
1.147 
1,736 
5.000 
4,975 
1,480 
6,148 
4,477 
4,175 
5,228 
5,813 
1.519 
6,060 
2,610 
7 222 
'794 
5,871 



Grass Lands. 



Acres in Pasture. 



In 1874. 



Acres. 

4,629 
5,118 
6,297 
5,836 
4,321 
7,.515 
9,596 
12,869 
4,900 
3,921 
5,623 
5,9:)3 
9,689 
6,616 
4,291 
4.649 
2,774 
6,0:18 
807 
9,235 



Acres. 
4,817 
5,070 
5,515 
5,756 
4,:l.52 
7,513 
9,982 

12,907 
4,952 
3,982 
5,679 
6,021 

10,107 
5,4111 
4,264 
4,567 
2,980 
6,088 
836 
9,256 



Acres mown. 



In 1874. 



Acres. 
5,600 
5,634 
4,961 
3,368 
3,9.57 
6,981 
6,542 
7,289 
2,410 
4,586 
3,080 
3,603 
3,115 
3,954 
3,027 
5.487 
1,9,53 
5,429 
1,271 
1,936 



In 1875. 



Acres. 
5,722 
5,515 
4,996 
3,364 
3,996 
5,962 
6,500 
7,290 
2,426 
4,436 
3,622 
3,.578 
3,273 
3,8:i3 
3,020 
6,193 
1,872 
5,2:i2 
1,175 
1,918 



nay 

produced 
in 1874. 



Tons. 
6,150 
6,712 
6,871 
2,288 
2,868 
4,841 
6,025 
5,:i91 
1,736 
6,181 
4,1.62 
4,060 
3,271 
4,555 
1,947 
0,989 
2,062 
6,568 
1,595 
2,170 



85M22 



Grass Seed 
produced 
in 1874. 



Bushels. 
18 
52 
23 
12 



36 
10 



29 

2 

130 



Barley. 



In 1874. In 1875 



Acres. 

196 

114 

3 



Acres. 

131 

138 

2 



Produced 
in 1874. 



Bushels. 

7,S38 

2,S09 

12 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



133 



No. 6.— CENSUS OF 1875— STATISTICS OF FARMS.— C«»(V»nerf. 



Sakatooa Cou.vty. 



Ballston 

Charlton 

Clilton I'nik 

Corintli 

Day 

Edinburgh 

Galway 

Grepniield 

Hadlcy 

Half-Moon 

Malta 

Milton 

Moieau 

Northuniberlaiid.. 

Providence 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Spriug».. 

Stillwater , 

Waterlord 

Willon 



Buckwheat. 



Area. 



Acres. 
353 
5116 
392 
661 
289 
43U 
839 
890 
307 
226 
218 
757 
660 
425 
35* 
318 
378 
328 
21 
769 



Produced 
in 1874. 



1875. 



Acres. 

74 
272 

35 
608 

63 
541 

63 
804 
337 
247 
236 
023 
873 



417 
247 
221 
319 
5 
748 



Bvs'f's. 
7,139 
6,702 
4,631 
6,442 
4,315 
7,994 
12,469 
10,509 
3,958 
2,289 
1,767 
9,257 
6,281) 
6,188 
4,698 
3,463 
4,442 
2,996 
154 
8,266 



Indian Cons. 



Oats. 



112,737 



Acres. 

1,019 

1,039 

1,030 

6^0 

2.55 

363 

1,168 

1,3^7 

374 

1,032 

1,041 

1,183 

1,876 

1,364 

303 

1,363 

767 

1,481 

93 

1,785 



20,183 



1875. 



Acres. 

1,253 

1,22(1 

1.696 

846 

263 

370 

1,236 

1,.636 

387 

1,051 

1,054 

1,229 

1,84:) 

1,387 

321 

1,292 

767 

1,607 

96 

1,776 



Pnidni-ed 
In 1874. 



I 



BusfieJs. 
23,313 
26,686 
29,786 
16,140 

6,603 
10,102 
24,090 
28,885 

8,674 
24,088 
17.466 
24,994 
24,443 
26,096 

7,239 
26,103 
15,057 
24,794 

1,937 
26,044 



Acres. 
1,321 
1,623 
2,295 

434 

193 

391 
1,970 
1,343 

254 
l,87t 

979 
1,U6 

906 
1,608 

418 
1,800 

427 
2,249 

237 

892 



.A cres. 

1,417 

1,640 

2,505 

482 

206 

436 

2,089 

1,522 

322 

1,968 

1,066 

1,271 

1,053 

1,582 

401 

1,993 

418 

2,428 

260 

967 



Produced 
in 1874. 



Busfiels. 
48,921 
38,885 
49,074 

8,790 

4,295 
10,349 
49,177 
29,131 

6,257 
48,553 
20,391 
28,460 
21,701 
40,323 

9,747 
48,406 

8,435 
56,863 

6,660 
16,601 



549,813 



1874. 



Acres. 

466 

437 

3,008 

74 

13 

39 

364 

366 

50 

1,960 

1,301 

708 

1,479 

1,029 

17 

1,725 

755 

2,543 

210 

1,833 



18,357 



Acres. 
392 

300 

2,681 

42 

22 

27 

209 

263 

40 

1,769 

1.1.33 

446 

1,300 

1,070 



1,407 
6.37 

2,150 
180 

1,616 



Produced 

in 1874. 



Busheh. 
6,113 

6,197 

31,611 

907 

136 

410 

3,573 

3,004 

389 

23,868 

11,812 

5,927 

9,002 

9,.541 

190 

19.277 

6,764 

26,369 

2,791 

16,959 



No. 7. 


— CEN 


PUS 


OF 1875 


—STATISTICS OF 


FA EMS.— 


(Jojitiuued. 










SABAToa.\. County. 


SpRtNO Wheat. 


WiNTEB Wheat. 


C011?f SOWN 

FOR Fodder. 


Beans, 




Peas. 




Area. 


Produced 
in 1874. 

Bushels. 

46 

71 

255 

57 

"30 
90 

.!" 

"s'li 
10 

30 
55 
75 
86 


Area. 


Produced 
in 1874. 


Area. 


Produced 
in 1874. 


Area. 


Produced 
in 1874. 


1874. 


1875. 


1873. 


1874. 


1874. 


1875. 


1874. 


187.5. 


1874. 


1875. 


Ballston 


Acres. 
5 
4 
26 
5 

"4 

8 

"2 

k 
1 

4 

8 
10 
11 


Acres. 
1 
1 

3 
4 

"i 
i 

4 

5 
4 


Acres. 

344 

168 

37 

"89 
8 

"29 

104 

"17 

14 
3 

""5 


Acres. 

320 

111 

43 

"62 
5 
1 
6 
28 

113 
3 
9 

"25 

10 

6 

...„ 


Bmhels. 

5,412 

1,730 

532 

i',doi 

106 

"364 

1,142 

40 

5 

"265 
214 
42 

"'eo 

10,916 


Acres. 

15 

19 

44 

2 

i 

1 

21 

95 

2 

9 

9 
92 
33 
14 

9 

9 
69 
10 

2 
33 


Acres. 

11 

18 

39 

5 

26 
64 

2 

6 

7 
62 
17 

8 

5 

6 
56 

7 

24 


Acres. 

3 

8 
11 

3 
12 

8 

9 
14 

8 

fi 

2 
20 

3 
16 

2 

6 

4 

3 

9 


Acres. 

16 
16 

4 
15 
13 

5 
11 



5 

1 
14 
11 

9 

5 

7 

8 

3 

1 
10 


Bvsliels. 

74 

71 
124 

39 

75 

91 
107 
142 

95 

96 

27 
185 

41 
l.?0 

19 

31 

72 
5 

"74 


Acres. 

3 

26 

8 

"3 

is 

4 

1 

6 

3 

2 

3 
32 

1 
12 

1 

9 

9 

3 


Acres. 

2 

24 

3 

"5 

4 
12 

6 

2 
32 

4 

4 

8 
29 

I 

7 

1 
17 

9 

7 


Buslieh. 

76 

499 

91 

"36 

3i'2 

58 
8 

92 

70 

29 

55 

710 

8 

175 

20 
167 
175 

93 




Clitton Park 




Diiy 








HadlfV 




Malta 
















Waterfurd 


Wilton 




Total „ 


93 


27 


864 


822 


775 


489 


.';42 


146 


160 


1498 


138 


171 


2673 



No. 8.— CENSUS OF 1875— STATISTICS OF TAnUS.—Coutiimefl. 



Sar.^toga County. 



B«ll«ton , 

Cliarltim 

Clifton Park 

Coriuth 

Day 

Edinburgh 

Galway 

Greenfield 

Hadley 

Hulf-Moon 

Malta 

Milton , 

Moreau 

Nortliumberland. 

Providence , 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs. 

Stillwater 

Wiitorlord 

Wilton 

Total 





Dors. 






Potatoeb. 






Tobacco. 




Apple Orchards 




Area. 




Area. 




Area. 














Produced 
in 1874. 




Produced 
in 1874. 




Produced 
in 1874. 


Trees. 


Frnit 

Produced 

1874. 


Cider 














1874. 


1874. 


1875. 




1874. 


1875. 




1874. 


1S75. 


















Sf/wflre 


Square 










A cres. 


Acres. 


Pounds. 


Acres. 


Acres. 


Bm'iels 


Jltids. 


Hods. 


Pounds. 


Kumber. 


Bushels. 


Barrels. 








594 


796 


61,076 


] 


27,671 


76,981 


702 


ii 


iii 


5,950 


424 


516 


36,828 




10,985 


23,572 


2004 








1,646 


1,810 


131,133 


240 2670 


33,145 


51,175 


1360 








293 


344 


22,961 




10,606 


4,213 


126 








193 


220 


17,103 






11,749 


2,687 


85 


... 






262 


292 


25,690 






13,499 


3,176 


70 


10 


19 


4,623 


388 


417 


33,811 








14,406 


10,013 


382 








559 


634 


42,789 








22,607 


15,215 


4.56 




.... 




229 


239 


16.953 









12,193 


3,482 


72 




.... 




1,378 


1,563 


114,731 








24,220 


3;i,040 


654 








817 


946 


66,.679 








16,293 


21,026 


333 


6 


13 


1,050 


485 


560 


36.923 








22,381 


19.693 


542 


4 


4 




477 


547 


32,597 








9,948 


10,512 


304 




.... 




1,159 


1,361 


102,116 








9,911 


8,143 


281 








226 


245 


17,009 








2,631 


8.62 


4;) 








1,769 


1,969 


161,432 








18,768 


25,944 


711 








398 


405 


27,712 








9,698 


6,666 


176 








1,518 


1,780 


134,525 








24,010 


30,063 


719 








266 


258 


17,380 








2,727 


3,098 


43 




.... 




608 


714 


40,207 








17,356 


14,992 


652 


31 


49 

• 


11,623 


13,578 


15,602 


. 1,125,455 


240 




2670 


322,705 


364,443 


9714 



134 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



No. 9.— CENSUS OF 1875— STATISTICS OF FARMS.— C-in/inwerf. 



Saratooa CovNxr. 



BftllstoD 

Cliarlton 

Clifton Park 

Corinth 

Day 

Edinburgh 

Galway 

Grepnfielil 

Iladh-y 

Half Moon 

Malta 

Milton 

Morcau 

Nortliulnbei'land . 

Providenue 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs . 

Stillwater 

Waterford 

Wilton 



Grapes. 



Fruit pro- 
duced in 
1S74. 



PoitiuU. 

l.iO 

l,5i!() 

3,7i5 

Ciri 

M 

675 

22 

4,1(15 

375 

6.)0 

725 

1,7.')2 

2,485 

1111 

185 

4,385 

2,540 

3G 



125 



23,070 



Wine 

made il 
1874. 



GaUons. 

12 

111 

17 



3 

12 



6 
34 

4 
30 



35 
3 
67 



MAplk-Sugah. 



Sugar 

made in 

1875. 



Pounds. 

52 

13 

25 

1,395 

10,073 

24,241 

130 

2,270 

3,4:i8 



42,177 



Syrup 

mitde in 

1875. 



Gallmia. 

66 

54 

14 

147 

268 

300 

265 

243 

166 



13 

7 

10 
71 

6 
11 

2 



HoXEY 

COLLECTED 
IN 1874. 



Potmtls. 
1,090 
2,144 
28i; 
845 
4.50 
610 



2,111 

607 

650 

100 

106 

1,300 

2,670 

237 

1,233 

1,421 

9.15 

50 

1,610 



Horses on Farms, 
June 1, 1875. 



Colts of 
1875. 



Colts of 
1874. 



Number. 
19 
31 
23 
26 
16 
26 
26 
H 
14 
18 

9 
24 
31 
22 
15 
16 
17 
33 

5 
14 



Nttmber. 
13 
40 
38 
16 
18 
27 
23 
34 
22 
28 
10 
25 
30 
27 
23 
27 
27 
34 
10 
17 



489 



Two 

Years 

old and 

over. 



Ktn)ib''i 
.646 
018 
703 
266 
192 
290 
076 
723 
165 
665 
409 
.552 
435 
497 
236 
666 
286 
710 
104 
404 



Mules 

ON 

Farbis, 

June 1, 

1876. 



Number. 
16 



6 
14 
1 
4 
3 



70 



Value 
owned 
in 1875. 



Dollars. 
3,606 
4,073 
5,343 
1,616 

808 
1,.536 
3,512 
6,040 
1,305 
5,026 
3,394 
3,654 
4,072 
3,682 
1,402 
4,731 
1,720 
5,133 

821 
3,930 



64,370 



Value sold 

in 1874. I 



Dollars. 
1,.628 
2,364 
3,708 
1,164 

442 

936 
1,515 
3,247 
1,117 
3,218 
1,762 
2,092 
2,414 
2.685 
1,118 
2,804 

914 
3,860 

412 
2,449 



Value of 

Eg'^8 sold 

in 1874. 



Dnllare. 
2,924 
3,9S7 
4,349 
1,70:» 

566 
1,473 
4,547 
6,265 

556 
.3,954 
3,342 
4,028 
3,205 
3,824 
1,564 
3,014 
1,110 
3,492 

278 
3,962 



58,143 



No. 10.— CENSUS OF 1S75— STATISTICS OF FARMS.— CV,«(,n»crf. 



Saratoga CotJNTV. 



Ballston 

Charlton 

Clifton Park 

Corinth 

l^iy 

Edinburgh 

GalWiiy 

Greenfield 

Hadlev 

Half-Moon 

Malta 

Milton 

Moreau 

Northumberland 

Providence 

Saratoga..., 

Saratoga Springs. 

Stillwater 

Waterford 

Wilton 

Total 



Neat Cattle on Fakms, June 1, 1875. 



Two 

Years 
old. 



Number. 
129 
14! 
171 
104 

96 
100 
122 
183 
127 

96 
132 

87 
118 
101 

72 
133 

46 
171 

12 

86 



Tear- 
lings. 



Numbrr. 
140 
181 
102 
144 
121 
131 
148 
194 
126 
100 
128 
120 
129 
134 

83 
161 

78 
167 

24 



Number. 
108 
240 
191 
147 
107 
143 
210 
284 
116 
116 
178 
170 
158 
169 

94 
179 

79 
201 

21 

85 



Bulls 
of all 
Ages. 



Work- 
ing 

0.\en 
and 

Steers. 



Number. 
103 
113 

76 

61 

27 

.53 
118 

42 

58 

47 

82 

68 

96 
122 

49 

84 

36 
102 

16 

57 



Number 

lOO 

80 

62 

60 

308 

SCO 

64 

86 

161 

76 

40 

86 

16 

89 

101 

115 

16 

98 

14 

20 



2237 2639 3056 1409 2070 14,969 14,979 1684 



Milch Cows, 
Average Num- 
ber KEPT. 



Nutiiber. 

980 

1,028 

1,139 

490 

458 

054 

1,029 

1,144 

302 

843 

725 

913 

606 

838 

391 

924 

472 

1,098 

173 

682 



Number. 

987 
1,083 
1,142 

444 

441 

6;tl 
1,070 
1,144 

3811 

851 

714 

913 

667 

826 

368 

910 

683 
1,107 

174 

548 



Number. 
30 
99 
91 
81 
67 
73 
80 
95 
63 
711 
60 

232 
67 
98 
30 

130 
35 

133 

4 

52 



Dairy Products. 



Cows whose Milk 
was sent to Fac- 
tory. 



Number. 
107 

22 



187 
44 



Number. 
15 



141 
26 



Butter 

made in 

Families, 

1874. 



Pounds. 
89,886 

103,069 
95,941 
43,482 
39,405 
07,179 

108,602 
94,703 
37,830 
98,900 
66,036 
84,244 
68,063 
89,220 
32,319 
t.7,3«3 
16,261 

108,407 
11,470 
60,460 



Cheese 

made in 

Families, 

1874. 



Pounds. 

760 
3,200 
9,266 
1,046 

100 
2,626 
1,106 

890 

210 
1.416 
5,393 

7,065 
390 
450 
300 
300 

6,460 



182 1,403,779 41,694 288,236 



Milk 
sold in 
Market, 

1S74. 



Gallons. 

16,783 

294 

1,1011 

21 Kl 

2(10 

495 
15,999 

".5.890 

13,004 

98,104 

8,280 

6,865 

"l,175 
74.126 
14,722 
13,620 
14,329 



No. 11.— CENSUS OF 1875— STATISTICS OF FARMS.— Coiilwued. 



Saratoga County. 



Ballston 

Charlton 

Cliflon Park 

Corinth 

Day 

Edinburgh 

Galwav 

Greenfield 

Hiidley , 

Half-Moon 

Malta 

Milton 

Moieau 

Northumberland. 

Providenca 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs 

Slillwater 

Walerford 

Wilton 

Total 



Number Sliorn. , Weight of Clip. Lambs rai.scd. 



Number 

787 

2,402 

1,499 

1 ,040 

1,016 

1,075 

1,987 

1,687 

637 

1,390 

762 

512 

894 

2,104 

.536 

2,908 

189 

2,788 

41 

825 



Number. 
962 

1,878 
864 
846 
916 

1,947 
614 

1,346 
007 

1,681 
7.53 
469 
789 
699 
470 

2,971 
224 

2,931 

4i 

002 



1874. 



25,879 21,902 



Pounds. 
3,542 
9.B73 
6,768 
3,823 
3,8118 
7,230 
8,037 
6,311 
2,423 
5,620 
3,201 
2,277 
4,0« 
9,307 
2.128 

14,244 
860 

13,686 

150 

3,538 



1875. 



110,.556 



Pounds. 
4,248 
7,794 
3,443 
.3,177 
3,280 
7,207 
2,689 
6,287 
2,322 
6,974 
3,211 
2,161 
3,372 
3,183 
1,877 
14,698 

958 
14,029 

194 
3,803 







1874. 


1876. 


iVwni6er. 


Number. 


511 


688 


1,400 


1,468 


1,149 


920 


696 


478 


601 


518 


704 


807 


1,177 


1,223 


920 


799 


351 


.329 


1,128 


1,210 


562 


503 


320 


266 


488 


426 


236 


1,161 


268 


226 


1,807 


1,801 


160 


174 



1,602 

36 

515 



14,420 



1,635 
43 
506 



15,120 



A'umber. 

34 
135 
119 
202 
176 
136 
125 

90 

31 

64 

24 

35 

50 
100 

43 

96 

36 

84 

60 



Numlier. 
20 
86 
63 
33 
13 
71 
30 
78 
42 
37 
8 
19 
17 
23 
40 
16 
20 
16 
3 
8 



Swine. 



On Farms, 
June 1, 1876. 



Pigs of 
1875. 



Number. 

644 

7S6 
1208 

1.50 
08 

106 

549 
•491 

123 

751 

479 

612 

476 

464 

170 

877 

441 
10.32 

102 

302 



Pigs of 

1874 

and 

older. 



Number. 

475 

830 

1310 

136 

83 
142 
974 
2.59 

72 
381 
777 
614 
.316 
288 
204 
721 
236 
1218 
130 
323 



5S« 



765 
1,116 
206 
121 
180 
735 
519 
113 
l,nl4 
577 
461 
320 
580 
144 
807 
337 
1,127 
136 
205 



5 



Pounds. 

160,068 

159,892 

211,638 

50,.586 

31,706 

5(1,029 

157.309 

128,057 

27,6.55 

205,071 

123,836 

114.064 

79,140 

141.4114 

36,469 

177,984 

87,860 

218,128 

25,994 

77,665 



10,383 2,266,524 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



135 



No. 12.— CENSUS OF 187.')— NUMBER AND VALUE OF DWELLINGS. 



Saratog.k Coustt. 


NUUBER OF 


Dwellings. 




Valoe of 


DWELLIKdS. 


NuMBEB OP Dwellings vaiued at 


"3 


E 
2 


•3 

■s 


9 

c 

O 




3 


0/' 

s 

1 


1 

n 


i 

1 


8> 




-8 


1. 




IS 

si 


lo- 
ll 

1" 


OD 

H 

•Go 

5 5 

S- 

No. 

'? 
3 

1 

1 
1 

""i 
3 

28 
1 

38 
3 
6 

"22 

277 

9 

02 

1 

479 


a 

1. 

S'S 

r 

6 

"l8 
1 

"i'2 
218 

1 
20 

282 


1 

-tc 

"3 

>■ 

No. 

9 

3 

13 

" "3 
1 

"i 

;;;■• 

"42 

...„ 

80 
2 
20 

187 




No. 
418 
330 
560 
355 
226 
310 
461 
602 
188 
047 
205 

1,081 
492 
341 
257 
816 

2,080 
653 
742 
292 

11,106 


No. 
401 
317 
634 
346 
195 
293 
456 
569 
181 
002 
269 

1,024 
460 
333 
263 
760 

1,087 
611 
070 
278 


No. 
15 
12 
20 

""i 

6 
10 

■'36 
5 

50 

25 

7 

1 

55 

385 

41 

63 

12 


No. 
2 
1 

"i 

9 

1 

7 

1 

"s 
1 

i 


No. 

"9 
30 
15 

'9 

7 

i 

3 
1 

... 

i 


Dollars. 
06;,130 
304,475 
482,440 
213,820 
92.010 
209,005 
365,200 
4.35,070 
13l,4:i0 
888,220 
229,800 

1,786.830 

470,375 

344,920 

80,470 

1,271,300 

11,161,430 

788,425 

769,420 

243,900 


Dollnrs. 
673,780 
282,726 
439,940 
213,070 
90,515 
206,046 
344,200 
326,.585 
131,070 
760,270 
219,.500 

1,581,830 

405,775 

326,870 

79,920 

1,0.63,150 

4,979,380 
716,725 
416,320 
212,800 


DoUarg. 
85,360 
21,.500 
42,500 


Dollars. 

6,000 

260 


Doh 

...... 

760 
1496 


No. 
1 
3 
1 

1 

13 

6 

"i 

3 
2 

"i 

4 
1 


No. 

" "o 

I 

24 

15 

4 

10 

3 

6 

5 

5 

8 

6 

34 

5 

1 

7 

2 


No. 
21 
40 

103 
SI 
60 
66 
80 

120 
28 
55 
37 
43 
30 
32 
97 
40 
20 
69 
13 


No. 
136 
129 
213 
197 
94 
146 
223 
341 
116 
242 
127 
424 
206 
107 
113 
310 
290 
221 
155 


No. 

127 

102 

152 

.67 

19 

61 

118 

85 

19 

ISO 

64 

346 

144 

87 

11 

225 

688 

199 

229 

98 

2919 


No. 

101 
46 
60 
11 
4 
17 
35 
11 
12 

Vil 
31 

204 
67 
41 

"ioi 

699 

141 

228 

19 

1944 


Chill Itoti 

Clifton Park 




I>,iv 








2,5(ro 
11,00(1 
20,850 








"89,050 


185 
300 

"iM 
150 
50 

"loij 


Oreenfiflil 


Hiidley 

Half-Moon 


114,100 

9,100 

183,500 

03,000 

17,000 

400 

218,100 

0,1'"^,250 

06,700 

353,100 

29,600 


13.850 
1,200 

21,500 
1,000 


Miilta 


Milton 














69,800 
5,000 

1,500 




Wjitertbrd 


Wilton 






Total 


10,244 


750 


35 


76 


20,923,870 


13,369,470 


7,361,950 


198,160 


4300 


62 


153 











No. 13.-CENSUS OF 1875— STATEMENT SHOWING THE PUBLIC DEBT EXISTING JUNE 1, 1875. 



Saratoga County. 



County proper 

Cltftou l*urk 

Edinliui'gh 

Gill way 

Bloreau 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs 

Stillwater 

Waterford 

Ballston Spa ( Villase) 

Saratoga Springs (Village), 

Total debt 



Assessed 
Valuation. 



$714,329 
108,011 
413,677 
327,982 

1,104,670 

2,.652,240 
770,035 

1,009,348 



Indebted- 
ness. 



$28,000 

1,200 

1,800 

1,900 

500 

100,000 

190.525 

6,000 

40,000 

91,000 

324,200 



$786,726 



Aid of 
Railroads. 



$100,000 



Purposes for which created. 



War and 
Bonnlies. 



$28,000 
1,200 
1,800 
1,900 



44,825 
6,000 



Bridges, 
Sewers, 
Docks, 
Highways, 
and Water- 
supply. 



$500 
30,700 



91, OIK) 
314,200 



Conrt- 
Honses, 
Jails, PnOIir 
Oflic IP, and 
Town- 
Halls. 



$115,000 
40,000 



Other Pur- 
poses and 

imli-finitety 
returned. 



$10,000 



The census of 1875 has no report from Hie town of Milton. The other towns and villages not named in the above table were free from debt in 1875: Ballston, 
Cliailt.m, Corinth, Day, Greenfield, Hadlt-y, Half-Moon, Malta, Northumberland, Providence, Wilton, and the incorporated villages, Galway, Schuylerville, 
Meclianicville, Stillwater, Victory, Mills, and Waterford. 

No. 14.— STATISTICS OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1877.- FIRST COMMISSIONER DISTRICT. 



Saratoga County, Fikst District. 



Ballston 

Charlton 

Clifton Park 

Galway , 

Half-Moon.., 

Malta 

Milton 

Providence.. 
Stillwater.... 
Waterford... 

Total.... 



11 
9 
16 
14 
12 
8 
13 
10 
13 
2 



106 



a 




« 
















S 
fl 




— -o 






gS 





S » 


M 




U 


-IS, 





^-M 


°-^ 


u 
















£" 


s 


E 


^ 


fa 


>5 


509 


1 




446 




.... 


812 


1 


16 


648 


1 


9 


932 


1 


14 


461 


.... 


.... 


1762 


1 


20 


320 




.... 


1123 


.... 




1431 


2 


18 


8194 


7 


71 



Number of Children 
attending school 
during the year, 



370 

333 
582 
523 
688 
327 
1245 
2.37- 
822 
774 



= H 



3 

3 

19 

6 

17 

14 

28 

7 



14 



373 
3.36 
601 

628 
706 
341 
1273 
214 
828 
788 



0017 



District 

LiDRARIEg. 



391 

390 
070 
580 
375 
338 
791 
637 
869 
1502 



^^ 



$93 

145 

08 

00 

136 

123 

322 

145 

278 

1472 



$2842 



SCIIOOL-HOVSES. 

















CO 


2 




1 




6 




6 




3 




1 


2 


4 


1 


4 


.... 


26 


3 



o - 

"5 ** 



$750 

545 
1,390 

700 
1,676 

610 
6,620 

110 
2,175 
3,100 



$17,535 



$4,375 
5,30tl 
6,990 
6,.556 
0,075 
3,.550 

27,705 
1,876 

10,060 

19,100 



$92,236 



$706,793 
373.180 
073,640 
408,466 
528,796 
460,078 
621,175 
60,830 
741,800 
919,549 



$8,490,200 



136 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUiNTY, NEW YORK. 



No. 15.— STATISTICS OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER .30, 1877.— SECOND COMMISSIONER DISTRICT. 



S VRATOQA COUSTY, SECOND DISTRICT. 



Coriiitli 

Day 

Kiliiibiir^h 

Greenfield 

Iliulley 

Moreau 

Northiimberlanil .. 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs.. 
Wilton 



12 

11 
1-2. 
22 
G 
12 
12 
12 



634 
61U 
506 
9:i4 
274 
SIB 
491 
1472 
3ll8:i 
390 



&■ 2 



31 
60 



ClIILUREN ATTEND- 
ING SCHOftl. DDRING 

THE Year. 



DiBTRICT 

Libraries. 



5o 



420 
370 
376 
713 
239 
631 
414 
1199 
2040 
329 



2« 



431 

385 
383 
722 
239 
644 
441 
1249 
20C0 
339 



380 
225 
273 
864 
117 
6.52 
677 
381 
1510 
210 



S7o 
80 
100 
201 
25 
178 
158 
289 
16.i9 
5U 



9122 12 290 , 6737 150 6893 5289 $2801 107 14 2 123 $41,143 $96,185 $6,780,970 
I I ■ 



School-Houses. 



360 

291 
870 
412 
730 
920 
2,375 
33,975 
410 



$4,450 
3,105 
3,440 
7,230 
2,350 
6,250 
3,460 



$211, 
78, 
100, 
490, 
70, 
295, 
600, 



26,750 1,080, 

36,300 2,645, 

2,900 302, 



,274 
,054 
,333 
,967 
,4.50 
,008 
,885 
151 
,534 
,314 



No. 16.— CENSUS OF 1875— WHERE BORN, IN CERTAIN SELECTED COUNTIES, STATES, AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



Inhabitants 



Saratoga Countt. 



Ballston 

Cliarltori 

Clifton Park 

Corinth 

Day 

Eiiinburgh 

Galway 

Greenfield 

Hadl-y 

Half-Moon 

Malta 

Milton 

Morean 

Noi'thnnihertand. 

Providence 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs. 

Srillwater 

Waterford 

Wilton 

Total 



1,932 
1,5SC 
2,495 
1,059 
1,199 
1,481 
1,941 
2,690 
1,063 
3,176 
1,214 
6,340 
2,315 
1,622 
1.132 
4,500 
10,730 
3,434 
4,380 
1,218 



Born in the United States. 



Born in the State. 



1,633 
1,411 

2,230 
1.531 
1,143 1 
1,448 j 
1,000| 
2,468 
949 1 
2,760 
1,076 
4,399 
1,993 
1,481 
1,003 
3,601 
8,004 
2,896 
3,197 
1,165 



1,541 
1,360 
2,158 
1,444 
1,085 
1,354 
1,588 
2,291 
881 
2,624 
1,040 
3,987 
1.877 
1,416 
1,011 
3,373 
7,4:57 
2,771 
2,946 
1,104 



1,106 

992 
1,.644 
1,1351 

921 
1,036 
1,108 
1,784 

028 
1,894 

880 
2,990 
1,121 
1,190 

808 
2,402 
5,074 
1,070 
1,781 

776 



247 
280 
462 
211 
130 
239 
289 
240 
196 
546 
98 
615 
634 
254 
101 
793 
1412 
570 
883 
261 



162 

98 

28 

79 

131 

266 

611 

184 

62 

370 

122 

72 

42 

178 

961 

219 

281 

78 



Born in 



X-i 



1 

2 
3 
6 
6 
3 
2 

'I 
11 

4 

2 

9! lO'i 

8| 4.' 



£ s 



20 

3 

9 

14 

9 

24 

16 

31 

12 

34 i 28 

Hi 7 

123 

26 



55,137 46,670 43,289 31,200 8523 3566 87 17711027 675 101 351 173 143 653 8461 1020,1149 663 6196 260 183 









ce 


c 


s 




s 


t-1 




e 






















c 


* 


a 










tn 


o 


X 


(^ 


10 


19 


6 


2 


1 


5 


5 


5 




6 


8 


4 


3 


11 


4 


3 




9 


6 




6 


8 


4 


2 


2 


16 


4 


4 


13 


13 


9 


7 




1 


2 






5 


10 


's 




7 






4 


55 


23 


24 


2 


8 


2 


9 


1 


4 


2 


3 


3 


8 


1 


3 


24 


9 


16 


4 


16 


122 


49 


48 


2 


12 


10 


6 


8 


2S 


12 


11 


6 


5 


1 


143 


101 


351 


173 



Born in Foreign Countries. 



299 
175 
205 
128 

50 

33 i 
281 
232 
114 
426 
139 
950 
322 
141 

69 
908 
2132 
639 
1189 

63 



"3 



16 
63 
66 
16 

"2 
80 
37 

1 
25 

1 
86 

3 
13 

i'o 

183 1441 
16 412 
40 608 
10 28 









9 


5 


12 


3 


6 


8 


3 


3 


2 


5 


19 


22 


3 


10 


4 


2 


9 


7 


2 


1 


34 


14 


9 


4 


4 


7 




1 


28 


4 


49 


57 


10 


6 


48 


23 




1 


!60 


183 



No. 17.— CENSUS OF 1875-CIVlL OR CONJUGAL CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 



S\RATOGA COI'NTV. 



Ballston 

Charlton 

Clifton Park 

Corinth 

Day 

Edinburgh 

Galway 

Greenfield 

Hadlev 

Half-Moon 

Malta 

Milton 

Moreatl 

Northnnilierland. 

Providence 

Saratoga 

Saratoga Springs. 

Stillwater 

Waterford 

Wilton 

Total 



Single. 



Native Foreign 
native. 3|,j,,| 



493 
487 
000 
434 
371 
397 
470 
703 
347 
840 
312 

1,330 
681 
417 
301 

1,111 

2,505 
934 

1,069 
329 



476 
385 
5811 
391 
276 
367 
495 
678 
270 
779 
285 

1,317 
580 
405 
201 

1,153 

2,602 
888 

1,029 
283 



14,181113,481) 1218 



Married. 



Widowed. 



Native Fn^eign 
native. j^jj,_^ 



2911 297 
476: 473 
156' 161 
486' 510 
208 1 209 
731 739 
319 325 
289) 297 
222) 225 
684 600 
1430 1607 
471 490 
458 477 



1139,8158 8402 276712552 



34 
137 
51 
299 
108 
60 
20 
256 

0,13' 693' 109 
ISO' 170 i 27 
3781 367 j 39 
25 22 20 



«""-■ ""^r 



Native *'<"''='8n 
native. jjg,.^ 



Married, whose husbands 
or wires do not appear in 
the returns in the srtnie 
families with thuinselveB. 



How Intermarried. 



Native. 



214 



Foreign. 



46 



Native Foreign 
Husband Husband. 



1 
1 

"4 

1 
6 

i 

1 
10 

15 
5 

5 



276 
222 
410 
303 
220 
302 
269 
441 
146 
456 
195 
059 
29' 
272 
209 
5J2 
1323 
4:18 
.389 
227 



7695 






81 

50 

72 

25 

11 

2 

76 

66 

30 

120 

44 

246 

91 

39 

16 

215 

504 

144 

304 

15 




B t; Frif, Tw. TT VI 



f i=: "ir Ifl , 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



137 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
REUBEN HYDE WALWORTH. 

Among tlic many distinguished jurists who graced the 
bench of the State of New York, during the pahuy days 
of its rapidly increasing jiiris]irudence, no name became 
more lii^e a honseliuld word on the lips of every lawyer in 
the land than that of Chancellor Walworth. 

Reuben Hyde Walworth was born on the 2Gth day of 
October, 1788, in Bozrah, Conn. He was the third son of 
Benjamin Walworth, the American branch of the Wal- 
worth family tracing its origin to the historic Walworth, 
the Lord Mayor of London, who slew the rebel Watt Tyler 
in the reign of Richard II. In ItiTl, William Walwortli, 
tlie ancestor of Benjamin Walworth, came from the city 
of London and settled on Fisher's island, afterwards re- 
moving to Now London. 

In the early part of the Revolutionary war, Benjamin 
Walworth, the chancellor's father, was ((iiartermaster of 
Colonel NichoU's New York Regiment in the service of the 
United States, and was acting adjutant-general of his regi- 
ment at the battle of White Plains. 

When the chancellor was four years of age his parents 
removed to Iloosick, N. Y., where he was occupied with 
the labors of the farm, receiving such education as was 
then afforded hj the excellent common schools of the period, 
together with much private instruction in his father's family. 
At the age of seventeen he commeneed the study of law, 
and at twenty was admitted to practice in the county court, 
and two years later in the Supreme Court of the State. 
He settled at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., in January, 1810, 
and in 1811 was appointed master in chancery and one of 
the county judges. In the War of 1812 he was an officer 
of volunteers, and at the siege of Plattsburg in 1814, was 
acting adjutant-general of the United States forces, on the 
staff of Major-General Mooers, taking an important part in 
the battle. He was a member of Congress from 1821 to 
182o, being appointed in the latter year one of the circuit 
judges of the State, by Governor Joseph C. Yates. Tiiis 
office he held for five years, in which he was noted for his 
prompt and fearless administration of the law both in the 
civil and criminal branches of his court. 

In 1828, Judge Walworth wa.s appointed chancellor of 
the State of New York. This office he held for twenty 
years, and until the new constitution of 1848 abolished the 
court of chancery. In the office of chancellor he greatly 
distinguished himself His decisions as chancellor are con- 
tained in eleven volumes of Paige's Reports and three of 
Barbour's Reports. The most of his opinions delivered in 
the court for the correction of errors, of which, as chancellor, 
he was the princip a- executive officer, were published iu 
Wendell's Reports, twenty-six volumes; Hill's Reports, 
seven volumes, and in the five volumes of Dino's Reports. 

The year he was appointed circuit judge, 1823, he re- 
moved, in October, to Saratoga Springs. He purchased at 
that time of Judge Walton, its first occupant and builder, 
what has since bt^en known as llie Walworth place of Pine 
Grove. In these early days it was much more secluded a 
18 



place than it now is, and was exceedingly beautiful. The 
railroad had not then marred its proportions, and a de- 
lightful wood, which bounded it on the rear, extended up 
westward beyond Matilda street, and to the Waterbury 
orchard and farm. Almost the entire block opposite was 
then used as a public park, and was the favorite resort for 
both the villagers and summer guest.s, which was known as 
Pine Grove, and was traversed by fine walks. It inclosed 
a ten-pin alley, which was much resorted to. Swings hung 
down between the tall ])ines in almost constant motion. In 
this grove the Indians sometimes encamped, offering for 
sale their manufactured wares, and shooting with bows and 
arrows to show their matchless .skill in archery. And here, 
too, the militia sometimes met on training days. 

In 1828 he removed to Albany. In that city he first 
occu]>ied a house in Park Place, near the academy, and af- 
terwards one on Wa.'^hington avenue, tiie present residence 
of Judge Amasa J. Parker. In 18:>i>, tiring of his city 
residence, he returned to his former home in Pine Gnjve, 
in Saratoga Springs, where he continued to reside until his 
death, which occurred on the 28th day of November, 18G6. 

Cliancellor Walworth, bef ire his death, had long been 
identified with the leading religious benevolent movements 
of the day. He was for many years president of the 
American Temperance Union, vice-president of the Tract 
Society and of the American Bible Society, and one of the 
corporate members of the American board of missionaries 
for foreign missions. 

Chancellor Walworth may justly be regarded as the great 
artisan of our equity laws. In some sense he was the 
Beiitham of America, without the bold speculations and 
fantastical theory which, to a certain extent, characterized 
the great English jurist. What Benlham did in removing 
the defects in English jnrisjirndence, Walworth did, in reno- 
vating and simplifying the equity laws of the United States. 
Before his dav the court of chancery in this State was a tri- 
bunal of very illy defined powers and uncertain jurisdiction, 
in a measure subservient to the English court of chancery 
in its procedure. 

Chancellor Walworth aboli.shed much of that stolidity, 
many of those prolix and bewildering formalities which 
had their origin in the rising Medijeval Ages, and reduced 
the practice of his court to certain standing rules, which 
he prepared with great industry. These rules greatly im- 
proved the old state of equity, and though he has been 
charged with thus blocking the court of chancery with 
expensive machinery, it cannot be gainsaid that with 
Chancellor Walworth equity was the sole spirit of law, 
creating positive and defining rational law, flexible in its 
nature and .suited to the fortunes, cares, and reciprocal 
complications of men.* 

While residing at Plattsburg, he married his first wife, 
whose maiden name was Maria Ketchum Avery. She 
was a lady of singular sweetness and benevolence of char- 
acter. With her husband at the time of their marriage 
she united herself to the comnjunion of the Presby- 
terian church, to which she always remained devotedly 
attached. She was gentle and pliable except where con- 

* See Reminiscences of Saratoga, by William L. Stone. 



138 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



science was concerned, when she was as iuiinovablc as a 
rock. With unbounded love for little children, she de- 
lighted to minister to their wants. Among the poor and 
sick she was a constant daily visitor. Not an urchin in 
the village, however ragged, whetlier wliite or black, but 
knew her like a book, and felt truly at home with her. 
By all classes, whether old or young, she was greatly be- 
loved. She died at Pine Grove on the 24tli day of April, 
1847. As a Christian, wife, mother, friend, and neighbor, 
she was a model in every relation of life. In the locality 
whore she so long lived, loved, and was beloved in turn, 
her memory is still tenderly cherished. 

By his first wife Chancellor Walworth had six children, 
of whom the four eldest are still living. His daughters 
were Sarah, now Mrs. DavLson ; Mary, now Mrs. Jenkins; 
iiliza, now Mrs. Bark\is; and one deceased. His sons 
were Rev. Clarence Walworth and Jlansfield Tracy Wal- 
worth. 

On the Ifith of April, 1841, Chancellor Walworth again 
married. His second wife was Sarah Ellen, daughter of 
Hoiace Sniith, of Locust Giove, and widow of Colonel 
Jdhn J. Hardin. She brought with her to Saratoga three 
young cliildren of her first marriage, two boys and a 
daughter, who is the present Mis. Ellen Hardin Walworth, 
who, with her i'amily of children, two sons and three 
daugliters, still occu]iies the family niansi(jn. The eldest 
daughter. Miss Nellie Hardin Walworth, at sixteen became 
the author of a work of much merit, entitled "An Old 
World as Seen through Young Eyes." The chancellor's 
second marriage, like his first, was eminently a happy one. 
The new wife was sweet and loving in her temper, and a 
woman of high refinement and culture. She brought with 
her to Pine Grove a style of southern hosjiitality which 
accorded well with her husband's disposition and .station in 
life. It was her pleasure to keep open house, and many 
more fiimiliar faces passed in and out than ever thought to 
ring the bell or wait in the parlors. She survived her hus- 
band only ten years, dying in the month of April, 1874. 

Few men have been more extensively known throughout 
the country than Chancellor Walworth. Perhaps no man 
indeed ever so well remembered his friends. He seemed 
never to forget fiices or names. After retiring from office, 
the study of genealogy became his peculiar hobby, and his 
chief relaxation and enjoyment. The result was the pub- 
lication of a volume entitled the " Hyde Genealogy," being 
that of his mother's family. It contains fourteen hundred 
and forty-six pages, in two large octavo volumes, and it is 
said to bo the largest account of a single family ever pub- 
lished. His body was interred in his family plot in Green- 
wich cemetery. This plot bad long been an object of his 
special care and interest. It was his custom for many 
years to go there on every Sunday morning before service, 
and when flowers were in bloom, to carry thither bouquets 
which he had gathered in his garden. His body now lies 
beside that of the wife of his youth, among the graves 
that he had so well cherished, and beneath the soil upon 
which he had so often scattered the roses of spring-time. 
The family mansion is still standing in the old grove, very 
little altered in external appearance since the day when 
the chancellor first came to the Springs. And now neither 



stranger nor villager ever sees him at work in his garden, 
or romping with his grandchildien under the pines. The 
magnet that drew thither so many feet is no longer there. 
The last of the chancellors of the State of New York is 
gathered to his rest. 

ESEK COW EN. 

Upon the pages of the ten thousand volumes of legal 
lore which crowd the book-shelves of the law^-ers of the 
New World and the Old, the name of Esek Cowen has 
long been the synonym for patient research and the most 
profound erudition. 

Esek Cowen's father, Joseph Cowen, was the son of 
John Cowen, a Scotch emigrant, who settled in Scituate, 
Mass., in 1G56. Esek was born in Rhode Island, Feb. 24, 
1784. His father removed, with his family, to Greenfield, 
this county, about 1793. A few years later he removed to 
Hartford, Washington county, where, during his early years, 
E.sek labored ujion his father's farm. The only educational 
advantages he ever enjoyed was six months' attendance in 
a neighborhood school. While pursuing his labors upon 
his father's farm he always had a book by his side, and 
while tending the lime-kiln would often read all night by 
its lurid fires. Thus, by persevering industry, he mastered 
classical and Eimiish literature. 

At an early age he turned his attention to the law. 
When but sixteen he entered the office of Roger Skinner, 
at Sandy Hill, continuing his studies later with Zebulon 
Shepherd. In 1810 he was admitted to the bar of the 
Supreme Court, and began the practice of his chosen pro- 
fession with Gardner Stowe, in Northumberland, in this 
county. Subsequently he formed a law copartnership with 
Wis.sell Gansevoort.* In 1812 he removed to Saratoga 
Springs. He rose rapidly in the legal ranks. In May, 
1824, he was appointed '• reporter in the Supreme Court 
and court of errors," holding the position until 1828, when 
he was appointed circuit judge by Governor Pitcher. His 
reports, embracing nine volumes, are justly prized by the 
profession. In 1835 he was appointed to the bench of the 
Supreme Court to fill the vacancy occasioned by the with- 
drawal of Judge Savage. Mr. Cowen continued in that 
office until his decease. In his early life he held the office 
of justice of the peace, and in 1821-1822 served as super- 
visor of Saratoga Springs. 

Previous to his elevation to the bench (1817) he formed 
a law copartnership with Judge William L. F. Warren, 
who had formerly been a student in his office. This part- 
nership continued until 1824. Subsequently he was asso- 
ciated for some years with Judiah Ellsworth. 

Besides his " Reports," the other works of his pen, which 
remain as a monument of his industry and genius, were a 
" Treatise on the Practice in Justices' Courts" and " Cowen 
and Hills' Notes on Phillips' Evidence," the latter of which 
represents eleven years' labor, and was published in 1839 
in four volumes. In the writing and compilation of the 
" Notes" he was assisted by Nicholas Hill, one of the most 
able lawyers the State ever produced. In these works 
were written those learned opinions which have since ren- 
dered Judge Cowen's name illustrious. 

■^ Beoch and Bar of Saratoga County, p. 26S. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



139 



After removing to Saratoga Springs he built the " stone 
house" on Congress street, which was for many years his 
residence. 

In 1811 he married a daughter of Sidney Berry. Their 
children were Susan Berry, Sidney Joseph, and Patrick 
Henry. Colonel Berry was the first surrogate of Saratoga 
County, and served as a colonel in the Continental army 
during the Revolution. " It was he who was detailed to 
receive, on the 30th of September, 1776, the messenger 
sent by Lord Howe to invite Dr. Franklin, John Adams, 
and Sir. Luttrage to a conference on Staten Island." * 

Judge Cowen was emphatically a self-made man. With 
an extremely limited common-school education, by his own 
efforts, stimulated by his energy and ambition, he rose to 
eminence. As a writer he was plain but accurate ; as a 
judge, "prompt, acute, learned, and upright." But it was 
as a jurist that he was best known. Of his opinions, which 
so eminently distinguished him as a jurist, it has been said 
that " in their depth and breadth of research, and their 
strength and rea.son of bearing, they are not excelled by 
those of any judge iu England or America." " His opu- 
lent mind, his love of research, caused him to trace every 
legal opinion to its fountain-head, to discover every varia- 
tion between apparently analogous precedents. . . . Like 
Lord Mansfield, to whom he has frequently been compared, 
he was accustomed, in the preparation of his opinions, to 
a liberal expenditure of mental capital, — an excess of in- 
tellectual labor which I'enders them the triumph of a great 
genius, impelled by an unprecedented industry." 

Judge Coweu's most maiked traits of character were those 
naturally resultant from his indomitable energy and remark- 
able powers of endurance. Possessed of a splendid consti- 
tution, " his athletic frame and fine muscular development" 
were often remarked. His phy.sical powers were enhanced 
by his abstemious habits, the rule of his life from a youth. 
He was one of the founders of the first temperance society 
in the United States, — that established at Northumberland 
in 1812. He was noted for his quickness of penetration, 
his force and oi'iginality of thought. Socially he was cheer- 
ful, often jocose. Intensely practical, he was not lacking in 
fine sensibility, or noble and generous actions. Material 
aid and kindly advice were never refused when needed, as 
many whom he started on the road to fame and fortune bear 
witness. The late Gideon M. Davison, on the occasion of 
his death, says, " He was my early friend and benefactor, — 
the one who, when I needed aid, kindly took me by the 
hand and led me through various trials, the one, in fact, 
who laid the foundation of all I have of earlhly posses- 
sions." He stood ever ready to aid all meritorious enter- 
prises; he gave the money (Dr. Clarke giving the land, 
and Judge Walton the timber) for the erection of Bethesda 
Episcopal chapel. His house, too, was the abode of kindly 
hospitality, where his genial manners, love of music, and 
rare poetic taste made him a delightful companion. He 
greatly delighted to hear and to sing certain plaintive 
Scotch ballads, among which " Bonny Doon" and " High- 
land Mary" were favorites. 

Judge Cowen is described as having been tall, — over six 

* Reminiscences of -Sarntoga, p. 360. 



feet high, — commanding of presence and bearing, but withal 
simple and unassuming in manner. His death occurred in 
the city of Albany, Feb. 11, 184-1, at the age of sixty. 
His funeral was attended in the hall of the capitol by the 
clergy of the city, tiie governor, State officials, both houses 
of the Legislature, judges, members of the bar, and a vast 
concourse of citizens. The procession accompanied the 
remains as far as the Patroon's on the route to Saratoga 
Springs, where, on the loth, the last obsequies were per- 
formed. f 

JOHN WILLARD. 

The village of Saratoga Springs seems to have been for 
many years the headquarters of legal learning, from the fact 
that so many eminent jurists made it their iiome. Promi- 
nent among the.se was the Hon. John Willard, who, as a 
circuit judge and vice-chancellor of the Supreme Court 
under the old constitution, and justice of the Supreme 
Court under the now constitution, adorned the offices which 
he filled, and was a shining example of candor and integiity, 
joined with great learning and ability. 

Judge Willard was born at Guilford, Connecticut, on the 
20th day of May, 1792, and descended directly from two 
of the noble band of Puritans who in 1639 planted that 
town. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1813, 
and while there was associated with the late Silas Wright 
and Samuel Nelson, and evinced at that time the same 
l)atriotic solicitude for the welfare of his country while en- 
gaged in a foreign war that he afterwards exhibited when 
it was rent with the civil strife caused by the Rebellion. 
He was a nephew, by marriage, of the late Mrs. Emma 
Willard, the pioneer of female education in this country, 
and during his college life he was an inmate of her family. 
She always entertained a high regard for him, and in her 
later years was glad to renew the intimacy of earlier days. 
He was admitted to practice as an attorney of the Supreme 
Court in 1817, under the chief-justiceship of Smith Thomp- 
son, and entered upon the practice of the law in Salem, 
Washington county. Bringing to the profession of his 
choice a well-stored and disciplined mind, he soon attained, 
by his untiring industry, and without any adventitious aid, 
an enviable eminence in his profession. He was for many 
years first judge of the common pleas, and surrogate of 
Washington county, until, in 1836, on the elevation of 
Esek Cowen to the bench of the Supreme Court, he was 
appointed circuit judge and vice-chancellor of the Fourth 
Judicial district, filling that office until the new organiza- 
tion of the judiciary under the constitution of 1846, when 
he was elect9d one of the justices of the Supreme Court. 
The latter office he held until 1854; and, under the regu- 
lations of our judicial system, was a member of the court 
of appeals during the last year of his term of service. The 
rapidity and ability with which he discharged his judicial 
duties ; his uniform courtesy and kindness to the profes- 
sion, and, above all, the purencss and integrity of his 
character as a judge and as a man, commanded universal 
respect and esteem, and won for him many flattering 
testimonials of regard from the bar in the different coun- 
ties of the district. 

f Stone's Remiscences of Saratoga and Ballston. 



140 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



After his retirement from the bench he was engaged for 
some years in the preparation of several legal treatises, 
which are valuable contributions to onr jurisprudence, and 
not less distinguished for felicity and perspicuity of style 
than accurate and profound legal research and learning. 

As a politician he was attached to the Democratic party, 
and strong and decided in his political opinions ; but upon 
the breaking out of the Rebellion be sunk the partisan in 
the patriot, and took early and strong grounds in favor of 
a united support to our government in its struggle with 
treason. 

In 18G1 he was the candidate of the Union convention 
for senator, and subsequently endorsed by all other parties, 
he was elected without opposition. While in the Senate 
he uniformly acted with the Union Democrats and Repub- 
licans, and his opinion on all questions before that body 
was received with great respect. By his efforts the confu- 
sion in the laws respecting murder and the rights of mar- 
ried women was removed, and simple and sensible .statutes 
passed in relation thereto. 

He was wont to tell an anecdote which dates back to the 
violent days of the Maine liquor-law, — how, he met the ex- 
treme conscientiousness of a grand jury with respect to an 
innkeeper who had sold a quart of brandy to be carried, 
contrary to his license, oft' his premises; although it was 
ordered by a surgeon, to bathe the bruises of a wayfaring 
man who had been thrown from a wagon. " I told them," 
said the judge, " why j-ou would have indicted the Good 
Samaritan for taking care of the man who went down from 
Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves." 

The only child of Judge Willard was his daughter Sarah 
Elizabeth Willard, who was a young lady of rare beauty and 
culture. She was married to the Rev. Henry Fowler, of 
Auburn, but died in 1853, at the early age of twenty-three 
years. This great bereavement was a great shock to Mrs. 
Willard, and ha.stened her death, which occurred in 1859. 

Judge Willard survived his family but a few years, and 
died at his residence in Saratoga Springs on Sept. 4, 1862, 
universally beloved and re.spected. 

As an advocate, a judge, a legislator, he was alike emi- 
nent and accomplished ; and in his private life irreproach- 
able and blameless. It has fallen to the lot of few men to 
acquire and leave behind them such an honorable and 
unsullied name. 

NICHOLAS HILL. 

Prominently identified with the history of Saratoga, and 
one of the most eminent members of the bar of the State 
of New York and the nation, was Nicholas Hill, Jr. He 
was born in Florida, Montgomery Co , N. Y., in the year 
1805. He was of Irish descent, his grandfather, John 
Hill, having emigrated from county Derry, Ireland, to 
Florida, N. Y., as one of its earliest settlers. His father 
served in the Revolution, and was with Washington at 
York town. 

Nicholas was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court 
in 1829. About the same time he formed a partnership 
with Deodatus Wright, and opened a law-ofiice in Amster- 
dam. He soon after removed to Saratoga Springs. While 
there he assisted Judge Cowen in his elaborate " Notes on 



Phillips' Evidence," of which work a special mention may 
be found in the life-sketch of Esek Cowen. Mr. Hill re- 
moved to Albany in 1840, and the succeeding year was 
appointed to succeed John L. Wendell as reporter of the 
Supreme Court. This position he held until 1844. He 
published the .seven volumes of " Reports " which bear his 
name. In Albany he was associated in legal partnership 
with Deodatus Wright and Stephen P. Nash, and sub.se- 
quently with Peter Cagger and Hon. John K. Porter, as 
the head of the legal firm of Hill, Cagger & Porter, a firm 
occupying high rank, not only in the " capital city," but 
throughout the State. Mr. Hill died May 1, 1859. 

SAMUEL YOUNG. 

To write a comprehensive life of Colonel Young would 
be in a great measure to write the history of the State of 
New York during the long period of his political life, or a 
history at least of the Democratic party of the State ; for, 
periiaps above most men, was he identified with that party 
organization, its progress, and its triumphs. Yet in no 
sense was Colonel Young a mere party man. His integrity 
was never questioned, and above most men it was his delight 
to war against and expose both political and official corrup- 
tion in whichever paity it existed. In this he was no 
respecter of persons or political friends. 

Samuel Young was born in the town of Lenox, Berk- 
.shire Co., Mass., in the year 1779. About the closing 
years of the Revolutionary war he came with his parents 
to what is now Clifton Park, in Saratoga County. Here 
he alternated his labors upon the farm with an attendance 
upon the common school, thereby acquiring a competent 
education in the elementary branches. He commenced the 
study of the law with Levi H. Palmer, then a lawyer in the 
town of Ballston. In due time he was admitted to the bar 
of the Supreme Court, when he opened an office at Academy 
Hill, in Ballston, and by his busmess energy and perse- 
verance soon acquired a large and lucrative practice. He 
was early commissioned a justice of the peace, and was 
afterwards repeatedly chosen supervisor of his town. In 
the spring of 1813 he was nominated by the Democrats as 
a candidate for member of Assembly, to which office he was 
elected. Upon taking his .seat, in the winter of 1814, 
Colonel Young took a prominent stand among the Demo- 
cratic members of that body. A speech of his, made in 
favor of the war, was circulated extensively throughout the 
State, exertmg a powerful influence upon the public mind. 
He was appointed by Governor Tompkins to the office mili- 
tary aide, whence his title of colonel. 

In the session of 1815, to which he was returned in that 
year, he was elected Speaker of the House. This was a 
fitting compliment to the talents he had displayed during 
the previous session, and to his services in support of the 
State administration at a period of great perplexity and 
financial trouble, against a most vindictive opposition. In 
this important position he fully sustained himself. In 1815 
he was again nominated by the Democrats for the Assembly, 
but was defeated in consequence of a defection in the Demo- 
cratic ranks. The late Judge Cowen being supported by a 
portion of the Democrats in opposition to him, abstracted 
from Colonel Young sufficient votes to insure his defeat. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



141 



This controversy was the origin of what was then called 
the old-line and the new-line parties in the politics of the 
county for many years. 

In 181G he was appointed one of the canal commissioners 
of the State, in which capacity he served about twenty 
years. 

In 1819 he was elected senator fioni the eastern district, 
one of the four great districts in which the State was then 
divided. In 1821, with John Cramer, Salmon Child, and 
Jeremy Rockwell, he was elected a delegate to represent 
Saratoga County in the State convention about to assemble 
fur the revision of the constitution. This body was com- 
posed of the best talent of the State, — the equal of which 
has not since been seen, and will probably not be seen again. 
In this body of able men. Colonel Young stood among the 
foremost. In April, 1824, Colonel Young was nominated 
by the Democratic legislative caucus for the office of gov- 
ernor. At this time De Witt Clinton was removed from 
the office of canal commissioner. This created so much 
feeling that an opposition ticket was nominated by what was 
called the People's party, the ticket being headed by Gov- 
ernor Clinton, who was elected by a decisive vote, — thus 
defeating Colonel Young, the regular candidate. The next 
year Colonel Young was elected to the Assembly from Sara- 
toga County, and on the assembling of the Legislature, in 
182G, he was again chosen Speaker. In 1830 he was the 
candidate of the Democratic party for member of Congress 
for the district then composed of Saratoga County. He was 
defeated by his competitor, J. W. Taylor, by a small major- 
ity. In 1833 he was appointed first judge of the county 
courts of Saratoga County, which office he held until the 
expiration of his term, in 1838, declining re-appointment. 
In 1834 he was elected senator, resigning at the close of 
the session of 1836; and at the next election was again 
chosen senator, in which capacity he served until the close 
of the session of 1840. In 1842 the Legislature elected 
him to the office of Secretary of State, in which he con- 
tinued until 1845. During this term of office, in which 
he was the acting superintendent of common schools, he 
laid the foundation of that masterly system of public in- 
struction of which the people of New York are now enjoy- 
ing the blessings, and for which to him they will be under 
everlasting obligations. Again, in 1845, he was cho.sen to 
the State Senate, remaining in that body until the close of 
the session of 1847, when his term expired by force of the 
new constitution. In 1846 he was nominated by the Dem- 
ocrats of Chemung county, without his knowledge, to rep- 
resent them in the constitutional convention of 1846, but 
was defeated by a combination of Whigs and Conservatives, 
stimulated by influences from abroad. 

Colonel Young was always a great favorite with the peo- 
ple, who would not allow him to remain for any length of 
time in private life. He was a student from his boyhood. 
He was an intense lover of knowledge, and the ardor in its 
pursuit which characterized his youth, continued unabated 
to the day of his death. Thus his mind became stored 
with a vast amount of scientific and literary knowledge. 
His address upon the subject of political economy, delivered 
at Schenectady before the Phi Beta Kappa of Union Col- 
lege, was celebrated for its literary merit, as well as for its 



comprehensive statesmanship, and the accurate and profound 
knowledge of the principles of that science which it ex- 
hibited. 

After the close of his official career, in 1847, he retired 
to his residence iu Ballston, where he died on the third day 
of November, 1850, in the seventy-third year of his age. 
His death was sudden and unexpected. On the day pre- 
vious he was engaged in his ordinary pursuits, and in the 
evening he was unusually vivacious and sociable. He was 
found the next morning dead in his bed, having to all ap- 
pearances died without a struggle. The cause of his death, 
it is supposed, was a disease of the heart, symptoms of 
which had been apparent for the last six or eight years. 

Colonel Young married Miss Mary Gibson, whom he 
left a widow. Their children were John H., Samuel 
Thomas Gibson, Catharine, aiul Mary, now Mrs. Wayland. 
He was indeed cast in the larger mould of the Republicans 
of Grecian and Roman history. When exposing corrup- 
tion in the Senate of the United States, he was styled by 
General Jackson " the Cato of the New York Senate." 
But the '' impracticable," as politicians styled it, was not to 
be seen in his private life. He was gentle, affable, loving, 
fond of some amusements, society of the young, the culti- 
vation of his garden, the beauties of the natural scenery 
around it. He was so free from political jealousies, and so 
unmindful of the contests in which he had been defeated, 
as often not to recollect the names of his successful oppo- 
nents, and retained the vigor and serenity of his mind to 
the last, and after passing the age of sixty commenced the 
study of several of the modern languages. 

Since the above was written the author has received a 
communication from Colonel Young's daughter, which does 
such credit to her head and heart, and is so excellent a 
tribute of filial affection, that with her permission it is 
inserted here to illustrate the biography of her father. 

"Saratoga Spri.vgs, June 15, 1878. 

" Dear Sir, — I have already informed you that when 
my father was in public life I was not of an age to take 
the same interest in State affairs that I now do. I cannot, 
therefore, give you a detailed account of his political 
career, such as I had supposed was required of me. But, 
in compliance with your request, I will relate what I can 
recall of his peculiar characteristics and opinions. His 
uncompromising independence, fearlessness, and detestation 
of falsehood were evident to all about him. 

" Believing it to be his duty to expose corruption wher- 
ever found, he was not popular with the demagogues of his 
own party, who could neither manage, intimidate, or use 
him. When a majority of the Democratic senators voted 
themselves a present of the then new State geological work, 
my father opposed and condemned their course as uncon- 
1 stitutional and dishonest. The following year, when he 
had become Secretary of State, these books were jilaeed in 
his office to be delivered to the senators who might call for 
them. My father would not allow them to be taken away 
when he was there, and the owners were obliged to improve 
the hours of his absence to secure the present they had 
taxed the people to make them. 

" It was, if I am not mistaken, soon after this, and if so, 



142 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



probably in consequence of it, that he lost by one vote a 
seat in the United States Senate. Defeat never seemed to 
disturb him ; perhaps because he would assail corruption, 
and his doing so kept him engaged in a sort of warfare, 
that must, at times, have become exceedingly wearisome 
and disagi-eeable. How emphatically his occupation in that 
direction would not ' be gone' were he but living now ! 
His love of the knowledge to be obtained from books was 
a source of delight of which the possession of a public 
office temporarily deprived him. And this may have 
been an additional reason for his evident indifference to 
defeat. 

" His views on many subjects were far in advance of his 
time. I have hoard him condemn the law that gave a 
wife's property to her husband, and the wages of a poor 
laboring woman to the man who owned her, years before 
the subject of woman's rights was discussed in the news- 
papers. He was opposed to slavery in all forms and under 
all disguises. He thought that, at the south, it should be 
gradually abolished, with the consent of the south, then 
protected by the constitution. That they should be in- 
duced to sell their slaves to the United States, and employ 
them again when free. He labored in the Senate for the 
passage of a law that became one soon after his death, 
allowing married women to hold their own property, and 
dispose of it by will ; and giving to poor working women 
the avails of their own labor. 

" 3Iaiiy years ago he delivered a lecture before the 
Young Men's Association of Albany, in which he alluded 
to the legal bondage of women, and criticised the laws re- 
garding them. He argued against taxation without repre- 
sentation, and insisted that women were intellectually, and 
should be legally, the equals of men. This lecture excited 
much comment and surprise, and was published by request 
of the association. I recollect the letters received by my 
father from Miss Sedgwick and Mrs. Sigourney approving 
his opinions, and expressing their thanks for his defense of 
their much-abused sex. 

" His interest in education, particularly in that of girls, 
was very great. As Secretary of State, he had the super- 
vision of the normal schools, and it was thought that they 
were greatly benefited and improved while in his charge. 

" A man with strong feeling, with an inborn hatred of 
tyranny and oppression, he had the ability so to defend 
himself that the repetition of an insult was not to be 
feared. I remember being in the Senate chamber, with 
some other school-girls, when my father made a speech. 
His opponent, a man of profligate character, who was argu- 
ing in favor of the enlargement of some canal, attacked my 
father in coarse and ungentlemanly language. 

" He had much to say about diving-bells and the im- 
portant discoveries made by their use. I can never forget 
my father's towering form and indignant looks when he 
arose and said, 'It is a pity the senator has not a moral 
diving-bell with which he could go down into his own 
bosom and view the rottenness and corruption fermenting 
there. It would be a feat compared to which the descent 
of .3^1neas into hell was a holiday.' 

" There are certain vices which he seemed to abhor more 
than others. Lying, which he always classed with stealing, 



and a husband's ill-treatment of his wife. These were 
crimes, in his opinion, too contemptible and base to be tol- 
erated. A man of ability, residing in this county, aban- 
doned a good wife, and my father, from that time, refused 
to recognize him. Afterwards a brief repentance and re- 
turn to his wife was followed by a letter to my father, 
announcing his intention to lead a new life, and asking to 
be restored to his former friendly relations with him. My 
father replied that it would be, if ever, after years of correct 
conduct that he could be reinstated in his good opinion. 
It has often been said of my father that, were he a judge 
on the bench when one of his sons was convicted of mur- 
der, he would sentence him to death, believing it to be a 
duty he ought not to evade. I prefer to think that he would 
resign his office under such circumstances. And yet I 
must admit that there was a great deal of the old Roman 
in him. He was a member of the Baltimore convention at 
the same time with Calhoun, when Mr. Van Burcn was 
nominated for President. Calhoun made some insulting 
allusions to the northern delegates, and my father retorted. 
Mr. Calhoun then intimated a challenge ; my father ac- 
cepted, but the interference of friends on both sides pre- 
vented a catastrophe. 

" I have often heard my father say that there would be 
war between the north and south, although it would, proba- 
bly, not take place in his life-time. He believed, too, that 
a railroad would eventually unite the two oceans, and that 
the submarine telegraph would, some time or other, be 
laid, while others were equally positive that neither of these 
projects could ever be accomplished. 

" Having told all that I can now recall relating to my 
father, 

" I am, very respectfully, yours, 

" M,\RY S. 'W.VYL.A.ND. 

" Mr. N. B. Sylvester." 

JOHN \N. TAYLOR. 

Hon. John W. Taylor, a son of Saratoga, and a talented 
member of her early bar, was born in Charlton (then Ball- 
ston) March 2G, 1784. He was the son of Judge John 
Taylor. He was graduated from Union College in 1803, 
and studied law with Samuel Cook. About the year 180G 
he opened an office at Court-House Hill in connection 
with that gentleman. Subsequently they resolved to try 
their fortunes in another field of enterprise, and embarked 
in the lumber business, in order to superintend which Jlr. 
Taylor removed to Jessup's Landing, in Corinth. But he 
was destined for other and higher duties. In 1811 he 
was elected to the State Assembly, and re-elected in 1812. 
In the fall of the same year he was chosen to represent 
Saratoga County (the Eleventh district) in the Thirteenth 
Congress. Soon after he removed back to his former resi- 
dence, and in 1819 to the house now occupied by Justice 
John Brown, in Ballston Spa. For ten consecutive terms, 
ending in the year 1832, Mr. Taylor was elected to Con- 
gress, and twice during this time was chosen Speaker of 
the House of Representatives ; namely, in 1S21, as Henry 
Clay's successor, and in 1825, of the Nineteenth Congress, 
for the full term. He was elected to the State Senate in 
1840, but resigned in the summer of 1842. He soon after 



Jffl 



m. 







/ (riUAyK- CPcrKti(y)<' 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



143 



removed to the city of Clevelund, Oliio. where he died, 
Sept. 18, 1854, in the soveiity-fir.st year of liis age. His 
remains were brought to his native town, and interred in 
the cemetery at Ballston Spa ; " and a plain slab, modestly 
inscribed with his name and date of birth and death, marks 
the last resting-place of the venerable statesman, who was 
the only citizen of Now York who ever held the third 
place in our government."* 

HARMANUS SCHUYLER 

settled in Stillwater, Saratoga County, about the year 1770, 
and engaged in the milling business. His mill W'as on the 
river, a short distance below the present village, and con- 
sisted of a flour or grist-mill, a saw-mill, and a carding- and 
fulling-mill. Not a vestige now remains, except traces of 
the dug way leading from the bank above to the water. 
He had a family of five sons and two daughters, of whose 
descendants no one is left in the county, except, perhaps, 
some children of the daughter of hi-i youngest son, Philip 
Sclmylcr. 

Previous to his settlement in Stillwater, Harmanus 
Schuyler had been actively engaged in business in Albany 
for many years. When quite a young man lie held the 
ofiSee of assistant alderman about the same time that his 
relative, Philip Schuyler, held a like position. Neither of 
them, however, reached the dignity of alderman. He was 
also high-sheriff of the county of Albany from Juno, 17t!l, 
to October, 1770. 

When the War of the Revolution comiuenecd, Philip 
Schuyler was appointed major-general in command of the 
Northern Department, and Harmanus Schuyler was aji- 
pointed assistant deputy-quarterniastcr-general. The latter 
had charge of the workmen who were engaged in building 
boats at the fort on Lake George, and at Skeenesborough, 
now Whitehall. Over forty of his letters, written during 
this period, are preserved among the papers of General 
Schuyler. 

The saying that the times of the Revolution were tlie 
days " that tried men's souls," receives a peculiar emphasis 
in these letters. They are all addressed to General Schuyler, 
as though he was the only one to whom the deputy-quarter- 
master could apply for supplies necessary to prosecute his 
work. In a letter dated Fort George, Feb. 8, 1770, he 
asks for a keg of nails with which to erect a shop for the 
boat-builders. Four days after he asks for oakum and 
pitch, adding, " We arc prosecuting the work with zeal. 
The workmen take their breakfast by candle-light." Oti 
the 10th he writes, " We need some goo(J axes, — those we 
have are worthless ; there is no steel in them." Again, " Do 
please send me one stick of sealing-wax." Then follow others, 
all begging for nails, oakum, tar, pitch, and finally for more 
men and teams to jirocure timber and lumber. March 27 
he exclaims, " The men plague my heart out for their pay. 
Do .send mc ten pounds." 

At Skeenesborough, from June 12 to Sept. 2, he was 
superintending the building of a larger class of boats. His 
embarrassments for the want of supplies are simply amazing. 
The general was required to raise an army, and make prep- 

* Bench aud Car, pp. 142-43. 



arations for the invasion of Canada by the way of Lake 
Champlain ; and yet Congress failed to furnish him money 
or men. He must build boats, raise men, provide arms and 
e(|uipments, I'uriiish rations, the best way he could. Had 
he not po.ssessed a large private fortune and unlimited credit , 
he must have failed utterly. By energy and perseverance, 
seconded by men who knew him, he succeeded in raising 
and equipping a force sufiicient for the invasion of Canada, 
but Tiot ibr its conquest as was hoped. 

There is no record when Harmanus Schuyler left the 
army, but probably about the time that his general was 
superseded by Gates. He returned to his farm and mills 
at Stillwater, where he died Sept. 1, 1790. 

When Wa.shington visited the battle-fields of Saratoga 
he called at the residence of Harmanus Schuyler and took 
brciikl'ast. There was no one of the family at home except 
the 'eldest daughter. On taking his leave the general with 
stately courtesy raised her hand to his lips. Nearly sixty 
years after she was lying on her dying bed, and when her 
youngest nephew, who had called to see her for the first and 
last time, was taking his leave, she put out her hand, .say- 
ing, " Not my lips, George,f but kiss the hand which long- 
ago was consecrated by the kiss of Washington." 

Of Harmanus Schuyler's five sons only one was blessed 
with sons; but then his blessing was large and overflowing, 
— he had eleven. They and their descendants now (1878) 
number quite two hundred, and are a part of the popula- 
tion of eleven States and Territories of the Union. 

JOHN K. PORTER. 

Judge Porter was born at Waterford, in the county of 
Saratoga, Jan. 12, 1819. He was a son of Dr. Elijah 
Porter, and grandson of Moses Porter, a Revolutionary 
officer, who gained high distinction by his gallantry and 
efficiency in the battle at Bemus Heights. Dr. Porter came 
from Vermont to reside in Waterford early in this century, 
and continued to be respected as a citizen aud a physician 
during a long and useful life. 

John K. Porter commenced his course of studies in the 
higher branches, under the tuition of David McNeice, an 
accoxuplished Irish professor, one of the exiles who accom- 
panied Thomas Addis Emmet to this country, after the 
unfortunate issue of the rebellion of 1798, and who opened 
a classical school at Waterford, where William E. Cramer, 
Samuel R. House, and John K. Porter received an early 
training which proved invaluable to them all in after-life. 
His studies were afterwards prosecuted at Lansingburgh 
Academy, but his preparation for college was under the 
personal tuition of the celebrated Taylor Lewis, then prin- 
cipal of the Waterford Academy. After his favorite pupil 
had entered Union College, it was his good fortune to bring 
the extraordinary gifts and attainments of his instructor to 
the notice of the public, by securing to him the place of 
alternate orator at the annual commencement; and the 
inability of John C. Calhoun to deliver the princijial 
address gave Taylor Lewis the opportunity to deliver a 
discourse on that occasion, which placed him at once in the 



f Hon. (jcorge W. Sclinylcr, nuditor of the canal tiepartnicnt, 
falhcr of Hun. Eugene Schujlcr, L'nitcJ States consul-general. 



144 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



foremost rank of American scholars, and brought to him 
within three months invitations to professorships in differ- 
ent colleges. He accepted such a position for tlie time 
being in tiie New York University ; and at a later period a 
professorship in Union College, which he graced to the 
time of his death. He died full of years and honors, and 
it is a matter of pride to the citizens of Saratoga that this 
county was the birth and burial-place of one who had few 
peers, here or abroad, among the foremost scholars and 
writers of the nineteenth century. 

Under such tuition it is not singular that young Porter 
was favorably received by Dr. Nott and Professor Alonzo 
Potter when he entered Union College at the age of si.'i- 
teen, in September, 183.5. His collegiate course of two 
years was one of active pre])aration for the duties of after- 
life. He received his degree in 1837, and loft college with 
all the honors which any student could win, and with the 
warmest eoninioiidatioii of (Jovcrnor Marcy, whom he had 
never known, but who was one of the trustees, and wi'ote 
for the AUmiii/ Argus a description of the comnienceuient 
exercLses. He had also the cordial regard of Dr. Nott and 
Professor Potter, which he retained as long as they lived, 
and which he was at times enabled, not only to aeknowledge, 
but also to reciprocate. 

Immediately after his graduation he entered upon his 
professional studies as a .student in the office of Hon. 
Nicholas B. Doe and Richard B. Kimball, the author of 
"St. Leger." 

He succeeded the latter as a member of the firm, having 
been in the mean time admitted in tlie court of common 
pleas, and being allowed by Judge Willard to practice in 
the court of oyer and terminer, though not yet admitted 
as an attorney in the Supreme Court. 

The Waterford bar was one of marked brilliancy. He 
was brought into immediate eonipetition in the lower courts 
with men like Chesseldcn Ellis, afterwards a distinguished 
member of Congress, and the strongest pillar of the Tyler 
administration ; Joshua Bloore, one of the most graceful and 
accomplished orators this State has produced ; George W. 
Kirtland, an equity lawyer, to whom Chancellor Walworth 
turned a more willing ear than to any other lawyer in the 
State save only Julius Rhodes ; John Cramer and Nicho- 
las B. Doe, old lawyers, practically retired from the profes- 
sion, but whose weight was felt in counsel, and each of 
whom, more especially j\Ir. Cramer, often carried doubtful 
causes by the weight, in the council-chamber, of unerring 
sense, and an unfailing knowledge of the considerations 
which would control the views of the presiding judge. 

When 3Ir. Porter came to the bar he was encountered 
by an array of ability which would have discouraged most 
young men. He had to encounter Nicholas Hill, second, 
even then, to no member of the American bar; William A. 
Beach, a man of singular prestige, power, and eloquence ; 
Edward F. Bullard, who, in the power of presenting a dif- 
ficult and complicated cause, and in pressing it through to 
a favorable issue, was almost, if not quite, unrivaled ; Wil- 
liam Hay, one of the most brilliant and eloquent lawyers 
this country has produced ; Judiah Ellsworth, who had in 
his professional capacity the power of a steam-engine, which 
no obstructiou could resist; and George G. Scott, who, with 



no pretensions to oratory, was one of the clearest-headed 
and ablest men the county of Saratoga has produced, wise 
in coun.sel, clear-headed and upright in judgment, and in 
literary accomplishments and general ability unmcasurably 
above most of those whose names have come down to us in 
the legends and traditions of the bar. 

On his admission to the bar of the Supreme Court, in 
May, 1840, Mr. Porter at once took rank among the men 
who assumed the lead in the courts. From that time until 
1848, when he removed to Albany, he was in collision from 
court to court with men like Wm. A. Beach, William Hay, 
Judiah Ellsworth, Geo. L. Scott, Augustus Bockes, Deodatus 
Wright, Nicholas Hill, Samuel Stevens, Marcus T. Reynolds, 
2\mbrose L. Jordan, Henry G. Wlieaton, and Daniel Cady. 
There is not one of the nundjer who have already passed 
away who was not his life-long friend, and of those who 
survive it is pleasant to know that, on both .sides, the rela- 
tions of these early c(mipetitors for the honors of the bar 
arc those of friends whose bonds of mutual attachment will 
be unbroken by death ; and each of whom will, as from time 
to time the occasion arises, render to the others the tribute 
justly due to them in every public and professional relation. 

All the antagonisms of professional life and political hos- 
tility have never even touched the personal attachment of 
those whose lives hav^e been interwoven with those of their 
competitors at the bar. 

We cannot forego, in view of what has already been 
said, an expression of gratification and pride over the 
record of the county of Saratoga in the single department 
of jurisprudence. Has the country furnished, for any 
single county, greater names than tho.se of John W. Taylor, 
Samuel Young, James Tlionqwoii, Michael Hoffman, Deo- 
datus Wright, Alvah Worder, Judiah Ellsworth, William 
Hay, Augustus Bockes, Edward F. Bullard, George G. 
Scott, John Willard, Reuben H. Walworth, Nicholas Hill, 
Esek Cowen, John K. Porter, Orau G. Otis, John L. 
Viele, Chesselden Ellis, Joshua Bloore, and a host of others 
whom we would be glad to name ? 

During the period of his residence in the county of 
Saratoga there were few causes of great public interest in 
which Mr. Porter was not engaged, in conjunction with 
some of those whose names are mentioned above. There 
are many firesides now, in the county of Saratoga, where 
the remembrance of those old trials is associated with the 
legends and traditions of the bar. 

The last of the great trials in which he was engaged, 
bi^fbre his removal to Albany, was that of the People vs. 
Wilcox, for the nuirder of McKin.stry. He was associated 
with Judge Ikickcs for the defense, and the post-mortem 
examination of the prisoner at Demarara proved that the 
defense of insanity which they interposed was well 
founded. 

In 1847 Mr. Porter married the daughter of Hon. Eli 
M. Todd, of Waterford, and soon after he removed to 
Albany. She died in 1858, and a son by that marriage 
now survives, who has taken the profession of his father. 

Mr. Porter, on his change of residence, entered into 
partnership with his old and honored friend, Deodatus 
Wright, then recorder of Albany, and afterwards judge of 
the Supreme Court. Judge Wright was one of the ablest 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



145 



jury lawyers in the State, a brother-in-law of Marcus T. 
Reynolds, and as a judge second, in the estimate of Daniel 
Cady and Nicholas Hill, to none of his predecessors on 
the bench since the days of James Kent and Ambrose 
Spencer. 

Soon afterwards Mr. Porter entered into partnership 
with Nicholas Hill, Jr., and Peter Cagger, and this rela- 
tion continued until the death of Mr. Hill, on the 1st of 
May, 1859. The new firm owned the splendid law library 
of the late Judge Cowen, which had cost him over $25,000, 
and they added to it nearly as much more. 

From that time until the death of Mr. Hill they were 
employed in more ca.ses of public importance than any 
other firm in the State, and their relative success was 
greater than that of any other firm at the American bar. 

On the death of Mr. Hill, Mr. Porter took charge of 
the cases in tiie court of appeals, and from that time it 
was his good fortune to be (Mjually successful. 

In December, 1864, a vacancy occurred in the court of 
appeals through the resignation of Henry R. Selden, one 
of the nio.st accomplished judges who ever presided in that 
tribunal. At the earnest solicitation of Governor Fenton, 
and of Judges Noah Davis and Richard P. Marvin, Mr. 
Porter was induced to accept the position of judge of the 
court of appeals, and his nomination was unanimously 
confirmed by the Senate. 

In the succeeding autumn he was re-elected to the posi- 
tion by an immense majority, far exceeding the party vote, 
over Martin Grover, his competitor tor the position. 

He left on the record of that tribunal a series of judicial 
opinions, extending from the 31st to the 37th of New York, 
by whicii his friends are content to have his reputation as 
a jurist judged in after-times by the bench and the bar. 

He was not forgotten by his nhmi Dialer, and in 18G7 
the degree of doctor of laws was conferred upon Judge 
Porter by Union College. 

In January, 1868, he resigned his position as judge of- 
the court of appeals, and removed to the city of New York, 
where he became the head of the firm of Porter, Lowrey, 
Soren & Stone, and he has continued to this day the head 
of that firm. 

In the intermediate period between his removal from the 
county of Saratoga and this time, he has been engaged in 
some of the most important litigations in the country. 

He won more than oidinary distinction in his argument 
before the Senate committee in the Trinity church case. 

He won high professional honors in the successful de- 
fense of Horace -Greeley, vs. De Witt C. Littiejolin, lor 
libel. He succeeded in the great case of the Metropolitan 
bank on the constitutionality of the legal tender act. 

He succeeded also in the Parish will case, where the 
adverse arguments were made by Messrs. Kvarts and Ed- 
monds, and the arguments of Charles O'Conor and John 
K. Porter prevailed against all odds. 

He was at once engaged in a variety of important C(m- 
troversies, including the Rock Island and Erie and the 
Western Union and Atlantic and Pacific litigations, and 
others of a kindred character. 

Before a jury he has been one of the ablest advocates this 
State has produced. In the case of Speaker Littlcjohn 
19 



against Horace Greeley, a libel suit tried at the Oswego 
circuit before Judge Bacon, about fifteen years since, he was 
called in for the defense. Although his address was made 
first, and it was followed by able adversaries for the plaintiff, 
with a strong charge from the court against the defendant, 
yet the jury stood eleven for the defendant. 

In the case of Tilton vs. Beecher, he was associated with 
Wm. M. Evarts for the defense. He was also called to St. 
Louis, and made a succe.ssful defense of (jeneral Babcock, 
the private secretary of General Grant. 

His reputation as an advocate and a jurist is .so well es- 
tablished that no more need be said hero on that subject. 

He always made politics subordinate to the profession he 
has so adorned. As early as 1838 he took an active part 
in making political .speeches in his native county. In 1844 
he attended the Whig convention at Baltimore, when Henry 
Clay was nominated the last time for the presidency. 

At an immense mass-meeting, in which some of the most 
eminent orators of the nation participated, although not a 
delegate, and a stranger to the crowd, a few friends present 
called him out for a speech. It is enough to say that he 
astonished his friends as well as the mass, and the eloquence 
he displayed on that occasion at once placed him in the 
front rank of American orators. 

In 1846 he was elected to the State convention to form 
a new constitution, from Saratoga County, upon the same 
ticket with James M. Cook. So great was his personal 
popularity in this county that he received a very large per- 
centage of the votes of his political opponents. Since that 
occasion he has held no office merely political, and retired 
from the highest judicial position in this State to join in 
the more active duties of his cho.sen profei^sion. 

Although no longer a resident of this county, he has 
many friends here, who remember him with kindness and 
admiration. 

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BEACH. 

It has come to be said by the people of this nation that 
among such a list of its most able and distinguished lawyers 
as one could count upon his finger ends, must already be 
placed the name of William Augustus Beach. 

He was born at Ballston Spa, to which place his father. 
Miles Beach, had removed from Connecticut, in the year 
1786. On the maternal side, his father was related to 
Judge Smith Thompson, of the Supreme Court of the 
United States. In 1807 his father married Cynthia, a 
si.ster of Judge William L. F. Warren, and a relative of Dr. 
Warren, of Bunker Hill memory. His father served during 
the Revolution in a Massacliusetts militia con)pany, holding 
a commission bearing the bold signature of John Hancock. 
Zerah Beach, his grandfather, was one of the commissioners 
of the treaty of Wyoming, and was also in the Continental 
army, having passed the winter at Valley Forge. Miles 
Beach removed with his family to Saratdga Springs Iti the 
year 1809. His wife — the accomplished and venerable 
mother of the subject of this sketch — yet survives, being 
nearly ninety years of age, and enjoys in an eminent de- 
gree the possession of all her faculties, aud looks as young 
as most people at sixty. 

William A., during his boyhood, attended school at the 



146 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Saratoga Springs Academy, and later Captain Partridge's 
military school, at Middletown, Vt. He first studied law 
in Saratoga, with his uncle, Judge Warren. He was 
admitted to the bar in August, 1833. His first legal part- 
nership was with Nicholas Hill, Jr. Subsequently he 
formed partnerships successively with Sidney J. Cowen, 
Daniel Shepherd, and Augustus Bockes, his connection 
with the latter continuing until his removal to Troy. He 
received the appointment of district attorney in 1843, hold- 
ing the same until 1847. 

In April, 1851, he removed to the city of Troy, where 
he formed a copartnership with Job Pierson and Levi 
Smith, under the firm-name of Pierson, Beach & Smith. 
Mr. Pierson withdrew from the firm in 1853, and it was 
continued under the firm-name of Beach & Smith until 
December, 1870. During all this long interval Mr. Beach 
was actively engaged in his profession. In addition to the 
largo office business of his firm he had an extensive crim- 
inal business, and was engaged in most of the important 
litigations of the day, and was constantly brought in eon- 
tact with the most able New York lawyers, and always 
proved himself the equal of any of them, whenever an im- 
portant controversy arose. The first thing said by the 
friends of either side, by way of advice, was, " Employ 
Beach." He was employed in the noted Albany bridge 
case, where the question involved was the right to bridge 
navigable streams emptying into the sea, where the tide 
ebbed and flowed, under State authority. Mr. Beach had 
opposed to him in this controversy William H. Seward, 
then a senator from the State of New York, Nicholas Hill, 
and John H. Reynolds, of the city of New York, all since 
dead, and he proved himself equal in argument and learning 
with these great men. The history of this case is worthy 
of a remark here. It was heard in the United States cir- 
cuit court for the northern district of New York, before 
Hon. Samuel Nelson, then a justice of the United States 
Supreme Court, and Hon. Nathan K. Hull, district judge of 
New York, of the northern district of New York. These 
eminent judges were unable to agree, and made a certificate 
of disagreement to the United States Supreme Court, where 
the ease was argued, — that court then consisted of but six 
members, — and the court there was also equally divided. 
The practice of the court in such case being that the case 
would be sent back to the circuit court, with directions that 
it be dismissed. This was done, leaving as the result, 
after years of earnest and expensive litigation, no actual 
decision either of fact or of law. 

Mr. Beach was employed by Horatio Seymour, then 
governor of New York, to defend Colonel North and his 
officials, who were appointed commissioners to superintend 
the taking of the votes of soldiers in the field. The United 
States authorities claimed that their commissioners had 
been guilty of malfeasance in office, and ordered a military 
court to try them. This court sat in the city of Washing- 
ton, D. C., and it was here that Mr. Beach made one of 
his most able and brilliant eft'orts. At the close of his argu- 
ment a rule of the court w.is taken, and it was unanimous 
for acquittal, and the prisoners were discharged. The 
president of the court, a perfect stranger to Mr. Beach, 
after the ac(juittal came to Mr. Beach, gave him his hand. 



and congratulated him upon his masterly efibrt, and thanked 
him for the powerful aid he had rendered the court in arriv- 
ing at its conclusion. 

RaTisom H. Gillett, then a resident of Washington, and 
himself a lawyer of distinguished ability, who was present 
at this argument, writing to the Albany Ajyiis shortly 
afterwards, said in substance that he had been for many 
years a resident in Washington ; that he had known all 
these great men, — Webster, Clay, Calhoun, etc., — heard 
them both at the bar and in the halls of Congress, and that 
none of them had excelled Mr. Beach in brilliancy or power. 

His defense of General Cole, charged with the murder of 
Senator Hiscock, at Albany, is another noted professional 
triumph of Mr. Beach. General Cole met Senator Hiscock 
at the Stanwix Hall, in Albany, and at sight shot him dead. 
It was claimed on the part of the defense, and some evi- 
dence was given in the trial tending in that direction, that 
Senator Hiscock had trifled with the aft'ectious of the gen- 
eral's wife while he, the general, was at the front fighting 
for the cause of his country, and that the general on his 
return, hearing the facts, meeting the senator by accident, 
shot him on the spot. IMr. Beach in his argument charac- 
terized the case as one of " emotional insanity," that 
although sane a moment before and sane a moment after 
the shot was fired, yet that when the fatal shot was fired, 
Cole was insane and wholly irresponsible for the act. The 
court and jury took this view of the case, and the jury 
promptly rendered a verdict of acquittal. 

These are but a fevi of the important ca.ses in which he 
was engaged while living in Troy. In all of his cases 
he brought a careful preparation, and was always great in 
his presentation both to court and jury. 

The county of Rensselaer looked with pride upon him 
as one so long its resident and humble advocate. His suc- 
cess in the great metropolis has been equally marked. His 
time is wholly taken up with the most important cases 
known to our courts of justice in the State and nation. 

AUGUSTUS BOCKES. 

Augustus Bockes was born in the town of Greenfield, 
Saratoga Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1817, where his parents re- 
sided, and where they had resided for many years. His 
father's name was Adam Bockes, Jr., his grandfather's 
name being also Adam Bockes. His father was a farmer, 
and held various town offices, among others that of justice 
of the peace and supervisor. He was a man of sterling worth, 
and died in Greenfield, Sept. 8, 1846, aged seventy-four 
years. 

Judge Bockes' opportunities for education were confined 
to the excellent common schools of the town in which he 
lived, except two terms at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt. 
He taught school for three terms, two terms in Malta, Sara- 
toga Co., and one in his native town. He commenced the 
study of the law in the office of that able lawyer Judiah 
Ellsworth, at Saratoga Springs, in 1838. After a time, he 
continued his studies in the office of Beach & Cowen, at 
the same place, and was admitted to practice from their 
office in 1843. He commenced the practice of law imme- 
diately after his admission, in partnership with Ste])hen P. 
Nash, now of New Y'^ork city. He soon after formed a part- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



147 



nership with W. A. Beach, now of New York city, and 
continued such partnership at Saratoga Springs until 
1847. 

In the practice of the law, Judge Bockes was eminently 
successful. But he was destined to be called to higher 
fields of labor. He was elected county judge of Saratoga 
County under the new constitution in June, 1847, and 
entered upon his official duties July 1, 1847. He was re- 
elected for a second term at the November election of 1851, 
and resigned this office in 1854. On the 1st of January, 
1855, he was appointed by Governor Clarke a justice of 
the Supreme Court, for the Fourth Judicial district of the 
State, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of 
Judge Daniel Cady. At the November election in 1859 
he was elected justice of the Supreme Court for the Fourth 
Judicial district, was re-elected at the November election, 
18(57, and was again re-elected to the same office at the 
November election, 1875. At the last two elections he 
was elected without opposition ; and at the election in 1875 
was nominated and supported by both the political parties, 
an honor conferred upon few judges of the State. He was 
appointed by Governor Dix to the general term of the 
Supreme Court, for the Third Judicial department, for the 
years 1874 and 1875, and was again designated by Gov- 
ernor Tilden to the same office for the ensuing five years, 



and consequently is now associate justice for the general 
term of the Supreme Court for the Third department, 
comprising the Third, Fourth, and Sixth Judicial districts 
of the State. 

He married Mary P. Hay, second daughter of the Hon. 
William Hay, September 3, 1844. The children of this 
marriage are William Hay and Mary. 

Around the thousand quiet homesteads of Greenfield, 
cluster a host of tender memories. For a hundred years 
her sons and daughters, nursed into sturdy manhood and 
kindly womanhood within the gentle influences of her 
Christian homes, have been going forth into all lands to 
fight life's battles bravely, but forever looking tearfully, 
longingly, back to their old Greenfield homes, where the 
father and the mother lie buried, and where the happy days 
of childhood flew all too rapidly away. 

But no one among them all has more honored the place of 
his birth, no one among them all has lived less for himself 
nor more for others, than the subject of this sketch. And 
among the many eminent living judges whose presence 
now graces the bench of the Supreme Court of the State 
of New York, no one is better qualified to discharge the 
important duties of his office, and upon no one does the 
judicial ermine rest in more spotless purity, than upon the 
shoulders of Judge Bockes. 



H I ST O E Y 



or THE 



VILLAGES AND TOWNS OF SARATOGA COUNTY. 



VILLAGE OF SARATOGA SPRINGS. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

On the low foot-hills of the sunny southern slope of the 
most easterly of the five great mountain ranges of the Adi- 
rondack wilderne-ss, in the pride of her gorgeous palatial 
beauty, sits the village of Saratoga Springs, — of the vporld's 
most famous watering-places the peerless queen. 

A spur of the old Canadian Laurentian mountains crosses 
the St. Lawrence river, as the reader will remember, at the 
Thousand islands, and spreading easterly and southerly over 
the whole of the great wilderness, rises into lofty mountain- 
peaks in the interior and slopes gradually down to the great 
water-courses on every side. In the depth of the wilderness 
this spur of the Laurentides separates into five great chains, 
all of .which run down its southei'n slope. The most east- 
erly of the chains is the Palmertown range. This range 
begins on Lake Champlain near Ticonderoga, and run- 
ning along both sides of Lake (leorge, crosses the Hudson 
river above Glen's falls. After crossing the Hudson, this 
chain of mountains runs down along the border of the 
towns of Corinth and Moreau, through Wilton and Green- 
field, and ends under North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. 
Beyond the Hudson the highest peak of the Palmertown 
range is old French Mountain, which overlooks the head of 
Lake George, so full of historic memories. On this side 
the Hudson the highest peak is Mount MacGreggor, which 
overlooks the site of the old legendary Indian village called 
Palmertown, from which the great mountain chain derives 
its name. 

Thus this village of Saratoga Springs, while she sips her 
mineral waters in the full blaze of fashion's highest splendor, 
sits at the very foot of the old Laurentian Adirondacks and 
breathes to fullness the purest and most invigorating air of 
the mountains. 

Along in the valley which runs through the village the 
hard Laurentian rocks terminate and the softer rocks of 
the Trenton Umestones and Hudson river slates begin. In 
the geologic fault or fissure which here occurs between 
these two systems of rocks, the mineral springs of Saratoga 
bubble from the earth's bosom elaborated by the cunning 
hand of nature. 
148 



II.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

There may have been and it is highly probable there 
were some white men who saw the mineral springs of Sara- 
toga before Sir William Johnson went there in the summer 
of 1 767. Sir William himself, in a letter quoted in " Moese's 
Gazetteer," intimates that an Indian chief discovered these 
springs to a sick French officer in their early wars with the 
English. Again, it is more than probable that some of the 
early settlers of Wilton, who were there about 1765, and 
those near the lake about 1764, being only half a dozen 
miles away from these springs, often went to these even 
before Sir William's visit ; but whether they did or not we 
have no account. It may therefore of a truth be said that of 
the long line of distinguished men and women and of the 
vast concourse of summer visitors that for a hundred years 
have been pr&ssing with eager feet toward these springs to 
taste their healing waters, Sir William Johnson led the 
way. 

Sir William at the time of his celebrated visit with the 
Indians to the High Rock spring, of Saratoga, in the 
month of August, 1767, was living in the height of his 
baronial power with the Indian princess, Molly Brandt, as 
his wife and their eight dusky children in his manor house 
at Mount Johnson, near the Mohawk country. He was 
then His Britannic Majesty's superintendent-general of In- 
dian affairs in North America, colonel of the Sis Nations, 
and a major-general in the British service. 

Thirty-five years before this, he had come over from 
Ireland a poor young man, and settled in the Mohawk 
valley, then a wilderness, to take care of a large tract of 
land that was located there and owned by his uncle. Sir 
Peter Warren. Sir Peter Warren was an admiral of the 
British navy, who, while a commodore, distinguished him- 
self by the capture of Louisburgh from the French in 
1745. Sir Peter married a daughter of Etienue De Lancey, 
of New York, and with her received as a dowry this large 
tract of land in the Mohawk valley. It was situated in 
the eastern angle between the Mohawk river and the 
Schoharie creek. 

Sir William Johnson upon his first taking up his resi- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



149 



dence in the Mohawk valley became a fiir-tiader with the 
Indians, and kept for many years a country store for the 
accommodation of the scattered settlers of the region. 
Rising by degrees, through dint of industry and fair dealing, 
and by the faithful performance of the public trusts im- 
posed upon him, he had become the proprietor of immense 
landed estates, the acknowledged lord of a princely manor, 
and high in the confidence of liis sovereign. His victory 
over the French and Indians, under Baron Dieskau, at 
Lake George, in 1755, had won for him his title of nobility. 
His wonderful influence, the most remarkable on record, 
over the Indian tribes, had given him an importance in the 
affairs of state second to no American then living. He 
was .surrounded by a numerous tenantry and by followers 
that were loyal to him and his family even unto death. 

Sir William married in the more humble days of his 
early life a poor, modest, gentle-hearted German girl, whom 
he found living with her parents in the Mohawk valley, 
whose maiden name was Catherine Weisenberg. She died 
young, leaving three children, — a son, Sir John Johnson, 
and two daughters, who married respectively Colonel Claus 
and Colonel Guy Johnson. 

Sir William's Indian wife was Molly Brandt, a si.ster of 
the celebrated Mohawk war-cliief Ta-en-dane-ga, or Joseph 
Brandt, who was afterwards so long the terror of the border. 
After the death of his first wife he became enamored of 
IMolly at a general muster of the Mohawk Valley militia 
held at or near Johnstown. Among the spectators at the 
training was a beautiful Indian maiden. One of the 
mounted ofiScers, in sport, dared the maiden to ride on the 
bare back of his horse behind his saddle, three times around 
the parade-ground, little thinking she would accept the 
challenge. Bounding from the ground, like a deer, upon 
his horse behind him, she encircled his waist with her arms, 
and over the ground they flew like the wind, her red mantle 
and luxuriant raven tresses streaming behind her, her beau- 
tiful face lighted up with the pleasurable excitement of the 
novel adventure. 

Sir William was an admiring witness of the scene, and 
was smitten with the charms of the dusky forest maiden. 
He inquired her name, and was told that she was the In- 
dian princess, Molly Brandt. He sought her at once, and 
made her his Indian bride. He married her after the true 
Indian style, by them considered binding, but never ac- 
knowledged her as his lawful wife. In his will he remem- 
bered her, calling her his " housekeeper, Molly Brandt," 
and left a large tract of land to his children by her, which 
lay in Herkimer county, between the East and West Canada 
creeks, and was long known to the early settlers as the 
Royal Grants. 

In the height of his power Sir William Johnson, at his 
seat near the Mohawk, on the border of a howling wilder- 
ness that stretched away to the Pacific, dispensed a right 
royal hospitality. Many a scion of the English nobility 
sat at his generous board, or, like the Lady Susan Brien, 
wandered through the woods with Sir William's accomp- 
lished Indian wife, in search of the strange wild flowers of 
the New World. The Lady Susan passed considerable time 
at Johnson Hall. She was a niece of the first Lord Hol- 
land, and the sister of Lady Harriet Ackland, who, as well as 



the Baroness Riedesel, the wife of the Hessian general, ac- 
companied her husband, under General Burgoyne, to the 
battle-field of Saratoga. 

In the summer Sir William spent much of his time at 
the Fish house, his hunting lodge, on the Sacondaga river, 
and at the cottage on Summer-House Point, on the great 
Vlaie, which is one of the mountain meadows of the wil- 
derness. 

Once every year the sachems of the Six Nations renewed 
their council-fire at the Manor house, to talk with Sir Wil- 
liam, the agent of their white father who lived across the 
big water. On such occasions Sir William was himself 
painted and plumed and dressed like an Intlian chief 

Such was Sir William Johnson at the time of his first 
visit to the High Rock spring in the mouth of August, 1767, 
such was he at the formation of Tryon county, in 1772, 
and such was he two years later at the time of his death, 
in 1774. He seems to have been mercifully taken away 
just before the slumbering fires of the Revolution were to 
burst forth, which were so soon destined to stain the fair 
valley of his home with blood, — to send his family and fol- 
lowers fugitives across the Canadian border. 

At the time of his visit to the springs, Sir William was 
escorted by his Mohawk braves. His old wound received 
at the battle of Luke George had never quite healed, and 
besides this he was afflicted with the gout, so he could 
scarcely walk. The Indians told him of their famous 
" medicine spring" in the depths of their old hunting- 
ground, Kiiy-ad-ros-se-ra, and he determined to go. Em- 
barking at hismanorhou.se at Mount Johnson, on the bank 
of the Mohawk, he proceeded down the river in canoes to 
Schenectady, and lauding, took a new road lately cut to the 
McDonalds, who had settled near what is now kuown as 
Ballston lake, but then called by the Indians Sha-nen-da- 
Jio-ivii, in 17G3. At the McDonalds, Sir William tarried 
through the night, and the next day was carried over a 
rough road cut for the purpose to the High Rock spring. 
There in the deepest solitude of nature bubbled up the won- 
derful " medicine waters," then almost if not quite un- 
known to all, save the wild beasts and the red men of the 
forest. 

Sir William remained at the spring several days, and 
during his stay was so much benefited by the waters that 
he was quite able to walk over the rugged trail that led to 
his home on his return. The fame of this cure performed 
upon so distinguished a person as Sir William Johnson, at 
once brought these springs into notice. 

GENERAL SCHUYLER AT THE SPRINGS. 

The next man of distinction of whose early visit to the 
High Rock spring we have any account was General Philip 
Schuyler. In the year 17S3 General Schuyler cut a road 
from his country-seat, at the moutli of Fish creek, in old 
Saratoga, now Schuylerville, to the High Rock spring. 
This old road ran much of the way to the north of the 
present one, thereby avoiding the low ground of Bear 
swamp. The first summer General Schuyler brought his 
tent and encamped near the High Rock spring for sev- 
eral weeks. The next year he came with his family, and 
put up a small frame house of rough boards on the bluff. 



150 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



a little to the south of the High Eotk, on what is now 
Front street. This house consisted of two rooms, and was 
occujiied by the general, liis family and friends, as a sum- 
nier-hou.se at tlie springs every season up to the time of the 
general's death. 

GENERAL WASHINGTON AT THE SPRINGS. 
In the year 1783, while General Washington was wait- 
ing at Newburgh for the definitive treaty of peace, he con- 
cluded to while away a part of the time by a trip to the 
northern part of the State. Accordingly, accompanied by 
Governor Clinton, General Hamilton, and others, he pro- 
ceeded by water to Albany. From thence the party on 
horseback went up the river, and visited the scene of the 
late battle at Bemus Heights, and the spot of Burgoyne's 
surrender, on the heights of old Saratoga. They continued 
on to Lake George, pa.ssed down the lake in boats, which 
had been provided for them, and examined the fortifications 
of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. On their return they 
came by the way of the High Rock spring, escorted by 
General Schuyler, who had cut his road to the High Rock 
and pitched his tent there the same season. 

General Washington returned by way of the trail which 
led to the springs at Ballston Spa. At the springs of Balls- 
ton Spa, when General Washington was there in 1783, 
there was no human habitation, although Ballston township 
had been settled thirteen years before, a mile or two away. 
It was not till the year 1787 that Benajah Douglas, the 
pioneer of Ballston Spa, built the first rude log tavern there, 
and opened it for guests, ju.st sixteen years after Dirck 
SchoiUen built the first log cabin near the High Rock in 
Saratoga. Yet, by the year 1794, Douglas and Low had built 
their large frame hotels at Ballston Spa, .six years in ad- 
vance of Gideon Putnam's enterprise of founding the Grand 
Union, at Saratoga. Those six years the start came near 
costing Saratoga its now proud position as the world's 
greatest watering-place. 

General Washington was so struck with the value of the 
mineral .springs of Saratoga, that soon after peace was de- 
clared he made the attempt to purchase the land near them. 
In his published correspondence there is a letter relating to 
this subject. 

But the Waltons and the Livingstons had already per- 
fected their title to the land at Saratoga, and Washington's 
scheme failed. 

A similar scheme was entered into by Joseph Bonaparte, 
brother of the great Napoleon, and ex-king of Naples and 
of Spain, about the year 1824. Joseph was then an exile, 
and was desirous of founding a country-seat in America. 
He first chose for its site Saratoga Springs, but being 
unable to purchase such lands as he wanted there, he went 
to Point Breeze, near Bordentown, New Jersey. Joseph, 
however, often visited Saratoga Springs, accompanied by a 
numerous retinue of the friends of his better days. On 
such occasions he always traveled in great state, and his 
journeyings in his coach and six from Bordentown to Sara- 
toga were not unlike the journeys from Foutainebleau to 
Blois by the French kings of the old regime. 

THE PIONEERS OP SARATOG.-V SPRINGS. 

The first white man who built a habitation at Saratoga 



Springs and attempted a settlement there was Dirck Schou- 
ten. He had been living on the bank of the Hudson a 
little above Waterford, and his object in becoming a tem- 
porary resident at the wilderness was to open a trade with 
the Indians who congregated there every summer in great 
numbers. So in the year 1771 this pioneer settler, Dirck 
Schouten, came to the springs to chop his small clearing, to 
plant a few potatoes, and build his humble cabin on the 
bluff a little west of the High Rock spring. 

Schouten's route to the springs was from the Hudson to 
the east side of Saratoga lake, thence across the lake in a 
bark canoe to the mouth of the Kny-ad-ros-se-ra river ; 
thence up the river two miles to an Indian trail that led to 
the Springs. The way to the springs is much plainer now- 
adays than it was a hundred and seven years ago. 

The only white person whose name we know who visited 
the High Rock spring while Schouten was there was Wil- 
liam Bousman. Bousman was then a boy twelve years old, 
whose father the same year had settled near the south end 
of Saratoga lake. This lad came with Schouten to help 
him build his cabin, to make a little clearing, and to plant 
a small patch of potatoes. 

Schouten remained there a part of the time, till the 
summer of 1773, when he quarreled with the Indians, and 
they drove him away.* 

In the next .summer, that of 1774, John Arnold, from 
Rhode Island, with his young family, tried his fortunes at 
Saratoga Springs.f He provided himself with a few articles 
suitable for the Indian trade, mostly spirituous liquors, and 
with these and a few household goods, took the route fol- 
lowed by Schouten three years before to High Rock spring. 

Upon his arrival Arnold took posse.ssion of Schouten's 
deserted cabin, and, making some improvements, opened a 
kind of rude tavern for the visitors of the springs. 

This pioneer hotel had but a single room or two on the 
ground floor, with a chamber overhead. In sight of it were 
sixteen Indian cabins filled with their savage occupants. In 
the rocky ledges near by were numerous dens of rattlesnakes. 
There were so many of these reptiles then at the springs, 
that the early visitors often had to hang their beds from the 
limbs of the trees to avoid them. Nightly, the wolves 
howled, and the panther screamed ; daily, the black bears 
picked berries in the little clearings, and the wild deer and 
the moose drank from the brook, while the eagle yearly 
built her nest on the tops of the towering pines. Such was 
the style and such were the surroundings of the first rough 
hotels of the wilderness springs of a hundred years ago, that 
led the way in the long line of magnificent structures that 
have since graced the modern village. 

FIRST PERMANENT SETTLER. 

Arnold kept his little forest tavern for two summers, and 
was succeeded by Samuel Norton. Both Schouten and 
Arnold had remained only during the summers at the 
springs. Upon the approach of winter they had shut up 
their house and gone over to the settlement on the east side 
of the lake. But Samuel Norton came to stay through the 

■*See '• Mineral AVaters," by Reuben Sears, page 89. 
I See " Steele's Analysis," 2d edition, p. 28. 




F{£SiDENCE,OF D" T. B . REYNOLDS , Safpatoga SPRINGS , NY 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



151 



year, and he therefore was the first permxaeiit settler of 
Saratoga Springs. Norton, before he came, liad permission 
in writing from Lsaac Low to occupy and improve a farm 
in the vicinity of the " salt spring" at Saratoga. Norton 
took possession of the Schouten House in the fall of 1776, 
the same season Arnold left it, and continued to make im- 
provements during the next season of 1777. But at the 
approach of Burgoyne'sarniy from the north Arnold became 
alarmed for the safety of his family, and he removed them 
to a place of less danger from the aggressions of the con- 
tending parties, and for six years the springs were left 
without a single white inhabitant. 

Before the close of the war Samuel Norton died, and in 
the spring of 1783 one of his sons resumed the occupancy 
of his father's former possessions at the springs. 

Samuel Norton and his brother Asa came originally from 
Wales, where they belonged to a good family, some mem- 
bers of which had held high official positions. They first 
settled at New Bedford, where Samuel married Sarah 
Deems. Their children were Samuel, Asa, Isaiah, Rhoda, 
Sarah, Polly, Louise, and Cora. One of Samuel Norton's 
granddaughters, Mrs. Howland, is still living on the east 
side of Saratoga lake. She says her grandfather at one 
time was eleven months in succession without seeing a 
white visitor at the springs. 

In the fall of 1787, Gideon Morgan bought the Norton 
place, and the same year sold it to Alexander Bryan. 

Bryan became a permanent settler and remained many 
years. 

Bryan in 1787 took possession of the Schouten House, 
which was situate on the northwest corner of Front and 
Bock streets, near the site of what is now called the Em- 
pire House. On the opposite corner, on the ground now 
occupied by the stone house still known as the Bryan 
House, Bryan built another log house, which he opened for 
the accommodation of summer visitors. 

These two rude log houses, thus situate on opposite sides 
of' Rock street at its junction with Front street, near the 
High Rock spring, were the only "hotels" at Saratoga 
Springs, with the exception of the " Yellow"' house built 
by Benjamin Risley just before the year 1800, until Gideon 
Putnam laid the foundations of the Grand Union in the 
year 1801. 

As has been seen above, Alexander Bryan came to the 
springs in 1787. His parents were fugitives from Acadia, 
in Nova Scotia, at the time of the dispersion of its inhab- 
itants by the English, celebrated in Longfellow's poetic 
story of " Evangeline." 

After being driven from Acadia, Bryan's parents settled 
in Dutchess Co., N. Y. Bryan there married a sister 
of Senator Talmadge, and before the War of the Revo- 
lution removed to a place two miles above Waterford. where 
he opened a tavern, which he kept for many years. 

" Bryan," says Dr. Juhn H. Steele in his '' Analysis," '' was 
a shrewd and somewhat eccentric character, and the events 
of his life, if generally known, would undoubtedly place 
his name among the patriots of his time, and furnish a 
deserved monument to his memory. 

" He was, I believe, a native of the State of Connecticut, 
but emigrated to that of New York early in life, and fixed 



his residence in the county of Dutchess. Here he connected 
himself by marriage with a highly-respeetable family, and 
some years after removed to the town of Half- Jloon, in the 
county of Saratoga, where he commenced the business of 
tavern-keeping, at a place situated about two miles above 
Waterford, on what was then the great road, which fur- 
nished the principal means of communication between the 
northern and southern frontiers. On this spot he con- 
tinued to reside during the War of the Revolution, and his 
house, of course, became frequently the resort of the par- 
tisans of the contending parties ; and such was the adroit- 
ness of his management, that he became the unreserved 
confidant of both parties, without even being once suspected 
of treachery by either. Of his patriotism, however, and 
his sincere attachment to the interests of his country, there 
cannot exist a doubt. 

'• The important secrets which he frequently obtained from 
his confiding friends, the Tories, were .soon disclosed to the 
committee of safety, with whom he managed to keep con- 
stant although a secret communication. Tlie numerous 
and essential services which ho thus rendered to his country 
continued for a long time to excite the admiration and 
gratitude of his few surviving associates, to whom alone 
they were known, and by whom their importance could 
only be properly estimated; and it is to be regretted that 
to the day of his death they remained unacknowledged and 
unrewarded by any token or profession of gratitude from 
his country. 

" When General Gates took the command of the northern 
army, he applied to the committee of safety of Stillwater, 
to provide a suitable person to go into Burgoyne's camp, 
with a view to obtain a knowledge of the movements of the 
enemy. Bryan was immediately .selected as a person well 
qualified to undertake the hazardous enterprise, and he 
readily agreed to accomplish it. About the same time he 
was applied to by a friend of the enemy to convey some 
intelligence which he deemed of importance to Burgoyne ; 
this he likewise undertook, having secretly obtiined the 
consent of General Gates for that purpose. 

" By pursuing a circuitous route, he arrived unmolested 
at the camp of the enemy, which was then situated in the 
vicinity of Fort Edward. Having had several interviews 
with General Burgoyne, by whom he was closely examined, 
he was finally employed by that offiuer to superintend some 
concerns in the ordnance department. He tarried suf- 
ficiently long to obtain the required information, when he 
privately left the camp in the gray of the morning of the 
15th of September; but he had not proceeded many miles 
before he discovered that he was pursued by two horsemen ; 
these, however, he contrived to avoid, and arrived safely at 
Gates' headquarters late on the following night, and com- 
mutiicated the first intelligence of the enemy's having 
crossed the Hudson and being on the advance to Stillwater. 
This intelligence was of great importance, as it led to the 
immediate preparation for the sanguinary engagement which 
ensued on the 19th of the same month. 

" Bryan continued to reside at the springs for more than 
thirty years, and until age had rendered him incompetent 
for active life. 

" He then retired to the county of Seoharie, where he 



152 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



died at an advanced age. He possessed a strong constitu- 
tion, a sound and vigorous mind, and a benevolent and 
kind disposition. The poor, the miserable, and the unfor- 
tunate were always the objects of his care, his kindness, 
and his charity. But his eccentricities often involved him 
in difficulties with his moi'e opulent neighbors, and, at 
times, disturbed the tranquillity of his most intimate 
friends." 

BENJAMIN RISLEY GIDEON PUTNAM. 

In the year 1790 a new era dawned upon Saratoga 
Springs. In that year, about the tiu)e Benajah Douglas, 
from Lebanon, and Nicholas Low, from New York, were 
making their first purchases at Ballston Spa, Benjamin 
Risky and his two sons-in-law, Gideon Pntitam and Dr. Cle- 
ment Bhihesley, came to settle at Saratoga Springs. Risloy's 
first above-named son-in-law, Gideon Putnam, was destined 
to become the founder of modern Saratoga, which rises 
to-day (1878) in all its fairy-like magnificence and beauty 
above the more humble scene of Putnam's early labors. 

Benjamin Risley was a prominent citizen of Hartford, 
Conn., and a man of considerable wealth for thoii-e days. 
When he came to Saratoga in 1790, the capital he brought 
with him was the foundation of the wealth of Saratoga 
Springs, aside from the landed interests of the Waltons and 
the Livingstons. 

Upon coming to the springs, Mr. Risley bought of Catha- 
rine Van Dam and others several lots of land situate on the 
north side of Rock street, between Catharine and Front 
streets, upon which he built a tavern, afterwards kept by 
Thaddeus Smith Risley's descendants in the village still 
hold some of the land. 

The children of Benjamin Risley were six daughters, — 
Theodosia, who married Dr Clement Blakesley, the first 
physician at the springs, who after he came lived for some 
time in the Schouten House. Phila, who married IMatthew 
Lyon, who established the first newspaper at the Springs 
upon capital furnished by Mr. Risley. PJven the name of 
this pioneer paper is forgotten. Lyon afterwards removed 
to Washington. Doanda, who married Gideon Putnam. 
Mary, who married Ashcr Taylor. Laura, who married 
Judge Pease, of Ohio. Nancy, who married a Mr. Law- 
rence, who was a member of Congress from Louisiana. 

The daughter of Nancy was the Mrs. Donnelson who 
presided at the White House during General Jackson's 
administration. 

Gideon Putnam belongs to the same family-tree on a 
branch of which Jiangs the name of Israel Putnam, of Rev- 
olutionary memory. He was undoubtedly a man of indom- 
itable energy and perseverance above his fellows. 

In the year 1800 there were two rival competitors for the 
proud position of the " world's greatest watering-place," — 
Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa. But Ballston Spa had 
then already nearly ten years the start. Large hotels or 
boarding-houses had been erected there by Messrs. Douglas 
and Low shortly after 1790, while the only accommodations 
at Saratoga up to and before 1800 were the two log huts 
near High Rock spring. 

Gideon Putnam was the man at Saratoga to comprehend 
the situation. lu the year 1800 Congress spring was still 



surrounded by the primeval wilderness. In the year 1800 
Gideon Putnam bought a lot of land contiguous to Con- 
gress spring, upon which now stand the Grand Union and 
Congress Hall, and, cutting down and clearing oiF the heavy 
pine timber, began the erection of Union Hall. 

Union Hall was the first large and commodious hotel 
erected for visitors at Saratoga Springs. The timber for 
this building was hewn from the tall pines that grew on its 
site. It was the first large frame building erected at Sara- 
toga Springs, and the day it was raised people from all the 
towns near by gathered there to see what they called " Put- 
nam's folly." The idea of building a three-story house 
near Saratoga Springs for boarders was then deemed pre- 
posterous in the highest degree. But, in spite of their 
sneers, Putnam pushed his enterprise to its completion, and 
the brilliant result has more than answered his fondest an- 
ticipation.?. 

After building the Grand Union, Gideon Putnam laid 
out the new village which sprang up around Congress 
spring. In laying out this village he displayed great lib- 
erality. The streets, especially, were laid out very wide, 
and everything else was projected upon a scale commen- 
surate with the importance of the future watering-place, 
which Gideon Putnam seemed to see with almost prophetic 
vision rising in grandeur and beauty unsurpassed around 
what was then but little removed from being but the springs 
of the wilderness. 

On his map, which is now extant, Broad street is laid 
out in front of Union Hall, one hundred and twenty feet in 
width. This is the origin of the beautiful street, called 
Broadway, of the modern village. At the time he made 
his map there were three springs discovered near Union 
Hall. The Congress, Columbian, and the Hamilton. Put- 
nam so laid out his village that each of these springs was 
left in a public street, and must therefore forever remain 
open and free to the people. Broadway extended south far 
enough to bring within it the Columbian spring. Congress 
street he laid out sixty-six feet wide, and tliis left the Con- 
gress spring near the centre of the street, and therefore 
public property. The Hamilton spring was also left by 
Gideon Putnam far in the street. After Putnam's death 
all the streets but Broadway, north of Congress street, were 
narrowed down to their present limits, thus bringing the 
springs outside the street limits, and making them private 
property. Gideon Putnam also contemplated laying out a 
large public park, to be forever free to the public. The 
map named above is now in possession of his granddaughter, 
Mrs. Shackelford, at Saratoga Springs. 

Of Gideon Putnam a biographical sketch is elsewhere 
given in these pages. 

The children of Gideon Putnam and his wife, Doanda 
Risley, were five sons and four daughters. The .sons were 
Benjamin, Lewis, Rockwell, Washington, and Lorin ; the 
daughters were Betsey, Nancy, Aurelia, and Phila. 

Of the sons, Benjamin's children were Amelia, Gideon, 
Laura G., Charles E., Mary E., and John II. The children 
of Lewis were Mervin G., Lorin B., and William L. The 
children of Rockwell were Elizabeth and George R. The 
children of Washington were George W., Walter, Florence, 
and Aune. The child of Lorin was Caroline. 




The Putnam tamily traces' its 
descent from John Putnam, who 
came from England in 1634, 
and located at Danvers, Massa- 
chusetts. He had three sons, 
Thomas, Nathan, and John, and 
these three form the branches 
from which have sprung the 
numerous and influential family 
of Putnam. 

From Thomas descended a 
long line of prominent persons, 
including General Israel Put- 
nam, of Revolutionary fame, and 
Gideon Putnam, the man of 
strong nerve, comprehensive 
powers of invention, and in- 
domitable will, who was the 
virtual creator or originator of 
the beautiful village of Saratoga 
Springs. 

Gideon Putnam was the son 
of Rufus and Mary Putnam, and 
was born in the town of Sutton, 
Massachusetts, in the year 1764. 
He started forth at an early age 
to encounter the vicissitudes and 
changes of life. He married 
Miss Doanda Kisley, daughter of 
Squire Benjamin Risley, a gen- 
tleman of influence and means, at Hartford, Connecticut. His 
wife accompanied him in his pursuit after fortune, and worthily 
and faithfully shared in his trials, difliculties, and successes. 

He first took his way to Middlebury, Vermont, where he erected 
a cabin on the very site now occupied by the Middlebury college 
buildings, and where his first child was born. After remaining 
there for a time he removed to Rutland, Vermont, and it was 
there that Benjamin Putnam was born. From Rutland they 
removed to the " Five Nations," or " Bemus Flats." Here they 
were joined by Dr. Clement Blakesley, who married Theodosia, a 
sister of Mrs. Putnam, and who was a physician of acknowledged 
skill and prominence in his profession. But Putnam was still dis- 
satisfied with his choice of location, and pushed on still farther, 
until, In the year 1789, they arrived at the Springs, which were 
then scarcely known. On reaching that point he determined to 
establish himself there. He selected a piece of ground near a 
fresh-water spring, and built a cabin on Prospect Hill, on land 
afterwards owned by his son Benjamin. Here he entered actively 
into farming operations, engaging also in the manufacture of staves 
and shingles. These he carried to the Hudson river, at the mouth 
of Fish creek, and subsequently sold to advantage in New York 
city, it proving the beginning of a large lumber trade, which he 
successfully carried on for years. He now began to accumulate 
means, and purchased, in 1791, his first land at Saratoga Springs, 
consisting of three hundred acres, of Dirck Lefl'erts, who was one of 
the original purchasers of the Kayadrossera patent. 

In 1802 he purchased some land of Henry Walton, and began 
the erection of Union Hall, which bis descendants owned until pur- 
chased by Mr. Leland. In 1805 he purchased more land of Walton, 
consisting of one hundred and thirty acres, and on a part of it 
lie laid out a village, and set apart a portion of it for a burial- 
ground. This he afterwards gave to the village, and in it are 
buried many of the old pioneers of the county, and most all of 
Putnam's descendants who have died. 

In 1806 he excavated and tubed the Washington spring, and soon 
after the Columbian spring. The springs were now annually be- 
coming more popular, and the number of strangers constantly 
increased. 

Putnam next tubed the Hamilton spring, and about 1809 discov- 
ered and tubed the celebrated Congress spring. A manuscript hand- 
bill, issued by Putnam.bearingdate June 11, 1811, is still extant, in 
which he forbids, under pain of legal penalties, any person from 
washing in the spring, putting dirt or other material into it, or 



transJ 

»T1 tKjsT 



.if 




DOANDA RISLEY PUTHAM 

[WIDOV^ Of GIDEON PUTNAM 1 



bottling the waters for 
portation and sale. 

In 1811, Putnam began the' 
erection of Congress Hall, and 
while the masons were plastering 
at the north end of the piazza, he 
fell froni the scaflTolding which 
they were using, and suffered 
severe injuries. In the following 
November he was attacked by 
disease, and died December 1, 
1812, at the early age of forty- 
nine years, his being the first 
body laid in the ground he had so 
generously donated to the public 
use. 

Gideon Putnam was in every 
sense a remarkable man. Pos- 
sessed of indomitable persever- 
ance, stern resolution, and in- 
vincible energy, he early encoun- 
tered the trials and privations 
incident to a pioneer life, and 
carved out from the primitive 
forest one of the most beautiful 
villages in the country, and 
which has proved one of the 
most popular places of summer 
resort. Its broad streets, free 
fountains, and abundant relig- 
ious and educational advantages bear testimony alike to his com- 
prehensive ingenuity, his liberality, and his respect for truth. He 
not only gave the burial-ground to the village, but also the ground 
for the village academy, and to the Baptist church the ground on 
which it stands. He made such an impression on the place of his 
choice that his name must ever stand first among those whose early 
self-denials and energetic lives have conferred so much upon the 
village. 

Gideon Putnam's biography would not be complete without 
special mention of his estimable wife, whose portrait, so full of 
character, may be seen on this page. She was a woman of rare 
personal excellence, of a deeply religious nature, a faithful, true, 
and patient wife, a careful and affectionate mother, of pleasant 
manners, and loved and respected by all who knew her. She was 
one of the first members of the Presbyterian church of Saratoga 
Springs, and closely identified with its various religious and char- 
itable enterprises. It was she who bore the first white child born 
in the village, who was Lewis Putnam. She died Feb. 10, 
1835. 

Benjamin Risley, the father of Mrs. Putnam, came to Saratoga 
Springs about the time that Gideon Putnam died, bringing with 
him considerable means. He built a large house near High Rock 
spring, which was afterwards occupied by Thaddeus Smith. This 
house stood upon land which Risley purchased of Catherine M. 
Von Dam. He had a number of daughters, of whom Theodosia 
married Dr. Clement Blakesley, as has been stated, and who was 
the first physician who practiced in the village. Another daughter, 
Phila, married Matthew Lyon, who edited the first newspaper 
started in Saratoga Springs, and afterwards removed to and edited 
a paper at Washington, D. C. There Laura married Judge Pease, 
of Ohio, a gentleman of prominence ; and Nancy married a Mr. 
Lawrence, a member of congress from Louisiana. Lawrence's 
daughter married a Mr. Donaldson, and presided at the White 
House during the administration of General Jackson as president. 
The children of Gideon and Doanda Putnam were Benjamin, 
Lewis, Rockwell, Washington, and Loren, — most of whom inher- 
ited and manifested the energy and special characteristics of their 
parents, — and Mrs. Betsey Taylor, Mrs. Amelia Clement, Mrs. 
Nancy Andrews, and Mrs. Phila Kellogg. Of these all are now 
dead save Mrs. Kellogg, who resides in southern Illinois. 

It is the children of these sons and daughters who cause this 
brief memoir of the many excellencies of their grandparents to be 
inserted in this work. 




S-'V 



ROCKWELL PUTNAM. 



Rockwell Putnam was the third son and fourth child 
of Gideon Putnam, whose life work is set forth on an- 
other page of this book. He was bom on November 3, 
1792, and passed his entire life in the village of Saratoga 
Springs. 

He was possessed of strong natural common sense, was 
a man of positive opinions, and public spirited. He never 
sought after notoriety of any kind, but was rather retiring 
in his nature ; yet his fellow-citizens, at various times, com- 
pelled him to accept the ofi&ces of town clerk, assessor, and 
supervisor. He was water commissioner under the law of 
1847. Was a careful business man, and several times pro- 
prietor of Union Hall, Saratoga Springs ; at first, immedi- 
ately after the death of his father, in 1812, and in connec- 
tion with his brother Washington, from 1839 to 1849. 
After leaving Union Hall, in 1849, he followed no special 
business except as agent of several insurance companies, 
as director and president of the Commercial National Bank, 
and engaged in the management and improvement of his 
real estate. 

He was one of the founders of the Episcopal church of 
Saratoga Springs, and in 1830, in connection with Edward 
Davis, the acting rector, and Henry Walton, he signed the 
certificate of incorporation of said body. He was proud of 
his church connections, and to his last moment his love for, 
and devotion to, the church was fervent and untiring. He 



filled official station in it for over forty years, first as a 
vestryman, and afterwards as senior warden. 

Rockwell Putnam died on November 4, 1869. At his 
decease resolutions, expressive of his many excellencies and 
of sincere condolence with his family at their loss, were 
passed by the officers of Bethesda church, by the Saratoga 
board of underwriters, and by the officers of the Commer- 
cial National Bank. A large meeting of citizens of the 
village of Saratoga Springs was likewise held at the Ameri- 
can Hotel. At this meeting similar resolutions, testifying 
to his integrity, uprightness, spotless morals, suavity of 
manners, domestic and social virtues, and consistent Chris- 
tian life, were feelingly passed. 

Mr. Putnam married, in 1823, Elizabeth H. Peck, daugh- 
ter of George Peck, and granddaughter of Robert Ellis, 
one of the earliest pioneers of the county, and who owned 
a thousand acres of land, which included the Ellis spring. 
This spring he tubed himself He also owned the land on 
which the Geyser spring was afterwards discovered. 

Rockwell Putnam left two children,— George Rockwell, 
one of the proprietors of Union Hall, and who died in 1862, 
and Elizabeth, who married Rev. J. W. Shackleford, of 
New York city. Mr. Putman's widow is still living, at the 
age of seventy years, active in mind and body, and has just 
returned from an extensive tour abroad, including a visit to 
the Holy Land. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



153 



Of (rideon Putnam's daughters, Betsey married Isaac 
Taylor; their children were Putnam, Washington, and 
Eliza. Nancy marrried Frederick Andrews ; their daugh- 
ter was Caroline. Anrdia married Joel Clement; their 
children were William H., John, Mary, Caroline C, and 
Frances. I'hihi. married Abel A. Kellogg, and their 
children were Laura and Sarah. Phlla street was named 
in her honor. 

About the year 1794 two brothers, John and Ziba 
Taylor, settled at Saratoga. They seem to have been the 
pioneer merchants of the place. The first opened a small 
store in the old Schouten house, then owned and occupied 
by Mr. Risley. He afterwards built a small log house on 
the high ground about fifty rods north of the high rock, 
in which they also placed a stock of goods. They after- 
wards became extensive land-owners in the neighborhood, 
cleared up the country, built mills, and became prominent 
in affairs. John Taylor owned and first developed the 
Ten springs, and resided there for many years. Ziba 
continued in business in the upper village. The two 
brothers married sisters. John married Polly and Ziba 
married Sally, daughters of Richard Searing, an early 
settler of Greenfield. Ziba's children by this marriage 
were Julius, Miles, Harry, Laura, and Mary, wife of Dr. 
John H. Steele. The children of John were Calvin, John, 
Miles, Betsey, and Laura. We have now traced the history 
of the most of the pioneers of the village of Saratoga 
Springs, from its rude beginnings in the year 1771 up to 
the year 1800. 

Of those who moved into the village after the year 1800 
our space will not permit such particular mention. Their 
history will be to some extent found in the records of their 
acts in connection with the social, industrial, and political 
life presented in the following pages. The pioneers of a 
country, the founders of its destiny, those who brave the 
hardships and dangers of its first settlement, are entitled to 
notice. Of a truth, to be a pioneer of itself makes one's 
name historic ; but those who come afterward cannot ex- 
pect their names to become historic only so far as they take 
active part in affairs, and thus to a gieater or less extent 
do historic deeds. 

It has been seen that up to the year 1800 all there was 
of the village was what was afterwards known as the upper 
village. It was what grew up around the High Rock 
spring. The lower village, which grew up around Con- 
gress springs, was, up to the year 1800, covered with the 
primeval forest. Up to the year 1810 there were but few 
houses in the lower village, and only twenty or thirty in 
the upper. Between the two was nearly a mile of forest, 
filled with towering pines. When Gideon Putnam made 
his will, he described his land in the neighborhood of 
Phila street, and to the west of it, " the pine plains." 

Up to 1820, and even to 1830, there was a long stretch 
of pine-woods between ihe upper and lower villages. When 
Judge Walton commenced building the old Pavilion Hotel, 
on the site of the present town-hall, in 181!), he cut down 
the timber for the frame-work on the site of the building. 
About the only remnant of this noble old forest still remain- 
ing is Pine Grove, at the Walworth mansion. In early days 
a deep gully or ravine extended across Broadway a little to 
20 



the north of the Holden House. This ravine was so deep that 
to persons standing on the piazza of the United States Hotel, 
just built in 1824, stage-coaches coming down Broadway 
would go out of sight in crossing it. 

The following are the recollections of some of the older 
inhabitants in regard to the village prior to its incorpora- 
tion, in 1826. 

RECOLLECTIONS OF RANSOM COOK. 

Ransom Cook came to Saratoga Spring.?, as a journeyman 
in the manufacture of furniture, in 1813. He says the 
village was then mostly a pine grove. Union Hall was on 
the site of the Grand Union, and the frame of the Congress 
Hotel was up. On the north corner, opposite the Congress 
House, same side of Broadway, was the store of Miles 
Beach. There were not more than three or four other 
buildings on Broadway. The upper village was then quite 
flourishing. There was no meeting-house at the Spnngs. 
Boys and men played ball on Sunday, and then went fish- 
ing. There were no lawsuits, particularly for assault and 
battery. If A struck B, B '' licked" A, or hired somebody 
to do it. 

RECOLLECTIONS OF G.\RDNER BULLARD. 

Gardner Bullard came with his father from Westford, 
Vt., in 1812. Of two sisters of Gardner, one became 
Mrs. Philo Waterbury, and the other Mrs. Benjamin Hall. 
Gardner was eleven years old when his father moved here. 
Their house was at the upper village, located on the ground 
now occupied by the brick house of Charles M. White. 
The Bullard house was afterwards moved to the lake bj 
Esquire Green. Mr. Bullard supposes there were thirty 
or forty houses in Saratoga Springs in 1812. Congress 
Hotel was raised that year. The store of John and Ziba 
Taylor he regards as the only one in 1812. Mr. Glcason 
then had a blacksmith's shop in the upper village. 

In or before 1820, Robert McDonald had opened a 
grocery-store on the place of James Chapman's present 
dwelling. Soon after 1812 a bakery was established by 
Palmer & Waterbury. McDonald's store was early 
changed to a hardware trade. Langworthy was in the 
same line. There was a cabinet-making shop at the High 
Rock village. The old " red store" wa.s an early affair ; 
stood about on the site of the present residence of widow 
Brockett. In 1812 the Columbian Hotel, kept by Jotham 
Holmes, stood where the Ainsworth building is now. Mr. 
Bullard thinks Calvin Munger opened a store about 1820. 

Walter J. Hendriek states the early stores in Saratoga 
Springs, 1812 to 1814, as Taylor's, and the store of Beach 
& Farlin ; Hendriek & Knuwlton, 1815; Joseph Westcot, 
1820; 1818, Ashbel Andrews and Ferdinand Andrews ; 
Nathan Lewis, 1816. 

The recollections of Mr. Nathaniel Waterbury, who is 
another of our oldest inhabitants, are inserted in the history 
of the town of Saratoga Springs, on subsequent pages. 

For a further account of some of those who have been 
prominent actors in the growth and development of the 
village, the reader is referred to the biographical pages of 
this work. 

In sharp contrast with the meagre sight exhibited by 
this village to those early beholders, even fifty years ago, 



lU 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



we now see, and they still live to see, miles of beautiful 
streets adorned with elegant residences, many of which are 
models of architectural beauty, afiFording in their construc- 
tion rare specimens of modern decorative art. 

Among the more prominent of such residences, which 
are surrounded by beautiful grounds, may be named the fol- 
lowing: 

North Broadnoy. — Judge Charles S. Lester, Charles C. 
Lester, Edward R. Stevens, Dr. B. W. King, James H. 
Wright, William C. Bronson, William A. Shepard, Mrs. 
Mary S. Wayland, Joseph Baucus, Samuel A. Willoughby, 
Mr. Ehninger. 

South Broddicay. — John A. Lee, George S. Rice, Mrs. 
John H. White. 

Circular Street. — Hon. George S. Batcheller, Mrs. 
George R. Putnam, Hon. A. Bockes, Mr. Sherman, Cor- 
nelius Sheeban, A. W. Shepherd, Mrs. Robert Milligan, 
John Newland, Arthur D. Seavey. 

Franklin Square. — Hon. James M. Marvin, George 
Harvey, residence of the late Judge Marvin. 

Washington Street. — Mrs. Catharine S. Stevens. 

Phila Street. — David F. Ritchie. 

Union Avenvc. — Charles Reed. 

Matilda Street. — Seymour Ainsworth. 

Spring Street. — James I. Wakefield. 

There are many other residences the names of whose 
owners do not now occur to the writer which are of equal 
elegance and architectural beauty. 

III.— VILLAGE ORGANIZATIOM AND OFFICIAL LIST. 
The village of Saratoga Springs was first incorporated 
by act of the Legislature of the State, passed April 17, 
1826. In that act the village limits were defined as follow.", 
to wit : 

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the St.ate of New York, 
represented in Senate and Assembly, That all that district of country 
lying in the town of Saratoga Springs, county of Saratoga, and State 
of New York, situated belween two lines parallel to, and each half of 
a mile distant from the following described line, to wit: beginning 
on the line between the Livingston and Ostrander lots, in the centre 
of the highway, near the house of Jesse Ostrander: running northerly 
as the highway runs, till it strikes Broad street, as laid out on a map 
of lots at Saratoga Springs, belonging to Gideon Putnam; thence 
northerly along the centre of Broad street till the said line intersects 
the highw.iy leading from the upper village to Greenfield, near the 
Methodist meeting-house; thence north to Greenfield line, shall con- 
tinue to be called and known by the name of the village of Saratoga 
Springs.** 

The present village limits are described as below by an 
act of the Legislature, passed March 26, 1866. 

" VILLAGE BOUNDARIES. 

*' Section 1. All that tract of land in the town of Saratoga Springs 
lying and included within two parallel lines, one commencing at a 
point in the north line of said town three-quarters of a mile east of 
the centre of Broadway, at its intersection with the south line of the 
town of Greenfield, and running from such point, on a direct line, to 
a point as far south as the south line of lands belonging to the heirs 
of Augustus McKinncy, and three-fourths of a mile east of the centre 
of the highway at said McKinney's lands; and the other of such 
parallel lines commencing at a point in the north line of the town of 
Saratoga Springs, three-quarters of a mile west of the centre of Broad- 
way, aforesaid, and running from thence, on a direct line, to a point 
as far south as the south line of lands belonging to the heirs of Au- 
gustus McKinney, and to a point three-fourths of a mile west from 
the centre of the highway at said McKinney's lands, shall be known 
by the corporate name of the ' Village of Saratoga Springs.' " 



OFFICIAL LIST. 

1826.— John H. Steel, Wm. L. F. Warren, presiding 
justices; Joshua Porter, president; John Bryan, Rock- 
well Putnam, Robert McDoniial, David Cobb, trustees ; 
Peter V. Wiggins, clerk ; John A. Waterbury, trea-surer ; 
Joshua Blum, Joseph White, constables ; Samuel Mathews, 
pathmaster. 

1827. — John H. Steel, president; John Boardman, Ran- 
som Cook, Christopher B. Brown, Samuel Chapman, trus- 
tees ; Wm. C. Waterbury, clerk ; Gideon Conant, treasurer ; 
Joshua Blum, Joseph White, constables. 

1828. — John H. Steel, president ; Samuel Chapman, 
Daniel Mathews, John Boardman, Daniel T. Reed, trus- 
tees ; William C. Waterbury, clerk ; Gideon Conant, treas- 
urer. 

An act to amend, passed April 23, 1829. 

1830. — John H. Steel, president; John Clark, William 
A. Langworthy, Runion Martin, Isaac Taylor, trustees ; 
Rockwell Putnam, treasurer; Miles Taylor, clerk. 

1831. — John H. Steel, president; William A. Lang- 
worthy, Runion Martin, Isaac Taylor, Abel Hendrick, 
trustees; Daniel D. Benedict, clerk; Rockwell Putnam, 
treasurer. 

1832. — John H. Steel, president; Samuel Chapman, 
Ransom Cook, Judiah Ellsworth, Scth Covill, Jr., trus- 
tees ; James H. Westcott, treasurer ; Daniel D. Benedict, 
clerk. 

1833. — John H. Steel, president; Ransom Cook, Sam- 
uel Chapman, Lewis Putnam, Seth Covill, Jr., trustees ; 
James H. Robinson, clerk ; Rockwell Putnam, treasurer. 

1834. — John H. Steel, president ; John Clark, Samuel 
Putnam, Daniel T. Reed, Seth Covill, Jr., trustees ; Rock- 
well Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk. 

1835. — John H. Steel, president; John Clark, Daniel T. 
Reed, Samuel Chapman, Seth Covill, Jr., trustees ; Rock- 
well Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk. 

1836. — John H. Steel, president; Samuel Chapman, 
John Clark, Seth Covill, Jr , Daniel T. Reed, trustees ; 
Rockwell Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk. 

An act to amend, passed April 16, 1836. 

1837. — Samuel Chapman, president; William A. Beach, 
George W. Wilcox, John Clark, Benjamin Hull, trustees; 
Rockwell Putnam, treasurer ; Henry P. Hyde, clerk. 

1838. — Thomas G. Marvin, president; Seth Covill, Run- 
ion Martin, Robert Gardner, Washington Putnam, trustees; 
John C. Hulbert, clerk ; Joel Clement, treasurer. 

1839. — Thomas G. Marvin, president; John L. Perry, 
Washington Putnam, James W. Chesney, Jesse Morgan, 
trustees ; Carey B. Moon, clerk ; Joel Clemeut, treasurer. 

1840. — R. Gardner, president; John L. Perry, Run- 
ion Martin, Lucius D. Langley, Robert Gardner, James 
W. Chesney, trustees ; Carey B. Moon, clerk ; Joel Clement, 
treasurer. 

1841. — Thoma.s J. Marvin, president; John Clarke, 
Seth Covill, Robert Gardner, W. Putnam, trustees ; Samuel 
Pitkins, clerk ; Joel Clements, treasurer. 

1842. — Robert McDonnell, president ; Thomas J. Mar- 
vin, Washington Putnam, Abel A. Kellogg, John L. Perry, 
trustees ; W. H. Andrews, clerk ; Joel Clement, treasurer. 



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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



155 



1843.— /Vbel A. Kellogg, president ; S. R. 0.strander, 
Runion Martin, Lewis Putnam, Isaac Hoag, trustees ; 
Wm. H. Andrevrs, clerk ; Joel Clements, treasurer. 

1844. — Thomas J. Marvin, president ; W. Putnam, John 
Morris, S. C. West, James R. Smith, trustees ; James H. 
Westcott, clerk ; Joel Clem3ut, treasurer. 

Amendment passed April 23, 1844. 

1845. — Daniel D. Benedict, president ; Augustus Bookes, 
Isaac L. Smith, John L. Perry, Thaddous Smith, trustees; 
William II. Andrews, clerk ; Horace Dowday, treasurer. 

1S4G. — Washington Putnam, president; P. H. Cowen, 
H. H. JIartin, W. II. Walton, J. A. Corey, trustees ; Sam- 
uel Pitkin, clerk. 

1847. — Washington Putnam, president ; P. H. Cowen, 
H. H. Martin, W. H. Walton, J. A. Corey, trustees ; Geo. 
W. Spooner, clerk. 

1848. — W. Putnam, president; J. A. Corey, W. S. 
Alger, Samuel Chapman, William Cook, trustees ; J. W. 
Crane, clerk. 

1849. — -Washington Putnam, president; John L. Perry, 
Joseph D. Briggs, Henry P. Hyde, Robert Gardner, trus- 
tees ; John W. Crane, clerk ; Thomas McDonnell, treas- 
urer. 

1850. — John A. Corey, president; Robert Gardner, 
Dennis O'Neil, Wilks S. Alger, Joseph White, trustees ; 
John W. Crane, clerk; Thomas McDonnell, treasurer. 

1851. — John A. Corey, president; Robert Gardner, 
Walter J. Hendrick, Hiram A. Dedrick, John Clow, trus- 
tees ; John W. Crane, clerk; W. H. Andrews, treasurer. 

1852. — John A. Corey, president; Robert Gardner, 
Hiram A. Dedrick, John Clow, Walter J. Hendrick, trus- 
tees ; Jesse L. Fraser, clerk ; Gideon Putnam, treasurer. 

1853. — John A. Corey, president ; W. J. Hendrick, 
Hiram A. Dedrick, John Clow, Wm. S. Balch, trustees ; 
Gideon Putnam, treasurer ; J. R. Rockwell, clerk. 

1854. — John A. Corey, president ; Walter J. Hendrick, 
Hiram A. Dedrick, Wm. S. Balch, Runion Martin, trus- 
tees; Joseph D. Briggs, treasurer; Chas. H. Hulbert, clerk. 

1855.— J. A. Corey, president; W. S. Balch, R. Mar- 
tin, AV. J. Hendrick, R. Wariner, trustees ; C. C. More- 
house, clerk. 

1856. — -John A. Corey, president; Wm. S. Balch, Wal- 
ter J. Hendrick, Amos S. Maxwell, E. R. Stevens, P. H. 
Greene, trustees ; C. C. Morehouse, clerk. 

1857. — John H. White, president; Robert Gardner, 
Amos S. Maxwell, W. J. Hendrick, P. H. Greene, H. H. 
Martin, trustees ; James H. Huling, clerk. 

1858.— J. H. White, president ; R. Gardner, H. H. Mar- 
tin, A. S. Maxwell, S. Ainsworth, G. F. White, trustees ; 
W. L. Putnam, clerk. 

1859. — Peckham H. Greene, president ; Owen T. Sparks, 
Charles S. Lester, Amos H. Maxwell, George F. White, 
Seymour Ainsworth, trustees ; Wm. L. Putnam, clerk. 

1860. — P. H. Greene, president ; C. S. Lester, John H. 
White, Geo. T. White, Wm. B. Gage, Seymour Ainsworth, 
trustees ; Wm. F. Putnam, clerk. 

1861.— J. H. White, president; G. F. White, W. B. 
Gage, J. D. Briggs, C. S. Lester, Amasa Keith, trustees ; 
J. Gunning, Jr., clerk. 

1862. — Charles S. Lester, president; Charles S. Lester, 



George F. White, Joseph D. Briggs, Araasa Keith, Wil- 
liam B. Gage, Alexander A. Patterson, trustees ; John 
Gunning, Jr., clerk. 

1863. — John H. White, president; George F. White, 
William B. Gage, Alexander A. Patterson, John H. White, 
Ama.sa Keith, William Slocum, trustees; Ferdinand Height, 
clerk. 

1864. — John S. Leake, president; John R. Putnam, 
Franklin T. Hill, Silas P. Briggs, Alexander A. Patterson, 
John W. GaflFney, John H. Wager, trustees ; Lorin B. 
Putnam, clerk. 

1865. — John S. Leake, president; John R. Putnam, 
Alexander A. Patterson, John H. Wager, Hiram H. Martin, 
Abner D. Wait, Seymour Hartwell, trustees ; Ljrin B. 
Putnam, clerk. 

1866. — John H. White, president ; Hiram H. Martin, 
Abner D. Wait, Seymour Hartwell, William Bennett, James 
H. Wright, Daniel 0. Gorman, trustees; Ferdinand Height, 
clerk. 

1867. — -John H. White, president; William Bennett, 
James H. Wright, Daniel 0. Gorman, James P. Butler, 
Charles H. Holden, Hiram C. TefFt, trustees ; Ferdinand 
Height, clerk. 

1868. — John H. White, president; James P. Butler, 
Charles H. Holden, Hiram C. Tefft, Ferdinand W. Fonda, 
William H. Walton, Bernard McGovern, trustees; Ferdi- 
nand Height, clerk. 

1869.— John H. White,* president; Ferdinand W. 
Fonda, William H. Walton, Bernard McGovern, James P. 
Butler, Nathan D. Morey, Michael Walsh, trustees ; Ferdi- 
nand Height, clerk. 

1870. — James H. Wright, president; James P. Butler, 
Nathan D. Morey, Michael Walsh, John P. Alger, Elias 
H. Peters, Rhody Delaney, trustees ; William L. Graham, 
clerk. 

1871. — James H. Wright, president; John P. Alger, 
Elias H. Peters, Rhody Delaney, Lorenzo L. Brintnall, 
Daniel M. Mains, Jerome Pitney, trustees; Charles H. 
Tefft, Jr., clerk. 

1872. — Caleb W. Mitchell, president; Lorenzo L. Brint- 
nall, Daniel M. Mains, Jerome Pitney, Lewis Ellsworth, 
George Mingay, William Heaslip, trustees ; Patrick Mc- 
Donald, clerk. 

1873. — Caleb W. Mitchell, president; Lewis Ellsworth, 
George Mingay, William Heaslip, Lorenzo Brintnall, Daniel 
M. Mains, John C. Dennin, trustees; Patrick McDonald, 
clerk. 

1874. — Charles A. Allen, president ; Lorenzo L. Brint- 
nall, Daniel M. Mains, John C. Dennin, John P. Alger, 
Gradus D. Smith, Arthur Swaniek, trustees; Patrick 
McDonald, clerk. 

1875. — Charles A. Allen, president; John P. Alger, 
Gradus D. Smith, Arthur Swanick, George B. Hinckley, 
Dewitt C. Hoyt, Michael Walsh, trustees ; Patrick McDon- 
ald, clerk. 

1876. — Stephen II. Richards, president; George B. 
Hinckley, Dewitt C. Hoyt, Michael Walsh, Lorenzo L. 



* John II. White resigned as president Deceraher 24, 1869, and 
Jomes II. Wright was appointed to fill the vacaney, January 7, 1870. 



156 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Brintnall, Frank D. Wheeler, Jr., Patrick Brennan, trus- 
tees ; William L. Graliame, clerk. 

1877. — Stephen H. Richards, president; Lorenzo L. 
Brintnall, George B. Hinckley, Frank D. Wheeler, Jr., 
Reuben Merchant, Patrick Brennan, Hiram W. Hays, 
trustees; William L. Grahame, clerk. 

1878. — Thomas Noxon, president ; Lorenzo L. Brintnall, 
George B. Hinckley, Reuben Merchant, David Rou.se, 
Hiram W. Hays, Daniel Leary, trustees ; William L. Gra- 
hame, clerk. 

IV.— MINERAL SPRINGS. 

The mineral springs of Saratoga have long been world- 
renowned. They occur in the narrow valley of a little 
stream that takes its rise in the southwestern part of the 
village, one branch of which runs from a spring of fresh 
water situate in the rear of the Clarendon Hotel, and the 
other from springs in the valley which extends through 
Congress park. In making improvements the two little 
branches have long since been diverted from their natural 
channels, and mostly covered up and lost to view. In 
their natural state, however, they were both beautiful 
streams of pure water, the westerly branch running over a 
rocky bed acro.ss Broadway, and after dashing over a little 
cascade near which Congress spring was discovered, it joined 
its sister stream in Congress street. After the junction of 
its two branches, the stream continued through the wind- 
ing valley, first northerly for a mile or more, then easterly 
to the valley of the Ten springs, and then southerly to the 
lake. Along in the valley of this stream, within a dis- 
tance of two miles, are situate nearly all the famous natural 
mineral springs of Saratoga. Around these springs, stretch- 
ing along and across this valley, has sprung up the modern 
village of Saratoga Springs, — a city in fact, but not in 
name and organization, peerles.s in its palatial grandeur and 
fairy like beauty 

The origin of thase mineral waters is one of nature's 
secrets. In the valley in which they occur, two geologic 
systems of rocks meet and abut against each other. Here 
the old Laurentian rocks, covered by the rocks of the Pots- 
dam and calciferous sandstones, end, and the Trenton sys- 
tem of limestones, covered by the Hudson river slates and 
shales, begins. In the geologic fault or fissure which runs 
along the valley between these two systems of rocks, the 
mineral springs rise to the surface. The springs seem to 
take their rise in the bird's-eye limestone strata which un- 
derlies the slate. In sinking wells at the Geyser springs at 
Ballston Spa and at Round lake, the mineral waters, like 
those of Saratoga, were, without exception, reached after 
the drill had passed through the slate and struck the lime- 
stone. At the Geyser the wells are sunk to the depth of 
from one hundred and thirty-two to three hundred feet. At 
Ballston Spa they reach the depth of several hundred feet 
more, while at Round lake the well was sunk through the 
slate to the depth of fourteen hundred feet before the lime- 
stone was reached in which the mineral water was found. 

It seems that the valley of the Hudson, at this part of 
its course, is a deep-sunken basin, in which lies a fossil 
ocean in whose ancient bed the limestones and slates were 
deposited in its briny waters. Out of this siinlcen hasiii of 
still briny waters, out of this fossil ocean-bed filed with 



rocky strata, rise the mineral springs of Saratoga. The 
mineral waters course along between the limestone strata at 
different depths, and therefore possessing different qualities, 
until they reach the hard barrier of Laurentian rocks in the 
fissure that extends through the little valley in the village 
where they" occur, and then they rise to the surface, forced 
upward by the gaseous constituents. 

And now the village of Saratoga Springs owes not only 
its wondrous growth, but its very existence, to the rich 
mineral fountains that within its boundaries bubble up 
from the earth's bosom burdened with their sweet mission 
of healing. 

The mineral springs of Saratoga were first brought to 
the notice of scientific men and ])hysicians by Dr. Consta- 
ble, of Schenectady, who examined the mineral waters at 
Saratoga and Ballston in the year 1770, and pronounced 
them highly medicinal. 

In 1783, Dr. Samuel Tenny, a regimental surgeon sta- 
tioned at Old Saratoga, called the attention of the medical 
faculty to these waters. He addressed a letter upon the 
subject to Dr. Joshua Fisher, of Boston, which was pub- 
lished in the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts 
and Sciences, vol. ii. part i., 1798. 

Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, LL.D., of New York, said it was 
one of the remarkable incidents of his life " that in the 
year 1787 he visited the springs at Saratoga while sur- 
rounded by the forest and ascertained, experimentally, that 
the gas extracted from the water was fixed air, with the 
power to extinguish flame and destroy the life of breathing 
animals." 

But the first scientific examination of these waters was 
made by Dr. Valentine Seaman, of New York, an eminent 
physician, and one of the surgeons of the New York Hos- 
pital. In 1793 he published a work entitled " A Disserta- 
tion on the Mineral Waters of Saratoga." To him very 
justly belongs the honor of first developing the true charac- 
ter of these waters by chemical experiment. 

In the year 1795, Dr. Vandervoort published the result 
of his expeiiment on the Ballston waters. 

In the summer of 1817, Dr. John H. Steel published 
" Some Observations on the Mineral Waters of Saratoga 
and Ballston,' and in 1831 his larger work, entitled "Atf 
Analysis of the Mineral Waters of Saratoga and Ballston." 

In 1844, Dr. R. L. Allen published the first edition of 
his work, entitled " A Historical, Chemical, and Therapeu- 
tical Analysis of the principal Mineral Waters of Saratoga 
Springs." 

The.se publications have been followed by many others, 
too numerous to mention here.* 

niGn ROCK SPRING. 

The longest known, if not the most famous, of the min- 
eral springs of Saratoga is the High Rock spring. This 
spring, as has already been seen, was the famous " medi- 
cine spring" of the Mohawks long before it was visited by 
white men. This, with the Flat Rock spring, since called 
the Pavilion, and the Red spring, were for many years the 

* See a list of bnoks relating to Saratoga Springs, in Reminiscences 
of Saratoga and Ballston, page 441. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



157 



only springs known to exist at Saratoga. It takes its name 
from tlie peculiar rocky concretion throuf;h which it rises 
to the open air. This rocky concretion seems to have been 
gradually formed by the sprins^ itself in the course of many 
centuries. " The material of which this rock is composed," 
says Henry McGuier, in his concise history of the High 
Rock spring, " is principally impure lime, and is chiefly 
derived by the water from the loose earthy materials lying 
upon the rock out of whicli it issues. This material is 
quite different from anything originally found in the water, 
and is retained in it by a mechanical instead of a chemical 
force, and, conse(|uently, upon its coming into contact with 
the atmosphere, and losing much of its activity, it deposits 
all those materials which have combined with it in its pass- 
age from the rocky orifice to the surface, in the form of a 
stony mass, denominated tvfa. Tiiis is the origin, and 
such the substance forming that singular phenomenon 
known as the ' High Rock.' 

" In all the operations of nature everywhere, she has 
left the evidences of .some method by which to determine 
the successive stages of progressive development and per- 
fection, in all her varied creations. The geologist finds, in 
the rocks, unquestionable evidences of the stately steppings 
of the creative energy, and by their organic reliquse or im- 
bedded petrifactions is enabled to determine the comparative 
remoteness or nearness of the system he is studying. So, 
too, the botanist finds in the towering giant of the forest 
the annular rings of its growth, and he is thereby enabled 
to trace its history far backward, and perhaps prior to the 
commencement of his own brief existence. And the paliBon- 
tologist, by comparing one specimen with another, is en- 
abled to determine the mature from those which are 
immature ; and so throughout. 

" The application of this law, then, to any subject of 
natural history to which our attention may be called, will 
enable us to arrive, approximately at least, at the truth, 
whenever we endeavor to trace backward to the commence- 
ment of their operations, those causes which have been in- 
strumental in producing it. 

" Taking this law for our guide, then, let us determine, 
if possible, the age of the High Rock. 

" In descending from the surface at this point, seven feet 
of commingled muck and tufa (rocky matter formed by the 
water) was passed through, then a stratum or layer of tufa 
two feet thick, a stratum of muck, and then a stratum of 
tufa three feet thick. 

" In determining the time requisite to deposit the five feet 
of tufa, I cau.sed a specimen of the tufa to be ground down 
smooth, and at right angles to the lines of deposit, so as to 
be enabled to count the lines with accuracy, of annual de- 
posit, — as the vicissitudes of our climate determine those 
lines, for when frozen, as in our winter, the water makes 
no deposit. I found twenty-five such lines embraced within 
a single inch, and as there are sixty inches in the aggregate, 
a very simple computation shows that one thousand five hun- 
dred years were consumed in depositing these layers of tufa 
alone ; and this tufa, it must be remembered, was deposited 
from standing water, or with but very little motion, as the 
tufa occupies a horizontal positi<in. 

" Lying upon the stratum of tufa three feet thick, and 



in the stratum of muck superimposed upon it, was found a 
pine-tree, the annular rings of which I counted to the num- 
ber of one hundred and thirty ; this .sum added to the above, 
and we have the further sum of one thousand six hundred 
and thirty years. And from the foregoing data I deem it 
a moderate approximation to claim fimr hundred years as 
the requisite time in which to deposit the seven feet of su- 
perincumbent muck and tufa, which gives the still further 
sum of two thousand and thirty years. 

" The facts which add strength to the foregoing conclu- 
sions, and lend thrilling interest to this subject, are the evi- 
dences which are found at this depth of the surface, that 
this level was once occupied by human beings. Here the 
extinguished fire marks unmistakably the gathering-place 
of the family group many centuries ago. And here, too, 
linger the ' foot-prints' of a long-gone race, as if loth to 
leave a spot once so cherished, and around which clustered 
so many pleasing recollections. 

" The reader will observe that the above estimate does 
not include the rock or cone of the spring, but simply the 
intermediate strata between the cone and the deposits below. 
To determine the length of time requisite to form the cone 
or rock of the .spring, it became nece.ssary to visit a locality 
where the water, which is now depositing tufa, has a veloc- 
ity similar to that which the water must have had from 
which the rock of the High Rock spring was deposited. 
Accordingly, resort was had to such a locality, and it was 
found that five of the annual strata thus deposited occupied 
the space of one-sixteenth of an inch, — thus requiring eighty 
years to perfect one inch ; and as the cone of the High 
Rock is four feet in height, it must have required three 
thousand eight hundred and forty years to have formed the 
cone ; and, in the aggregate, five thousand eight hundred 
and seventy years (some eminent scientists, who have had 
their attention drawn to this subject, estimate its age at 
even more than this) must have been consumed in the for- 
mation of the High Rock spring." 

Ownership of High Rock spring. — On Friday, Feb. 22, 
1771, the patent of Kayaderosseras was partitioned by 
ballot, and lot No. 12 of the sixteenth general allotment — 
on which lot the High Rock spring is situated — by such 
balloting came into po.ssession of the heirs of Rip Van 
Dam, who had died in 1745, pending the controversy with 
the Indians in regard to the patent. They were the first 
individuals who ever exercised any po.ssessory jurisdiction 
over this spring. Soon after. Rip Van Dam's executors 
sold the same to Isaac Low, Jacob Walton, and Anthony 
Van Dam. Low was attainted for treason by the Legisla- 
ture of New York, Oct. 1, 1779, and Henry Livingston, 
upon the sale of Low's portion of the lot, purchased the 
same for himself and several of his brothers. The prop- 
erty was again divided in 1793. At this time it was held 
by Henry Walton, Henry Livingston, and Anthony Van 
Dam. Walton then purchased Van Dam's portion of the 
property, and of the part of lot twelve lying to the north 
of Congress spring Judge Walton became the sole owner. 

The High Rock remained the property of the Walton 
heirs until the year 1826, when Mr. John H. White, a step- 
son of Dr. Clarke, on behalf of Mrs. Clarke and the heirs, 
purchased of the executors of Henry Walton the remain- 



158 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



ing portion of the High Rock, and tliey thus became pos- 
sessed of the entire property. 

In 1864, William B. White, who succeeded Dr. Clarke 
in the control and management of the Congress spring, 
died, and soon after it passed into other hands, and the 
necessili/ for the longer retention of this, to them entirely 
unproductive property, ceased to exist. In 18G5, Messrs. 
Ainsworth and JIcCafFrey became the owners of this 
prodigy of nature, and soon after commenced a series of im- 
provements. After removing the building which sheltered 
the spring they set about removing the rook or cone whole, 
upon accomplishing which, contrary to general expectation, 
they discovered that the cone had no direct or immediate 
connection with the rock below, but that the water was 
supplied by percolation through the intervening soil. They 
at once determined upon removing the soil quite down to 
the permanent orifice in the rock below, and by supplying 
an artificial channel between that point and the surface, to 
reproduce that much-desired spectacle of the water once 
again bubbling up and running over the crest of the cone. 
After passing through about seven feet of commingled 
muck and tufa, they came upon a layer of tufa about two 
feet thick, then a stratum of muck, then another stratum 
of tufa three feet thick ; through the muck were dissemi- 
nated the trunks of large trees and pine and other forest 
leaves in profuse abundance — the concentric rings of the 
trunk of one of those trees was counted and there were 
found one hundred and thirty. Those trees must have lain 
there for a long period of time before they became covered 
by the increasing peaty deposit, for their upper surfaces 
were worn smooth by the moccasins of the Indians, as they 
formed a convenient passage-way for them to the spring ; 
and thus proceeding through alternating strata of muck 
and tufa down to the desired point, where an opening was 
reached which furnished a volume of water vastly superior 
to anything ever before witnessed at this place, and .so 
great, even, as to affect materially for the time the level of 
the springs in the neighborhood, some of them to the 
extent of quite two feet; thus exhibiting the fact that this 
is the main opening of all our mineral waters at this point. 
A tube was then furnished, placed in position, and properly 
secured, in which the mineral water rose several feet above 
the original surface of the rock or cone. Preparations were 
immediately made for replacing the rock back upon the 
vein of water, and after considerable labor and trial that 
purpose was accomplished, and water welled up through the 
orifice and overflowed the rock, as now seen by the visitors 
at this spring. After the improvements were finished, on 
the 23d day of August, a celebration was had at the rock. 
A large meeting assembled over which the venerable Chan- 
cellor Walworth presided, which was addressed by the chan- 
cellor and William L. Stone. 

In the course of his remarks the chancellor said : 
" In the fall of 1777, after the surrender of General Bur- 
goyne, and while our troops lay at Palmertown, about sis 
miles north of here, several of our officers visited this spring, 
which had then attained some celebrity, as one of those offi- 
cers has since told me. And it had for a long time before 
that been known to the Indians as ' The Great Medicine 
Spring.' 



" When the mineral waters of this ancient spring, which 
are this day (by artificial means) made again to flow over 
the top of this rook, ceased to flow over, is not known to 
any one now living. But I will give you the information I 
have on that subject. I first visited Saratoga in the summer 
of 1812, fifty-four years since. The water in this rock was 
then about as much below the top of tlie rock as it was when 
I came here to reside, eleven years afterwards, I think eigh- 
teen or twenty inches, or perhaps a little more. The late 
Major-General Mooers, of Plattsburg, who was an officer 
of Colonel Hazen's regiment at the taking of General Bur- 
goyne's army, was at my house, and visited this spring with 
me, a few years previous to his death. He then told me 
that he, with other officers, came from Palmertown to this 
spring, in October, 1777. And he said the height of water 
in the rock was then about the same as it was when we 
visited it, sixty years thereafter. 

" About forty-one years since, while holding a circuit court 
on the northern frontier of this State, I stayed over the 
Sabbath with a friend who resided a few miles from the 
Indian settlement at St. Regis ; and we attended the relig- 
ious services at the Indian church iu their village. Between 
the morning and afternoon services at the church, we went 
to the house of one of their chiefs, named Loran Tarbel, 
with whom I had become acquainted during my residence 
at Plattsburg. He was then between eighty and ninety 
years of age, but was in health and in perfect mental 
vigor. Knowing that some of the St. Regis Indians had 
once resided on the banks of the Mohawk river, I was 
anxious to learn what this aged chief knew in relation to 
this spring. But as he had a very imperfect knowledge of 
the English language, I spoke to his son. Captain Tarbel, 
who had an English education. I described the High 
Rock spring, and asked him if he knew anything about it. 
He said he had never been there, and had never heard of 
it. I then requested him to describe it to his father, and 
to ask liim if he had ever heard of it. The moment he 
did so, the early recollections of the venerable chief were 
aroused ; and indicating by the motions of his hand the 
shape of the top of the rock, he said, ' Yes, Great Medi- 
cine Spring.' 

" He then told me, through his son as interpreter, that he 
was born at Caughnawaga, on the Mohawk ; and that he em- 
igrated with his father to Canada several years before the 
Revolutionary war. That when he was a boy, the Indians 
living on the Mohawk were in the habit of visiting this spring 
and using its waters as a medicine. That when he was 
about fifteen years old, and shortly before he emigrated to 
Canada, he came here with his father to see the great 
Medicine spring. I then asked him if the water flowed 
over the top of the rock at that time. He said it did not; 
that they had to get the medicine water by dipping it out 
of the rock with a cup or gourd shell. That there was 
then a tradition among the Indians that the medicine water 
had formerly flowed out of the rock at its top, but that it had 
ceased to do so for a long time before he came here with his 
father. He then gave me the Indian tradition as to the cause 
of the cessation of the overflowing of the water. The par- 
ticulars of this tradition I cannot repeat, in his words, 
in the presence of this audience ; but the substance of it 



James Prentice Butler was born at Moriah, 
Essex Co., N. Y.^Sept. 20, 1816. His pater- 
nal ancestors were Scotch-Irish, and setticil 
originally at Martha's Vineyard, whence rlicy 
removed to Woodbury, Conn. His i;rcat- 
groat grandfather, Jonathan Butler, was a 
sea captain. His great grandfather, Malachi 
Butler, sicttled at Woodbury, Conn., earl}' in 
the rievonteenth oentury, whence the various 
branches oi' the family emigrated. He had 
sons, Zephaniah, Benjamin, Silas, and Solo- 
mon, the latter being the grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch. 

Captain Zephaniah Butler was the grand- 
father of Major-Generai Benjamin F. Butler, 
of Massachusetts, and was a soldier under 
General Wolfe at the taking of Quebec. He 
settled at Nottingham, N. H., in 1759. Solo- 
mon Butler, grandfather of Captain James 
P. Butler, settled at Addison, Vt., soon after 
the termination of the Revolutionary war, 
in which he served as lieutenant, and fought 
at the battle of White Plains. He received 
his pay in Continental money so depreciated 
that, on his way home, he paid sixty dollars 
for a single meal. Captain Butler has now 
several bills, a remnant of the currency, 
which he values above par as a souvenir of 
the gallant services of his ancestor in the 
War of the Revolution. 

Captain Butler has in his possession a volume of Homer's Odyssey, of date 
1772, with the family name bearing date at Woodbury, Conn., 1782; so that 
his branch of the family left about that period for the valley of Lake 
Champlain. 

Captain Butler inherited from his ancestors great vigor of constituti^on 
and strong mental endowments. Although at an early age his opportuni- 
ties for education were limited, he possessed an ardent thirst for knowledge 
and was an incessant reader of books. He studied law in the office of the 
late Zebulon R. Shepherd, formerly an eminent criminal lawyer of Washing- 
ton county, and was admitted to practice in the old common pleas court in 
1840, in the supreme court in 1843, as solicitor in the court of chancery in 
1846, and as counselor in the supreme court in 1847. 

At an early age he took an active interest in political affairs, being first 
identified with the Whig party, and subsequently a Republican. He 
represented his native town in the board of supervisors of Essex county 
for several years in succession. At the age of sixteen ho enlisted in an 




CAPTAIN JAMES P. BUTLER. 



independent company of artillery, and was 
promoted through all i.he various grades till 
he attained the rank of major in the Scven- 
tcench Regiment of Artillery, when in 1846 
the militia system was abolished, leaving 
him with supernumerary rank. He was ap- 
pointed district attorney of Essex county by 
<jovcrnor Hunt, in 1852, to fill a vacancy 
caused by the resignation of Edward S. 
Shumway. He was nominated by the 
Whig party to the same office in the fall of 
1853, and was elected by a very large 
majority. At the end of his term, in 1857, 
he removed to Saratoga County, and o 'ened 
a law-office, where he has remained ic prac- 
^ tice ever since. 

j^ At the commencement of the late civil war 

' he took an active part in the defense of the 

Union. In April, 1862, he went through 
Baltimore the day after the riotous assault 
upon the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment. 
On reaching Washington he was enlisted 
in Cassius M. Clay's battalion, and served 
fourteen days, being stationed at the AVhite 
House, 

In April, 1863, he was appointed by the 
President of the United States, under the 
enrolment act, provost marshal of the 
Eighteenth District of New York, and 
established his headquarters in the city of 
Schenectady. He executed and enforced the first, draft ordered in the State 
during the riots of that year, and enlisted the first squad of colored men for 
the army which entered the service. He served as provost marshal, with 
the rank of captain, from April, 1S63, to October, 1865, when he was 
honorably discharged. In all the offices of responsibility and trust which 
he has filled. Captain Butler hn? attained a high reputation for efficiency 
and integrity, and in his professional and private life has well earned 
the confidence and esteem so universally accorded him. 

His devotion to the government in the time of its need is evinced by 
the fact that in 1864 he put into the service a representative recruit 
for his infant son, Walter P. Butler, for whom he paid the sum of nine 
hundred dollars. He has a certificate of the enlistment from the records 
at Washington, and a photograph of the soldier, who was killed in the 
service. 

He has been a trustee of the village of Saratoga Springs for four years, 
and was a member of the board of supervisors in 1870 and 1371. 




Res of J. H. TARRINGTON, ^orjh 5/?oadway Saratoga Spr-inos^N V 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



159 



was that the Great Spirit, who had made this wonder- 
ful rock, and had caused the healing waters to flow from 
it spontaneously, for the benefit of his red children, was 
angry on account of the desecration of its medicine waters 
in making so improper use of them by some of their squaws, 
who liad visited the spring, that the water never flowed over 
the rock afterwards. 

" Such was the tradition of the untutored Indians, who 
knew little of geology or of hydraulics. But the true 
reason why the mineral waters ceased to flow out at the 
top of this rock, which had been gradually formed from 
their deposits, was probably this: these waters, in process 
of time, had found another outlet, perhaps at some con- 
siderable distance from here, and which outlet must have 
been something like twenty inches lower than the level of 
the top of this rock. For we now see that by tubing the 
mineral fountain so that it cannot escape from beneath, or 
in any other way than through this natural orifice at the 
top of the rock, the present proprietors of the spring now 
cause its healing waters to flow out again, where they had 
ceased to flow for more than a century at the least." 

ANALYSIS BY PliOF. C. P. CHANDLER, OP COLUMBIA 
COLLEGE. 
The following analysis of the High Rock spring water 
was made by Prof C. F. Chandler, Ph.D., of Columbia 
College School of Mines, who visited the spring and per- 
sonally collected the water for analysis. Analysis of one 
United States gallon : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 390.127 

Chloride of potassium 8.497 

Bromide of sodium 0.7:Jl 

Iodide of sodium ll.OSfi 

Fluoride of calcium trace. 

Sulphate of potassa 1.608 

Bicarbonate of baryta trace. 

Bicarbonate of strontia trace. 

Bicarbonate of lime 131.739 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 54.924 

Bicarbonate of soda 34.888 

Bicarbonate of iron 1.478 

Phosphate of lime trace. 

Alumina 1.223 

Silica 2.260 

Total 628.039 

Carbonic acid gas 409.458 cub. in. 

It is thus shown that the water is highly charged with 
valuable mineral and gaseous properties. 

CONGRESS SPRING. 

The Congress spring has long been the most famous of 
all the mineral springs of Saratoga. It may, of a truth, 
be said that to the early development of this spring the 
village of Saratoga Springs owes much of its present pros- 
perity. 

As has been already seen, Congress spring was not dis- 
covered till the year 1702. 

As to who the actual discoverer was there seems to be 
considerable doubt. The discovery of this spring has been 
generally attributed to .John Taylor Gilman, of New Hamp- 
shire. Gilman and his brother, it is said, were both staying 
with Benjamin Risley, at the Schouten House. That John 
Taylor Gilman was there at all has lately been denied by 
the minister of the church in New Hampshire which he 



attended. Dr. John H. Steel also seems to think it may 
have been Gilman's brother, who had been a member of 
Congress. The di.scovery, tradition says, was in the follow- 
ing manner : 

Upon a pleasant afternoon in August, he took his gun 
and strolled up the little creek that runs past the High Rock 
spring, in search of game. Saratoga was then all a wilder- 
ness, excepting the little clearing around the tavern, and 
two or three others in the vicinity. He followed up the 
little brook, as it ran through the tangled swamp, until he 
came to a branch that entered it from the west. This 
branch then took its rise in a clear spring that ran out of 
the sand-bank, near where the Clarendon Hotel now stands. 
Running across Broadway, then an Indian trail, a little 
northerly of the Washington spring, it emptied into a main 
brook in what is now Congress street, just below the Con- 
gress spring. A few yards above the mouth of the branch 
was a little cascade. Below the cascade, the rock rose ab- 
ruptly two or three feet above the level of its bed. Out of 
this rocky bank, at the foot of the cascade, a little jet of 
sparkling water, not larger than a pipe-stem, spirted and 
fell into the water of the stream. Struck by its singular 
appearance, Gilman stopped to examine it. It tasted not 
unlike the water of the High Rock spring that was already 
so famou.s. The truth flashed upon his mind in an instant. 
He had found a new mineral spring. 

Hastening back to his boarding-place, Gilman made 
known his discovery. Every person in the settlement was 
soon at the foot of that little cascade in the deep wild woods, 
wondering at the curious spectacle. There was Risley and 
his family, of the Schouten House. There was Alexander 
Bryan, the patriot scout of the Revolution, who kept the 
only rival tavern — a log one — near Risley 's. There was 
General Schuyler, who had, ju.st ten years before, cut a road 
through the woods from his mills near the mouth of Fish 
creek to the Springs; and Gideon Putnam, the founder of 
the lower village; and Gilman's brother, and a few more 
guests who were at the little log tavern. And there, too, 
was Indian Joe, from his clearing on the hill, near where 
the Clarendon now is, and some of his swarthy brethren, 
from their huts near the High Rock, wondering at the 
strange commotion among the pale-faces at the little water- 
fill in the brook. And they all, gathering around it, each 
in turn tasted the water of the newly-found fountain, and, 
pronouncing it of superior quality, they named it then and 
there the Congress spring, out of compliment to its distin- 
guished discoverer, and in honor of the old Continental 
Congress, of which he had been a member. 

Governor Gilman had long been connected with public 
afi'airs, and was the popular leader of the Federal party in 
his native State. He had served with honor in the Pro- 
vincial forces in the War of the Revolution, had been a del- 
egate in the Continental Congress for two years, and was at 
this time State treasurer, and from 1794 was for eleven 
years governor of the State. 

Judging from all the evidence it is probable that the real 
discoverer was Nicholas Gilman, a younger brother of the 
governor, a member of the First Congress at Philadelphia. 
He had been assistant tidjutant-general of General Horatio 
Gates, and as such had become ftimiliar with the country 



160 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



in the vicinity of Saratoga. It is stated, not very definitely 
as to dates, however, that " once, on his way from Phila- 
delphia, he came to New York to visit in the family of his 
friend, George Clinton, and to see the place of Burgoyne's 
surrender, and in going a gunning found that spring." 

Like the High Rock, the title of Congress spring runs 
back to the old Indian deed of Kayadrossera and the pat- 
ent of the same name ; falling, in the division of the pat- 
ent in 1771 between the thirteen proprietary interests, to 
the heirs of Rip Van Dam. Lot 12 was sold by said heirs 
to Jacob Walton, Isaac Low, and Anthony Van Dam. 
Isaac Low at first adhered to the American cause, but 
afterwards went to England, and his estates were confiscated. 
His interest in lot 12 was bought by the Livingstons, who, 
on its division, became the owners of the part on which 
Congress spring is situated. Soon after its discovery, Con- 
gress spring was leased to Gideon Putnam, and he began 
its improvement. After his death his heirs gave up the 
claim, and tlie spring, in 1823, was purchased by Dr. John 
Clarke with con.siderable land adjoining. Dr. Clarke was 
a native of Yorkshire, England. He married Mrs. Eliza 
White, by whom he had three children, — a daughter Eliza, 
now Sirs. Sheeban, and two sons, Thomas and Gtorge B. 
By her first husband she liad two sons, — William B. White 
and John H. White, and two daughters, Mary R., who 
married Daniel Shepherd, and Louisa A., who married 
Amos A. Maxwell. 

After Dr. Clarke bought the spring he went at once to 
work and made great improvements. In truth he laid the 
foundation of the present prosperous condition of the spring 
property. He formed the unsightly swamp into a beautiful 
park, laid out streets, built houses, and in a large degree con- 
tributed to the present prosperity of the village. In 1825 Dr. 
Clarke began to bottle the water, — a business which has so 
increased from its small beginnings that now from seventy- 
five to one hundred thousand dozen bottles are annually 
sold. Dr. Clarke died on the Gth day of May, 1856. A 
few years after his death, William B. White bought the 
property of his heirs, and remained sole owner till he died. 
In 1865 Mrs. Eliza Sheeban bought the property of the 
heirs of Wm. B. White, and she became the sole owner. 

Mrs. Sheehan afterward sold one-half her interest to 
Chauncey Kilmer, and an incorporated company was 
formed, entitled " The Congress and Empire Spring Com- 
pany," with a capital of one million dollars, in whose hands 
the spring still remains. In making up the stock the Con- 
gress spring was put in at $700,000 and the Empire at 
$300,000. 

The present oflScers of the company are Berkley B. Hotch- 
kiss, president ; Cornelius Sheehan, vice-president and treas- 
urer ; Charles C. Dawson, secretary ; Charles A. Hotchkiss, 
William Van Vranken, Louis E. Whiting, and John T. 
Carr, directors. 

ANALYSIS OF CONGRESS SPRING WATER, BY PROFES- 
SOR C. F. CHANDLER. 

One United States gallon of 231 cubic inches contains : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 400.444 

Chloride of potiissium 8.049 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 121.757 

Bicarbonate of lime 143.;iU9 



Grains. 

Bicarbonate of lithia , 4.761 

Bicarbjnate of soda 10.775 

Bicarbonate of baryta 0.928 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.340 

Biearbonjite of strontia a trace. 

Bromide of sodium 8.559 

Iodide of sodium 0.1.38 

Sulphate of potassa 0.889 

Phosphate of soda fl.016 

Silica 0.840 

Fluoride of caluiuni "j 

Bi borate of soda \ each a trace. 

Alumina J 

Total 700.895 

Carbonic acid gas 392.289 culjic inches. 

Our limited space does not allow us to go much into de- 
tail in the history of the numerous other mineral springs 
of Saratoga. A short mention and analysis of their waters 
is all we can give. 

COLU.MBIAN SPRING. 

This spring is located in Congress park, just west of the 
Congress-park entrance and a little nearer Broadway. 

ANALYSIS OF COLUMBIAN WATERS, BY PROF. E. EMMONS. 

Specific gravity 1007.3. Solid and gaseous contents as 
follows : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 267.00 

Bicarbonate of soda 15.40 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 46.71 

Hydriodate of soda 2.06 

Carbonate of lime 68.00 

Carbonate of iron 5.58 

Silex ; 2.05 

Hydro-bromate of potash scarcely a trace 

Solid contents in a gallon 407.30 

Carbonic acid gas 272.06 inches. 

Atmospheric air 4.50 " 

276.56 inches. 
EMPIRE SPRING. 

This spring, one of the best in Saratoga, is located in 
the nortli part of the shallow valley that runs through the 
village. 

Although tlie existence of mineral water in this locality 
was known for a long time, it was not until 1846 that any 
one thought it worth the necessary expense of excavation 
and tubing. The rock was struck twelve feet below the 
surface of the earth, and so copious was the flow of water 
that the tubing proved to be a work of unusual difficulty. 
When once accomplished, the water flowed in great abun- 
dance and purity. Its general properties closely resemble 
the Congress, and it was for a time known as the A^eiv Con- 
gress spring. The spring is now owned by the Congress 
and Empire Spring Company. 



ANALYSIS OF EMPIRE SPRING WATER, BY PROF. C. F. 
CHANDLER. 

One United States gallon of 231 cubic inches contains: 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 506.630 

Chloride of potassium 4.292 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 42.953 

Bicarbonate of lime 199.656 

Bicarbonate of lithia 2.US0 

Bicarbonate of soda 9.022 

Bicarbonate of baryta 0.075 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.793 

Bicai'bonate of strontia a trace. 

Bromide of sodium 0.266 

Iodide of sodium 0.006 












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HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



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Grains. 

Sulphate of potassa 2.7()1) 

Phosphate of soda O.02a 

Silica. 1.H5 

Alumina 0.418 

Fluoride of calcium "l 

Biborate of soda ■ each a trace. 

Organic matter J 

Total 680.436 

Carbonic acid 344.69'J cubic in. 

EXCELSIOR SPRING. 

This spring is found in a beautiful valley, amid picturesque 
scenery, about a mile east of the town-hall. The principal 
park entrance is on Lake avenue, half a mile from Circular 
street, or it may be approached by Spring avenue, which 
will lead us past most of the principal springs, and the 
Loughberry Water- Works with its famous Holly machinery. 
Near the water-works, we see just before us the fine sum- 
mer hotel known as the Mansion House, surrounded by its 
grand old trees and beautiful lawn. 

The valley in which these two springs is situated was for- 
merly known as the " Valley of the Ten Springs," but the 
present owners, after grading and greatly beautifying the 
grounds, changed its name in honor of the spring to Excel- 
sior park. In this valley are the Union spring and several 
others, giving rise to the name " Ten Springs." 

The Excelsior spring has been known by sonic of the 
oldest visitors of Saratoga for at least half a century. The 
water, however, was not much known to the general public 
until 1859, when Mr. H. H. Lawrence, the former owner, 
and father of the present proprietors, retubed the spring in 
the most thorough manner, — the tubing extending to a 
depth of fifty-six feet, eleven of which are in the solid rock. 
By this improvement the water flows with all its properties 
undeteriorated, retaining from source to outlet its original 
purity and strength. 

ANALYSIS OF THE EXCELSIOR SPRING WATER. 

By the late R. L. Allen, BLD., of Saratoga Springs. 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 370.642 

Carbonate of lime 77.000 

Carbonate of magnesia 32.333 

Carbonate of soda 15.000 

Silicate of potassa 7.000 

Carbonate of iron 3.215 

Sulphate of soda ; 1.321 

Silicate of soda .■ 4.000 

Iodide of soda 4.235 

Bromide of potassa atrace. 

Sulphate of stroutia atrace. 

Solid contents in a gallon 514.746 

Carbonic acid 250 cubic inches. 

Atmosphere 3 " 

Gaseous contents 253 " 

UNION SPRING. 

This spring is near the centre of Excelsior park, and 
about ten rods northwest of Excelsior spring. It was 
originally known as the " Jackson" spring, and is described 
under that name by Dr. John H. Steel, in his " Mineral 
Waters of Saratoga and Ballston." The water was but 
imperfectly secured until the present proprietors had the 
spring retubed in 1868. 

Prof C. F. Chandler, the distinguished chemist, says, 
" This water is of excellent strength. It is specially notice- 
able that the ratio of magnesia to lime is universally large, 
21 



which is a decided advantage. The water is also remark- 
ably free from iron, a fact which is a great recommenda- 
tion." We append Dr. Chandler's analysis : 

ANALYSIS OF THE UNION SPRING WATER, BY PROF. 
C. F. CHANDLER. 

Laboratory of the School of Mines, 
CoLUMuiA College, New York, March 26, 1863. 
The sample of mineral water taken from the Union spring, Sara- 
toga, contains in one U. S. gallon of 231 cubic inches : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 468.299 

Chloride of potassium 8.733 

Bromide of soclium 1.31)7 

Iodide of sodium 0.039 

Fluoride of calcium atrace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia 2.605 

Bicarbonate of soda 17.010 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 109.6S5 

Bicarbonate of lime 96.703 

Bicarbonate of stroutia a trace. 

Bicarbonate of bar,vta 1.703 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.269 

Sulphate of potassa 1.818 

Phosphate of soda 0.026 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina 0.324 

Silica 2.653 

Organic matter atrace. 

Total solid contents 701.174 

Carbonic acid gas in one gallon 384. 9C9 cubic inches. 

Temperature 48 deg. Fahr. 

GEYSER OR " SPOUTING SPRING." 

This spring is a most wonderful fountain of mineral 
water. It was discovered in 1870, and is situated about 
one mile and a quarter southwest of the village of Saratoga 
Springs, in the midst of the beautiful region now known 
as " Geyser Lake and Park." The spring-house is a build- 
ing which was formerly occupied for manufacturing pur- 
poses ; but has, since the spring was discovered, been fitted 
up for the reception of visitors. As you enter the building, 
directly in front is this marvelous spouting spring, sending 
forth a powerful stream of water to the very top of the 
room, which, in descending to its surrounding basin, sprays 
into a thousand crystal streams, forming a beautiful, over- 
flowing fountain charming to behold. 

In the centre of the room is the artistical basin into 
which the spray descends. It is about six feet square, and 
from the bottom ri.ses an iron pipe. From this pipe leaps, in 
fantastic dance, the creamy water of the spring. To allow 
it full play there is an opening in the ceiling, and here it 
rises and falls, day and night, continually. A large busi- 
ness is here carried on in bottling this valuable water. 

The spring rises from an orifice bored in the rock, five and 
a half inches in diameter, and one hundred and thirty-two 
feet deep. The rock formation consists of a strata of slate 
eighty feet thick, beneath which lies the strata of bird's-eye 
limestone in which the mineral vein was struck. The ori- 
fice is tubed with a block-tin pipe, encased with iron, to the 
depth of eighty-five feet, the object being to bring the water 
through the soft slate formation, as the immense pressure 
and force of the gas would dissolve the slate, thereby caus- 
ing impurities in the water. 

ANALYSIS OF ONE U. S. GALLON. 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 562.080 

Chloride of potassium 24.634 



162 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Grains. 

Bromide of sodium 2.212 

Iodide of sodium 0.24S 

Fluoride of cflleiutn a trace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia y.OOl 

Bicarl)onate of soda 71.232 

Bicarbonate of iniignesia 149.343 

Bicarlionate of iinie 16S.392 

Bicarbonate of strontia , 0.425 

Bicarbonate of baryta 2.014 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.979 

Sulphate of potassa 0.318 

Pliosphate of soda a trace. 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina a trace. 

Silica 0.fif).i 

Organic matter a trace. 

Total solid contents 991. .MO 

Carbonic acid gas in one U. S. gallon. ..454. 082 cubic inches. 

Density 1.0 II 

Temperature 46 deg. Fahr. 

CHAMPION SPOUTING SPRING. 

This singular fountain is situated about one mile and a 
half south of the village of Saratoga Springs, near the 
carriage-road leading to Ballston Spa, and can be seen from 
all the passing railroad trains. It is one of the group of 
remarkable spouting springs which have recently been de- 
veloped by means of boring into the rocky foundation of 
the valley of the stream near by. It was discovered in 
1871, after sinking a shaft to the then unusual depth of 
three hundred feet. From a deeply-concealed cavern in 
the Trenton limestone, the fountain burst forth to light, 
sending a column of water six and one-half inches in diam- 
eter twenty-five or thirty feet into the air, presenting to 
the astonished spectators a marvelous and beautiful spectacle. 
The gaseous force of the water has since been checked by 
a strong iron cap, fastened to tlie top of the tubing, allow- 
ing only a small jet of water to escape, except at five 
o'clock in the afternoon, when this cap is removed, and the 
water darts forth in large volume to a height of sixty to 
eighty feet, imitating the wonderful Yellowstone and Ice- 
land Geysers. During the coldest weather of winter the 
water freezes around the tube, and gradually forms a 
column of solid ice from thirty to forty feet high and 
several feet in diameter. This spring possesses the chem- 
ical elements common to the Saratoga spring waters. We 
append an analysis by Professor C. F. Chandler, of Colum- 
bia College, N. Y. : 



SOLID CONTENTS OF ONE U. S. GALLON, 231 CUBIC 

INCHES. 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 702.239 

Chloride of potassium 40.446 

Bromide of sodium ;j.579 

Iodide of sodium 0.234 

Fluoride of calcium a trace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia ,. 5.647 

Bicarbonate of soda 17.624 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 193.912, 

Bicarbonate of limo 227.070 

Bicarbonate of strontia 0.0S2 

Bicarbonate of baryta 2.083 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.647 

Sulphate of potassa 0.252 

Phosphate of soda 0.010 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina 0.458 

Silica 0.699 

Organic matter a trace. 

Total grains I195.5S2 

Carbonic acid gas 465.458 cubic inches. 

Temperature 49 dcg. Fahr. 



THE HATHORN SPRING. 

This spring is on Spring street, directly opposite the 
nortli wing of Congress Hall. It was discovered in 18C9 
by some workmen employed in placing the foundation of 
the brick block which contains the ball-room of Congress 
Hall. It is named in honor of the Hon. Henry H. Ha- 
thorn, who first developed the spring and rebuilt the famous 
Congress Hall Hotel. The .spring was very securely tubed 
in 1872, at the large expense of $15,000. The Hatliorn 
spring has since become one of the most valuable springs 
in Saratoga. Large quantities of water are bottled and 
sold in the leading towns and cities of the United States 
and Canada. 

The water contains 888.403 grains of solid contents in 
a gallon, and combines chloride of sodium, the prevailing 
chemical element of all the Saratoga spring-waters, with bi- 
carbonate of lithia and other valuable properties. 



ANALYSIS OP THE HATHORN SPRING WATER. 

(J mi 11 3. 

Chloride of sodium 509.968 

Chloride of jjotassilim 9.597 

Bromide of sodium 1.534 

Iodide of sodium .198 

Fluoride of calcium a trace. 

Bicarlionate of lithia 11.447 

Bicarbonate of soda 4.288 

Bicarlionate of magnesia 176.463 

Bicarbonate of lime 170.646 

Bicarlionate of strontia a trace. 

Bicarbonate of baryta 1.737 

Bicarbon.ate of iron 1.128 

Sulphate of potassa none. 

Phosphate of soda ,01)6 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina .131 

Silica 1.260 

Organic matter a trace. 

Total solid contents 888.403 

Carbonic .acid gas in one gallon .375.741 in. 

Density 1.009 



THE STAR SPRING. 

This spring was formerly known as the President and 
the Iodine. It is over half a century since its waters 
were first known and used, but their full virtues were not 
developed until 1862, when the water was traced to its 
rocky sources, and the spring tubed in the best manner. 

Since then the Saratoga Star spring has greatly increased 
its popularity as a mineral water, and is now recognized as 
one of the leading waters in the principal markets. The 
water is largely charged with carbonic acid gas, which 
renders it peculiarly valuable as a bottling water, since it 
preserves its freshness much longer than waters containing 
a smaller amount of the gas. 

We give the analysis of this celebrated spring, showing 
the amount of mineral properties in one gallon of tlie water 
as determined by eminent chemists : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 378.962 

Chloride of potassium 9.229 

Bromide of sodium 55.65 

Iodide of sodium 20.000 

Sulphate of potassa 5.400 

Bicarbonate of lime 124.459 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 61.912 

Bicarbonate of soda 12.662 

Bicarbonate of iron 1.213 

Silica 1.283 

Phosphate of lime a trace. 

Solid contents in a gallon 615.685 

Carbonic acid gas, 407.55 cubic inches in a gallon. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



163 



THE SARATOGA VICIIY SPOUTING SPllINO 

is located on Ballston avenue, opposite Geyser sprint;, in 
the midst of a park embracing a beautiful sloping lawn, 
studded with forest-trees on one side, and the j)rctty 
little Geyser lake on the other. Its surroundings are pic- 
turesque, and are among the most attractive scenery about 
Saratoga. It was discovered in the month of March, 1872, 
by drilling in the solid rock to the depth of one hundred 
and eighty feet. 

This spring contains more soda and less .salt than any 
other Saratoga water, and takes special rank at once among 
the valuable mineral waters of this famous Spa, from its 
wonderful similarity to the Vichy waters of France. It is 
the only alkaline water found at Saratoga. The following 
analysis of the Saratoga Vichy, made by Professor C. F. 
Chandler, of the Columbia College School of Mines, de- 
monstrates its value as a medicinal agent, and as an alka- 
line water of equal merit with the celebrated French Vichy. 
Contains in one United States gallon of 231 cubic inches: 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 12S.n8!l 

Ctlioride of potassium 14.1 1. 'i 

Bromide of sodium O.'.t'JO 

Iodide of sodium a trace. 

Fluoride of caleiutu a trace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia l.TliO 

Bicarbonate of soda 82.8 7.S 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 41.603 

Bicarbonate of lime 95.522 

Bicarbonate of strontia a trace. 

Bicarbonate of baryta 0.593 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.052 

Suphate of potassa a trace. 

Phosphate of soda a trace. 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina 0.473 

Silica 0.758 

Organic matter a trace. 

Carbonic acid gas in one gallon 383.071 cubic inches. 

Temperature 50 deg. Fahr. 

THE WASHINGTON SPRING 
is situated in the grounds of the Clarendon Hotel, on South 
Broadway, just south of the Columbian Hotel, and in what 
was formerly called the Recreation Garden. It is a chaly- 
beate or iron spring, having tonic and diuretic properties. 
It is not a saline water, and the peculiar inky taste of iron 
is perceptible. It should be drank in the afternoon or 
evening, before or after meals, or just before retiring., One 
gla.ss is sufficient for tonic purposes. Many regard this as 
the most agreeable beverage in Saratoga. It is fi'cquently 
called the " Champagne Spring,' from its sparkling prop- 
erties. It is one of the most popular springs in Saratoga, 
and in the afternoon is thronged with visitors. 

Below is given an analysis made by the distinguished 
practical chemists, James R. Chilton & Co., showing the 
substances contained in each gallon of the water to be as 
follows : 

Craiiis. 

Chloride of sodium 182.733 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 65.973 

Bicarbonate of lime 84.096 

Bicarbonate of soda 8.474 

Bicarbonate of iron 3.800 

Chloride of calcium 203 

Chloride of magnesium 680 

Sulphate of magnc.'^ia 051 

Iodide of sodium 2.243 

Bromide of potassium 474 

Silicic acid 1.500 

Alumina a trace. 

350.227 



The gases which were contained and analyzed at the 
spring yielded for the gallon as follows : 

Carbonic acid 363.77 

Atmospheric air 6.41 

Cubic inches 370.18 

THE PAVILION SPRING 

is situated in the valley a few rods east of Broadway, 
between Lake avenue and Caroline street, and directly at 
the head of Spring avenue, and is reached from Broadway 
by taking Lake avenue or Caroline street to the second 
block. It is one of the best of the far-famed springs of 
Saratoga. 

The shaft has been re-excavated ten feet deeper to the 
rock, the spring re-tubed, the course of the brook (which 
flowed through the grounds) changed, well-arranged walks 
laid out, and a tasteful pavilion built over the fountain. 
The shaft of the spring having been carried out through 
the hard pan to the rock below has greatly improved the 
water. Its minerals have been nearly doubled in strength 
and increased in number, and the fountain now stands 
second to none for medicinal and commercial purposes in 
this justly-celebrated mineral valley. This deep tubing 
will therefore secure a nniformity in the strength and 
quality of the water which cannot be obtained in springs 
which are tubed near the surface of the ground. 



ANALYSIS OP PAVILION SPRING WATER. 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 459.903 

Chloride of potassium 7.660 

Bromide of sodium .987 

Iodi<le of sodium .071 

Fluiiride of calcium a trace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia 9.486 

Bicarbonate of soda 3.764 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 76.267 

Bicarbonate of lime 120.169 

Bicarbonate of strontia a trace. 

Bicarbonate of baryta 875 

Bicarbonate of iron 2.570 

Sulphate of potassa 2.032 

Phosphate of soda .007 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina .329 

Silica 3.155 

Organic matter a trace. 

Total grains 687.275 

Carbonic acid gas 332.458 cubic inches. 

Density, 1.0075, contained in U. S. gallon 231 cubic inches. 

C. F. Cn.\NDI,KK, 

Professor of Analytical and Applied Chemistry. 
THE RED SPRING. 

This spring, one of the oldest at Saratoga and among 
the most valuable for its curative properties, is easily found 
a few steps beyond the Empire spring. 

It was discovered soon after the Revolutionary war, by 
a Mr. Norton, who had been driven from the place by hos- 
tile Indians, but who returned about 1784 to reoecupy 
some buildings erected by him for the accommodation of a 
few invalids, who visited the High Rock, Flat Rock, Presi- 
dent, and Red springs. No other springs were known at 
that time, or for many years after. Nearly one hundred 
years ago, the first bath-house ever built in Saratoga was 
erected at the Red spring, and used for the cure of all kinds 
of eruptive and skin diseases for many years. 

The following analysis of Rod spring water was made by 



164 



HISTOEY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Prof. John H. Appleton, of Brown University, Providence, 
R. I. The amounts specify the number of grains of the 

various substances in one imperial gallon of the water : 

Grains. 

Bicarbonate of lithia (Lio.HO,2CO) 942 

Bicarbonate of soda (NaO,HO,2CO) 15.327 

Bicarbonate of magnesia (MgO,HO,2CO) 42.413 

Bicarbonate of lime (CaO,HO,2COj 101.256 

Chloride of sodium (NaCl) 83.630 

Chlorideof potassium (K CI) 0.857 

Alumina and sesquioxide of iron 2.100 

Silica 3.255 

Phosphates a trace 

Total 254.719 

THE HAMILTON SPRING 

is almost directly to the rear of Congress Hall, on Putnam 
street. It may be seen from Broadway, near the foot of 
the hill. Its waters are freely offered to all, though it is 
not bottled. The following is an analysis of this spring : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 297.3 

Hydriodate of soda 3. 

Bicarbonate of soda 27.036 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 35.2 

Carbonate of lime 92.4 

Carbonate of iron 5.39 

Hydrobromate of potash a trace. 

Contents in one gallon 4G0.326 

Carbonic acid gas 316 inches. 

Atmospheric air 4 '' 

Gaseous contents in a gallon 320 inches. 

THE SARATOGA " a" SPRING 

is opposite the Old Red spring, near the railroad embank- 
ment. The following is an analysis of its waters by Julius 
G. Pohle, M.D. A sample of the water contains per U. S, 
gallon : 

Grains, 

Chloride of sodium 565.300 

Chloride of potassium .357 

Chloride of calcium and magnesia a trace. 

Bicarbonate of soda 6.752 

Bicarbonate of lime 56.852 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 20.480 

Bicarbonate of iron 1.724 

Sulphate of lime .448 

Sulphate of magnesia 288 

Sulphate of soda 2.500 

Sulphate of potassa .370 

Silicic acid 1.460 

Alumina 380 

Solid contents per gallon 656.911 

Free carbonic acid gas 212 cubic inches. 

Atmospheric air 4 ** " 

Per gallon 216 cubic inches. 

THE HYPERION SPOUTING SPRING, OR SARATOGA KIS- 
SINGEN. 

The following analysis is by Prof S. P. Sharpies, State 
Assayer of Massachusetts. Amount of the ingredients 
named, in grains, in one United States gallon of 231 cubic 
inches : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 338.500 

Chloride of potassium 16.980 

Bromide of sodium 1.800 

Iodide of sodium .042 

Fluoride of calcium a trace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia 5.129 

Bicarbonate of soda 67.617 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 70.470 

Bicarbonate of lime- 140.2ti0 

Bicarbonate of strontia a trace. 

Bicarbonate of baryta .992 

Bicarbonate of iron 1.557 

Sulphate of potassa a trace. 



Grains. 

Alumina a trace. 

Silica 1.280 

Total solid contents in one United States gallon 644.627 

Temperature, 40° Fah. Density, 1.006. 

Carbonic acid gas in one United States gallon, 361.5 cubic inches. 

THE EUREKA AND WHITE SULPHUR SPRING. 

Thisspring is the property of the Eureka Spring Compan}', 
and is located a short distance beyond the Excelsior spring. 

The following is an analysis of its waters by R. L. Allen, 
M.D., of Saratoga Springs : 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 166.811 

Bicarbonate of soda 8.750 

Bicarbonate of lime 41.321 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 29.340 

Carbonate of iron 3.000 

Iodide of soda 4.666 

Bromide of potassa 1.566 

Silica .532 

Alumina .231 

Sulphate of magnesia 2.148 

Carbonic acid 239.000 

Atmospheric air 2.000 

THE UNITED STATES SPRING 

is in the grounds of the Pavilion spring, and owned by 
the same company. Though less than ten feet from the 
Pavilion spring, its water is quite different in saline value. 
It is an alterative, and is much used mixed with wine. 
The following is an analysis of its waters : 

Grain'*. 

Chloride of sodium 141.872 

Chloride of potassium 8.624 

Bromide of sodium 844 

Iodide of sodium 047 

Fluoride of calcium atrace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia 4.847 

Bicarbonate of soda...^ ; 4.666 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 72.883 

Bicarbonate of Hme 93,119 

Bicarbonate of strontia 018 

Bicarbonate of baryta 909 

Bicarbonate of iron 714 

Sulphate of potassa none. 

Phosphate of soda 016 

Bi borate of soda a trace. 

Alumina 094 

Silica 3.184 

Organic matter a trace. 

Total grains 331,837 

Carbonic acid gas 245.734 cubic inches. 

Density, 1.0035, contained in U. S. gallon 231 cubic inches. 

THE TRITON SPOUTING SPRING 

is a pipe-well, one hundred and ninety-two feet deep, on the 
east side of Geyser lake, and has the same spouting char- 
acter as those near it. 

THE MAGNETIC SPRING 

has recently been discovered just east of the High rock. 
It has peculiar magnetic qualities, and a small bath-house 
has just been built around it, where magnetic baths may 
be obtained. 

THE SELTZER SPRING 

is close to High Kock spring, and in the neighborhood of 
the Star and Empire. Although in such close proximity 
thereto, its water is entirely different, thus illustrating the 
wonderful extent and capacity of nature's subterranean lab- 
oratory. This is the only seltzer spring in this country. 
The character of the water is almost identical with that of 
the celebrated Nassau spring of Germany, which is justly 
esteemed so delicious by the natives of the " Fatherland." 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



165 



THE CRYSTAL SPRING. 
This spring lias the same general character of the other 
springs, and is said to be quite as valuable as a medical agent. 
It is located near the Columbian Hotel in South Broadway. 

THE PniNAM SPRING 

is almost wholly used for bathing purposes. It was dis- 
covered and brought into use by Gideon Putnam about 
the year 1800. 

There are other springs of minor value scattered about 
through this singular country, but they have not proved 
themselves of so much interest as the preceding named. 

v.— HOTELS. 

The hotels of Saratoga are its pride and crowning glory. 
Nowhere else in the world can such a splendid array be 
seen in the same city or village so near each other. 

And now, during these centennial years of the first rude 
0])enings of the springs in the northern wilds, this whole 
village is crowded with hotels, the largest, grandest, best 
appointed in the world, within a stone's throw of each 
other, and glittering with more than oriental splendor. 
When all lighted up of a summer evening, the .streets filled 
with gay promenaders, — the wit, the wealth, the fashion, 
and the beauty of half the world all there, — the scene pre- 
sented is like that of some fairy-land. Surely has some 
enchanter touched with magic wand those old rude hotels 
of a century ago, and transformed them into palaces like 
those famous in eastern story. 

In the limits of this volume we can devote but little 
space to any save the few old historic ones, which have 
been so long connected with the village that they seem to 
form a necessary j)art of its history. To the rest we can 
give but brief mention. 

THE GRAND UNION. 

The Grand Union Hotel, which is the oldest of the 
Saratoga hotels, was built by Gideon Putnam. It was 
commenced in 1800, completed in the spring of 1802, 
and was kept by Gideon Putnam up to the time of his 
death, in 1812. It was at this time called by the unpre- 
tending name of Putnam's Tavern, and the old sign, which 
was intended to represent Israel Putnam entering the den 
of the wolf, is still in existence, and may be seen upon the 
rear piazza of the Grand Union Hotel. The original build- 
ing was erected upon the corner of Congress street and 
Broad street, now Broadway, fronting upon the latter. 
The lot upon which it was built had a frontage of one 
hundred and eighty-seven feet, but the building occupied 
only a portion of this space. It was built of wood, and 
consisted of a main building three and one-half stories in 
height, across the entire front of which ran a broad piazza, 
sheltered by a continuation of the sloping roof of the 
building, with a wing on either side. The space between 
the north line of the tavern lot and Washington street, 
upon which now stands the greater portion of the front of 
the Grand Union, and which measures about two hundred 
anil f(irty-.sevcn feet, was at this time partly occupied by 
dwellings and other erections. Immediately upon the corner 



of Washington street for many years resided the Rev. 
Francis Wayland, the father of Dr. Francis Wayland, late 
president of Brown University, and after his death the 
residence was occupied by his daughters, who kept a private 
boarding-school for young ladies there. A portion of the 
premises next south of Mr. Wayland's was occupied by the 
Montgomery Hall, a tavern or hotel of some magnitude, 
which was for some years kept by Carey B. Moon, the 
present proprietor of Moon's Lake House, whose fried 
potatoes have since become as famous as the whitebait of 
Greenwich. These buildings and those occupying the in- 
tervening space were pulled down to give place to the 
building known as Ainsworth Place, which was in turn 
removed by Alexander T. Stewart, who erected upon its 
site the present north wing of the Grand Union. 

After the death of Gideon Putnam the establishment was 
carried on by his widow, with little or no change in its 
condition, for a number of years. In the fall of 1836, 
Rockwell Putnam and Washington Putnam, two of the 
sons of Gideon Putnam, purchased the interests of their 
brothers and sisters, of whom there were seven, upon the 
basis of an aggregate valuation of about $16,000. The 
establishment received from them the name of Union Hall, 
which it retained for many years, and continued under their 
management until January, 1849, when the firm of R. & 
W. Putnam was dissolved, and Henry H. Hathorn, after- 
wards well known as the proprietor of Congress Hall, be- 
came the purchaser of the interest of Rockwell Putnam. 
The following .spring, and before the bouse was opened 
under the new management, Washington Putnam died. 
His widow, who was a woman of extraordinary business 
capacity and ability, immediately assumed the position 
which her late husband had occupied iu the firm, and with 
the assistance of Mr. Hathorn, under the firm-name of 
Putnam & Hathorn, conducted the establishment until 
January, 1853, when she sold out to Seymour Ainsworth. 
Hathorn and Ainsworth kept the hotel one season, and in 
January, 1854, Hathorn sold his interest to George R. Put- 
nam, the son of Rockwell Putnam, the former owner and 
proprietor. Putnam & Ainsworth kept the hotel two sea- 
sons. In January, 1856, Ain.?worth conveyed his interest 
in the premises to Charles H. Payn, when the firm of Put- 
nam & Payn was formed, under the management of which 
firm the hotel continued until the purchase of the entire 
property by Warren Leland, in May, 1864. George R. 
Putnam died about the year 1862 ; but during the brief 
period which elapsed between his death and the purchase 
by Leland no change was made in the firm-name or in the 
sreneral management of the establishment. 

During these successive changes of ownership the prop- 
erty had gradually increased in extent and value, and the 
buildings had been enlarged and improved. By a map 
made in 1842, it appears that the buildings had at that 
time a frontage of one hundred and fifty-four feet ; the 
south wing a length on Congress street of one hundred and 
twenty-two feet, the north wing extended into the grounds 
eighty-seven feet, and connected with it was a building 
containing lodging-rooms, called the " Garden House," the 
dimensions of which were thirty feet by eighty-five feet. 
Putnam &. Payn built the Congress street wing, which 



166 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



contains the present dining-room, and obtained for that 
purpose a loan of $30,000 on the property. The sale in 
1849 was made on the basis of a vahiation of more than 
$40,000 ; that in 1854 of more than $80,000 ; and that 
in 1864 of S200,000. 

At the time of the purchase of Union Hall by Leland, 
the proprietors had rented the upper portion of the Ains- 
worth place, which had been finished off for that purpose 
for lodging-rooms. The following year Leland purchased 
this property also, and added it to the hotel. From that 
time, and until their failure in 1871, the hotel was managed 
by Warren Leland and his brother, Charles Leland, under 
the firm-name of Leland Brothers. This firm projected, 
and immediately began to execute, a series of large improve- 
ments. A number of contiguous pieces of property were 
purchased and added to their establishment. An opera- 
house was constructed in the grounds. The old front was 
torn down and an elaborate and expensive building was 
erected in its place. New furniture was purchased, and 
modern improvements, conveniences, and luxuries intro- 
duced throughout. 

For the accomplishment of these improvements large 
sums of money were required. A large amount was raised 
upon the bonds of Leland Brothers, secured by a mortgage 
on the property. This proving insufficient, a second mort- 
gage was given, but the expenses continued to exceed the 
estimates. The resources of the firm became exhausted, 
and the entire establishment, including both the real and 
personal property, was sold by order of the United States 
district court, in the spring of 1872, and bid off by A. T. 
Stewart for the handsome sum of $532,000, the greater 
portion of which was paid by him in cash within thirty 
days after the sale. From Jhe time of this purchase the 
property became an object of peculiar interest to its owner. 
He desired to make it the largest and most complete sum- 
mer hotel in the world. With this object in view, he pur- 
chased ten of the twelve pieces of property upon the same 
block, which were not included in the hotel premises, at a 
cost of about $100,000. It was his inability to procure 
the two remaining lots which prevented the completion of 
his magnificent plans. As it was, he removed the Ains- 
worth place, and built in its stead the north half of the 
front of the hotel, to correspond with the south half, erected 
by Leland Brothers, and completed those parts which they 
had left unfinished. He constructed the north wing on 
the site of the cottages and Penfield buildings, and extended 
the south wing west to Federal street, removing for this 
purpo.se five dwellings and boarding-houses which occupied 
the ground. All the erections by Mr. Stewart were most 
substantial and perfect in their character. No expense was 
spared. The present building is of brick. Its front 
reaches from Congress street to Washington street, a dis- 
tance of four hundred and fifty feet. Its north wing is 
two hundred feet, and its south wing more tlian five hun- 
dred feet in length. It covers the space formerly occupied 
by Putnam's tavern, and as many as twelve other hotels, 
boarding-houses, and residences. It has upwards of eight 
hundred lodging-rooms, can accommodate fifteen hundred 
guests, and employs an army of servants. Two large loco- 
motive boilers furnish the steam for cooking purposes, and 



to run the elevators. Two copious springs, about half a 
mile distant from the hotel, supply it with an abundance 
of the purest and coldest water. Its broad piazzas, which, 
in the days of Leland Brothers, were more than a mile in 
their aggregate length, are shaded by magnificent elms, 
planted three-quarters of a century ago by Gideon Putnam. 
Its foundation is set firmly upon the limestone rock, just 
where it begins to rise into the first swell of the Adiron- 
dacks. It fronts upon an avenue unsurpassed in beauty, 
and from its central tower may be seen, on a clear day, the 
Catskills and Helderbergs, the Green mountains and Ad- 
irondacks, and the beautiful valley of the Hudson, dotted 
with lakes and villages. In short, it possesses all the ad- 
vantages of location which arc necessary to account for its 
past history, and to insure it a history no less remarkable in 
the future. 

UNITED STATES HOTEL. 

The United States Hotel of Saratoga has long been 
almost as renowned as the great watering-place itself From 
its comparatively small beginnings of more than fifty years 
ago, it has steadily kept pace in size and accommodations 
with the increasing growth and prosperity of the village, 
until to-day it stands in its architectural symmetry and 
palatial beauty among the largest and grandest hotels of 
the world. In the year 1824, Elias Benedict, an uncle of 
James M. Marvin, who has been so long associated with 
this hotel, purchased twenty-five acres of land in the block 
between Washington and Franklin streets, and on this lot 
in that year built the first United States Hotel. It was a 
brick building, facing on Broadway one hundred and 
twenty-five feet, thirty-four feet in depth, four stories 
high, with wing running sixty feet on Division street. 
To this first structure the next year, and almo.st every 
year following, additions were made, until when it was 
burned, in 1805, it had for some time extended the entire 
length of the block. 

When it was completed and furnished in 1824, John 
Ford became its first manager and proprietor, and contin- 
ued in that capacity till the year 1830. In the year 1830 
James M. Marvin first became connected with the hotel as 
proprietor, a position in which he has since become so 
celebrated. It was kept for one year by the firm of 
Ford & Marvin. In 1831, Samuel Drake came in with 
Marvin for one year. In 1832, James M. Marvin kept 
it alone. In 1833, the Westcotts, Joseph and James R., 
with John C. Dillon, kept it for one year. In 1834 Dil- 
lon went out, and Marvin came back. From 1825-27, 
inclusive, Stephen S. Seaman was al.so with Mr. Marvin. 

In 1838, Seaman went out, and John Thomas, of Albany, 
went in. Under the name of Thomas & Jlai'vin it was 
kept till 1842. In that year Judge Thomas J. Marvin 
bought Thomas out, and under the name of James M. 
Marvin & Co. the brothers kept the hotel till the judge's 
death, in 1852. After that event James M. Marvin went 
on with the hotel, dividing the proceeds with the fiunily of 
Judge Marvin till the hotel was burned on Sunday morn- 
ing, the 18th day of June, 18(55. 

During this time Mr. Benedict had owned the property 
until 1832, when Judge Marviu bought it out, and in 
1833 sold one-half to Lewis Benedict, of Albany. Lewis 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



167 



Benedict and Judge Marvin then gave Elias Benedict 
tlie privilege of coming back into the firm upon paying for 
one-third of the improvement. He did so, and deeded his 
third in trust for the benefit of his daughter, Mrs. Ford, 
and her children. Mrs. Ford and her children all died, 
and James M. Marvin bought from time to time their in- 
terest. This left the property — one-third to Judge Marvin, 
one-third to James M., and one-third to Lewis Benedict. 

For several years after the fire the hotel was not re- 
built. At length, in 1874, just one hundred years after 
Arnold opened the first rude hostelry in the little wilderness 
clearing at the High Rock, the new building wa.s opened 
for the reception of guests. It now constitutes one con- 
tinuous line of buildings, six stories high, over fifteen 
hundred feet in length, containing nine hundred and seven- 
teen rooms for guests. The architectural appearance is 
exceedingly elegant and beautiful. It is Norman in style, 
and its iMansard roof is embellished with pediments, gables, 
dormer windows, and crestings, and three large pavilions. 

The building covers and incloses seven acres of ground 
in the form of an irregular pentagon, having a frontage of 
two hundred and thirty-two feet on Broadway, six hundred 
and fifty-six feet on Division street, with " Cottage Wing" 
on the south side of the plaza, extending west from the 
main front for five hundred and sixty-six feet. This wing 
is one of the most desirable features of this admirably-ar- 
ranged house, as it afibrds families and other parties the 
same quiet and seclusion which a private cottage would 
afilird, together with the attention and conveniences of a 
first-class hotel. The rooms of this wing are arranged in 
suites of one to seven bedrooms, with parlor, bath-room, 
and water-closet in each suite. 

The main front and entrance is on Broadway, in which 
is the elegant drawing-room, superbly furnished with Ax- 
minster carpets, carved walnut and marble furniture, fres- 
coed ceilings, elegant lace curtains, and costly chandeliers 
and mirrors. The room is rich and tasteful in its entire 
arrangements. Across the hall is the ladies' parlor, fur- 
nished with exquisite taste ; and beyond, at the corner of 
the Broadway and Division street fronts, are the gentlemen's 
reading-rooms and the business offices of the hotel. To the 
west of the oflSce, in the Division street wing, is the dining- 
hall, fifty-two by two hundred and twelve feet, with twenty 
and one-half feet ceiling, beyond which are the private 
drawing-rooms, the children's ordinary, carving-rooms, etc. 
The grand ball-room, one hundred and twelve by fifty-three 
feet, with ceilings twenty-six feet high, is on the second 
floor of the Division street wing, and is decorated with 
arti.stic and appropriate adornments. 

The above description will give the reader some faint 
idea of this grand structure, which is now, as it always has 
been, patronized by the best people of the land. 

CONGRESS HALL. 

In the year 1811 Gideon Putnam commenced its erec- 
tion, at the " raising" of which a bent of heavy timber fell, 
killing Barney Souler, and injuring Mr. Putnam so seriously 
as to cause his death. In 1813 it was used as a lodging- 
house for Union Hall, located opposite. In 1815, Guert 
Van Sehoouhoveu became its owner. It then had a front- 



age of one hundred and forty feet, with a wing extending 
back from its south end. Samuel Drake, a nephew of Van 
Schoonhoven, was manager, and had charge of the hotel. 
John K. Beekman and J. M. D. Lawrence were part own- 
ers of the hotel at tliis time. Congress Hall soon became 
the headquarters of the leading fashionables, and was the 
first to employ bands of music, and to adopt the plan of 
hops and balls, which since have become so popular. Mr. 
Drake kept the hotel until 1828, when Joseph and James 
R. Westcott leased it. In 1819, when the Pavilion was 
erected, it was still the home of the fashionable society con- 
gregated at the Springs. In 1831 an additional story was 
added to the south wing. The Westcotts kept it until 
1836-37, when Stephen Seaman and Calvin Munger be- 
came its proprietors ; the former subsequently retired, and 
the latter kept it until 1 846, when he died. The hotel 
was not successful under their management. In 1846, 
Joshua Collins opened the hotel, conducting it as a tem- 
perance house. Up to 1854 it was operated by various 
parties, among whom were William R. Brown and George 
Daley. In the year last named Hon. H. H. Hathorn 
bought the property, and forming a partnership with H. P. 
Hale, made various improvements; they put on an addi- 
tional story, rebuilt the north wing, and erected a ball-room 
on the corner opposite the hotel. 

In 1866 Congress Hall was destroyed by fire, and the 
present large and elegant hotel occupies the site of the old 
and famous structure. It occupies the larger part of tlie 
square bounded by Broadway, East Congress, Spring, and 
Putnam streets. Its frontage on Broadway is four hundred 
and sixteen feet, with a high promenade piazza twenty feet 
wide and two hundred and forty-nine feet in length, com- 
manding a view of the most brilliant portion of Saratoga. 
From this front two immense wings, three hundred feet 
long, extend to Putnam street, the northern wing running 
along Spring street and overlooking the celebrated Ha- 
thorn and Hamilton springs on one side, and with the 
central wing, which runs parallel with it, inclosing a beau- 
tiful garden-plot. The southern front commands a view of 
the famous Congress and Columbian springs, and the beau- 
tiful Congress park, which has been very artistically ar- 
ranged and adorned, at great expense, by the Congress and 
Empire Spring Company. It is built in the most substan- 
tial manner, of brick, with brownstone trimmings, and 
presents a very graceful architectural appearance. 

THE PAVILION. 

The Pavilion Hotel was built by Judge Walton in the 
year 1819, upon the .site of the present town-hall. It was 
first kept by Nathan Lewis, and then by a succession of pro- 
prietors, among whom were Allen Murphy, John Ford, 
Asher Smith Taylor, John C. Dillon, John Cross, and 
Daniel McLaren, until it was burned about the year 1840, 
since which it has not been rebuilt. It was in its palmy 
days the abode of feshion and elegance, unsurpassed by 
any hotel in the village. 

FIRST COLUMBIAN HOTEL. 

In 1809 a liotel was built on the corner opposite the Pa- 
vilion, on ground now occupied by the Aiusworth block, 



168 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



which was afterwards known as the Columbian Hotel. Its 
first proprietor was Jothani Holmes. It wa.s long since 
destroyed in one of the many disastrous conflagrations to 
which the village was subject in former days. 

THE CLARENDON HOTEL. 

This hotel was built by Mrs. Mary I. Jones, in I860, 
and opened that year by Alexander Putnam. He was suc- 
ceeded in 1861 by Mr. Robinson. In 1862 and 1863 it 
was kept by Mr. Dorlon. In 1865 it was leased by Charles 
E. Leland, who purchased it in 1873. The Clarendon, the 
only hotel in Saratoga Springs which is painted white, with 
green blinds, is a quiet summer home, frequented by people 
of culture and refinement, seeking rest and recreation. It 
will accommodate about three hundred and fifty people. 
The spring was purchased with the hotel property, and is 
situated on its grounds. Its waters are popular. Mr. Le- 
land, the proprietor, is a younger member of the Leland 
family, celebrated in connection with first-class hotels in 
America. The hotel is situated on Broadway, near Con- 
gress street, and in the neighborhood of Congress grove. 

THE AMERICAN HOTEL. 
This establishment was erected about the year 1810, by 
George W. Wilcox, on the site of the York House, and 
an adjoining lot purchased for the purpose. Mr. Wilcox 
and his .son-in-law, E. Darwin Pitkin, conducted it for sev- 
eral years, and until their decease. The property having 
been sold by Mrs. Pitkin (only child of Wilcox), it was, a 
few years later, purchased by its present proprietor, William 
Bennett, who has made additions and improvements. The 
hotel, under Mr. Bennett's proprietorship, has become well 
and favorably known. This is one of the few public hotels 
at Saratoga Springs which are open all the year for public 
accommodation. 

THE MARVIN HOUSE 

occupies the original site and residence of Doctor Porter, 
on the corner of Broadway and Division street. In 1832, 
when the depot of the Saratoga and Schenectady railroad 
was located on the corner of the above-named streets, the 
house was constructed and u.sed as a hotel. It was known 
as the Railroad House, and was first kept by a Mr. Cald- 
well. Charles Ensign afterwards purchased it, and subse- 
quently sold it to Isaac Smith, who operated the hotel until 
1853, when he sold to Philip Snyder, who removed the old 
building and constructed a new one, which was christened 
the Marvin House, after one of Saratoga's most respected 
citizens, — Hon. Thomas J. Marvin. The new hotel was 
opened in Augu.st, 1853. In 1859, Adam and Daniel Sny- 
der succeeded their brother as proprietors. June 18, 1865, 
it was destroyed by fire. In the fall of r865 the Snyders 
commenced its reconstruction. July 23, 1866, it was opened 
to the public, and was, at that time, the largest hotel in 
Saratoga. Its cost was $100,000, independent of the 
ground on which it .stands. This hotel has been owned 
and operated until the present season by A. & D. Snyder. 

THE COLUMBIAN HOTEL, 

accommodating three hundred guests, Mr. D. A. Dodge, 
proprietor. Major Riggs, manager, is on Broadway, opposite 
Congress park, and just south of Crystal spring. 



THE WINDSOR HOTEL. 
This new and elegant house was built in the spring of 
1876, and opened for the first time to the public in June. 
It stands on the corner of Broadway and William street, 
on higher ground than any other hotel in Saratoga, and 
commands a magnificent view of the beautiful Congress 
park and Broadway. 

ADELPHI HOTEL. 

This elegant new house, built in the spring of 1877, is on 
Broadway, at the head of Phila street, in the central part 
of the town. It will accommodate about two hundred 
guests, and is kept open all the year, by Mr. McCafl!"rey. 

THE WAVERLY HOUSE 

is situated in the upper part of the town, on Broadway, in 
a beautiful and quiet portion of the village. 

THE HOLDEN HOUSE 

is situated on Broadway, just north of the Marvin House. 
The building is of brick, and it has a pleasant veranda on 
its front. This delightful and home-like hotel is now kept 
by J. N. Ramsdill, whose kind attentions to those engaged 
upon the preparation of this history will be ever remem- 
bered. 

THE ALBEMARLE HOUSE 

is situated on South Broadway, three doors south of the 
Clarendon Hotel, in one of the most beautiful portions of 
Saratoga. 

THE BATES HOUSE, 
Mr. C. S. Bates, proprietor, stands on the corner of Circu- 
lar and Lafayette streets, near Drs. Strong's Remedial In- 
stitute, and between Phila and Caroline streets, which run 
to Broadway. 

BROADWAY HALL. , 

This celebrated boarding-house is beautifully located a 
little up Broadway, and on higher ground than any other 
boarding-house in the place, and consequently is airy and 
healthy. 

THE EMTIRE HOTEL, 

on the corner of Front and Rock streets, in the north part 
of the village, is the nearest hotel or boarding-house to the 
celebrated Empire, High Rock, Saratoga Star, Seltzer, 
and Red springs. It is on the site of the old Schouten 
house. 

THE CENTENNIAL HOUSE 

is opposite the United States Hotel, on Matilda street, near 
Division street and the railroad depot. 

THE CONTINENTAL HOTEL, 

on Washington street, has been a favorite resort for many 
years. It is a well-built brick hotel, situated in a pleasant 
part of the village, and but a few steps from the railroad 
station. 

THE COMMERCIAL HOTEL 
Stands on the corner of Church and Blatilda streets and 
Railroad place. 

THE EVERETT HOUSE 

is situated on Broadway, a few doors south of the Claren- 
don Hotel. 




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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



1G9 



THE GREEN MOUNTAIN HOUSE 
is on Washiugtoii street, the first door west of the Baptist 
church. 

THE HDESTIS HOUSE, 

at 234 and 23G South Broadway, is situated on the most 
beautiful portion of South Broadway, near the Clarendon 
Hotel. 

THE MOREY HOUSE, 

on Franklin street, is situated but a short distance from the 
principal springs and the leading hotels in the place. 

THE MANSION HOUSE. 
This house is situated on Spring avenue, within a few 
rods of Excelsior and Union springs. 

THE PIERPONT HOUSE 
is located on the corner of Regent street and White street, 
near Union avenue. 

THE PITNEY HOUSE, 

on Congress street, is one of the largest and best boarding- 
houses in Saratoga. 

THE VERMONT HOUSE. 
This house is on Grove, corner of Front street, and j ust 
north of the Presbyterian church. 

THE WILBUR HOUSE 
is on the corner of Washington and Federal streets ; it is a 
large boarding-house, which is kept open all the year. 

VI.— CHURCHES. 
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, SARATOGA SPRINGS. 
The history of the First Baptist church of Saratoga 
Springs reaches back to the early years of the settlement 
of the town, and it was organized and recognized as such 
twenty-three years before any other church existed in the 
town ; and although the house of worship was two miles 
away until 1822, a large number of their members resided 
in the village, and they held religious services a part of the 
time for some years in a school-house tliat stood on the first 
lot west of where their present church edifice is located, on 
Wa.Nliiiigton street. 

Before its recognition as a church the Baptists in this 
vicinity were members, it is supposed, of the First Still- 
water (Bemus Heights) church, whicli, according to Bene- 
dict's " History of the Baptists," arose in 1762, became 
unusually large, and pro-spered, with branches in many 
directions, among which was one called Kayadros.seras ; 
and in 1791, ten of their members living on the west side 
of Saratoga lake were dismissed to form an independent 
church, and this was probably the beginning of the First 
Baptist church of Saratoga Springs, which was constituted 
and received fellowship as a Bapti.st church by a council 
con.sisting of pastor> and delegates called from various 
churches of the same iaith and order, which met Oct. 11, 
1793. The constituent members rvumbered twenty. Elder 
Simeon Smith, moderator ; Elder Lemuel Powers, clerk of 
council. 

At their first church conference, held Oct. 20, 1790, it 
was voted to hold their meetings for worship one-half the 
time at Bro. W. Barlow's, and the other half of the time 
22 



at the school-hou.se near Timothy Shipman's, near where, 
in 1 878, Joseph Rowh^y lives, in the town of Malta. 

The early history of the church was full of such hard- 
ship and discouragement as is known only in pioneer life, but 
the faithful band struggled on with persistent perseverance, 
not only to maintain their existence and visibility, but to 
secure ministers of the gospel to preach and administer the 
ordinances of the church. And in return they saw their 
number? and influence increasing, and they, year after year, 
occupying a larger place, while they were constantly dis- 
missing members to unite with other churches in different 
sections of the State and country. 

Huuses of worship. — The records of the church do not 
show that they had any house of worship for many years, 
but held their meetings, as stated above, until Dec. 3, 1790, 
when they voted to hold them at the house of Nathaniel 
Saxton until a more convenient place could be obtained, 
and the same vote was renewed Dec. 3, 1798. 

Salmon Munger, Edy Baker, and Thos. Ostrander were 
chosen Oct. 20, 1804, a committee to stake out the ground 
to set the meeting-house on, and Dec. 28, 1808, they voted 
to build a house thirty-eight by twenty-eight feet, two 
stories high and gallery, and to begin as soon as $500 was 
subscribed. 

July 8, 1809, they voted, instead of getting incorporated, 
to secure the title of the ground and meeting-house, by 
taking an everlasting lease from Mr. Ellis. 

This house stood a short distance east of the Gey.ser 
spring, and was their place of worship until 1822, when 
they removed to the village, and occupied a house on the 
site of their present church edifice. It was two stories high, 
with galleries, and cost about $2500. This house was used 
without change until 1840, when it was remodeled and 
thoroughly repaired. 

The increase of members of the clmrcli and society was 
so rapid from this time; that in 1855 it was found necessary 
to build the present beautiful and commodious house of 
worship, which was dedicated in August, 1856. Its cost 
was $18,000. 

About the year 1833 they built a parsonage on the same 
lot with the church, which still remains. The 'church 
property is unencumbered, and the society is free from debt. 
From 1793 to 1800 they had no settled pastor, but were 
supplied by different ministers; Elders Rogers, Craw, and 
Powers being most frequently mentioned, who preached to 
them and administered the ordinances of the church. 

The first pastor was Elisha P. Langworthy, who was 
ordained to the work of the ministry Dec. 18, 1800; and 
this relation existed until Jan. 9, 1819. His home was at 
Ballston Spa, and he often came on foot to meet and preach 
to his people. In the cold weather he came through the 
drifted snow, and before going to the pulpit would shake 
hands with every person present, and then, with overcoat 
and mittens on, preach his sermon ; then have an inter- 
mi-ssion, and after that another sermon ; and then part with 
them, to meet on the next Sabbath. In those days they 
had no stoves, and so did not see fire from the time they 
left home until they reached it again. A cold lunch was 
in order on those winter Sabbaths. The church was largely 
increased in numbers tinder his labors. He died in 1828. 



170 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Francis Wayland, the second pastor, was called to serve 
the church Jan. 9, 1819, and remained with them until 
Jan. 19, 1823. 

John Lamb, the third pastor, was called April 12, 1823, 
and continued as such until March 26, 1825. 

The fourth pastor was David R. Mackelfresh, who was 
called Nov. 13, 1825, but released from his engagement 
June 13, 1826. 

After this the church was supplied by Elders More and 
Hubbell and other ministers until the fifth pastor, Joshua 
Fletcher, was called, Jan. 24, 1829. He graduated at 
Hamilton in June after, and the church called a council, 
which met Sept. 10, 1829, and set him apart by solemn 
ordination to the work of the gospel ministry. Large 
numbers were added to the church during his pastorate, 
which he resigned Nov. 28, 1845. 

Arnold Kingsbury, the sixth pastor, was settled in 1847, 
and labored with the church until 1849, when he was suc- 
ceeded by the seventh pastor, Au.stin H. Stowel, who com- 
menced his labors in the winter of 1850, and remained 
until Feb. 20, 1855, when he resigned, and was followed 
by the eighth pastor, Luther W. Beecher, D.D., who was 
called Sept. 19, 1855, and resigned Sept. 19, 1859. 

During these two pastorates the church made a marked 
advance in numbers and means of support. 

A. W. Sawyer, the ninth pastor, was called Feb. 18, 
1861, and resigned Jan. 11, 1864, and was followed by 
the tenth pastor, L. M. Woodruff, who was called Sept. 
19, 1864, and resigned May 1, 1870. 

During these years the church paid off all its debts, and 
was more largely increased in its membership than under 
the labors of any other pastor of the same number of 
years. 

After his removal the church obtained supplies until 
Dec. 12, 1870, when William Cheetham, the eleventh pas- 
tor, was called, and ministered to the church until Oct. 8, 
1871. 

After this the church was supplied most of the time by 
Rev. Samuel H. Greene, now of Cazenovia, N. Y., and Ed. 
H. Brouson, now of Aurora, 111., under whose preaching 
many were converted and added to the church, until the 
twelfth pastor, E. A. Woods, was called, July 7, 1872. 

He closed this relation Jan. 9, 1876. 

The church was again without a pastor until the thir- 
teenth and present one, George A. Smith, was called, May 
28, 1876. He was a graduate from Madison Theological 
Seminary of the class of 1876, and was ordained July 20 
of the same year. Under his ministry the church has en- 
joyed a very unusual degree of harmony, and many have 
been added to its membership. 

From its membership the church has licensed the follow- 
ing persons to preach : Andrew Sprague, July 4, 1795 ; 
the late Francis Wayland, D.D., president of Brown Uni- 
versity, was licensed Dec. 11, 1819 ; Lemuel Covell, Dee. 28, 
1833; Levi Farmely, Dec. 28, 1838; Ebenezer Jewett, 
Nov. 4, 1859 ; Charles H. Moscrip, Sept. 16, 1870. 

The greatest ingatherings to the church were in the years 
1811, 1812, 1819, 1824, 1830, 1834, 1840, 1843, 1850, 
1857, 1866, and 1872. 

The whole number baptized up to June 1, 1878, was 



1050; whole number added by letter, 734 ; total, 1784. 
Present number, 428. 

In December, 1817, letters were granted to members to 
form a church in Wilton, and in 1876 sixty-five were dis- 
missed to form the Second Baptist church of Saratoga 
Springs. 

The following persons have been elected to the office of 
deacon : Gersham Saxton, Nathaniel Saxton, Briggs Sher- 
man, Eliphaz Fish, Salmon Munger, Noah Roberts, Ezekiel 
Bradley, John A. Waterbury, Isaac Patrick, Joseph Waring, 
Wm. C. Owen, John Marston, John T. Carr, Edwin N. 
Brown, Francis W. Waterbury, Leonard H. Simons, Deman 
Vail, John Palmer, Edward R. Waterbury, Leonard Cotton, 
Reuben Merchant, Phineas F. Allen, Gilbert L. Waring, 
Thomas Noxon, Charles S. Smith. 

The following persons have served the church as clerk : 
Eliphaz Fish, Wm. Wait, Harmon J. Betts, Philo R. 
Waterbury, John A. Waterbury, Aruna C. T. Peck, Francis 
W. Waterbury, Charles Phillips, Thomas Stevens, Edwin N. 
Brown, Phineas F. Allen, Oliver H. Cromwell, Geo. W. 
Wadsworth. 

The first trustees chosen by the church were Eliphaz Fish 
and Andrew Sprague, May 7, 1796. 

The present board consists of Wm. Waterbury, Prince 
W. Wells, Frank V. Hewitt, Jerome Pitney, Thos. Noxon, 
Seymour Gilbert. Wm. H. Gibbs is chorister and Mrs. 
, Chas. 0. Van Dorn organist. 

The church has engaged heartily in Sabbath -school work. 
In January, 1820, in connection with the Presbyterians, 
they organized a LTnion school, which they sustained until 
1822, when each church formed separate schools of their 
own. 

The following persons have been superintendents of the 
school : Harmon J. Betts, John A. Waterbury, Wm. A. 
Langworthy, Warren A. Smith, Phineas Fletcher, Ama- 
riah H. Fitch, Rev. Heman H. Hoif, Samuel B. Terwilli- 
ger, Philo R. Waterbury, Isaac D. Sweat, Rev. Joshua 
Fletcher, Thos. Stevens, John Marston, E. Milton Brown, 
and John T. Carr, the present superintendent. 

In April, 1878, they celebrated their fifty-eighth anni- 
versary, and by the report of the secretary we find the 
following statistics for the year ending March 31, 1878 : 
number of officers, 10; teachers, 32; scholars. 355; vol- 
umes in the library, 1 400 ; receipts for the year, $738.28. 

The present officers, 1878, are as follows: Rev. Geo. A. 
Smith, president ; John T. Carr, superintendent ; Edward 
R. Waterbury, assistant superintendent; Geo. M. Crippen, 
secretary ; John R. Barrett, treasurer ; Oliver H. Crom- 
well, Beebee R. Barrett, Frank Hewitt, and Geo. Humph- 
rey, librarians ; Oscar A. Day, chorister ; Miss Nora E. 
Morse, organist: 

The ladies of the church have an aid society for assist- 
ing poor children of the Sabbath-school, besides which they 
have rendered large and timely contributions to aid in 
defraying church expenses. 

The church is interested in and contributes largely for 
home and foreign missions, education, publication, Bible 
and freedmen work. Being the oldest church and with a 
large membership, they feel that they have a great work to 
do both at home and abroad. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



171 



FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OP SARATOGA SPRINGS. 

The history of this venerable and influential society, the 
first religious society established in the village of Saratoga 
Springs, may be briefly stated as follows : 

Organization. — The congregation was organized and 
trustees were elected January 15, 1816. The first trustees 
chosen were Miles Beach, Ziba Taylor, and Nathan Lewis. 
The first elders chosen and ordained, Deo. 11, 1817, were 
Abijah Blanchard and Luman B. Smith. Abijah Blanchard 
was also chosen and ordained deacon. 

This organization took place where worship was first held 
and the Sabbath-school was first conducted, — in the village 
school-house, then situated on Washington street, on the 
spot now occupied by the First Baptist church. 

It was recognized as an incorporated body by the court 
of common pleas June 6, 1816 ; was received under the care 
of the presbytery of Albany Aug. 19, 1817, and consti- 
tuted a Presbyterian church by the admission of members, 
the ordination of elders, and the adoption of a confession of 
faith, Dec, 11, 1817. 

Fastors. — The following persons have been installed and 
have ofiiciated as pastors of this church, viz. : 

1. Rev. Darius 0. Griswold. Under his ministration 
the church was established, and after acting as stated sup- 
ply he was installed pastor in February, 1822. This rela- 
tion was dissolved Oct. 10, 1823. After this the church 
was supplied for some two years by Rev. Dr. Wm. Chester 
and others. 

2. Rev. Samuel W. Whelpley was installed pastor 
August 19, 1825. This pastoral relation was dissolved 
Dec. 8, 1826. 

3. For a period of over seven years the church had no 
pastor. At length the former pastor. Rev. Mr. Griswold, 
was engaged as stated supply, and served the church in this 
capacity for five years. The church owes much to this 
good man, who gave them some twelve years of the best 
part of his life, who commenced and fostered the enterprise, 
and under whose able ministrations it attained an enviable 
prosperity. Mr. 'Griswold died in this village December 27, 
1841, and his remains are interred in Greenridge cemetery. 

4. The third pastor was Rev. Dr. Albert T. Chester, 
who was installed Dec. 3, 1839, and resigned his call Dec. 
4, 1849. 

5. Rev. Dr. John Woodbridge was installed pastor Jan. 
21, 1851, and resigned Oct. 10, 1871. 

6. Rev. Frederick W. Newman was installed July, 1872, 
and resigned early in the year 1 875. 

7. Rev. Dr. Peter Stryker, the present pastor, was in- 
stalled July 9, 1876. 

Church Edifices. — This church has had three sanctuaries. 
The first was a frame building, and is still standing on the 
corner of Church and Matilda streets, and is now known as 
the Commercial Hotel. This house was consecrated Dec. 6, 
1820. It cost about $4500. 

The second building was a brick edifice, located on the 
corner of Broadway and Carolina street. This was com- 
menced early in the year 1848, and was dedicated some 
time in the year 1842. It cost $8000. 

The large and elegant brick buildins;, situated on North 



Broadway, just above the town-hall, is the third sanctuary. 
This was finished and first occupied July 26, 1857. The 
debt incurred in its erection being subscribed, the house 
was dedicated at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary 
of the church, Dec. 8, 1867. The cost of the lot and edi- 
fice was about $30,000. 

Members and Church Work. — This church was organized 
with nine members. It has on the church roll as admitted 
by letter and profession eleven hundred and ninety-five 
persons. The number of persons now present and in full 
communion is two hundred and seventy-six. Many con- 
nected with this church were or are persons of distinction : 
ministers, doctors, lawyers, judges, statesmen. Among 
them may be specified Rev. Wm. W. Pjddy, D.D., at pres- 
ent a missionary in Beirut, Syria, and the late Reuben H. 
Walworth, chancellor of the State of New York, and the 
late Judge Wm. L. F. Warren. 

The ofiicers of this church at present are as follows : 

Session. — Rev. Peter Stryker, D.D., moderator; Paoli 
Durkee, clerk ; Philip McOmber, N. Bedortha, M.D., Silas 
P. Briggs, Wm. B. Taylor, H. Dwight Williams. 

Trustees. — Judge Chas. S. Lester, president ; James H. 
Wright, treasurer ; A. S. Hays, A. A. Patterson, Edward 
R. Stevens. 

Beacons. — Samuel Freeburn, Charles C. Lester, Charles 
W. Fuller. 

Choir. — C. C. Lester, leader ; Miss Florence Eddy, 
organist. 

Sexton. — Tracey A. Record. 

Sahbath- School. — This is as old as the church. It was 
organized in 1816, and Mr. John D. Mann was the first 
superintendent. The school now numbers three hundred 
persons, and is in fine working order. The officers are : 
Judge C. S. Le.ster, superintendent; Edward R. Stevens, 
secretary and treasurer ; Willard Lester, librarian ; C. C. 
Lester, chorister ; Miss Sarah Pond, organist ; Miss Carrie 
Walbridge, superintendent of primary department. 

Industrial School. — -This is held on Saturday afternoons. 
Connected with it are about one hundred teachers and 
scholars. Mrs. C. H. Stryker, the wife of the pastor, is 
the superintendent. 

Young People's Association. — This is composed of a 
large rmmber of the young people of the congregation, who 
make themselves very useful in a variety of ways. The 
president is Willard Lester, and the secretary Walter Fulkr. 

There is a Women's Foreign Missionary Society in this 
church, connected with the Women's Foreign Missionary 
Society of the synod of Albany. Also a Women's Home 
Missionary Society. Of the former, Mrs. Peter Stryker is 
president; of the latter, Mrs. Alexander Proudfit. 

The benevolent contributions of this church are obtained 
by {I) collections in the Sabbath -school ; (2) .subscriptions 
and collections for the poor fund ; (3) subscriptions to the 
women's board ; (4) subscriptions to general benevolence, 
solicited and collected each mouth by a committee of the 
Young People's Association, and disbursed by the session. 

Colonies. — 1. Congregational church of Saratoga, Rev. 
W. R. Terrett, pastor ; organized 1845. 2. Second Presby- 
terian church. Rev. Giles P. Hawley, pastor; organized 
Aug. 8, 1871. 



172 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The formal organization of Betliesda church in Saratoga 
Springs was at a meeting of the congregation worshiping 
in a chapel on the northeast corner of Congress and Put- 
nam streets, in the village of Saratoga Springs, on the 4th 
day of October, 1830. For many years prior to this or- 
ganization, and, in fact, for many years subsei|ucnt thereto, 
the town of Saratoga Springs was missionary ground under 
the voluntarily assumed charge of the Rev. Edward Davis, 
of Ballston, and the Rev. Deodatiis Babcock, of Ballston 
Spa. At the time of this organization the Rev. Edward 
Davis was the missionary and rector in charge of this sta- 
tion, and he attended this meeting in the character of 
rector. At this meeting Henry Walton and Wallace Craw- 
ford were elected wardens; John H. Steel, John Clarke, 
Daniel D. Benedict, Esek Cowen, Rockwell Putnam, Joel 
Clement, Jonathan Williams, and Daniel Wait, vestrymen. 
A certificate of incorporation, in accordance with the pro- 
visions of " an act to provide for the incorporation of re- 
ligious societies," was drawn up, certified by the seals of 
Edward Davis, rector, Rockwell Putnam, and Henry Wal- 
ton, witnessed by William H. Walton and Sheldon Clarke, 
and acknowledged before Hon. John H. Steel, judge of 
Saratoga County common pleas. This certificate was after- 
wards duly recorded in the ofiice of the county clerk. 

For nearly eleven years from the date of this organiza- 
tion the parish remained practically missionary ground, and 
the little band who met in the chapel kindly furnished by 
Dr. John Clarke, at the corner of Congress and Putnam 
streets, was carefully looked after and ministered to by the 
Rev. Messrs. Davis and Babcock, who lovingly and perse- 
veringly held together the growing flock until it gained 
strength to .stand alone. On the 2[)th of May, IS-il, a 
meeting of the church-wardens and vestrymen was held, 
pursuant to notice, at Bethesda chapel, permanent rules and 
by-laws of the incorporation adopted, and a special commit- 
tee appointed to make inquiry as to grounds suitable as a 
site for a church edifice, and the terms on which it might 
be obtained. John Clarke, Sidney J. Cowen, and Samuel 
Freeman were appointed such special committee. They re- 
ported at an adjourned meeting, held June 5, 1841, three 
several oilers of lots for a church edifice : one by Judge 
Henry Walton, in the grove on the east side of Broad street, 
north of Covent Garden ; one by Rockwell Putnam, on the 
south side of Washington street, and one by Dr. John 
Clarke, in the grove on tlie west side of Circular street, 
north of and near Congress street, known as Temple hill. 
The lot offered by Rockwell Putnam was finally chosen, 
and measures at once taken to erect upon it a church 
edifice. 

Starting out with a debt of some $3500 for the lot 
selected, and no funds beyond the voluntary contributions 
of comparatively few in number, the work of erecting the 
church edifice ar>d building up the church was slow. For 
near thirty years the mortgage given on the purchase of 
the lot hung like a nightmare over the faithful struggling 
band, who labored in season and out of season to sustain 
the enterprise, and to clear the church, grown dear to them 
by labor and self-sacrifice, from incumbrance. 

The plau of the building, drawn by R. Upjohn, archi- 



tect, of New York, for the projected edifice on Temple hill, 
was, with some modifications, adopted for the new location. 
The building on Washington street was commenced in 
1842, and was first occupied, in an unfinished condition, 
during 1844. The building, as first modeled, was in the 
form of the Latin cross, — the nave and transepts occupied 
by the congregation, and the head of the cross by the 
chancel. In 1859, to increase the seating capacity of the 
building, the walls of the .nave between the towers and 
transepts were moved out on a line with the outer walls of 
the transepts. The towers, according to the original plan, 
were never carried up and finished. 

The first rector of the parish after the long-continued 
missionary labors of the Rev. Drs. Davis and Babcock was 
the Rev. William Frederick Walker, formerly of Christ 
church, Troy, N. Y. Mr. Walker had occupied the place 
for a time in a missionary capacity, and on the 19th of 
June was called to the rectorship of the parish. l\Ir. 
Walker was succeeded, Sept. 2, 1843, by the Rev. Samuel 
Hansom Cox, then in his diaconate as minister. 

March 28, 1845, the Rev. John Henry Hobart was 
called as rector. He was succeeded, June 9, 1846, by the 
Rev. Philip K. Milledolcr, M.D., who continued as rector 
until his death, June 19, 1850. For some months prior 
to his decease the Rev. Dr. Milledoler was unable to attend 
to his duties, and at his request the Rev. B. H. Whicher 
was employed as officiating minister. 

Sept. 13, 1850, Rev. S. F. Wiley was called as rector. 
He remained until November, 1852, when, on account of 
the continued illness of his wife, he was compelled to re- 
sign and remove. From this time for a few months Rev. 
Dr. Babcock, of Ballston Spa, again officiated by request. 

Feb. 28, 1852, the Rev. John Steinfort Kidney was 
called as rector. He continued until April, 1858, when, 
on account of the health of some members of his family, he 
accepted a call to a church in the south. 

May 10, 1858, the Rev. Robert C. Rogers was called as 
rector. He continued until July, 1861. 

July 5, 1861, the Rev. Edmund Rowland Deacon, of 
Hartford. Conn., was employed as minister, and on March 
12, 1862, he was called as rector. He continued as rector 
till October, 1863. 

Nov. 12, 1863, the Rev. Francis C. Wainwright was 
called as rector. He continued until May, 1865. 

The Rev. G. C. V. Eastman was employed as officiating 
clergyman from the resignation of Jlr. Wainwright until 
the call, April 20, 1866, of the Rev. John Breckenridge 
Gibson. Mr. Gibson continued as rector until his accept- 
ance of a call from St. John's school, Sing Sing, N. Y. 

The successor of Dr. Gibson was the Rev. Dr. Norman 
W. Camp, who became the rector in 1869, and continued 
till the year 1873, when, on account of failing health, he 
resigned his charge. The Rev. Joseph Carey, the present 
rector, has had charge of the parish since Advent Sunday, 
1873. The present officers (1878) are H. W. Burhans 
and A. B. Olnistead, wardens; James M. Marvin, Wm. M. 
Searing, Wm. Bennett, P. Porter Wiggins, R. C. McEwen, 
Wm. H. Hall, F. G. Vaughn, J. W. Ehninger, vestrymen. 
Home of the Good Shepherd. — Connected with this 
church is a charitable institution called the Home of the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



173 



Good Shepherd. It is incorporated under the laws of the 
State, and owns commodious buildings, containing a chapel 
on Catherine street, well adapted to the purposes of the insti- 
tution, the relief of the indigent aged and others needing 
temporary assistance. A flourishing mission Sunday-school 
is carried on in connection with it under the direction of 
the rector of the parish, aided by a superintendent and corps 
of teachers. 

Parish Siindiij/-School. — A large and flourishing Sun- 
day-school is held at the parish church, under the care of 
the rector and a superintendent, the particulars of which 
have not come to hand as we go to press. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The Rev. Orin Foote, now residing in Nebraska City, in 
a letter to J. B. Felshaw, Esq., says that when he came to 
Saratoga Springs, in the year 1829, there were but two 
Methodists in the village, viz., John Morrill and his wife, 
Diana Morrill. Rev. Mr. Stebbins, then one of the preachers 
on this circuit, occasionally had an a]ipuiiitnient here. He 
was followed by Dr. Samuel Luckey on the circuit in 1830 
and '31, and the new church on North Broadway was regu- 
larly supplied. 

The oldest class-paper to be found bears date June 2G, 
1831, and contains the following names: Orin Foote, Mary 
Foote, John Morrill, Diana Slorrill, John Holman, Alniira 
Holman, John Hodges, Mary Hodges, Catharine Milligan, 
Esther Ketchara, Harriet Bell, Elizabeth Hudson, Catha- 
rine Day, J. D. Moriarity, Ann Moriarity, Mary Ann Mo- 
riarity, Caroline Moriarity, in all seventeen members, — 
five males and twelve females. 

J. B. Felshaw, Esq., first came to Saratoga Springs in 
1835, and, as I have ah-eady mentioned, was one of the 
building counnittee of this church. He also held the ofiicial 
relation of leader and trustee for a number of years. To 
him I am indebted for a large share of the facts and incidents, 
including names and dates, contained in this paper, having 
penned them down from his own lips. His memory is .still 
very vigorous, and remarkably clear touching the early his- 
tory and .struggles of Methodism here and hereabouts. He 
says that in 1835 there were about forty members in the 
society, a large number of whose names he distinctly recol- 
lects and can readily repeat, only four of whom are still 
members, viz., Taey Eighmy, Mary Ann Hodges, Mary 
Ann Crawford, and Rebecca Jane Young. Sixty was about 
an average attendance of the congregation then worshiping 
in the old church on North Broadway. These were gath- 
ered in from Greenfield, Wilton, Malta Ridge, and the 
sparsely-settled region roundabout. 

Up to the time of holding the annual conference in the 
spring of 1835, Saratoga Springs was one of the appoint- 
ments on what was then called Stillwater Circuit,— Green- 
field, Wilton, Schuylerville, Malta Ridge, Clifton Park, and 
Stillwater being the other appointments on the circuit. 
For some three or four years previous to this time, Rev. 
J. D. Moriarty, who came to this village in 1831, was the 
preacher in charge of this appointment, being allowed 
whatever could be collected for his services, which was 
never more than a mere pittance. Ephraim Goss was, 
however, the preacher in charge of the circuit. 



At the conference in June, 1835, Rev. John Harwood 
and Oliver Emerson were appointed to this circuit, and 
this place was then and thereafter regularly supplied by 
the circuit preachers. 

In 1836, Rev. E. Andrews and William H. Backus 
were the circuit preachers; in 1838, Seymour Coleman 
and William H. Backus. The health of Mr. Backus 
failed during the second terra of his appointment, and he 
was employed as a teacher at the Troy Conference Academy. 
In 1838, Seymour Coleman and James Quinlan were the 
preachers. In 1839, Joshua Poor, James Quinlan, and 
John Foster. This was then a six weeks' circuit, and 
called Saratoga circuit. At the conference in June, 1840, 
Saratoga Springs was made a missionary station, and 
Ephraim Goss was appointed the preacher in charge. His 
salary was fixed at $500, one-half of which was paid by a 
missionary appropriation. The membership was not far 
from one hundred at the time the church was dedicated, in 
1841, the second year of Mr. Goss's ministry, sixteen of 
whom are now members of the society. Their names are 
as follows : Martha S. Fel.shaw, Gertrude Paige, Tacy 
Eighmy, Charles Pierson, Rebecca Jane Young, Mary Ann 
Hodges, Mary Ann Crawford, Adaline Young, Proculla 
Webster Carpenter, Nathan Phelps, William W. Baldwin, 
Sarah Ann Baldwin, A. S. Piper, Charlotte W. Piper, 
Samuel D. Fisher, Mary F. Fisher, — five males and eleven 
females. 

In 1844-45, Stephen D. Brown was preacher in charge; 
in 184G-47, Stephen Parks; in 1848-49, J. E. Bowen ; 
in 1850, Wm. M. Chipp ; in 1851,Luman A Sanford ; iu 
1852-53, J. T. Arnold ; in 1854-55, Dr. Bostwick Haw- 
ley ; in 1856-57, Barnes M. Hall; in 1858-59, R. H. 
Robinson ; in 1860-61, Samuel McKean ; in 1862-63, E. 
G. Spaulding; in 1864-65, C. F. Burdick ; in 1866-68, 
S. McChesney; in 1869-70, H. C. Sexton. 

Sherman Miner, Charles Sherman, John M. Weaver, 
Ephraim Goss, Desavigna Starks, Sanford Wa.shburn, Tru- 
man Seymour, Lewis Potter, Samuel Meredith, and Elisha 
Watson have successively been the presiding elders on this 
district since 1835. 

If the statement of Rev. Orin Foote be correct, and we 
have no reason to question it, that there were but two 
Methodists in this village when he came here, in 1829, we 
can show very conclusively that that single Methodist fam- 
ily has proved to be a remarkably fruitful vine, whose vig- 
oi'ous branches have continued to spread from year to year, 
to bud and blossom, and to bear and ripen its fruits for the 
heavenly garner for more than thirty years. 

The following figures briefly show the remarkable slow 
but steady growth of this vine: In 1829, 2 members; in 
1831, 17 ; la 1835, 40 ; in 1841, 100 ; in 1851, 290 ; in 
1861, 320; in 1870, 420; in 1878, 662. 

The Sabbath- School. — It is very diSicult to determine, 
in the absence of records, in what precise year the Sabbath- 
school connected with this society was established. Very 
soon, however, after Mr. Moriarty came here, in 1831, he 
organized and kept up a Sabbath-school, he being the only 
superintendent for several years. Mr. J. B. Felshaw dis- 
tinctly recollects the names of the following persons who 
were teachers in the Sunday-school when he came here in 



17-t 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



1835, viz. : Catharine Milligan, Harriet Bell, Nancy Hen- 
drick, Mary Phoenix, Betsey Ellsworth, Amanda Carpenter, 
Mary Milligan, Nathan S. King, and Rev. John Hodges. 
Two of these ladies, Nancy Hendrick and Mary Milligan, 
were members of the Presbyterian church. 

At that time the only books for the u.se of the school 
consisted of twenty-four small hymn-books, a few small 
Testaments, and a few question-books, which each teacher 
provided for his own class. In March, 1837, some forty 
or fifty small library-books were procured for the use of 
the school. Mr. Felshaw had the charge of the library, 
and continued to serve the school in that capacity for 
nearly ten years, when his failing health compelled him to 
resign. Mrs. Felshaw was for many years the teacher of 
the infant department, and was the immediate predecessor 
of Miss Carrie Carpenter. The school in those early days 
numbered from forty to sixty scholars. The superintend- 
ents have been as follows: Rev. J. D. Moriarty, the organi- 
zer of the .school, Myron White, Elijah K. Bangs, Andrew 
J. Parker, W. S. Balch, R. H. Benedict, and others. 

Church Edifices. — The first Methodist P^piscopal church 
in the village of Saratoga Springs was erected in the year 
ISoO, and the building is now standing near the corner 
of Broadway and Greenfield avenue. It is now used as a 
boarding-house, and known by the name of Oak Hall. At 
the time of its erection it was regarded as a large and spa- 
cious building for a church, though it was a plain, unpre- 
tending wood structure and quite away from the centre of 
the village. In the spring of 1839 it was abandoned as a 
church and sold to E. K. Bangs for an academic school 
building for the sum of $1000. 

During the following summer the congregation occupied 
the old theatre or lyceum building, then standing where the 
Catholic church now stands, on South Broadway. During 
the ensuing winter they worsbiped in the old Episcopal 
church standing on the lot, now vacant, corner of East 
Congress and Putnam streets, the corner next east of Con- 
gress Spring Bottling House, now Morrissey's club-house. 
In the spring of 1840 the congregation removed to a build- 
ing in what was then known as " Walton row," on the cor- 
ner of Broadway and Caroline street. 

On the 23d day of April, 1836, the lot on which the 
present church stands was purchased for $1000 of Dr. 
John Clarke, the former proprietor of Congress spring, 
who then resided in the first house next west of the 
church, now known as the Fish house, and recently pur- 
chased by us. The small house now standing in the rear 
of the church, and used for years as a sexton's house, was 
standing, at the time of the purchase, on the front part of 
the lot, and was occupied by the Andrews family, now 
living in the Fish house, who paid an annual rent of $70, 
which was strictly applied to the payment of the interest 
on the purchase price of the lot. In the fall of the year 
1839 the house was removed to the rear part of the lot, 
and was used for several years as the parsonage of the 
churob. 

Rev. Wm. H. Backus, Seymour Coleman, Joshua Poor, 
Ephraim Goss, and Dr. John Frasier, each- in the order of 
their names, occupied that house as a parsonage. 

From several reliable sources we learn that Rev. J. D. 



Moriaritj' was the prime mover in the enterprise of build- 
ing this church. In the summer of 1838 Father Mori- 
arity called together, in his own parlor, a number of 
prominent Methodists, who were at the time guests in 
his house, and laid before them the project of erecting 
a new church, showing them the importance of a more 
central and a more inviting place of worship. 

Among those present on that occasion were such men 
as Revs. Dr. Nathan Bangs, Dr. John Kennedy, Dr. H. B. 
Bascom, Dr. Abel Stevens, Rev. Wm. H. Guilder, and 
Mr. Sukely, a prominent and wealthy layman from New 
York. These noble men readily and heartily concurred 
with Mr. Moriarity in his views and plans, and after mature 
deliberation, they promised to aid in raising funds, in the 
cities, to the amount of $G000, provided $2000 should be 
raised here and hereabouts. Only a small part of this 
amount, however, was ever realized from the efforts of 
these strangers. Such were the encouragements, however, 
at the time, that the society soon determined to build. 
The corner-stone was laid in July, 1840, and early in the 
' winter following the building was up and fully inclosed. 
The building committee was Rev. J. D. Moriarity, Rev. 
Ephraim Goss, and J. B. Felshaw, Esq. ; Rev. Orin Foote, 
B. H. Bartlett, Jeremiah Hart, Charles Kendall, Charles 
F. Goss, and Rev. Edward Hodges, were trustees. 

Early in the spring of 1841 the basement was com- 
pleted and occupied by the congregation, which had wor- 
shiped in " Walton row" one entire year. 

On the 2od of July following (1841) the church was 
dedicated by Dr. John Kennedy, of Philadelphia, and Dr. 
Noah Levings, of New York ; and Rev. Stephen Remington, 
of Schenectady, preached on the occasion. 

The entire cost of the church and lot was $8143. The 
lot was paid for in 1839 with the $1000 received of E. K. 
Bangs for the old church on North Broadway. But there 
remained upon the church on the day of dedication a debt 
of $5147. In 1846 the debt had increased to $6948.45. 
In 1847 it was diminished to $4105.45. And so the 
society struggled on, for a number of years, under a heavy 
and an almost crushing debt. 

In the year 1853, under the ministry of Rev. J. T. 
Arnold, and by his almost herculean efforts, a sufl[icient 
amount was raised on subscription to cancel the debt, but a 
large percentage of that subscription was never collected. 
And it is very doubtful whether all of the original debt 
was ever paid until the year 1865, when, under the admin- 
istrative push of Rev. C. F. Burdick, the entire indebted- 
ness against the church was finally and fully paid. 

In the year 1855, Rev. Dr. Hawley then being the 
preacher in charge, the church edifice being found too 
small for the growing congregation, it was enlarged by the 
addition of eighteen feet to the front of the building, 
making the structure, as it is at present, forty-two by 
eighty-four feet. 

In the original corner-stone were deposited a single copy 
each of a Bible, Hymn-Book, Discipline, Christian Advo- 
cate, and some other valuable documents touching the early 
history of the society ; it will be found on the west side 
eighteen feet from the present southwest corner of the edifice. 
It is but justice to one whose memory is still cherished 




./ 







PROF. HIRAM A. WILSON, A.M. 



Hiram A. Wilson, son of Abijah Wilson, was bom in the 
town of Winchester, Conn., Dec. 19, 1812. His mother's 
name was Lucy Wright. By the death of both his parents 
he was left an orphan at a tender age, and was reared by 
his brother till the age of fourteen. He then went to Low- 
ville, LewLs Co., N. Y., and spent one year at the academy in 
that place. After this he spent two years at Huron, Ohio, 
and upon his return to his native State engaged in teaching. 

By his own exertions he fitted himself for college, and 
entered Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., where 
he graduated in 1838. Within one month after his gradua- 
tion, by the appointment of the missionary board of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, he sailed for Buenos Ayres, 
where he established the first missionary school in that city, 
which; he conducted most successfully for over two years. 
He returned home, and married Hannah Bosworth, of West 
Hartland, Conn., on the 12th of May, 1841. 

It was his intention to return to his school, but during 
his absence its prospects were suddenly blasted by one of 
those periodic revolutions common to South America. 

In the fall of 1841 he accepted the position of principal 
of the Jonesville Academy, at Jonesville, Saratoga County. 
Assuming the duties of his appointment, he remained in 
charge of the academy for the next twenty years. Under 
his administration it became one of the most efiicient and 
prosperous institutions of learning in this portion of the 
State. After closing his labors at the academy, he resided 
a few years at Brattleboro', Vt., where he became superinten- 



dent of public instruction, and held other honorable posi- 
tions of trust. 

In 1863 he took up his residence at Saratoga Springs,, 
and was soon clothed with civil honors and responsibilities. 
He became president of the board of education, and took 
an active part in the establishment of the public school 
system of the town. In the Methodist Episcopal church 
of Saratoga, there is not a position eligible to a la3rman 
which he has not filled. In fact. Prof. Wilson has been so 
loaded with these responsibilities that he has been obliged 
to solicit relief from some of them. At the date of this 
writing, although sixty-five years of age, he is holding the 
offices of trustee, steward, class-leader, recording steward, 
district steward, chairman of the finance committee, collec- 
tor, and Bible-class teacher. 

In the recent church-buUding enterprise, which brought 
forth the beautiful Methodist temple at Saratoga, he was a 
leading spirit and an untiring laborer. During the building 
of the church and its financial struggle for existence, he was 
president of the board of trustees, and not only gave largely 
in proportion to his means, but spent months of labor and 
solicitation to free it from debt. The completed enterprise 
is one which reflects credit not only upon the local church 
but upon the denomination at large. 

In the first general conference which admitted laymen in 
1872, Prof. Wilson was one of the only two lay delegates 
representing the Troy Conference, one of the most important 
conferences represented in that body. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



175 



among us to say, that probably no person made greater 
sacrifices, giving liberally of his time and means for the 
erection and completion of this church, than Rev. J. D. 
Moriarity. At the very outset he threw his whole soul 
into the enterprise, and ceased not to labor for its accom- 
plishment until he saw his efforts crowned with success ; 
indeed, his interest in, and his labors for, his beloved Zion, 
the church of his early choice, ceased not until he ceased 
both to work and to live, — which occurred in June, 1849. 

The church was rebuilt on Washington street in 1870 ; 
it was dedicated March 20, 1871, by Bi.shop Janes. The 
value of the church property is $125,000. The present 
Sunday-school has five hundred and sixty-three members, 
and fifty-seven officers. G. D. Van Vrankin is the super- 
intendent. 

Since Rev. Mr. Sexton had charge the ministers have 
been Rev. James M. King, Rev. J. E. C. Sawyer, and 
Rev. William H. Hughs, the present incumbent. 

THE ROMAN C.\THOLIC CHURCH OF SAR.\TOGA SPRINGS. 

The first mass ever celebrated in Saratoga Springs was in 
the fall of the year 1834, by the Rev. John Kelly. Father 
Kelly settled about this time at Sandy Hill, Washington 
county, where a Catholic church had for many years 
existed. Remaining there for one year, he removed to 
Lansingburg. From this place he was after a few months 
transferred by Bishop Dubois to' Albany, where he became 
the founder and first pastor of the present St. John's 
church, having purchased the edifice from the Protestant 
Episcopals and refitted it suitably for the Roman Catholic 
service. 

Father Kelly is yet remembered as a man of naturally 
mild disposition, unassuming in manner, and abounding in 
zeal for the welfare of religion. WMien, in the year 1841, 
a request was made by the Propaganda in Rome for some 
missionaries for Liberia, in Africa, Father Kelly, although 
advanced in years at the time, was the first among the few 
priests who offered their services for that distant and 
dangerous mission. 

He remained in Liberia a few years, and, returning, 
afterwards built a church in Jersey City, where he died 
about the year 1862, deeply regretted by his people. He 
was the brother of Mr. Eugene Kelly, now an eminent 
banker in New York city. 

For seven years after the celebration of the first mass 
there was no resident pastor in Saratoga, nor any regular or 
stated time for the attendance of a priest. The Catholics 
of the place were left to depend on the casual visits of the 
few neighboring priests, or other clergymen who might 
happen to be staying at the " Springs" for the benefit of 
their health or passing to and from the city of New York 
and Lower Canada. Of those who ofiiciated a few only 
are remembered. Rev. Mr. McClancy, of Albany, said 
mass once. Rev. Mr. Quinn, of St. Peter's church, Troy, 
attended twice. Rev. Peter Havermans, now of St. Jlary's, 
Troy, paid a few visits. Rev. P. McCloskcy, appointed in 
March, 1838, to Schenectady, attended Saratoga occasion- 
ally. 

Father McClo.^key did something towards organizing the 
congregation ; it was through his instrumentality a collection 



was first taken up for a suit of vestments for the mission. 
The vestments were made by the Sisters of Charity attached 
to St. James' church, in the city of New York, and pro- 
cured in the spring of 1839. Rev. Andrew Byrne, then 
of St. James' church, New York, and afterwards first 
bishop of Little Rock, Ark., presented a chalice in the spring 
of 1840. During the period above referred to mass was 
celebrated in the summer season either in the Universalist 
church or in district school-house No. 1, and in the winter 
in the dwelling-house of Mr. John Costigan. 

The want of a Catholic church at Saratoga Springs had 
for some time been felt and regretted by the Catholic in- 
habitants of the village, and also by the families and indi- 
viduals of that communion who, residing in the cities of 
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and elsewhere, resort 
annually to the Springs. 

With a view to provide fur this want, as also to carry 
into effect the earnest desires of the Catholics of the place, 
who had continued steadily although slowly to increase, Mr. 
John Costigan did on the 13th day of September, in the 
vear 1839, purchase in his own name, of Thomas J. Mar- 
vin, for the sum of $590.33, the lot of ground on which 
St. Peter's church now stands, with the building thereon 
known as the " Lyceum," with the sole design of convert- 
ing the building into a place of Catholic worship, and the 
vacant portion of the lot into a cemetery or place of burial. 
The lot measures fifty feet front and rear, and one hundred 
and thirty-two feet deep. The first interment made in said 
cemetery was the remains of the wife of Patrick Pettit, of 
Saratoga Springs, in November, 1839. 

The Lyceum, now changed into a place of Catholic wor- 
ship, remained for four years without a priest. The firet 
resident Catholic pastor ever appointed at Saratoga Springs 
was the Rev. Anthony Farley, who entered on the dis- 
charge of his duties in the month of September, 1843. 
This gentleman, better known as " the doctor," was never 
willing that his genius should be cramped ; and Saratoga 
being, at the time, like Utica of old, a somewhat pent-up 
place, he took leave and departed for the more congenial 
clime of Lansingburg ; and, after a few years, departed 
thence to Jamaica, L. I., where at present (1878) he lives, 
hale and hearty, in the active discharge of his parochial 
duties, the same pleasant, genial Dr. Farley, revered by his 
people and admired by numerous friends throughout the 
country. 

Rev. F. Donohoue succeeded Father Farley in May, 1844, 
remaining only a few months. He went with the bishop 
to Little Rock, Ark., and lived there only a few years. 
Rev. Bernard Van Reeth was the next pastor. He came 
to Saratoga in the month of November, 1844, and remained 
about one year and a half, when he was appointed the first 
resident pastor at Cohoes, where he built the first St. Ber- 
nard's church, and returned afterwards to his native coun- 
try, Holland. Rev. Thomas Daly was the next pastor. 
He entered on the discharge of his duties on the 16th of 
June, 1847, and remained until the 10th of June, 1850, 
when he was succeeded by Rev. D. Cull, who came to 
Saratoga in July, 1850. 

The Lyceum, or old St. Peter's, as the edifice was 
then known, had seen its best days; it was old and in- 



176 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



firm, if not unsafe to meet in ; besides, it had become too 
small for the congregation. The want of a new church 
had been for several years felt and much debated ; but 
tliere was no one to take the lead in such a movement. 
Father Daly was young and inexperienced ; besides, the 
rough work of church building was not in accord with his 
tastes. He would rather be as.sistant in Albany. 

God, who disposeth all things sweetly, it would appear, 
sent the right man at the right time. The congregation 
was small, and their means very limited. A church must 
be built. Others stood appalled at the undertaking. 
Father Cull came. With eye unmoved he surveyed the 
field of labor, laid his plans, went to work, and the new St. 
Peter's — one of the prettiest of the new order of Catholic 
churches in the United States — stands forth to-day as the 
result of his labors. 

The work was brought to a successful close when, on 
the 15th of August, 1853, the church was dedicated. 
Monseigneur Bedini, at the time apostolic delegate to the 
United States, pontificated at the mass. Most Rev. Arch- 
bishop Hughes preached the dedicatory sermon. 

Father Cull was zealous and persevering in labor. To 
work seemed to be for him a necessity. He procured a pas- 
toral residence and cemetery. He purchased the Hugh 
Dennin property, where, after enlarging and fitting it up at 
considerable expense, he introduced a branch of the " Sisters 
of St. Joseph," to take charge of parochial schools for boys 
and girls. 

His death occurred on the 2d of January, 1873, in the 
cottage on William street. It is hoped the Catholics of 
Saratoga will soon find it convenient to erect a monument 
to perpetuate his memory. 

Rev. M. Sheehan obtained the administration of St. 
Peter's church January, 18(58, and held the same until 
October, 1871. 

The church was incorporated in 1870, under the title of 
" St. Peter's Church, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.," under an 
act of the Legislature of this State, passed March 25, 1803. 
The first incorporators were John J. Conroy, bishop of 
Albany, Edgar E. Wadhauis, V.G., M. Sheehan, the pastor, 
together with John Foley and B. McGovern, two lay mem- 
bers of the congregation. 

The present trustees are Fr. McXierney, bishop of Al- 
bany, P. Ludden, V.G., John McMenomy, pastor, with 
Frank Jones and Dennis McNelis. 

Rev. John McMenamin — McMenomy the name has 
come to be by force of the customary use of an easier pro- 
nunciation — was appointed pastor of Saratoga by Right 
Rev. J. J. Conroy, on the 10th of October, 1871, and is 
the present incumbent. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The First Congregational church of Saratoga Springs 
was organized iNIarch 8, 1865. Its original membership 
was about fifty. Its present membership is nearly one 
hundred and fifty. The first pastor of this church was 
Rev. E. N. Sawtelle, D.D., who was installed in April, 
1865. Dr. Sawtelle withdrew from the active duties of the 
pastorate in June, 1868, but was not formally dismissed 
until July, 1871. From May, 1867, until April, 1871, 



the Rev. P. R. Day acted as assistant pastor of the church. 
Mr. Day was not installed. The Rev. L. S. Rowland was 
installed pastor on July 25, 1871, aud closed his labors on 
the last Sunday of March, 1877. 

The following members of the church have acted as its 
deacons, each being elected for the term of two years : H. 
L. Aiken, Geo. H. Fish, Ralph Brintnall, S. E. Bushnell, 
Joseph A. Shoudy, William Muir, Sheldon Clark, Joshua 
Crosby, L. S. Packard, James Bull, H. E. Spauiding. 

The present officers of the church are as follows; Rev. 
Wm. R. Terrett, acting pastor; Geo. H. Fish, L. S. Pack- 
ard, Joshua Crosby, H. E. Spauiding, deacons ; J. C. 
Goodridge, clerk ; Geo. H. Fish, treasurer. 

The church edifice occupied by this congregation was 
erected in 1868. It is very centrally situated on Phila 
street, just out of Broadway. This society also owns 
the fine business block known as the St. Nicholas building, 
at the rear of which the church is built. 

In addition to the above, we have been kindly furnished 
with the following facts : 

The Congregational society has a history interwoven 
with that of the church. In fact, the trustees of the 
society had the laboring oars, and they used them, under 
the guidance of a kind Providence, with persistent energy 
and skill. After several unsuccessful attempts, a fine cen- 
tral location was selected and purchased by the trustees. 
Special laws were enacted by the Legislature, procured by 
the trustees, to enable them to purchase, build, convey, and 
rent, as a corporate body, their large property on the corner 
of Broadway and Phila street, consisting of the post-office 
and First National Bank building, Saratuginn prmting- 
office, seven stores, and a large number of offices and halls. 
A pleasant home was thus provided for the church aud 
society, and means furnished to pay all deficiencies for 
minister's salary aud contingent expenses. 

The original members were nearly all from the First 
Presbyterian church and society, and its first chosen trus- 
tees were the following, viz.. Dexter H. Kuowlton, Lewis 
E. Whiting, Waldo M. Potter, Solon B. Bushnell, Hiram 
P. Trim, Elisha Bailey, Jacob Myers, Andrew Hall, and 
Joseph A. Shoudy. Two of the original trustees have 
held, by re-election, the office continuously to the present 
time, viz., Lewis E. Whiting and Hiram P. Trim. Dr. 
Whiting was chairman of the building committee and treas- 
urer of the society, collecting and disbursing its moneys for 
more than ten years. He came from the Presbyterian 
church, with the large choir of which he was their leader, 
and has had charge of the Congregational choir to the 
present time. 

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHQRCH. 

For several years prior to 1869 the fact had been recog- 
nized by many friends of religion that the eastern portion 
of the village should have within its bounds some place of 
worship and for Sabbath-school instruction. It was not, 
however, until the summer of that year that any decided 
steps were taken to provide for the spiritual wants of the 
constantly-increasing population in this section of the town. 
At that time it was proposed that a mission chapel should 
be established in the southeastern part of the village with- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



177 



out further delay, iindor the auspices and fostering care of 
the First Presbyterian church. The pniject met instantly 
with much favor among the members of that church. A 
large and desirable lot on the corner of Spring and Regent 
streets was given for the purpose of erecting thereon the 
proposed chapel immediately, and in the future a suitable 
church edifice and minister's house. A cordial response was 
made to applications for subscriptions towards the erection 
of a chapel, and on the 31st day of August, 1869, the 
corner-stone of the building was laid by tlie Rev. Dr. John 
Woodbridge, then the pastor of the First Presbyterian 
church, and the originator and chief promoter of this new 
enterprise. The completed edifice was dedicated by him to 
the service of God on the 30th day of January, 1870. 

The Rev. James N. Crooker was placed in charge of the 
mission work, and a Sabliath evening service was regularly 
maintained, together with a weekly prayer-meeting, in the 
chapel until the organization of the church, in August, 1871. 
A Sabbath-school was also organized under the superinteiid- 
ency of Mr. John Newland, and soon numbered consider- 
ably over one hundred scholars. 

In the month of August, 1871, it was deemed advisable 
that a church should be organized under the name of the 
Second Presbyterian church, and accordingly on the 8th 
day of August, 1871, nineteen members of the Fir.st Pres- 
byterian church were at their own request dismissed from 
that church for the purpose of forming the new cliurch. 
Four other persons from churches outside of the village 
united with the above-named nineteen, and were duly con- 
stituted as the membership of the Second Presbyterian 
church, which was thus organized by the session of the 
First Presbyterian church. At the same time John New- 
land, B. M. Fay, and B. F. Edwards were elected and in- 
stalled as elders of the new church. 

On the 28th of August, 1S71, the following-named gen- 
tlemen were elected trustees of the congregation, to wit: 
Charles F. Dowd, George S. Batcheller, John Newland, 
Adam B. Smith, Alexander Bennett, and Samuel H. 
Freeman. 

The church was received under the care of the presby- 
tery of Albany on the 10th of October following, and a 
call to the pastorate thereof placed in the hands of the 
Rev. Jaraes N. Crocker, which was accepted by him, and 
he was duly installed by a committee of presbytery on the 
22d day of October, 1871. Under the pastoral care of 
Mr. Crocker the young cliurch grew steadily in numbers 
and gave evident tokens of increasing strength and useful- 
ness. It began with twenty-three members, and at the 
close of Mr. Crocker's pastorate, in November, 1875, it con- 
tained a membership of eighty-five, four members having 
been during that period dismissed to other churches. 

On the 30th of November, 1875, the pastoral relation 
between this church and the Rev. Mr. Crocker was dis- 
solved, at his request, by the presbytery of Albany. The 
pulpit remained vacant until the 15th day of October, 1876, 
when the Rev. Giles P. Hawley, a graduate of the Union 
Theological Seminary of New York, and wlio had been 
supplying the pulpit of this church since tlie 1st of August 
previous, was ordained to the work of the ministry by the 
presbytery of Albany and installed as pastor of this church. 
23 



The present officers of the church and congregation are 
as follows: Rev. Giles P. Hawley, pastor; John Newland, 
B. M. Fay, and B. F. Edwards, elders; Charles F. Dowd, 
John Newland, Adam B. Smith, James J. Wakefield, Alex- 
ander Bennett, and William Maegivny, trustees ; John 
Newland, superintendent of Sabbath-school ; C. P. Pen- 
field, secretary and treasurer of Sabbath-school ; B. F. Ed- 
wards, church chorister; and Mi.ss Helen JI. Smith, church 
organist. The present membership is ninety-nine. 

The chapel, which is still used as a place of worship for 
the congregation, no church edifice having yet been built, 
is a neat brick structure twenty-seven feet in width and 
fifty-four feet in length, with a tower in the northeast cor- 
ner, forming the vestibule or entrance to the chapel. It 
cost about ^3000, exclusive of the furniture. 

The contributions of the congregation for its own sup- 
port have been, considering its numbers, exceptionally gen- 
erous, and it has from the outset also contributed liberally 
to the various schemes of benevolence which are carried on 
by the Presbyterian church. 

The results accomplished by the organization of this 
mi.ssion and church in the locality which it occupies have 
been marked and salutary. It has provided a comfortable 
and attractive church home for many who could not go to 
the more distant places of worship. It has drawn in many 
who had not been in the habit of attending any church 
regularly, if at all. It has promoted the better observance of 
the Sabbath in the neighborhood. Through, its Sabbath- 
school it has gathered many children to the instruction in 
God's Word who would otherwise have continued in igno- 
rance or disregard of the Sabbath, and by the preaching of 
ihe Word many souls have been brought to a knowledge of 
the truth. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. 

In the spring of the year 1873 it became apparent to 
the pastor of the First Baptist church and a number of his 
constituents that the southeastern portion of our village 
offered a favorable field for direct religious influence, and 
agreeable to that sentiment the following announcement ap- 
peared in the Daily Suratogian of Saturday, May 17, 1873: 
'• There will be preaching in the Morrissey Hose House, on 
South street, by the Rev. E. A. Woods, Sunday afternoon, 
at four o'clock." 

Contrary to expectation the room was filled, and for sev- 
eral Sabbaths services were conducted in like manner, with 
audiences that augured success for the undertaking. A 
Sunday-school was organized the same day, having fifty 
names on the roll, with the Rev. E. A. Woods as superin- 
tendent, he remaining in that position till February, 1874, 
when Mr. D. F. Ritchie, the prime mover and stanch 
friend of the school, was chosen superintendent, which po- 
sition he still occupies. 

As winter approached it became necessary to remove 
to warmer and more accessible quarters, and accordingly 
permission was received from the board of education to 
occupy a room in the Spring street school-house. 

About this time the friends of the new enterprise, 
prominent among whom was Mr. D. Winans, pledged 
funds sufficient to purchase a lot on Regent street, near 
Union avenue, and erect thereon a chapel. The building 



178 



HTSTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YOEK. 



was completed, and on Feb. 7, 187-t, this combination of 
church and Sunday-school moved into its new quarters, 
and organized under the name of the Union Avenue 
Baptist Sunday-school, and continued as such until Feb. 2, 
1876, when, upon request, letters of dismission were 
granted to sixty-six members of the Finst Baptist church 
of Saratoga Springs for the purpose of establishing a new 
church, which was duly organized Feb. 22, 1876, as the 
Second Baptist church of Saratoga Springs. 

On April 2 following a call was extended to the Rev. 
Daniel Corey, of Hudson, N. Y., to assume the pastorate 
of the church, which call he accepted, entering immedi- 
ately upon his duties, and filling the position satisfactorily 
to the present time. 

The church was recognized by a council of churches 
which was held on June 1, 1876, and has steadily grown in 
strength and influence, until now its position as a power 
for good in the world is established. Its present total 
membership is one hundred and thirty-three, of which 
number twenty joined by baptism, forty-six by letter, 
and one by relation of Christian experience. 

THE FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH 

was organized Oct. 2, 18G5. The first trustees were F. A. 
Town, Seneca Weed, and Seth Grawberg. The church 
was built in 1869, and dedicated by Rev. B. T. Roberts, 
Jan. 8, 1870. It cost S:-i500. It is located on Regent 
street. The present officers are F. A. Town, Seneca 
Weed, Isaac GrofT, and Z. Fenton. Tiie first pastor was 
Rev. A. B. Burdick, followed by Revs. D. 31. Sinclair, 
W. M. Gould, J. A. Odell, W. W. Warner, H. Mathews, 
B. Winget, J. Odell. 

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH OF 
SARATOGA SPRINGS. 

This church was organized in June, 1863, by Rev. J. 
Boler, who purchased the property on Willow Walk, now 
named Spring avenue, from Mr. J. Andrews. The society 
then consisted of seven members, with a board of trustees, 
as follows : J. Boler, A. Freeman, J. Lewis. The building 
was used for a mission Sabbath-school, which was then 
attached to the church, under the superintendence of Mr. 
Bushnell. Dr. Bedorathy succeeded him. Mr. Pond suc- 
ceeded Dr. Bedorathy. Mr. Crosby, the present superin- 
tendent, has held it for the last four years. The average 
attendance has been from twenty to forty, with from four 
to six teachers. The church was dedicated by Bishop 
William H. Bi.shop. Rev. S. Golden succeeded Rev. J. 
Boler; after him Rev. H. John.son ; then Rev. H. Butler; 
Rev. J. C. Gilbert succeeded him, and remained for five 
years ; during his first year, in November, 186G, the build- 
ing was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt in 1867, and 
dedicated by Bishop J. J. Clinton. • Rev. M. H. Ross 
followed in 1870 ; in 1873, Rev. J. C. West was appointed, 
who died before the end of his term ; Rev. J. J. Kelly 
then supplied the pulpit for two months ; in September, 
1874, Rev. S. Jones was appointed to the charge. In 
September, 1876, Rev. Wm. Sanford. the present pastor, 
was appointed. The board of trustees consist of seven 



members, as follows : P. Rue, C. Howard, W. Adams, 
R. Bowden, J. Hill, A. Jackson, J. T. Thomas. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

A society was formed at an early day in Saratoga Springs, 
and a church edifice was built, in which the congregation 
worshiped for many years. The church edifice afterwards 
went out of their hands, and for some time no regular 
stated meetings have been held. The society, however, 
still keeps up its organization, and listens occasionally to 
the able ministers of the denomination who visit the great 
watering-place during the summer season. 

VII.— .'SCHOOLS. 

The following notes from the records of one of the 
school districts of the village will be of general interest. 
It is evident that in the commencement it was a citizens' 
movement, as the first building was to be erected by sub- 
scriptions; but a year later the general school sy.stem of 
the State was inaugurated, and the enterprise became the 
regular legal work of district 15. After the organization of 
the town of Saratoga Springs, in 1819, the same district be- 
came No. 1 in the new town. 

A meeting of the inhabitants of tlie village of Congress 
Springs was held at the house of Moses Stickney, for the 
purpose of devising ways and means to carry into eScct 
the building of a school-house in said village, on March 
12, 1812. Of this meeting Frederick Ellsworth was chair- 
man and D. Farlin secretary. It was resolved : 

1st. That said building be of the following dimensions, 
viz., thirty feet by twenty-six, with twelve feet post, and that 
it be erected on land belonging to Gideon Putnam, on the 
north side of Washington street, reserved by him for that 
purpose, and to be by him leased to the proprietors of said 
building for and during the term that it shall be occupied 
for the purpose above mentioned. 

2d. That the proposals of Jesse Morgan to build said 
house for the sum of $400, including painting, on a certain 
plan agreed upon at said meeting, be accepted. 

3d. That Gideon Putnam, Miles Beach, and Nathan 
Lewis be a committee for the purpose of directing and 
superintending the building of said house. 

4th. That the said sum of $4U0, to be raised and ap- 
propriated for the building of said house, be divided into 
eighty shares of $5 each, and these subscriptions be opened 
for taking up .shares on the third day of March instant. 

Slarch 14, 1812, another meeting was held at the house 
of Moses Stickney ; same oflBcers. It was resolved : 

1st. That there be an addition of twenty shares at the 
aforesaid sum of $5 each, for the purpose of furnishing a 
bell and other necessaries for the convenience of said school- 
house. 

2d. That an addition of SIO be allowed to the aforesaid 
Jesse Morgan, making $410 for building and completing 
said school-house. 

The following is a list of the subscribers to this school 
fund, who agreed to paj' one-fourth of the same when the 
building was completed, and the remaining three-fourths in 
six months from the completion thereof: 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



179 



Sliarps. 

Gideon Putnam 10 

Miles Beach 4 

Jotham Holmes 4 

Cjrel Carpenter 4 

Frederick Ellsworth 4 

Moses 8ticl<ney 4 

Dudley Yarlin 2 

Nathaniel Scaring 2 

Salmon Haling 2 

Samuel Leeson 2 

John Bemus 2 

David Evert 1 

Josiah Ripley 2 

Joel Sadler..". 1 

Roger Truman 1 

John Ellsworth I 

Joel Clement 2 

A. G. Sharp 1 

John Johnson 2 

Nathan Lewis 5 

E. AV. Abbott a 

Ashbel il. Andrews I 



Shares. 

Leno Remington 1 

A.Blake 1 

Benjamin R. Putnam 2 

Charles F. Smith 1 

Jesse Morgan 2 

Robert Martin 1 

Thomas Benedict 2 

Richard Searing 2 

Peter Abell 1 

Robert Bryan 1 

Henry Stafford 2 

Wm. Webster 1 

D. D. Benedict 1 

John W. Steel 3 

Wra. Waterbury 2 

Warren Cady..". 2 

Darius Wright 1 

Cyrus Johnson 1 

James AV right 1 

Isaac Cramphin 1 

David Haling 1 

Total 90 



On May 11, 1813, a meeting was held at the house of 
Jotham Hohues, when Miles Beach and Nathan Lewis 
(the comiuittee surviving) reported receipts and expendi- 
tures amounting to $450, which was received and audited. 

A meeting of the inhabitants of Saratoga in school dis- 
trict No. 15 was held at the house of Jotham Holmes, on 
May 22, 1813, previous notice being given according to law. 
Jotham Holmes, chairman ; Daniel D. Benedict, secretary. 
Nathan Lewis, Miles Beach, and Jotham Holmes were 
selected as trustees for the ensuing year in district No. 15, 
and Daniel D. Benedict secretary and collector. 

Feb. 25, 1814, Jotham Holmes and Nathan Lewis, two 
of the trustees of school district No. 15, in the town of 
Saratoga, returned to Waliis Crawford the number of chil- 
dren in said district, to wit, seventy-eight. 

May 13, 1814, annual meeting of inhabitants of village 
of Saratoga Springs, at the house of Jotham Holmes. 
Frederick Ellsworth, Cyrel Carpenter, and Solomon Spauld- 
ing were chosen trustees ; Daniel D. Benedict, clerk ; and 
Ellsworth to be collector of district No. 15. 

May 2, 1815, a meeting was held at the school-house of 
district No. 15. Nathan Lewis, chairman. Dudley Farlin, 
Jotham Holmes, and Turner Peterson were elected trustees 
for the ensuing year ; Joseph J. Katch, collector ; and Dan- 
iel D. Benedict, clerk. 

April 10, 1816, annual meeting was held of school dis- 
trict No. 15, at the house of Joshua Blivin. Esek Cowen, 
chairman. Ashbel Andrews, Daniel G. Garnsey, and Henry 
Stafford were elected trustees ; Joshua Blivin, clerk ; and 
Solomon Spaulding, collector. 

Sept. 13, 1816, school meeting of district No. 15, held 
at the school-house. Ashbel Andrews, chairman ; Joshua 
Blivin, secretary. 

Sept. 27, 1816, a meeting of the inhabitants of school 
district No. 15, held at house of Joshua Blivin, in Saratoga 
Springs. A. Andrews, chairman ; D. G. Garnsey, secretary. 
Gardner BuUard was appointed trustee to fill the vacancy 
occasioned by the removal of Henry Stafford out of the 
district. 

Saturday, Jan. 11, 1817. — Meeting of inhabitants of dis- 
trict No. 15, at house of Joshua Blivin. Nathan Lewis, 
chairman ; Rockwell Putnam, secretary. Lewis Putnam 
was elected as a trustee to supply the place of Daniel G. 
Garnsey, removed from the district. 



Tuesday, April 1, 1817. — -Meeting of district No. 15, at 
Joshua Blivin's house. Ashbel Andrews, chairman. Trus- 
tees elected: Harman Huffman, G. V. Schoonhoven, Nathan 
Lewis ; Rockwell Putnam, clerk ; Solomon Spaulding, col- 
lector. 

Tuesday, April 7, 1818. — Held at house of James Do- 
ney. Nathan Lewis, chairman ; D. D. Benedict, secretary. 
Trustees elected : Joel Clement, Joshua Porter, Wm. Water- 
bury ; Solomon Spaulding, collector. 

Meetings were held on Nov. 2 and 7, 1818, at which 
nothing important was done. 

Thursday, Nov. 12, 1818. — Meeting at house of James 
Doney. John Bryan, Esq., chairman. Resolved, That the 
district be divided into two, which division the school com- 
missioners sanctioned. Jotham Holmes was called to the 
chair, when it was resolved that Ferdinand Andrews be 
appointed trustee, in the room of William Waterbury, 
removed by the division of the district. 

Jan. 18, 1819. — ^Meeting at house of James Doney. 
Nothing special. 

April 15, 1819. — Meeting at house of James Doney. 
GradusVan Schoonhoven, chairman; H. J. Betts, secretary. 
Trustees elected : Lewis Putnam, Frederick Ellsworth, 
James Doney; Rockwell Putnam, clerk; Solomon Spauld- 
ing, collector. 

Wednesday, April 21, 1819. — Meeting at house of James 
Doney. Of no special importance. 

April 6, 1820. — Annual meeting at house of James 
Doney. A.shbel Andrews, chairman ; Rockwell Putnam, 
clerk. Following elected : Rockwell Putnam, James Doney, 
Harmon J. Betts, Benjamin Henshaw, trustees ; Solomon 
Spaulding, collector. Officers chosen : Rockwell Putnam, 
clerk ; James Doney, Harmon J. Betts, Benjamin Hen- 
shaw, trustees ; Solomon Spaulding, collector. 

Made a report to the commissioner of common schools of 
Saratoga : 

Amount of money received ftir year .$41.62 

Number of children taught during year 113 

Number of children residing in district between five 

years and fifteen years 110 

Jan. 27, 1821. — Special meeting, of no importance. 

Monday, May 17, 1821. — Meeting of school district No. 
1, at house of James Doney. Ashbel Andrews, chairman ; 
H. J. Betts, clerk. Trustees elected : Joel Sadler, Darius 
Wright, Smith Wheeler ; Washington Putnam, clerk ; 
Elijah W. Weed, collector. 

Monday, Oct. 1, 1821. — Annual meeting of school 
district No. 1. Oliver Sheldon, chairman; W. Putnam, 
clerk. Trustees elected : Joel Sadler, John D. Mann, John 
Ford. Washington Putnam was duly elected clerk, and 
Elijah W. Weed, collector. 

Feb. 12, 1822. — Special meeting of district No. 1, at 
the house of John Sadler. Daniel Benedict, moderator; 
W. Putnam, clerk. Esek Cowen was elected trustee in 
place of John Ford, resigned. Frederick Ellsworth, Esek 
Cowen, and Oliver Sheldon were selected as a committee to 
converse with the other districts relative to the establish- 
ment of a Lancasteriaii school. 

Tuesday, March 12, 1822. — Adjourned meeting of dis- 
trict No. 1. Chairman, Frederick Ellsworth ; W.Putnam, 



180 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUiNTY, NEW YORK. 



clerk. Resolved, That we arc in favor of consolidating the 
districts. 

Monday, Oct. 7, 1822.' — Annual meeting of school dis- 
trict No. 1. Trustees elected: Joel Clement, William A. 
Langworthy, Daniel D. Benedict ; Washington Putnam, 
clerk ; Elijah W. Weed, collector. 

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1823. — Annual meeting of inhabitants 
of school district No 1. Joel Clement, chairman ; W. 
Putnam, clerk. Trustees elected : Samuel H. Drake, Nehe- 
miah Barlow, and Salmon Huling. Joshua Blivin was 
elected collector, and Lorin Putnam, clerk. 

Saturday, Jan. 30, 1824. — Special meeting, district No. 
1. Samuel Huling in chair; Lorin Putnam, clerk. Joshua 
Blivin was re-appointed collector. Dwight F. Lawton was 
duly elected trustee in place of Nehemiah Barlow. 

Saturday, April 17, 1824. — Special meeting, of no im- 
portance. 

Monday, Oct. 4, 1824. — Annual meeting of district No. 
1. Trustees elected: Salmon Huling, Joseph Westcott, 
Ransom Cook ; Clerk, Lorin Putnam ; Collector, A. W. 
Lee. 

Monday, Nov. 1, 1824. — Special meeting. No special 
importance. 

Oct. 3, 1825. — Annual meeting of school district No. 1. 
Esek Cowen, chairman, and William A. Langworthy, sec. 
p?'o tern. Trustees elected : William A. LangwortJiy, Joel 
C. Clement, Joel Sadler; Clerk, Risley Taylor; Collector, 
Joshua Blivin. 

Second Monday in October, 1826. — Trustees reported 
they had received $72.10, and expended $53.15. Trustees 
elected: John Ellsworth, Cyrel Carpenter, Oliver Perkins, 
Clerk, Risley Taylor ; Collector, Philo R. Waterbury. 

Jan. 8, 1827. — -James Caldwell elected collector in place 
of P. R. Waterbury. Next trustees were Daniel D. Bene- 
dict, William A. Langworthy, David Cobb. 

Oct. G, 1828.— Trustees : Ransom Cook, W. A. Lang- 
worthy, Philo R. Waterbury. 

March 16, 1829. — -Trustees reported number of children 
taught in said district during said year, and since last report, 
was 118, and that the number of children residing in the 
district on Jan. 1, over five and under sixteen, were 104. 

Oct. 5, 1829. — Trustees elected: Wm. A. Langworthy, 
Daniel D. Benedict, and Joel Clement. Number of chil- 
dren taught, 120. Number of children residing in said 
district, 113. 

Oct. 4, 1830. — Trustees elected : W. A. Langworthy, 
R. Cook, J. Westcott. Number of children taught is 100. 
Number of children over five and under sixteen is 140. 

Oct. 3, 1831. — Trustees elected : Willard Stratton, Run- 
ion Martin, and P. R. Waterbury. 

Nov. 24, 1831.— AVso/re(/, That this .school-hou.se be 
moved to R. Putnam's lot next north of James Caldwell's 
lot, No. 61; that trustees lease said lot at $14 per year, 
Samuel Huling to move the school-house and fit it up 
for $50. 

Oct. 1, 1832.— Trustees elected: Daniel D. Benedict, 
Peter V. Wiggins, and Willard Stratton. 

January, 1833. — Number of children residing in the dis- 
trict over five and under sixteen was 134, and number of 
children taught, GO. 



Oct. 1,1833. — Trustees elected: Runion Martin, Peter 
N. Wiggins, and Beekman Huling. Number of children 
taught, 80. Number of resident children over five and 
under sixteen is 132. 

Oct. 7, 1834. — Trustees elected: Benjamin H. Austin, 
Ran.som Cook, and George W. Bailey. Number of chil- 
dren taught, — . Number of children residing in district 
over five and under sixteen is 1G3. 

Oct. G, 1835. — Trustees elected : Cephas Parker, Philo 
R. Waterbury, and Warren R. Putnam. Number of chil- 
dren, 112. Number of resident children over five and 
under sixteen is 180. 

Jan. 1, 1837. — Number of children taught in the dis- 
trict is 95. Number of children residing in said district 
over five and under sixteen is 159. 

Jan. 1, 1838. — Number of children taught, 90. Num- 
ber of children residing who are over five and under six- 
teen is 163. 

Oct. 7, 1839. — Number of children taught, 125. Num- 
ber of children residing in said district over five and under 
sixteen is 191. 

Oct. 5, 1840. — Trustees elected : Ezra Hall, John A. 
Waterbury, Eri Benedict. 

Jan. 1, 1841. — Number of children taught, 127. Num- 
ber of children residing in district over five and under six- 
teen years is 214. 

Oct. 4, 1841. — Trustees elected : Hiram H. Martin, Wil- 
liam C. Owen, Cliarles Kendall. 

Oct, 24, 1842.— Charles Kendall, Amasa Patrick, P. R. 
Waterbury. 

March 2, 1843. — Question of consolidating the school 
districts into one discussed. 

Oct. 2, 1843.— Trustees elected : Henry P. Hyde, R. S. 
Allen, U. H. Martin. 

These records are those of school district No. 1 alone. 
We cannot obtain the records of the other district, which 
was No. 3, at the north end of the village, near High Rock. 
Until about 1845 there were only these two districts, but 
ultimately there were four, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 8. No. 8 was 
afterwards changed to No. 4. 

The present system of jjublic' schools was organized 
under a special act of the Legislature, passed April 12, 
18G7. All school districts or parts of districts were con- 
solidated into the " Union Free School District of Saratoga 
Springs." The board of education was constituted of nine 
members. 

The law of 18G7 named Oliver L. Barbour, Augustus 
Bockes, and John Shipman as trustees of the first class ; 
Joseph A. Shoudy, Thomas Flanigan, and Aaron Hill, of 
the second class ; and John Woodbridge, John Palmer, and 
Charles S. Lester, of the third class. 

The name of Judge Bockes does not appear in the fol- 
lowing list of the past members of the board, as taken 
from the report of t{ie superintendent, March, 1878. 

PAST MEMBERS OP THE BOAnD. 

Oliver L. Barbour, from April 12, 1867, to Oct. 24, 1868. 
Aaron Hill, from A])ril 12, 1867, to Oct. 25, 1869. 
Charles S. Lester, from April 12, 1867, to Oct. i, 1869. 
John Palmer, from April 12, 1867, to March 8, 1869. 
John Shipman, from April 12, 1S67, to Oct. 24, 1S68. 




JOHN V. HOWARD. 



John V. Howard was born at Howard's Corners, in the 
town of Milton, Saratoga County, on the 28th of May, 
1802. His father was of Quaker parentage, and a native 
of Quaker Hill, Dutchess county, whence he removed to 
the town of Milton when a young man, and settled at the 
corners which took his name. He married, in that town, 
Sarah Walbridge, whose parents came from Canada at an 
early time. Mr. Howard was a tanner by trade, and followed 
that occupation for many years. He died in June, 1863, 
and was buried on his ninetieth birthday. 

John V. Howard, the son, of whom this writing is a brief 
memoir, was reared a farmer, and followed that occupation 
till near the close of his life, residing on the farm where he 
was born for a period of sixty-two years. He was a well- 
known and highly esteemed citizen of the county, although 
he never took a prominent part in politics or sought the 
honors or emoluments of office. He was married, Feb. 28, 
1825, to Mary WUde, his first wife, by whom he had three 



children, all deceased. She died May 7, 1859. Sub- 
sequently he was united in marriage to Mary King, of 
Greenfield, Saratoga County, who survives him, and is the 
only remaining member of the family. 

In 18G4, Mr. Howard sold his estate in Milton, and in 
1867 removed to Saratoga Springs, thenceforward leading a 
retired life, his health being feeble, and spending a portion 
of his time and ample means in travel. He died at his 
residence on the 18th of November, 1877. 

Mr. Howard was a great reader and had a very retentive 
memory ; in later life, as he had more leisure, he acquired 
a large amount of information on various topics. He was 
always of a happy and cheerful disposition, which rarely 
forsook him even in his severest sufierings. He always had 
a kind word for everybody irrespective of their station in 
life, and possessed those manly and upright traits of charac- 
ter which gained the respect and confidence of all who knew 
him. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



181 



Joseph A. Shoudy, from April 12, 1S67, to Oct. 17, 1S68. 

John Woodbridge, from April 12, 186", to March 15, 1869. 

Henry W.Merrill, from June 1, ISfiS, to Oct. 20, 1S6S: and from 

Oct. 2G, 1808, to Oct. 2o, 1869. 
Uausom Cook, from Oct. 13, 186S, to Oct. 22, 1869. 
James L. Cramer, from Oct. 13, ISCS, to Oct. 31, 1871. 
H. H. Martin, from Oct. 13, 1868, to Oct. 31, 1871. 

C. A. Russell, from March 22, 1869, to Oct. 25, 1869. 
H. W. Burhans, from March 22, 1869, to Oct. 22, 1869. 
Robert E. Morey, from Oct. 12, 1869, to Oct. 25, 1870. 
Lewis E. Whiting, from Oct. 12, 1869, to Oct. 24, 1872. 
Hiram A. Wilson, from Oct. 12, 1869, to Sept. 21, 1871. 
A. B. Olmstead, from Oct. 26, 1869, to Oct. 25, 1870. 
Paoli Durkee, from Oct. 11, 1870, to Oct. 27, 1873. 
William C. Barrett, from Oct. 10, 1871, to Oct. 26, 1874. 
William M. Searing, from Oct. 12, 1869, to Oct. 26, 1874. 
George F. White, from Oct. 10, 1871, to Oct. 26, 1874. 
John C. Hulbert, from Sept. 22, 1871, to Oct. 26, 1875. 
John Smith, from Oct. 15, 1872, to Oct. 26, 1875. 
Thomas Flanagan, from April 12, 1867, to Oct. 26, 1875. 
A. A. Patterson, from Oct. 12, 1869, to Oct. 24, 1876. 
John Foley, from Oct. 11, 1870, to Oct. 24, 1870. 
Phincas F. Allen, from Oct. 12, 1873, to Oct. 24, 1876. 
Charles H. Holden, from Oct. 13, 1874, to Oct. 24, 1877. 
Lemuel B. Pike, from Oct. 13, 1874, to Oct. 24, 1877. 
Hiram C. Tefft, from Oct. 13, 1874, to Oct. 24, 1877. 

PRESIDENTS. 

Charles S. Lester, from April 15, 1867, to October 4, 1809. 
James L. Cramer, from October 7, 1869, to October 28, 1869. 
Hiram A. Wilson, from October 28, 1869, to September 21, 1871. 
Lewis E. Whiting, from September 21, 1871, to October 17, 1872. 
Paoli Durkee. from October 24, 1872, to October 27, 1873. 
George F. White, from November 10, 1873, to October 26, 1874. 
John C. Hulbert, from October 28, 1874, to October 22, 1875. 
Lemuel B. Pike, from October 22, 1875, to October 24, 1877. 

SECRETAH1ES. 

James N. Crocker, from August 1, 1867, to February 1, 1869, 

D. L. Rouse, from February 12, 1869, to September 6, 1869. 

PRESEST MEMBERS OF THE BOARD (.IDNE, 1878). 

E. Holmes, elected October 12, 1875. 
John Shipman, elected October 12, 1875. 
Charles H. Tefl't, Jr., elected October 12, 1875. 
Nilcs Granger, elected October 10, 1876. 
Walker R. Johnson, elected October 10, 1876. 
Deyoe Lohnas, elected October 10, 1876. 
Seymour Ainsworth, elected October 9, 1877. 
James McLaughlin, elected October 9, 1877. 
I. Y. Ouderkirk, elected October 9, 1877. 
Preuidcnt. — .John Shipman, elected October 26, 1877.. 
Secretary. — L. S. P.ackard, elected August 13, 1869. 

SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

The Union school occupies nine different buildings, sit- 
uated and used as follows, viz. : 

No. 1, Beekman Street. — A three-story brick building, 
with a tower in front, in which is a recitation-room for each 
floor. 

The primary department occupies the first floor, and is 
taught by three female teachers. It has enrolled since 
September 1, 1877, one hundred and sixty-six scholars. 

The junior department occupies the second floor, and is 
taught by two female teachers. It has enrolled since Sep- 
tember 1, 1877, one hundred and six scholars. 

The grammar department occupies the third floor, and 
is taught by one male and one female teacher. It has 
enrolled since September 1, 1877, one hundred and five 
scholars. The number of sittings in this house is, on the 
first floor, one hundred and fifty-two; on the second, one 



hundred and sixteen ; and on the third, one hundred and 
eighteen. 

No. 2, Matilda Street. — A one-story wooden building, 
designed for the primary and junior departments. It is 
in good condition for school purposes ; pleasant for occu- 
pancy, and pleasantly situated on a fine large lot. 

The junior department occupies the front room ; is 
taught by one female teacher, and has enrolled since Sep- 
tember 1, 1877, seventy-three scholars. 

The primary department occupies the rear room ; is 
taught by one female teacher, and has enrolled since Sep- 
tember 1, 1877, eighty-three scholars. The number of 
sittings in this house is, in the primary room, seventy-two, 
and in the junior room, seventy-two. 

No. 3, Catherine Street. — A two-story brick building, 
and occupied on the first floor by the primary department, 
and on the second floor by the grammar department. The 
building is in good condition, but badly located, on too 
narrow a lot. 

The primary department is taught by two female teachers, 
and has enrolled since Sept. 1, 1877, one hundred and forty- 
nine scholars. 

The grammar department is taught by two teachers, one 
male and one female, and has enrolled since Sept. 1, 1877, 
eighty-two scholars. This building long since became too 
small for the three departments located in it, and the over- 
flow was, about two years since, placed in a small wooden 
building farther up on Catherine street, called The Chapel. 

The junior department occupies this building ; is taught 
by one female teacher, and has enrolled since Sept. 1, 1877, 
sixty scholars. The number of sittings in this group of 
buildings is, in the primary room, one hundred and thirty; 
in the junior room, fifty-five, and in the grammar room, 
ninety. Further reference will be made to these buildings 
under another head. 

No. 4, Spring Street. — A two-story brick house, designed 
for the primary, junior, and grammar departments. 

The priiuary department occupies the first floor ; is taught 
by four female teachers, and has enrolled since Sept. 1, 1877, 
two hundred and forty-four scholars. 

The junior department occupies the second floor, west 
room ; is taught by two female teachers, and has enrolled 
since September 1, 1877, one hundred and twenty-four 
scholars. 

The grammar department occupies the second floor, east 
room ; is taught by two teachers, one male and one female, 
and has enrolled since Sept. 1, 1877, eighty-five scholars. 
The number of sittings is, in the primary room, 240 ; in 
the junior room, including some in the hall used by this 
department, 118 ; and in the grammar room 96. 

The building is apparently in the form of a cross ; fifty 
by sixty-five feet, with two wings, each forty feet square. 
The whole length is one hundred and eighteen feet by 
sixty-five, greatest width ; all given dimensions are inside 
measurements. It is two stories high ; the first being 
fifteen and the second fourteen feet in clear measure. The 
first floor is divided into one large room forty by sixty-five 
feet, three largo recitation-rooms, two large cloak-rooms, one 
dinner-room, and ample space-ways. The second floor is 
divided into two rooms, forty feet square, two large cloak- 



182 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



rooms, two teacher's rooms, two recitation-rooms, and large 
hall and stairways. There arc two flights of stairs leading 
to the second floor, and two to the basement, which is ciiiht 
feet deep, well lighted and warmed, and paved with brick. 
Two flights of stairs lead from the basement to the school- 
house yard. The walls are built of four courses of bricks, 
with an opening in the middle, and are plastered on the 
brick inside. The whole building is warmed by a steam- 
lieating apparatus, which is located in the basement. The 
building is not plumbed, but is well supplied with water. 



COST. 

Contract with Andiew Robertson 511,174.00 

Blackboards, deafening floors, finishing cupola, flagging 
cellar, covering areas, building fences and outbuildings, 

grading grounds and flagging sidewalks 1,947.78 

Heating apparatus 2,300.00 

Additional furniture 279.25 

Total cost, ready lor use $15,701.03 

School-house Xo. 5 is located on West Circular street. 
A one-story wood building of one room. The primary and 
junior departments nominally occupy this room together; 
are taught by one female teacher, and have enrolled since 
Sept. 1, 1877, fifty-two scholars. The number of sittings 
is seventy-eight. 

School-house No. 6 is located on Clinton street. A one- 
story brick building of one room. The primary depart- 
ment occupies this ; is taught by one female teacher, and 
has enrolled since Sept. 1, 1877, eighty scholars. The 
number of sittings is eighty. 

School-house No. 7 is located on York avenue, and is 
exactly like its twin on Clinton street. Two female teachers 
are required for the primary department here. One hun- 
dred and twenty-two scholars have been enrolled since Sept. 
1, 1877, and the number of sittings is ninety. 

The academic department is located on Lake avenue. A 
one-story brick building with one large room and three reci- 
tation-rooms. This department is taught by two female 
and one male teacher, and a part of each day by the super- 
intendent. It has enrolled since Sept. 1, 1877, one hun- 



dred and seventeen scholars, and has sittings for one hundred 
and twenty. 

Teachers. — L. S. Packard, superintendent. 

Academic department: J. W. Whitney, master; Annie 
M. Spence, Margaret B. Agan, assistants. 

Grammar department : H. H. Douglass, John Shipman, 
Jr., F. D. Wheeler, Jr., principals; Ida J]. Hoyt, Mary P. 
Little, Frances A. Stewart, a.ssistants. 

Junior department : Lillian M. Duncan, Helene L. Emer- 
son, Maggie C. Foley, Virginia H. King, Ellen A. Whitney, 
principals ; Mella Mott, Flora N. Walls, assistants. 

Primary department: Eva H. Brockway, Alice H. Burt, 
Maggie C. Foley, Lottie Hathaway, Susan C. Marvin, 
Lizzie Powers, Lillie Shipman, principals; Mary E. Fuller, 
Ellen E. Murphy, Julia A. Callahan, Jennie M. Carr, 
Louisa Holmes, Hattie E. Humphrey, Mary A. Morrell, 
assistants ; Andrew Tromblee, teacher of music. 



FINANCIAL .STATEMENT. 
For the School y'ear, March 1, 1877, to March 1, 1878. 

RECEIPTS. 

From public money $5,436.76 

" village tax 28,808.00 

" regents of the university 138.96 

" tuition of non-residentpupils 65.50 

** rent of houses 17.00 

$34,466.22 

DI5BUR.SEMENTS. 

For teachers' wages $16,924.26 

" janitor's wages 746.13 

" fuel 885.08 

" new building, including payment on mort- 
gages 16,621.78 

" repairs 1,199.22 

" insurance 204.90 

" furniture 434.02 

" library 119.96 

" incidentals, — brooms, printing, etc 914.48 

Tot.al $38,048.83 



Cost per capita of current expenses, everything included, 
except new buildings, is §11.97. In 1874, §13.-16 ; 1875, 
SU.29; 1876, §1311 ; 1877, §13.46; and 1878, §11.97. 



COMPARATIVE TABLE OF PTATISTICS 
Belative to the Union Free School, extending from 1872 to the Present Time, as shoicn hij the Annual Report to the Board of RegentSy September 1. 



SiMMART Statement. 



Value of academic lot and buildings 

Value of library 

Apparatus 

Other properly , 

Teachers' wages 

Fuel and incidentals 

Apparatus 

Repairs and alterations 

Sum of attendance 

Average attendance 

Average daily attendance 

Passed regents' examination 



1872. 



$16,000.00 
200.00 
245.26 
500 00 



1873. 



1874. 



1875. 



1876. 



187 



$17,000.00 
200.00 
297.76 
500.00 



$17,000.00 
200.00 
399.76 
500.00 



$17,000.00 
200,00 
399.76 
500.00 



$17,000.00 
200.00 
399.76 
500.00 



$17,000.00 
200.00 
399.76 
500.00 



DISBURSEMENTS.* 



$2,050.00 

300.00 

147,00 

1,700.00 

314 

105 

75 

9 



;2,60fl.00 
300.00 
152.50 

240 
80 
■ per cent. 
21 



$3,120.00 
300.00 
102.00 



$3,120.00 
300.00 



291 



253 I 

82 I 97 

58 per cent. 59 per cent. 

7 12 



$2,920.00 
300.00 



299 

99 

60 per cent. 

28 



$2,600.00 
300.00 

250.00 

283 

72 

73 per cent. 

36 



* As there is no separate account kept fur the academic departniput, the receipts are equal to the disbursements. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



183 



SEMINARIES AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. 

Of the early schools of Saratoga Springs, Wm. L. Stone 
writes, in his interesting " Reminiscences," as follows : 
" The most prominent if not the only teacher of those 
days was Lawyer Blake, as he was called. lie was a man 
of liberal education, and was the first to establish himself 
as a lawyer in the village. His success in his profession 
appears not to have been great, and he afterwards opened a 
school in the upper village. He died many years since at 
the Osborn House. Mr. Smith, commouly known as Dea- 
con Smith, was a graduate of an eastern college, and taught 
off and on for a number of years. He was a man of great 
peculiarities and of great excellencies. Then came Mr. 
Marshall, — a Quaker, — the author of ' Marshall's Spelling- 
Book,' — a work much used in its day. 

" After that, from year to year, school was taught in the 
' old school-house' in Church street, just north of the old 
Presbyterian meeting-house, since known as the Commer- 
cial Hotel. This school-house was burned down long since, 
but there are many yet who have not forgotten it. Students 
from Union and other colleges would here try their skill as 
pedagogues till a wider field was opened to them. Neither 
would we fail to mention Miss Dolly Abel, who taught 
their ' A B C's' to generation after generation. She was 
emphatically the village school-mistress, — a woman of sub- 
.stantial excellence. Miss Pearce too was a veteran teacher, 
who began and finished her course in her own house in 
Federal street. Time would fail us to name the multitude 
of worthy persons who have begun and remained a longer 
or shorter time in this vocation. Rev. Mr. Duncan, Miss 
Day, Mrs. Streeter, Mi.ss Ashman, and latterly, Miss Carrie 
Carpenter and Mrs. Frederick Root, both of whom have 
conducted a popular school successfully for many years." 

Miss Martha Thompson, daughter of Dr. N. Thompson, 
opened a first-class school for young ladies in the north part 
of the village, following Miss Williams. 

After the closing of the Wayland Seminary, a special 
account of which is added to this sketch, there were other 
schools, with reference to which we quote further from Mr. 
Stone : 

" The first prominent school for boys was opened in 1836, 
by IMr. Elijah K. Bangs, in the old Methodist meeting- 
house, now the Broadway House, which he purchased and 
transformed into a building suitable for his purpose. He 
resided in the village until 1838, when he removed to 
Hempstead, Long Island, but returned in 1839, and con- 
tinued to teach in Saratoga until the spring of 1845. 

•'In the spring of 1849 Mr. Paoli Durkee opened a 
classical school for boys, and continued to teach until the 
summer of 1858. On first coming to the village he taught 
in Washington Hall, since occupied by Mrs. Charles Mason 
and others, but at that time owned by the late Joel Root. 
Afterwards he purchased the lot adjoining the hall on the 
north, and erected on it a dwelling and a school-house, into 
the latter of which he removed his school in 1851. The 
school has educated many persons eminent in their several 
walks in life, having worthy representatives in the mechani- 
cal, mercantile, legal, medical, and military professions. 
Among the latter may be mentioned the late Lieuteuant- 
Gnveinnr Morris, whose early death after he had made a 



brilliant record in the late civil war excited a poignant 
sorrow throughout a wide circle of friends. 

" Mr. Durkee aimed to render study attractive by cheer- 
ful surroundings rather than by stern and harsh discipline. 
Many a delightful summer day has witnessed his entire 
school reclining on the mossy carpet of the woods in the 
rear of the school-house diligently conning their le.ssons. 

" Rev. Mr. Proudfit .succeeded Mr. Durkee ; then Mr. 
Robb, now of Oswego. In the later years Rev. Mr. 
Crocker opened a private school. " 

To this account may be added a school for girls, taught 
for some years in what is now the Broadway House, by 
Miss Hannah Ilodgman and Miss Nancy Hodgman, ladies 
of thorough education and literary culture. 

Among the teachers of early times may still further be 
mentioned the names of some who taught in the old 
academy: Mr. Stephen T. Xott, Rev. Mr. Williams, Mr. 
Gregory, Mr. Mann. 

In the way of select schools, as personal enterprises, may 
be named as having taught for longer or shorter periods, 
Miss Seekrider. Miss Ames, Mrs. Bird, Miss Eaton, Mrs. 
Streeter, Miss Day, Rev. Mr. Half. In later years Mrs. 
Dickenson, Miss Ashman, Miss Woodworth, Rev. Mr. 
Dunton, Misses Williams and Paul, Mi.ss Thompson, Mrs. 
Root. Teachers of boys' schools were Messrs. Proudfit and 
Robb, Professor Handock, Rev. i\Ir. Crocker, Mr. Ellin- 
wood, Sir. Rouse, Mr. Johnson. At the present time 
(1S78) Miss Spence has an interesting school for little 
folks in Circular street. 

THE MISSES WAYLAND's SCHOOL. 

The first boarding- and day-school for young ladies was 
opened by the MLsses Wayland in 1831, on the south cor- 
ner of Broadway and Washington streets. The site is now 
covered by the building of the Grand Union Hotel. The 
school-house on Wa,shington street having undergone vari- 
ous changes, was in 1875 removed to Putnam street, in the 
rear of Congress Hall. It was a very simple and unpre- 
tending structure, but it was dear to many hearts on account 
of its cherished associations. Many matrons now presiding 
over households in all parts of the LTnion look back to 
sshool-days passed there with loving, glad remembrance. 
The number of pupils was always limited, a family school 
having been the ideal of the principals. To educate as 
well as to instruct was their purpose. The condition of the 
school was prosperous, and it was well sustained until its 
final close, which was occasioned by family changes. 

TEMPLE GROVE SEMINARY. 

In 1854, Mr. Carter opened a school for young ladies, 
in a building now a part of Dr. Strong's establishment. 

Soon after, Rev. Luther F. Beecher was associated with 
him, and in 1856 they built the institution at Temple 
Grove. It was conducted by JL-. Beecher until 1865, 
when it was sold to parties from New York for hotel and 
school purposes combined. Their undertaking was not 
successful. 

Tlie school was suspended for a year, and in 1868 the 
property was purchased by Rev. Charles F. Dowd. He 
made largi- additions to the building, supjilied the entire 



184 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



institution with every needed facility, and made it a first- 
class ladies' seminary. In 1869 it was incorporated, be- 
coming subject to the supervision oP the regents of the 
university, and sharing in the distribution of tlie literature 
fund. The first board of trustees were : Rev. Charles F. 
Dowd, president ; Rev. John Woodbridge, vice-president ; 
Hon. Frederick A. Conkling, Rev. P. R. Day, Rev. L. M. 
Woodruff, Rev. John P. Gibson, Hon. Charles S. Lester, 
Alexander Cherry, Prof Hiram A. Wilson, Charles N. 
Lockwood, and Paoli Durkee ; Benjamin F. Bancroft, 
treasurer ; Henry BI. Dowd, secretary. 

The school is now (June, 1878) in vigorous and success- 
ful operation, remaining under the charge of Mr. Dowd. 

The present board of trustees are : Rev. Charles F. 
Dowd, A.M., president; Rev. Charles S. Lester, A.M., 
vice president ; Hon. George S. Batcheller, A.M., Hon. 
Frederick A. Conkling, New York city. Rev. Peter 
Stryker, D.D., Rev. James N. Crocker, A.M., Hon. John 
C. Hulbert, Paoli Durkee, A.M., Henry M. Dowd, Alexan- 
der Cherry, and Hiram A. Wilson, A.M. ; Benjamin F. 
Bancroft, treasurer ; David F. Ritchie, secretary. 

Principals. — Rev. Charles F. Dowd, A.?I., Mrs. Har- 
riet M. Dowd. 

Instructors. — Scientific Department : Charles F. Dowd, 
A.M., Helen W. North, N. Amelia Dowd, Ellen R. Dowd. 

Department of Music : Thomas P. Fenner, Florence M. 
Eddy. 

Department of French and German : Mary C. Abbott. 

Department of Painting and Drawing : Eleanor Merrill. 

Grounds and Sili«ilion — The grounds are covered with 
a grove of native forest-trees, and are conveniently and 
tastefully laid out for recreative purposes. They occupy 
the whole square on Spring street, between Circular and 
Regent streets. The site is on a little elevation just east 
of the main street of the village, within ten minutes' walk 
of Washington spring on the south, and about the same 
distance from Empire spring on the north, with all the 
most celebrated springs lying between. From the seminary 
observatory the whole surrounding country, to a distance 
of over fifty miles, is brought into an unbroken view in 
every direction, except upon the northwest, where the 
view is intercepted by mountains a few miles distant. 

VIIL— SOCIETIES. 
MASONIC. 

Eising Sun Lodge, Saratoga Springs. — Rising Sun 
Lodge was first instituted in that section of the county 
known as Northumberland, and afterwards as the town of 
Wilton. The earliest reference to the order, from records 
that have been preserved, bears date on Oct. 4, 1808, 
and from minutes of a meeting held at that time Nichokis 
Angle was Worshipful blaster of the lodge ; Daniel 
Hicks, Senior Warden ; and Jonas King, Junior Warden. 
The lodge, at the date referred to, must have been working 
under a dispensation, as the charter now in possession 
of the present lodge bears date on Sept. 6, 1809, with 
Nicholas Angle, Worshipful Master, Stephen King, Senior 
Warden, and Jared Palmer, Junior Warden. 

The lodge continued in successful operation for some 
years after, when, in 1821, a series of unfortunate circum- 



stances concurred making it necessary, in the opinion of the 
officers and brethren, that the lodge be removed from Wil- 
ton to the town of Saratoga Springs. Steps were taken to 
accomplish this desirable object, but it was not successfully 
brought before the Grand Lodge of the State of New York 
until May 25, 1824, a copy of the petition for that purpose 
being among the papers preserved, and the removal ap- 
proved by the Grand Lodge June 5, 1824. Previous to 
this, however, meetings of the lodge were held in what was 
then called Drake's building, or the old Congress Hall, in 
1823. The lodge was afterwards moved to the Columbian 
Hotel, on the corner, of Lake avenue and Broadway, from 
there to the building owned by Robert Gardner, then to 
Dr. L. E. Whiting's building, afterwards to that owned by 
L. P. Close, and thence to the rooms now occupied, in what 
is known as Ainsworth place. 

For six years after the removal from the town of Wilton 
to Saratoga Springs, Rising Sun Lodge continued in suc- 
cessful operation, but from that date (1830) until 1835 
ceased to make use of its franchise from circumstances 
occurring at that period, which weakened the energies and 
impaired the usefulness of the institution of Freemasonry, 
and hence incurred forfeiture of its Avarrant. In succeed- 
ing years it was regularly revived, but incurred another 
forfeiture consequent upon inability to continue in thorough 
organization by removal of able and competent members 
from the vicinity. A dispensation was granted by the 
Grand Lodge to certain petitioners, Dec. 16, 1844, organ- 
izing a regular lodge of Master Masons, to be distinguished 
as Union Lodge, to be held in the village of Saratoga 
Springs, which was to continue in force until the 15th day 
of May, 1845. On Slay 14, 1845, a petition was drawn 
up for presentation to the Grand Lodge of the State re- 
questing the revival of Rising Sun Lodge ; the prayer of 
the petitioners was granted, and in June, 1845, the lodge 
was revived and renumbered in the Grand Lodge as Rising 
Sun Lodge, No. 103, and has continued a successful and 
active body since its restoration. The charter members in 
the resuscitation of the lodge were G. M. Davison, Robert 
McDonnell, Alvah Marvin, Gardner Bullard, D. D. Ben- 
edict, Joseph White, and Joseph M. Wheeler. D. D. 
Benedict was elected first Worshipful Master on the reor- 
ganization of the lodge. 

The following arc the officers of Rising Sun Lodge for 
1878-79: James Mingay, W. M. ; E. A. Record, S. W. ; 
Otis Peck, J. W. ; C. H. Hulburt, Treas. ; D. Eddy, Sec. ; 
A. W. Shepherd, S. D. ; J. M. Fryer, J. D. ; C. H. Teft, 
S. S. ; N. Clark, J. S. ; Rev. J. Carey, Chaplain ; J. H. 
Winder, Organist ; E. Brackett, Marshal ; C. W. Bene- 
dict, Tyler. 

Rising Sun Chapter, No. 131, Royal Arch Masons, 
was instituted Feb. 2, 1847. The charter officers were: 
Joseph M. Wheeler, H. P. ; D. D. Benedict, K. ; Richard 
L. Allen, S. The officers for 1878 are: I. I. Bullard, 
H. P. ; Otis Peck, K. ; William Shoemaker, S. ; J. Myers, 
C. of H. ; L. R. Cushing, P. S. ; W. A. Austin, R. A. C. ; 
I. P. Howden, M. 3d V. ; C. Carpenter, M. 2d V. ; T. A. 
Record, M. 1st V. ; C. H. Cromwell, Treas. ; W. H. Hull, 
Sec. ; C. W. Benedict, Tyler. 

Crypt ic Council, Ko. 37, Rayed and Select Masters, 




JOHN VAN RENSSELAER, Esy. 



John Van Rensselaer was bom in the town of Greenfield, 
Saratoga County, N. Y., December 25, 1846. He is a 
self-made man, and one of the rising attorneys of this 
county. He came to Saratoga Springs with his parents 
when a child, and received his early education at the com- 
mon schools. At the age of thirteen he began a course of 
self-education with a view to the legal profession. Such 
wta the eagerness of his mind for knowledge that he 
locked himself up in a garret and studied day and night, 
consulting books and authors, and where his own efforts 
failed him, he appealed for the solution of his difficulties 
to older and wiser men of his acquaintance. Thus he 
made his way to the acquisition of knowledge, and this 
habit of study he has kept up through all his professional 
practice. 

At the age of sixteen he began the study of law in the 
office of Hon. J. C Hulbert, of Saratoga Springs, and com- 
pleted his course with L. B. Pike, Esq., of that village. 
In 1867 he was admitted to practice in all the courts of 
the State, and immediately thereafter admitted to the courts 
of the United States. In 1869 and 1870 he practiced law 
in the city of New York, where he acquired the reputation 



of a brilliant and successftil advocate. By overwork his 
health failed, and he was obliged to retire from active duties. 
He sought rest and recuperation of his wasted energies iu 
rusticating, hunting, and fishing, — meantime studying and 
reading books relating to his profession. After spending 
a year or so in this mode of life, with strength and vigor 
restored, he resumed his practice at Saratoga Springs, and 
has continued it actively, laboriously, and successfully ever 
since. As a young attorney he stands second to none in 
this portion of the State, his abilities as an orator and the 
command he has of the facts of his causes being of a high 
order. He is frequently employed by other attorneys to 
sum up their causes in courti, and before a jury he is espe- 
cially effective, particularly in criminal cases, being retained 
to defend nearly every criminal case in the county. 

In the fall of 1877 he was brought forward as a candi- 
date for district attorney ; but at the county cunvention he 
declined the nomination, regarding the acceptance and re- 
sponsibilities of the office as an interference with his pro- 
fessional practice. 

In 1867 he mar.ied Mary P. Groesbeck, of Milton, Sara- 
toga County. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



185 



was instituted Feb. 1, 1870. The charter officers were 
C. H. Holden, T. I. M. ; L. B. Putnam, R. I. D. M. ; G. 
H. Gillis, I. P. C. W. The officers for 1878 are C. H. 
Sturges, T. I. M. ; R. C. McEwen, R. I, D. M. ; G. H. 
Gillis, I. P. C. W. ; C. H. Holden, Treas. ; L. R. Gushing, 
Rec. ; C. M. Avery, C. of G. ; James Mingay, C. of C. ; 
C. Carpenter, Steward; C. W. Benedict, Sentinel. 

Washinfftoii Commaiiderj/, No. 33, K. T. — Chancellor 
R. Walworth, a Knight Templar, and member of a com- 
raandery that was located at Plattsburg, N. Y., H.V. Sayles, 
a Sir Knight from a commandery at San FrancLsco, Cal., 
and C. H. Holden, a Sir Knight of Apollo Commandery, 
of Troy, N. Y., in 18(52 held a meeting in what was then 
known as Marvin House row, and decided upon forming a 
commandery of Knights Templar in the village of Saratoga 
Springs. Apollo Commandery, of Troy, was the only one 
at that time in the vicinity, and there was no organization 
of the kind having jurisdiction throughout the northern 
portion of the State. In 1863, in acceptance of the de- 
cision of these Sir Knights, and in response to their jiropo- 
sition, the following Royal Arch Masons, George B. Fish, 
H. A. Van Dorn, L. B. Putnam, W. R. Winchell, T. G. 
Young, C. E. Durkee, C. H. Brown, Charles Carpenter, 
R. C. Blackball, and F. T. Parkman, companions of Rising 
Sun Chapter, No. 131, of Saratoga Springs, proceeded to 
Troy, and the degrees of knighthood were conferred upon 
them by Apollo Commandery of that city. These, to- 
gether with Sir Knights R. Walworth, H.V. Sayles, and 
C. H. Holden, were the charter members of the new com- 
mandery, and received a warrant empowering them to 
organize a commandery in the village of Saratoga Springs, 
to be known as Washington Commandery, No. 33. On 
Sept. 14, 18G4, Right Eminent Orrin Welch, Grand Com- 
mander of the Grand Commandery of the State of New 
York, accompanied by the officeis of that body, constituted 
the new organization, delivered to them their charter, and 
installed the officers. The ceremonies of the occasion were 
held at the lodge-room in what was then known as the 
Close building, on the site of the present Ainsworth build- 
ing, opposite the United States Hotel. Since that date 
Washington Commandery, No. 33, K. T., has continued in 
active and successful operation, having, at the date of the 
report to the Grand Commandery in 1877, a membership 
of two hundred and fifty-four, and having knighted since 
its organization nearly three hundred and fifty members. 
Meetings of the commandery are now held in the lodge- 
room occupied by all the Masonic bodies, in the building 
known as Ainsworth place. 

The following have been Eminent Commanders of Wash- 
ington Commandery since its organization : 1863-66, Geo. 

B. Fish; 1866-73, Charles H. Holden; 1873-74, F. D. 
Wheeler, Jr.; 1874-75, G. H. Gillis; 1875-76, C. H. 
Sturges; 1876-77, J. L. Perry, Jr.; 1877-78, C. H. 
Holden : 1878, R. C. McEwen. 

The following are the officers for 1878-79 : R. C. Mc- 
Ewen, E. C. ; H. C. Rowland, Gen. ; 0. M. Avery, C. G. ; 

C. H. Sturges, Prelate ; G. H. Gillis, S. W. ; A. Tromblee, 
J. W. ; L. R. Gushing, Recorder; H. W. Hays, Standard 
Bearer ; W. Shoemaker, Sword Bearer ; F. D. Wheeler, 
Jr., Warden ; W. II. Vibbard, First Guard ; J. M. Fryer, 

24 



Second Guard ; J. Myers, Third Guard ; C. W. Benedict, 
Captain of Guard. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-PELI,OWS. 

Saratoga Lodge, No. 15, Saratoga Springs, is the oldest 
lodge in the district, being instituted Nov. 17, 1843. The 
present charter was granted Dec. 1, 1850. The first elected 
officers were as follows : C. W. Berlingame, N. G. ; A. S. 
Piper, V. G. ; C. N. Maynard, R. S. ; 0. T. Sparks, P. S. ; 

A. R. Barrett, Treas. ; F. T. Hill, A. S. Hays, and A. J. 
Holmes, trustees. 

Its present officers are W. H. Baldwin, N. G. ; C. H. 
Sanborn, V. G. ; A. J. Starr, R. S. ; D. S. Latham, P. S. ; 
and J. P. Scovell, Treas. ; 0. Conklin, H. H. Martin, Jr., 
and C. E. Weber, trustees. 

The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and in the last 
report numbered sixty-eight members. 

Grace Lodge, No. 413, Saratoga Springs, is an offspring 
of Saratoga Lodge, and was instituted Dec. 8, 1874, with 
twenty charter members. 

The following were its first officers; A. M. Boyce, N.G. ; 
J. F. Lamberton, V. G.; Wm. M. Searing, Jr., R. S.; 

B. J. Goldsmith, P. S. ; C. D. Slocum, Treas. ; John Van 
Renssclaar, W. F. Calkins, and B. J. Goldsmith, trustees. 

Its present officers are Jas. H. Reagan, N. G. ; John 

D. Crawford, V. G. ; A. R. Walker, R. S. ; John Burgey, 
P. S. ; and C. D. Slocum, Treas. ; B. J. Goldsmith, J. 
H. Reagan, and C. D. Slocum, trustees. 

This lodge is a very fine working lodge, and although 
not so strong in numbers as some in the district, ranks fore- 
most in its manner of working. The last report shows a 
membership of forty-eight. 

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. 

Saratoga Division, Sons of Temperance, was originally 
instituted during the period when the order was so generally 
organized throughout the State, 1842 to 1843. It existed 
for several years, and embodied the prominent working 
temperance men of the place. The " Sons" were the 
pioneers in the social secret temperance orders of the last 
thirty years. The books of this old Saratoga Division do 
not seem to be preserved. 

Another division was organized in 1858, and the follow- 
ing were the officers chosen at that time, — there being a 
charter membership of twenty-seven : Dr. Hamilton, W. 
P. ; R. 0. Wood, W. A. ; George Harvey, Treas. ; Sylvester 

E. Strong, R. S. ; 0. M. Coleman, A. R. S. ; E. L. Russell, 
C. ; John H. Cozzens, A. C. ; Ezra M. Baldwin, I. S. ; 
John Sopcr, O. S. ; Rev. S. McChesuey, Chaplain. 

Ten years later, 18G8, the officers were Thomas Belden, 
W. P. ; T. M. Ward, W. A. ; Robert Ward, R. S. ; C. 
Davison, F. S. ; N. Bedortha, P. W. P. ; C. Allen, W. C. ; 

C. Morris, C. ; J. Booth, A. C. ; J. Gale, I. S. ; B. F. 
Ward, 0. S. ; George Harvey, Treas. 

A third division only had a brief existence, being dis- 
solved after a few years. 

Abraltam Lincoln Division, Sons of Temperance. — 
This was an organization among the colored people of the 
town, and included their most active temperance and re- 
ligious workers. It was sustained for only a brief period^ 



186 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



In 1868 the officers were A. S. Freeman, W. P.; A. Betti- 
son, W. A. ; E. Freeman, R. S. ; Miss M. Dubois, A. R. S. ; 
Miss S. Stewart, F. S. ; Rev. J. C. Gilbert, Chaplain; Mrs. 
J. Diefendorf, C. ; Miss J. Bess, A. C. ; Pero Rue, I. S. ; 
Kane Howard, 0. S. ; Mrs. M. E. Hunter, Treas. 

Mineral Springs Lodge, No. 359, /. 0. G. T., was 
organized under a charter dated April G, 1874. The first 
officers were George T. Holt, W. C. T. ; Mrs. M. R. French, 
\V. V. T. ; M. M. Holmes, W. C. ; J. D. Plummer, W. R. 
S. ; Mrs. J. D. Plummer, W. A. S. ; J. D. McNiel, W. F. 
S. ; Miss L. M. Aldridge, W. T. ; A. W. Parker, W. M. ; 
Miss Carrie Huling, W. D. M. ; N. P. McNiel, P. W. C. 
T. ; John Deuel, K D. 

The lodge was organized in the old hall of the St. Nicho- 
liis building, and met there for a time. It removed in May, 
1877, to the hall in the Ainsworth building, of which 
Peter B. Liker is proprietor. 

The present officers (June, 1878) are the following: 
Charles H. Peck, W. C. T. ; Mi.ss Nellie Carney, W. V. T. ; 
Miss Libbie Towns, W. C. ; E. H. Getman, W. R. S. ; 
Miss Susie Morris, W. A. S. ; Miss Carrie Huliog, W. F. 

S. ; Miss Trites, W. T. ; Frederick Green, W. M. ; 

Miss Addie M. Liker, W. I. G. ; Edward Gibbs, W. 0. G. ; 
Miss Eva Swartfeger, W. R. H. S. ; Miss Libbie Corps, 
W. L. H. S. ; Peter B. Liker, P. W. C. T. and L. D. 

There was a still earlier lodge of I. 0. G. T. in Saratoga 
Springs, of which we have no account. 

There was also a society of Juvenile Templars, known 
as Minnehaha Temple, N'o. 152, organized Dec. 19, 1876. 
The officers were Willie Green, C. T. ; Mi.ss Ella Viall, 
V. T. ; Wm. Mcllwain, Rcc. Sec. ; Edward H. Liker, F. 
Sec. ; Niss Laura Slorrill, Treas. ; Wm. F. Liker, P. C. T. 

This temperance society imitated those of the older people 
by dissolving in a short time. 

Saratoga Tent, No. 24, N. 0. of I. R., wa.s organized 
March 30, 1869. Among the officers first chasen were 

B. W. Amsden, C. R. ; Benjamin Ward, P. C. R. ; W. 
W. Baldwin, Shepherd ; Thomas W. Ward, R. S. ; W. H. 
Baldwin, Treasurer; C. E. Baldwin, Levite. The tent has 
sometimes numbered over one hundred members. Their 
hall was in the building that stood upon the site of the 
present Ainsworth block, where the society meet at the 
present time. 

The officers now (June, 1878) are F. J. Dunham, P. 

C. R. ; M. G. Lester, C. R. ; W. A. Mills, D. R. ; n! F. 
Annis, Shepherd; L. V. Hawley, R. S. ; W. W. Baldwin, 
F. S. ; T. Ledlie, Treas. ; J. J. Masten, Levite ; George 
Jessup, I. G. ; E. A. Stevens, 0. G. 

Some years earlier than this organization there was a tent 
of the Independent Order of Rechabites. From this was 
subsequently formed No. 24, National Order of Independ- 
ent Rechabites, as above stated, and the former t-ent not 
long after dissolved. 

The Young Mens Catholic Temperance Union of Sara- 
toga Springs was organized Jan. 1, 1875. The first offi- 
cers were Rev. F. D. McGuire, president; M. T. McCor- 
mack, vice-president; E. F. Hiland, recording secretary; 
Thomas Maddens, financial secretary; James H. Fitz Pat^ 
rick, treasurer ; John H. Reynolds, Marshal ; Wm. Finn, 
ensign ; William Ahearn, sergeaut-at-arms. 



At first the society had a hall in the Morey block on 
Broadway. In 1876 they removed to a room in the town- 
hall, and in 1878 to their present place, Broadway, corner 
of Phila street. They maintain a fine room, supplied with 
newspapers, and a library where visitors are made welcome. 

They have sometimes had a membership of two hundred. 
Like other societies of a similar character, their meetintrs 
are better attended in the winter, when members have more 
leisure than in the summer. Their present officers (June, 
1878) are Rev. F. D. McGuire, spiritual director; M. 
McCloskey, president ; M. Driseoll, vice-president ; M. T. 
McCormack, recording secretary ; Thomas F. Hays, finan- 
cial secretary ; John Kain, treasurer ; Wm. Delaney, mar- 
shal ; David Flynn, ensign ; James Dwyer, sergeant-at- 
arms. 

This society was preceded for some years by an organi- 
zation known as St. Peter s Total Ahstinence Benevolent 
Society. That was formed about the time of an important 
Catholic mission held at Saratoga Springs. 

Tlie Young Mens Christian Association of Saratoga 
Springs was organized in 1866. The presidents have been 
as follows: H. A. Wilson, 1866 ; J. A. Shoudy, 1867 ; P. 
F. Allen, 1868; S. E. Bushnell, 1869 ; S. E. Strong, 1870; 
J. N. Crocker, 1871 ; J. E. King, 1872; D. F. Ritchie, 
1873; L. S. Rowland, 1874; Paoli Durke, 1875; Fredk. 
B. Benton, 1876 ; H. C. Stryker, 1877. 

The society maintained a suite of rooms in Patterson's 
block, at an expense of $500 a year, and afterwards in the 
town-hall at the same rate. For a short time before the 
dissolution of the association they were quartered in the 
St. Nicholas building. They had a free reading-room, well 
supplied with newspapers and with a well-selected library, 
numbering five hundred volumes, affijrding excellent privi- 
leges to those who frequented them. They maintained a 
daily prayer-meeting that was largely attended during the 
summer. Some work was also done in the way of religious 
meetings in different neighborhoods in the town. Their 
main work, however, was the valuable reading-room and the 
daily meeting. They also secured for the winter season 
courses of lectures, and some of the ablest speakers in the 
country occupied their platform. Sufficient interest was 
not, however, developed to continue the enterprise, and the 
association formally disbanded in the fall of 1877. 

Some years earlier than the above society there was or- 
ganized the Young Men's Association, of which Hon. J. B. 
McKean was president. Dr. Robert Hamilton was vice- 
president and chairman of the lecture committee. This 
continued for a year or two after the organizatio)i of the 
other society, and then dissolved. 

The Women's Christian Temperance Union of Saratoga 
Springs was organized March 17, 1874. At the meeting 
called for the purpo.se there was a prompt response and an 
attendance of more than two hundred. Mrs. Henry R. 
Lawrence was chosen president, and Miss Sarah Davison, 
secretary. Two vice-presidents were elected, and an execu- 
tive committee of thirty, consisting of the ladies from each 
of the churches in town. In the three months following 
the organization the town was mapped out into thirty dis- 
tricts, two ladies appointed for each, and a vi-sitation was 
made, extending to every residence, store, hotel, saloon, and 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



187 



business place. Nine hundred names were secured to the 
pledge, and an effort made to prevent the granting of 
licenses by the excise board. Ministers, leading citizens, 
and ladies with numerous petitions were heard, and then 
the board went into secret session and grdiitcd the iisiitd 
number. The Union inaugurated a Sunday afternoon meet- 
ing, which has been continued to the present time without 
a sinsile intermission. Also Tliursday afternoons. Boys' 
meetings were held, — out-door mass-meetings, — temperance 
literature distributed, and pledges taken. 

A very noted occasion was the mass-meeting in July, 
1875, when an address was delivered by the Rev. Theodore 
L. Cuyler, who was followed by Hon. Henry Wilson, vice- 
president of the United States. It was his last public ad- 
dress in behalf of temperance. He said, " No other induce- 
ment could have led me to speak upon this platform to-night 
than this, that the meeting is under the auspices of a noble 
band of Christian women who are doing their best to rid 
this place of the terrible evil of intemperance." 

The present officers (June, 1878) are: 

President. — Mrs. M. L. Durand. 

Vice-Presidents. — Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. Pond, Mrs. Frasier, 
Mrs. Stryker. 

Corresponding Secretary. — Mrs. Bunoe. 

Recording Secretary. — Miss Angulo. 

Treasurer. — Mrs. Harrington. 

The Saratoga Temperance Reform, Clnh, under the 
labors of J. E. Risley, of Providence, R. I., was organized 
March 13, 1877, and commenced its work during that year. 

It was, however, largely increased in membership and 
officially reorganized a year latter, at the time of the series 
of meetings held here. The officers (June, 1878) are: 

President. — Rev. Peter Stryker. 

1st Vice-President. — Fred A. Johnson. 

2dVice-President.—R(iy. William R. Terrett. 

Secretary. — Edward D. Selden. 

Treasurer. — Warren C. Fish. 

Financial Secretary. — Orville C. Elms. 

The club hold regular meetings every Monday evening, 
at their rooms in the town-hall. They are now securing a 
supply of newspapers, and the commencement of a library, 
the privileges of which are free to visitors. 

High Rock Spring Lodge, No. 58, of the Independent 
Order of Good ScmaYitans and Daughters of Samaria, 
deriving its authority from the Grand Lodge, East Division 
of New York, was organized April 10, 1877, with twenty- 
three members. The meeting was held in the hall of the 
St. Nicholas building, and the initiating officer was Rev. 
Witt. Sanford. The first officers were C. V. Moore. W. C. ; 

C. Rue, P. D. ; C. Howard, W. V. ; M. E. Wicks, D. F. ; 
R. Bowden, W. P. ; Ellen Van Schaick, D. L. ; 1. Kelly, 
W. R. S. ; C. Hill, D. R. ; J. W. Vandyke, W. F. S. ; Mary 
Williams, D. F. ; J. Hill, W. T. ; II. A. Ostrander, D. T. ; 
A. Jackson, W. Con. ; S. Williams, D. Con. ; A. Miller, 
J. S. ; Julia Bowden, D. K. ; C. Morris, 0. S. ; E. Webb, 

D. P. ; Wm. Sanford, W. P. C. ; L. Moore, P. P. D. The 
object of the society is to promote the principles of 'temper- 
ance, to afford mutual relief in sickness, and to bury the 
dead. At the present time (June, 1878) C. Howard is the 
presiding officer, and Rev. Wm. Sanford recording secretary. 



KNIGHTS OP PYTHIAS. 

Empire Lodge, No. 74, was organized Feb. 28, 1872, 
with the following officers : 

N. Waterbury, C. C. ; B. 31. Soaring, V. C. ; Jesse Mains, 
M. at A.; G. W. Zahm, I. G. ; Wm. Graham, 0. G.; 
Henry Mar.shall, K. of R. and S. ; Thomas Valentine, M. 
of F. ; William Calkins, M. of E. ; Charles Sanborn, P.; 
F. W. Ilorton, P. C. The lodge meets every Tuesday 
evening at Castle Hall, Broadway. The present officers 
(June, 1878) are Frank Ames, C. C. ; Frank Bobbins, V. 
C. ; George Sigsby, M. at A. ; George Jordan, I. G. ; Joseph 
Morris, 0. G. ; R. C. Baker, K. of R. and S. ; Oscar Cook, 
M. of F. ; George Sanborn, M. of E. ; Robert Ramsey, P. ; 
W. P. Carpenter, P. C. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Post 92 was organized October 11,1877. The charter 
members numbered seventeen. Within a year they have 
increased to seventy. The post meets the second and 
fourth Tuesdays of each month. The following officers 
were installed at the time of organization by Post-Com- 
mander Harris, of Ballston Spa : 

Post Commander. — E. T. Woodward. 

Senior Vice- Commander. — W. J. Riggs. 

Junior Vice- Commander. — George H. Glllis. 

Quartermaster. — John D. Crawford. 

Chaplain.— D. F. Ritchie. 

Officer of the Day. — John E. L. Deuel. 

Officers of the Guard. — A. C. Butterfield. 

Adjutant. — P. McDonald. 

Quartermaster Sergeant. — J. E. Brainard. 

Sergeant- Major. — O. M. Coleman. 

Delegate to the St<ile Encampment. — B. F. Judson ; 
Alternate, J. J. Hyde. 

Perhaps there is no order that equals this in the amount 
of its charities, there having been donated $70,000 by the 
posts throughout the State during the last year. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN. 

The first lodge of this order was organized in the county 
March 9, 1878, at Saratoga Springs, by J. P. Laraberton, 
county deputy. It is known as Putnam Lodge, N^i^. 13-4, 
A. 0. U. W. The officers are J. F. Lamberton, P. M. W. ; 
Robert A. Hemingway, M. W. ; L. II. Cramer, G. P. ; J. 
P. Ilaskins, 0. ; Lawrence F. Crosby, Recorder; Gaorge S. 
Stoddard, F. ; C. D. Slocum, Receiver ; Dr. W. H. Hall, 
M. E. ; James H. Reagan, G. ; S. H. Myers, J. W. ; A. 
R. Walker, 0. W. ; Bomoy Smith, B. J. Goldsmith, W. 
H. Hall, Trustees. Other charter members were Simeon 
Brown, Frank Lee, B. H. Searing, J. S. Fassett, Z. C. 
Shouts. The lodge starts with exceedingly fair prospects. 
One other already exists at Ballston Spa, and others are 
just organized at Greenfield and Schuylerville. 

THE SARATOGA MUSICAL ASSOCIATION 

was first organized in February, 18G9, with Samuel E. 
Bushnell, president ; Lorin B. Putnam, secretary ; Stephen 
H. Richards, treasurer; Dr. C. F. Rich, musical director; 
John A. Waterbury, organist; and a board of managers, 
consisting of the officers and Dr. L. E. Whiting, W. B. 



188 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



French, B. F. Edwards, C. W. Sterling, E. Holmes, and 
W. H. Gibbs. Organized for the advancement of music, the 
association for about eight years was in a flourishing con- 
dition, and without doubt exercised during that time a 
great influence among the musical people. For many years 
it occupied the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. in the town-hall. 

The first grand concert was given on April 11, 1870. 
The first grand musical convention was held in February, 
1872, with Prof L. 0. Emerson as musical director. 
Meeting with great success and encouragement, the associa- 
tion decided to hold conventions yearly, and to give them 
greater attraction musical talent from Boston was engaged. 
The Temple Quartette, the Mendelssohn Quintette Club, 
Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Spring, and Mr. J. P. Cobb, assisted at 
various times, and gave great satisfaction. Convention 
■week became a feature in Saratoga during the winter, 
and always brought in a large number of singers from 
surrounding villages. Owing to the hard times, the asso- 
ciation was obliged to disband in 1877, but there is a 
prospect of its being revived within a short time. The 
oflicers of the association during the last year were : 

President. — E. Holmes. 

Vice-President. — Prof J. Winder. 

Secretary and Treasurer. — E. R. Stevens. 

Board of Managers.— ¥j. Holmes, Prof Winder, E. R. 
Stevens, C. W. Fuller, Rodney Churchill, J. H. Dinnen, 
R. A. Heminway, J. H. Pardue, Dr. C. F. Rich, Dr. R. 
C. McEwen, L. B. Putnam. 

IX.— BANKS AND GAS COMPANY. 
FIRST NATIONAL BANK. 

The first bank at Saratoga Springs was started in 1848. 
Its organization was under the general act of the Legisla- 
ture of the State, passed in 1838, and known as the general 
banking law, and amended in 1844, making provision for 
organizing of private banks, with a capital of not less than 
$50,000. The projectors and owners of this institution 
were Judge Thomas J. Marvin and James M. Marvin, of 
Saratoga Springs, and Rufus H. King and J. B. Plumb, of 
the city of Albany. The nominal capital was $00,000, 
and the fir.st olficers were Thomas J. Marvin, president, and 
James M. Marvin, cashier. The oflice of the bank was on 
the second floor of the old insurance building, which stood 
at the southeast corner of the United States Hotel property, 
on Broadway. Soon afler opening their institution, the 
owners discovered that the proper management of its 
officers required the employment of some regularly edu- 
cated banker to conduct the details of the business, and 
John S. Leake, then of the New York State Bank, Albany, 
was appointed the cashier. In 1852 the business of the 
village had increased so much that additional banking 
facilities were found necessary, and it was decided to 
increase the capital to $100,000, by opening their books 
for subscription to the stock, and to change the organiza- 
tion into an "associate bank," under the then existing 
laws of the State. The first oflScers were J. Beekman 
Finlay, president, and J. S. Leake, cashier. Mr. Finlay 
continued in oflice until 1850, when Dr. Samuel Freeman 
was elected in his place, who held the office until the time 
of his death, in 1870. 



The national bank law having been passed June 3, 1804, 
and by its provisions prohibiting State banks from issuing 
bills (or rather taxing them so exorbitantly upon their circu- 
lating notes that it amounted to a prohibition ), which, to- 
gether with the well-remembered loyalty and patriotism of 
the then presiding officer, Dr. Freeman, the bank dissolved 
its connection with the banking laws of the State of New 
York, and reorganized under the general act of Congress of 
the United States. 

On the death of Dr. Freeman, Jas. M. Marvin was elected 
president, and has continued in office up to this time. Mr. 
J. S. Leake has held the office of cashier from the time of 
his first connection with the old bank. 

Since the commencement of business of this corporation, 
in 1852, twenty-six years ago, it has paid to its stockholders, 
in dividends, $227,000, or $45,000, over seven per cent., 
per annum upon their investment. The present board of 
directors are Jas. M. Marvin, J. S. Leake, Robt. McDon- 
nell, Jas. Baucus, Jas. C. Hulbert, Jas. R. Chapman, A. 
S. Hays, J. H. Farrington, Jas. Woodbridge, N. D. More- 
house, and C. H. Hulbert. 

THE COMMERCIAL N.'VTIONAL BANK. 

This reliable monetary institution is located on the corner 
of Broadway and Phila street. It does a regular banking 
busine.ss, and deals in municipal and government bonds. 
Its business is managed by the following able corps of of- 
ficials : John T. Carr, president ; Joseph G. Cooke, vice- 
president ; S. H. Richards, cashier ; Directors, Chas. S. 
Lester, Jno. T. Carr, Joseph G. Cooke, Henry B. Hanson, 
Walter J. Hendriek, Jared Ingersoll, Alexander Cherry, 
Stephen H. Richards, Taber B. Reynolds, and John T. 
Daniels. These gentlemen are all well-known, enterprising, 
and esteemed citizens of Saratoga. This bank has a large 
capital, and has an enviable reputation for soundness and 
honorable dealing. 

UNION SAVINGS BANK. 

Union Savings Bank of Saratoga Springs was chartered 
by special act of Legislature of New York, passed March 
28, 1873. Charles S. Lester, James M. Marvin, J. C. 
Hulbert, J. S. Leake, W. J. Hendriek, S. H. Richards, 
W. Bennett, C. Sheenan, and S. Ainsworth were named 
in the act as incorporators, and were the first trustees. J. 
S. Leake was chosen president, and S. H. Richards, secre- 
tary and treasurer. The bank commenced business April 
1 , 1873. Deposits were received at the First National and 
Commercial National Banks. 

Upon the resignation of S. H. Richards from the office 
of treasurer and trustee, April 10, 1874, Charles H. 
Hulbert was elected to the vacancy. On June 1, 1874, 
the business was removed temporarily to Perry's building, 
west side of Broadway, and on July 1, 1875, permanently 
removed to rooms very handsomely fitted up for their use 
at the south end of the United States Hotel. On Nov. 
7 of that year John Woodbridge and Nelson D. Morehouse 
were elected trustees, in place of C. Sheehan and Sey- 
mour Ainsworth resigned, and T. B. Reynolds, H. B. 
Hanson, C. E. Leland, and Hiram Palmer were elected 
trustees to conform to the general savings bank act passed 
May 17, making the number of trustees thirteen. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



189 



The present trustees and officers are as follows : Charles 
S. Lester, John S. Leake, Walter J. Hendrick, Charles E. 
Leland, Hiram Palmer, Nelson D. Morehouse, James M. 
Marvin, John C. Hulbert, William Bennett, Henry B. 
Hanson, John Woodbridge, Taber B. Reynolds, Charles 
H. Hulbert ; John S. Leake, president ; Charles H. Hul- 
bert, secretary and treasurer. 

SARATOGA GAS COMPANY. 

The Saratoga Gaslight Company was organized in 1854, 
having the following-named officers, with a capital of 
$75,000: L. H. Tapper, J. M. Corliss, T. M. Lockwood, 
S. S. Dauchy, John S. Manning, S. G. Clements, R. D. 
Bardwell. In 1876 the company was reorganized, with a 
capital of $40,000, having the following-named officers : 
William Bennett, James R. Chapman, Charles H. Holden. 
It has about eight miles of mains, and is considered in 
point of buildings and equipment superior to any gas- 
works in the country of its size. 

X.— PROTECTION FROM FIRE. 

There appear to be no records extant of the earlier fire 
companies. The first arrangement was the simple appoint- 
ment of fire-wardens, and the requiring each store, business 
place, and residence to have one or more buckets in readi- 
ness for instant use. In case of fire, lines of citizens were 
formed, one to pass full buckets from the reservoir, and 
another to return them empty. The next step of advanced 
protection was the formation of fire companies and the pur- 
chase of old-fashioned hand fire-engines. These were sup- 
plemented by a hook-and-ladder company, and in later years 
by the steam fire-engines of modern times. We add the 
following brief statement of the fire department and the 
officers for 1877 : 

Wm. B. White Engine Company^ No. 1. — President, 
Thomas Flanigan ; Vice-President, James McLaughlin ; 
Foreman, Robert Swanick ; Assistant Foreman, Jacob 
Hass ; Secretary, David Quinlan ; Treasurer, John Cothrel ; 
Engineer, Lawrence Coon. 

Hathorn Hose Compani/, No. 2. — President, J. W. 
Dane; Vice-President, George A. Seaner ; Foreman, F. M. 
Boyce ; Assistant, William Connelly ; Secretary, John 
Ernst ; Treasurer, Henry Eaton. 

G. E. Dnrkee Stearner Compani/, No. ,3. — President, 
Wm. Shoemaker ; Vice-President, Elisha Ishell ; Foreman, 
C. E. Durkee ; Assistant, Thomas Nevins ; Treasurer, C. 
M. Avery ; Secretary, Prank A. Phillips ; Engineer, John 
T. Mains. 

C. E. Leland Hooh-nnd- Ladder Company, No. 1. — 
President, D. W. Eddy ; Vice-President, W. Gailor ; Sec- 
retary, J. H. Simmonds ; Foreman, W. S. Snyder ; First 
Assistant, J. Ayer ; Second Assistant, C. H. Van Dorn ; 
Third Assistant, T. Robbins ; Treasurer, F. Wells. 

llorrissey Hose Company, No. 4. — J. Lynch, president; 
J. Gafl'ney, vice-president ; J. Reynolds, foreman. 

Knickerbocker Hose Company, No. 5. — J. S. Ingram, 
president; D. Allen, vice-president; J. N. Wonhart, fore- 
man ; M. S. Cummings, assistant foreman. 

Exemjit Steamer, No. 2. — President, J. Manuel ; Vice- 
President, H. Getty ; Secretary, James Fitzpatrick, Treas- 



urer, James Brean ; Foreman, John H. Dinnen ; Assistant- 
Foreman, Patrick H. Hulahan. 

S. H. Richards Hose Company, No. 3.— President, B. 
H. Searing ; Vice-President, C. W. Plowman ; Secretary, 
F. M. Jenkins ; Foreman, J. H. Darrow ; Assistant-Fore- 
man, W. L. Graham. 

Boyce Frotectives. — President, J. Merris ; Vice-Presi- 
dent, W. Fenton ; Treasurer, T. H. Chase ; Foreman, C. 0. 
Salsbury ; Assistant-Foreman, J. Fenton. 

Walter B. Hendricks states that the first engine was 
bought in 1826 or 1827. The first hook-and-ladder com- 
pany was formed about 1838, and Ransom Cook was 
foreman. 

The C. E. Durkee Company was formed about 1848. 
Mr. Durkee, for whom it is named, has been foreman 
since 1862. J. J. Hyde has remained in connection with 
it since 1859, and has been chief engineer of the fire de- 
partment one or more terms. 

XI.— CEMETERIES. 

In connection with Saratoga Springs, as a village, there 
are five cemeteries. 

1. The old Sadler burial-place, on the hill in the north- 
east part of the village. This is now (June, 1878) a 
desolate place. The monuments are nearly all removed. 
At the grave from which the remains of the grandfather 
of President Hayes were taken in 1877 may still be seen 
the original stone bearing the inscription, " In memory of 
Roger Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., who died August 22, 
1805, in the forty-eighth year of his age." 

This yard is now abandoned, and, under a contract by 
the trustees of the village, the )-emains are being removed 
to the new cemetery on the Waring farm. It seems 
a desecration of the sacred resting-place of the dead. 
Here came the earliest funeral processions of Saratoga 
Springs, bearing their loved ones to burial. From this 
level summit there swelled up to heaven the notes of the 
funeral hymn and the words of Christian hope. " I am the 
resurrection and the life" fell upon the hearts of mourning 
families with the same divine power a hundred years ago 
as now. Among the upturned hillocks, mingled with the 
wild shrubs struggling for life in the midst of death, are 
still growing bunches of " everlasting," and flowers still 
bloom in this neglected spot, planted long ago by loving 
hands. 

There seems to be no record of the earliest burial at Sad- 
ler's. William L. Stone, in " Reminiscences," gives several 
names and inscriptions, and we infer they were the earliest 
dates to be obtained. Those mentioned by him are " Con- 
stant Jameson, 1792 ;" "Justus Jameson, 1804;" "Pa- 
tience Jenkins, 1805 ;" " Increase Matthews, 1790 ;" 
" Blumy, daughter of Jotham Holmes, July 3, 1796 ;" 
" Eli Taylor, Sept. 14, 1797, aged sixty-four years two 
months and twenty days ;" " Martha, wife of Richard 
Flagler, April 10, 1792, aged twenty-six;" " Fenn Wads- 
worth, died June 21, 1785." We add, also, Alexander 
Thomas, of Walpole, Vt, died July 2, 1809, aged thirty- 
five ;" "Abel Brown, Aug. 31, 1810, aged thirty-four;" 
" Joanna E., daughter of Alexander Stimson, died Nov. 
8, 1805, aged three." 



190 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Mr. Stone alludes then (1874:) to the rumored intended 
removal of the reniain.s from this place in the following 
earnest words : " Old grave-yards ought to be venerated as 
holy ground. Men should no more consent to such changes 
than they would consent to sell the bones of their own 
fathers and mothers for knife-handles. If it is thought 
best to have no more grave-yards within corporate limits, 
well and good ; but let those which are there stand as a 
memorial to the old and good men who sleep beneath. Let 
them sleep. There is no excuse for the removal, and no 
palliation of the offense against propriety. If necessary, 
prohibit any further burials, hut let not a spadeful of the 
dust of the fathers he sold for gohiy 

His fears have been realized. The removal is going on ; 
the work of destruction is nearly complete, though many 
of the remains will probably never be found. The present 
season (1878) will witness the last of the Sadler cemetery. 
Will the " village fiuhers" or the new proprietors spare 
even the two old pines that still stand, silent witnesses of 
the earlier and the later years ; of the burial and of the 
removal ? 

2. The Putnam Burial-Flace. — At this ground we pause 
to note the gratifying fact that the work of selling grave- 
yards in Saratoga has evidently come to an end. This 
place, in which so many of the prominent early families 
were buried, and around which so many early memories 
cluster, has recently been protected by a plain strong fence. 
To the onward march of commercial greed, to the demands 
of gain, the town authorities have said, "Thus far, — no 
farther." 

Situated near the railroad, in the heart of the village, it 
may seem to some as an unsightly aifair that ought to bo 
removed. A few years' protection and care will, however, 
easily give to it a beautiful and neat appearance, and the 
hallowed associations of the past will render it a precious 
spot to the families whose ancestors slumber there. 

Of this burial-place the same writer before quoted says, 
"This piece of ground was given to the village in 1810 by 
Gideon Putnam, and in it many of the ' forefathers of the 
hamlet' slept until, in recent years, they were removed by 
their relatives to the present Green Ridge cemetery. Still 
a number of the original settlers yet remain where they 
were originally laid to rest. Here is Dr. Clark, and here, 
too, lie a part of the family of Nathan Lewis, who built 
the second brick house ever erected in the village." 

There are several fine monuments in this inclosure. The 
place already begins to put on a new appearance, thoroughly 
protected as it is from intrusion. It is a fair specimen of 
what ought to have been done with all the old cemeteries 
of the county, — inclose them — save them ; let nature cast 
upon the graves its annual wealth of flowers and foliage ; 
let even the wild shrubs supplant the roses trained by 
hands long since themselves folded for the rest of the 
grave, but spare the graves themselves. 

3. Green Ridge Cemetery. — This was established thirty- 
eight years ago, and along its crowded avenues are the dead 
of more than a generation. The earliest burials were those 
of remains transferred from other grounds. The first reg- 
ular interment was that of Wm. L. Stone, who died Aug. 
15, 1844; this distinguished author having resided for 



many years at Saratoga Springs. His fother was a Congre- 
gational minister, and in his old age lived in Sodus, Wayne 
Co., N. Y. The writer of this paragraph remembers his 
venerable form standing in the old church, close up to the 
minister, to catch the words of life and immortality. He 
was a sturdy Puritan, and brought to Sodus neither ritual- 
ism nor democracy. An enthusiastic politician having 
ofi'ered him on one occasion a Democratic vote, he took it 
in his trembling hand ; but at the polls he thrust out the 
other hand, stout and strong, saying, " Here, gentlemen, is 
a good, solid Whig vote." Wm. L. Stone, Sr., was often 
in Sodus, and in 1843, the year before he died, the writer 
remembers seeing him seated in the hotel there reading the 
Liverpool Times. 

Few cemeteries connected with places similar to Saratoga 
Springs contain the remains of so many illustrious dead as 
Green Ridge. A catalogue of the inscriptions would itself 
be history. There would be found the names of poets and 
statesmen, of jurists, philanthropists, and representative 
business men. Here are Cowen and Willard and Walworth, 
skilled in legal lore, and Margaret and Lucretia Davidson, 
those gifted children of song. Here are gathered thickly 
the old standard names of Saratoga Springs, Putnam, Wal- 
ton, Bryan, Beach, Westcott, North, Doe, Warren, Stevens, 
Rue, Griswold, Wayland, and a host of others. 

The burials in this cemetery have been nearly three thou- 
sand, though this is probably an estimate rather than a 
known fact. How simple and easy an afiair for every ceme- 
tery to have a record showing the name and date of every 
burial, and yet how few can be found thus written up ! 
Jonathan Hammond has been the superintendent for many 
years, and to him as well as other village oflacers are the 
people greatly indebted for the orderly arrangement and for 
the beauty of the place. 

4. The Catholic Cemetery. — This is located southwest of 
the village, not far from the glass manufactories. It is a 
new enterprise, having been laid out only twelve or fifteen 
years. Previous to this the Catholics had buried in Green 
Ridge cemetery, an entire acre having been bought by them 
at the time the cemetery was established. The new grounds 
are nearly level, and are finely laid out. The shrubbery 
already planted, and the ornamentation of the lots, give 
promise of the quiet beauty appropriate to the resting-place 
of the dead. There are some fine monuments erected in this 
inclosure, and the story of Christian hope is eloquently told 
by the symbol of the cross upon every grave, whether carved 
in marble upon the graves of wealth or the simple wooden 
crucifix of the poor. One stone, at a soldier's grave, attracts 
the pa.ssing stranger: 

"James Dcneffe, 77th Regt., Co. A, died Sept. 30, 1863; erected by 
his sister. May his soul rest iu peace." 

5. Kayadrossera Cemetery. — This is the new one lo- 
cated on the Waring farm, west of the village. Removals 
have been made from the old Sadler's ground to this. 
Avenues have been graded, laid out in beautiful winding 
curves. A pedestal is laid for a central monument. Shrub- 
bery and trees have been planted, and considerable general 
progress made in establishing a cemetery of such an extent 
as will be ample for the necessities of a long series of years 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



191 



to come. Delayed by legal difficulties, work is at present 
siLspended. 

X.— W.VTER SUPPLY. 

The earliest successful attempt to supply water by means 
of works and conduits to the village of Saratoga Springs 
was made in 1832, by Dr. John Clark. Dr. Clark erected 
a tower about fifty feet high in what is now Congress 
Springs park. By means of pumps he raised the water 
through pipes to the top of this tower, where it entered a 
reservoir, or basin, prepared for it there, and from thence 
passed down other pipes into wooden pipes, or water-logs, 
made of pine, having a two-inch bore, which were laid 
throughout the village. This system of water supply con- 
tinued until the growth of the place demanded still larger 
supplies. 

In 1847 a large reservoir was built at Greenfield, about 
two miles from the village of Saratoga Springs. Iron 
pipes lined with cement were connected with this, and the 
village thus supplied with water. But the supply from this 
source likewise proved inadequate. At certain seasons of 
the year the supply was almost exhausted, and in times of 
fire the deficiency in supply was especially noticeable. The 
necessity for other and fuller supplies became so important 
a subject, that various devices and plans were suggested to 
remedy the difficulty. Among other things a second, or 
supplemental reservoir, was located between the main one 
and the village, being designed especially in the event of 
fire, but this experiment was unsuccessful. 

In 1866 an act of the Legislature amending the charter 
of Saratoga Springs was passed, which also had reference 
to the establishment of competent water facilities for the 
village of Saratoga Springs. In 1868 an act amendatory 
of the act of 1866 was passed. By this act three com- 
missioners of construction, to be chosen and appointed by 
a majority of the six trustees of the village, were empow- 
ered to make examinations and determine on the best mode 
of obtaining a supply of water, subject to the direction and 
control of the trustees ; to cause the necessary surveys, 
estimates, and levels to be taken for that purpose, and to 
enter upon and take possession of any lands, springs, 
streams, brooks, lakes, and sources of supply of water for 
that purpose, first paying the owners all reasonable dam- 
ages therefor. They were further authorized to make con- 
tracts for the purchase of suitable machinery, and for the 
erection of dams, buildings, and other structures necessary 
to the construction, putting in order, and completing said 
works. The trustees were authorized by this act to issue 
thirty-year seven per cent, bonds to the amount of 
8100,000. 

On April 21, 1869, a further amendment to the acts 
of 1866 and 1868 was passed for the same purpose. By 
section 3 of said act, Henry H. Hathorn, Charles H. 
Holden, Cornelius A. Russell, Cornelius Sheehan, and 
Charles H. Ballard were appointed commissioners of con- 
struction, with powers and duties similar to those provided 
for by the act of 1868. 

On February 26, 1870, an act amendatory of the pre- 
vious acts relating to water supply was passed, under and 
by which James M. Marvin, Henry H. Hathorn, Cornelius 
A. Russell, Charles H. Holden, Cornelius Sheehan, Walter 



J. Hendrick, William Bennett, Joseph D. Briggs, Charles 
H. Ballard, John W. Crane, Oliver L. Barbour, Richard 
L. Allen, Daniel O'Goerman, Myron N. Babcock, and 
Hiram C. Tefft were appointed commissioners of construc- 
tion, with powers and duties as theretofore exercised and 
performed. 

On March 28, 1871, an act was passed authorizing the 
trustees of the village to issue bonds, in the manner speci- 
fied in section 1 of the act of 1868, to the amount of 
$100,000. 

On May 17, 1872, an act was passed appointing Jam3S 
M. Marvin, William Bennett, Henry B. Hanson, John W. 
Crane, and James H. Wright water commissioners for the 
village of Saratoga Springs, setting forth at length the 
duties of said board, and authorizing the issue of further 
bonds of the village, to the extent of $50,000, for extend- 
ing and completing the new water-works at Loughberry 
lake. By the same act James M. Marvin, Henry H. 
Hathorn, Cornelius Sheehan, John W. Crane, William 
Bennett, Charles H. Holden, Charles H. Ballard, Walter 
J. Hendrick, and Oliver L. Barbour were continued in 
office as commissioners of construction until Sept. 1, 1872. 
Since that time the following persons have held the office 
of water commissioner, one being selected by the ta-ustees 
each year to fill a vacancy then occurring: Caleb W. 
Mitchell, 1873 ; Seymour Ainsworth, 1874 ; John W. 
Crane, 1875 ; Jerome Pitney, 1875 ; John T. Carr, 1876 ; 
Benjamin W. Clapp, 1877 ; Robert F. Knapp, 1877 ; 
Hiram Owen, 1878. 

The board is at present composed of Seymour Ainsworth, 
John T. Carr, Benjamin W. Clapp, Jerome Pitney, and 
Hiram Owen. Samuel F. Corey is secretary to the board, 
Henry W. Keith is superintendent of the water-works, and 
David L. Holland engineer. 

In the year 1870, after considerable agitation of the 
question of where the best water-supply for the village of 
Saratoga Springs could be obtained, the commissioners of 
construction decided to establish the Holly system of water- 
works at Loughberry lake, the same which are still in use 
at that point, and from which the water-supply of Saratoga 
Springs is obtained. 

These works are located in the northeast section of the 
village, within the corporate limits, and on the borders of 
Loughberry lake. The buildings are of brick. The main 
part — that in which the engines are located — is eighty feet 
square. The boiler-room is thirty by forty feet, the coal- 
shed forty feet square, and the chimney, which is octagonal 
in form, eighty-five feet high. 

The system employed is that known as the Holly, whose 
manufticturing works are located at Lockport, N. Y. The 
distinguishing feature of this plan is that it throws the 
water directly into the pipes. A large double Holly engine 
is used in the works, having a capacity of one hundred and 
fifty horse-power. There are two large water-wheels, one 
sixty inch and one thirty inch, which are run by a thirty- 
foot head of water, the surplus water from the lake being 
used about one-third of the year to run the works, instead 
of steam. The variation in elevation of the streets of the 
village above the pumps is from forty-one to one hundred 
and thirty-three feet. There are twenty-six miles of pipe 



192 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



laid throughout the village, and one hundred and thirty- 
three double-nozzled hydrants. There are two hundred and 
ten gates in the various pipes. The water was formerly 
taken from the canal, but not proving satisfactory, pipes 
were laid to the middle of Loughberry lake, one hundred 
and fifty feet from the shore, and the water is taken twelve 
feet from the surface and eleven feet from the bottom of the 
lake. 

The works were first set in motion on July 10, 1871, and 
cost S2.50,000. Since their establishment, a full supply of 
pure, wholesome water has been assured to the village. Da- 
vid L. Holland has been in charge of the works as engineer 
since they were started. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HON. THOMAS J. MARVIN. 

Among the honorable names and benefactors of Saratoga 
none have been held in more justly deserved esteem than 
the subject of this brief memoir, Hon. Thomas J. Marvin. 
He was the son of William Marvin, and brother of Hon. 
James M. Marvin, and was born in Malta, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., on the 26th of June, 1803. He graduated at Union 
College, and commenced the study of law in the village of 
Saratoga Springs, in 1824, in the office of Hon. Wm. L. 
F. Warren. During the four years following he qualified 
himself for the legal profession, and in 1828 was admitted 
to practice in all the courts of the State. At the second 
election of such officers by the people, he was chosen with 
great unanimity justice of the peace, and discharged in a 
faithful manner the duties of his office during the succeed- 
ing four years. In 1833 he was elected to the Legislative 
Assembly of the State, and a better or more useful member 
of that body was never returned from this county. He was 
subsequently one of the judges of the county court, and 
upon the retirement of Colonel Young was made first judge, 
which place he filled with great credit to himself and satis- 
faction to the public, until superseded by the Constitution 
of 1846. He was appointed postmaster at Saratoga Springs 
during President Tyler's administration, and continued as 
such during the administration of James K. Polk. He 
faithfully represented his town in the board of supervisors 
in 1851 and 1852. He was the first to establish a bank at 
Saratoga, in connection with his brother, James M. Marvin, 
and as soon as he saw that the citizens were sufficiently 
united and willing to take portions of the stock, he cheer- 
fully consented to open the books and make it an asso- 
ciated institution, retaining but a small amount of the stock 
for himself, although it was known to be a profitable invest- 
ment, and declining to occupy any other position than that 
of a director. 

The first charter in this State for a fire insurance com- 
pany upon the mutual plan was procured by Judge Marvin 
in 1835. He organized the Saratoga County Mutual, 
which was one of the best and safest fire insurance compa- 



nies in the State, of which he became the secretary, and 
held the office till the time of his death. He repeatedly 
filled the office of trustee of the village, and president of 
the board, and for three years he discharged the trying and 
responsible duties of town assessor with more intelligence 
and independence than are usually found in town officers of 
this description. In all these stations he ever commanded 
the confidence, respect, and good-will of all with whom he 
associated, imparting character and dignity to office rather 
than taking anything from it. 

His sound and comprehensive views upon all questions 
which came before him, were the theme of admiration by 
his friends, and pointed him out as the safe counselor, the 
discreet and prudent legislator, the firm, unbiased, and 
consistent judge, and the faithful guardian of every trust 
committed to his hands. As an energetic, enterprising, and 
useful citizen he had no superior and few equals. His 
active and benevolent mind was not confined to objects of 
mere self, but he was always foremost in stimulating and 
promoting enterpri.ses and undertakings designed to benefit 
the community and the age in which he lived. To his 
efforts and exertions, more perhaps than to any other man's, 
the village of Saratoga is indebted for its most valuable 
improvements and its prosperity. He gave his life and 
vitality to the business of the place, and many are the men 
who are reaping and enjoying the advantages resulting from 
his labors; many, too, owe their first successful beginnings 
in life to his indomitable energy in pushing forward enter- 
prises calculated to benefit all. 

As a friend he was ever reliable, liberal, and warm- 
hearted. No man would go farther or do more to aid a 
friend in distress, while his heart and hand were ever open 
to the needy, and he seemed to take as much delight in 
making others comfortable and happy as to be so himself. 
His impulses and acts were always in the right direction, 
and that sordid selfishness often manifest in the career of 
a successful, money-making man, found no place in his 
character. 

As a companion he was always cheerful and pleasant, and 
although during the latter years of his life he was often 
precluded by ill health from mingling in the pastimes of 
his neighbors, his house was always open to all who desired 
to enjoy his hospitality, and he was ever the centre of the 
social circle. 

In his domestic relations his life furnishes a bright 
example of all that adorns the character of a devoted lius- 
band, a kind and indulgent father, a true and fraternal 
brother, and a warm-hearted, faithful friend. A singular 
instance of the attachment of a domestic is illustrated in 
the death of Claris.sa C. Evans, a colored woman, who 
served in his family. It is reported in the same paper 
which announced the death of Judge Marvin. This faith- 
ful servant had been several years employed in the family, 
and when the intelligence of his death reached them she 
was apparently as well as usual, busily engaged in taking 
care of her little children. On hearing that he was no more, 
she fainted, and in an instant life was extinct. 

Judge Marvin died on the 29th of December, 1852, at 
Havana, in the island of Cuba, whither he had gone for the 
benefit of his health. 





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n^ES. or THE IML W. L. F. WARREN, coft sro/\dway&chusch,S/<R'atooa Spr/ngs, (Wtcrcfl M33/ 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



193 



WILLIAM HAY. 

Anions; the many eminent citizens who have lived and 
died in tlie county of Saratoga during the present century, 
no one is more justly entitled to a prominent place in these 
biographical sketches than Judge William Hay. Yet per- 
haps no one among them all cared less or strove less for 
what men commonly call success in life or fame and for- 
tune than he; and perhaps no one among them all, laying 
aside mere selfish considerations, cared more or strove more 
than he for what he thought to be the best good of his 
fellow-men. 

Able, eloquent, and learned in his profession, and early 
commanding a large and lucrative practice, yet he was 
more of a scholar than a lawyer, and was always only too 
glad to turn aside from what doubtless seemed to him to 
be the hard-trodden dusty pathways of the law into the 
greener and more inviting fields of literature. 

In his character there always seemed to be a strange 
mingling of manly sternness and womanly tenderness; 
kind and gentle almost to a fault, yet when he thought the 
occasion required, he could rebuke with severity. In his 
life and aims he was more the philanthropist than the 
philosopher. His aims and motives were not always quite 
understood by those with whom he had daily intercourse. 
Yet they always knew that he was purely good at heart 
and true, and if what he said and did did not always meet 
with their approval, yet he always commanded their highest 
esteem and love. 

William Hay was born in Cambridge, Washington 
county. New York, on the 10th day of September, 1793. 
His father was James Hay, who emigrated from near 
I'aisley, Scotland. His mother was Katy McVicker, a 
cousin of the celebrated author, Mrs. Grant, of Laggan. 

When quite young his father removed to Glen's Falls, 
and embarked in business. It was here that he improved 
to the utmost the somewhat meagre educational facilities 
which the schools of the country afforded. What could 
not then be taught him at school his eager thirst for knowl- 
edge induced him to seek in the study of books at home, 
and he soon became quite proficient in English literature 
and history. 

In 1808 he began the study of the law in the office of 
Henry 0. Martindale, of Glen's Falls. In 1812, having 
in the mean time been admitted to the bar, he opened an 
office in Caldwell, at the head of Lake George, and such 
were his talents and ability that he soon acquired a large 
and lucrative practice. In the War of 1812 he raised a 
rifle company, and marched at the head of it as lieutenant 
commanding to Plattslmrg, but did not arrive in time for 
the battle. He was also one of the volunteers in the ex- 
pedition to Carthagena, in consequence of which he spent 
a winter in Philadelp'iia, where he learned the printer's trade. 
In 1819 he became th ■ publisher of the Warren I'uli-iol, 
the first and only paper ever published at Lake George. 
In 1822 he removed to Glen's Falls, and was elected mem- 
ber of A.ssembly from Warrori county. About this time he 
issued a small volume of poetry, entitled " Isabel Davolos, 
the Maid of Seville." In the spring of 1837 he removed 
to Ballston, and in 1840 removed to Saratoga Springs, 
25 



where he resided until his death, which occurred on Sun- 
day, the 12th day of February, 1870. 

Judge Hay was in many respects a most remarkable 
man. " He wa.s," says Dr. Holden, the learned historian 
of Queen.sbury, " a man of extensive reading and vast 
erudition, not a little tenacious of his opinions and views, 
Some of which bordered upon eccentricity. But few of 
the sterner sex ever possessed more delicate sensibilities, 
keener perceptions, or more rapid intuitions. 

" In the latter decades of his life he became a bold and 
fearless advoaite of temperance. His delight and recrea- 
tion, however, were drawn through the flowery, though not 
thoruless paths of poetry and romance. His memory was 
something extraordinary, his industry in research inde- 
fatigable, and his mind was stored with the choicest cullings 
from the wide fields of literature and belles-lettres. In 
American history he was a standard authority, to whom it 
was safe to refer at a moment's warning, and in the matter 
of local history his mind was an exhaustle.ss treasury." 

Indeed, at the time of his death he had collected and 
arranged in order, in his own methodical way, several large 
scrap-books of valuable historic matter, in contemplation 
of publishing a history of this county. Alas, the task has 
fallen upon less competent hands. 

Judge Hay married Miss Sophia Payne, daughter of 
Stephen Payne, of Northumberland. The children of this 
union were De Witt C., John G., Catharine McVicar, now 
Mrs. McKean, Mary Payne, now Mrs. Bockes, Sidney, 
Frank, Agnes, Henry, Alice, and William Wirt. 



HON. WILLIAM L. F. WARREN. 

William La Fayette Warren was born at Troy, N. Y., 
Feb. 4, 1793. He was graduated at Union College, in 1814, 
when he came to Saratoga Springs and entered the law 
office of Judge Esek Cowen as a student. Three years 
afterwards they formed a partnership, which continued until 
1824. -In 1819 he was appointed district attorney of Sara- 
toga County, which office he filled till Sept. 6, 1836, when 
he was succeeded by Nicholas Hill, Jr., who had also been 
a student in the office of Judge Cowen. It was during 
their connection with that office that a new edition of 
Phillips' Evidence, " With Cowen and Hill's Notes," was 
prepared, — an elaborate work, in four volumes, of great 
value to the profession for many years, — in which Mr. War- 
ren assisted ; and he prepared the last volume of the series 
himself. The latter was issued from the prass without giv- 
ing the name of the author, but simply " By a Counsellor- 
at-Law." 

Subsequent to the elevation of Judge Cowen to the bench 
of the Supreme Court, Mr. Warren formed a law partner- 
ship with his nephew, William A. Beach. 

Up to 1824, Judge Warren held various town offices. 
In that year he was appointed by the Governor and Senate 
" master in chancery, injunction and taxing master," a re- 
sponsible office, which he held until 1848, when the court 
of chancery was abolished by the constitution of 1846. At 
the same session of the Senate, in 1824, he was appointed 
to another office peculiar to those times, viz. : "justice of 



194 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



the peace, performing judicial duties," which were, on the 
common-law side of the judiciary, somethinrj like those 
of a master in the court of chancery. In 1828 he was 
appointed, by the Governor, judge-advocate of the 15th 
Division of Infantry of the State of New York, the active 
duties of which office he discharged till 1S31. 

In 1828 he married Miss Eliza White, only daughter of 
Epenetus White, of Ballston Spa. 

In 1845 he was made judge of the court of common 
pleas, and held the oflSce till it was abrogated by the judici- 
ary act of 1848. The many records and files which bear 
his well-known signature, " Wm. L. F. Warren," will keep 
his name alive long after this generation shall have passed 
away. In politics he was a Democrat until the Rebellion, 
when he became a Republican, and so continued to his 
death. In 1 848 he ran as one of the presidential electors on 
the ticket with Cass and Butler, but the Van Buren and 
Adams movement — the so-called Free-Soil ticket — so divided 
the Democratic party that the Whig ticket for electors was 
successful, including the late Dr. Samuel Freeman, of Sara- 
toga, giving the election to Gen. Taylor and Millard Fill- 
more. From that time forward Judge Warren was not 
active in politics. 

He ever took a lively interest in public aifairs, and ful- 
filled the duties of every office he held with credit to him- 
self and satisfaction to the community. Ho was one of the 
originators of the railroad from Saratoga to Whitehall, and 
the Schenectady Bank, and Bank of Saratoga Springs, and 
for a long time one of the directors in each of these corpo- 
rations. He never relinquished the practice of the law, a 
profession he pursued with diligence and success. His 
clientage was large and of the best class. He was familiar 
with the history of all important litigations in the county 
for more than half a century, and was long the standing 
source of information in respect to estates and titles. He 
was a safe lawyer, one of the best practitioners, an impres- 
sive advocate before a jury, and an influential counsel in 
argument before the bench. In social life he was noted for 
his hospitality and good nature. He possessed in a rare 
degree that quality of bearing and manner — united with a 
comeliness of person and a fine presence — which not only 
favorably impressed the stranger, but endeared him to those 
who enjoyed his society. He was genial, patient, and for- 
bearing, and was actuated by those higher motives which 
are always recognized and felt when systematically and con- 
stantly exercised as they were during the whole of his long 
life. 

But he will be longer remembered for his genial faith in 
the Christian religion, which he held from a child. Soon 
after the organization of the First Presbyterian church of 
Saratoga Springs, he became a member, and was an earnest 
and devoted supporter of it during his life. In a letter to an 
old college classmate, he says, " As far back as I can remem- 
ber, I avoided profanity, revered the Sabbath, and attended 
its ordinances, as I supposed, conscientiously, but did not 
profess the faith of Jesus Christ until the year 1819, since 
which time I have, as I could, though imperfectly, tried to 
walk in the footsteps of the flock of the Great Shepherd of 
souls ; how short of perfection my friends and contemporaries 
are all aware. In 1842 I was chosen a corporate member 



of the board of commissioners for foreign missions, and con- 
tinued such member about twenty years, when my age and 
infirmities induced me to resign, that others more efiicient 
might be appointed in my place. My heart still remains 
attached to that institution. The time employed in its 
blessed service is remembered by me among my happiest 
and sweetest recollections; and, if my life is spared, I hope 
to continue the devoted friend and abettor of the missionary 
cause, both foreign and domestic, believing that its heavenly 
teachings can alone prepare the soul for its eternal destiny. 

" In January, 1844, I was promoted from a deaconship 
in the church to an elder, and have been a ruling elder in 
the First Presbyterian church in this place, and have con- 
tinued such ever since. I note this not as a sign of merit, 
but as a mark of the confidence of my Christian brethren." 

Judge Warren departed this life at his residence in Sara- 
toga Springs on Sunday evening. May 23, 1875, aged 
eighty-two years. Mrs. Warren still survives him, as also 
his two dauirhters and their families. 



CHARLES S. LESTER, 

the subject of this sketch, was born at Worcester, Mass., 
on the 15th day of Jlarch, 1824. His paternal ancestors 
for several generations were natives of Connecticut and 
Vermont. His father was a graduate of Vermont Univer- 
sity, and subsequently became a leading merchant in 5Ion- 
treal. The business failures which followed the War of 
1812 swept away the capital of the firm with which Mr. 
Lester was connected, and overwhelmed him with reverses 
from which he never recovered. Young Lester, who at an 
early age was left to the care of his mother, was educated 
at the Washington Academy, in Salem, N. Y. In Septem- 
ber, 1841, he entered the law-ofiice of Crary & Fairchild 
as a clerk, and in October, 1843, removing to Saratoga 
Springs, he continued his studies in the ofiice of his uncle, 
the Hon. John Willard, then circuit judge and vice-chan- 
cellor of the Fourth Circuit. In May, 1845, he was ad- 
mitted as attorney in the Supreme Court, having previously 
been admitted as solicitor and counsellor in chancery by the 
late Chancellor Walworth. In 1859 he was elected district 
attorney on the Democratic ticket by a handsome majority, 
although the Democrats were then in political minority 
in the county. He discharged the duties of public prose- 
cutor for three years in an able and fearless manner, and 
tried the causes on the part of the people with a skill and 
careful preparation which met with marked public approba- 
tion. In 1870 he was elected county judge, and filled that 
oflnce for six years with credit to himself and satisfaction 
to the public. While on the bench he was distinguished 
for the rapidity with which he dispatched business, and the 
impartiality and urbanity with which he discharged all his 
duties. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he joined 
what was known as the War Democrats, and since that 
time has been thoroughly identified with the Republican 
party. 

In 1849 he was married to Miss Lucy L. Cooke, and 
under her admirable management an estimable family of 
children have grown up around him. Mrs. Lester, wherever 




c 






HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



195 



known, is esteemed as a lady of rave worth and of high 
mental and personal accomplishments. His two eldest sons, 
Charles C. Lester and John Willard Lester, are graduates 
of Union College, and having studied law in their father's 
office and been admitted to the bar, are now connected with 
him in business. He has two other children, Susan Lester 
and James Westcott Lester, the latter of whom is now in 
Union College. 

Judge Lester has a large and varied practice, and being 
of an ardent and sympathetic temperament, becomes deeply 
interested in the causes of his clients, making their interests 
his own. His fidelity and devotion to his clients has made 
him a popular and trusted as well as successful advocate. 
Like all men of positive character, he has intrenched him- 
self iu the hearts of many devoted friends, and as a conse- 
quence has encountered bitter personal attacks from disap- 
pointed opponents. He has occupied many positions of 
trust and honor, such as supervisor of the town, president 
of the village, president of the board of education, and 
president of the Commercial Bank, and under his wise and 
prudent management the latter institution attained its 
highest success. In the midst of a laborious profession he 
has not neglected literary pursuits, and in 1854 the cor- 
poration of Yale College conferred upon him the honorary 
degree of A.M. 

In 1872, when the late Alexander T. Stewart purchased 
the Grand Union Hotel, he selected Judge Lester for his 
local agent and counsel, and continued on intimate friendly 
relations with him until his death. The estimation iu 
which he was held by that gentleman may be gathered 
from the following graceful note, which was addressed to 
him as the writer was about leaving for Europe ; 

"New YoiiK, Jiil.v 15, ISJ.",. 
"My Dear Judge, — I cannot leave without thanking you for all 
your kindness and attention to my interests and wishing you and 
yours health and happiness. I hope I may have the pleasure to 
meet your son in Paris, and to have the opportunity to pay him 
Bome attention. With kind regards to Mrs. Lester, believe me, I am, 

" Sincerely your friend, 

" Ale.x. T. Stewart." 

Nor would this sketch be complete were not allusion 
made to Judge Lester's oratorical powers. While he is a 
direct and forcible speaker, he has the happy yet rare gift 
of so mingling the adornment of a pleasing delivery with 
homely argument, as to add to the picturesi[ueness of his 
speeches without weakening their effect. This was strik- 
ingly illustrated at the Centennial celebration of Burgoyne's 
surrender, where, as president of the day, he delivered the 
opening address, and, in his usual felicitous manner, intro- 
duced the several orators of the occasion. 

A brief biographical sketch of a living person is neces- 
sarily a compilation of statistics, and a full and just tribute 
to his honorable character will belong more appropriately 
to his obituary. 

The residence of Judge Lester, on upper Broadway, shown 
on another page, is a model of taste and elegance. It 
is of the domestic Gothic style, with a slight infusion of 
French in its details. The brick-work is laid up in black 
mortar in the Flemish header-bond mode, with bands of 
saw-tooth work and stone trimmings. 



JAMES B. McKEAN. 

James Bedell McKean was born at Hoosic, Rensselaer 
Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1821. His father. Rev. Andrew 
McKean, died some years since, in the eighty-seventh year 
of his age. His mother, Mrs. Catharine Bedell McKean, 
is still living, and is eighty-seven years of age. The late 
Hon. Samuel McKean, of Peutisylvania, some tiiue the 
colleague of Mr. Buchanan iu the United States Senate, 
was his uncle, and the Rev. Samuel McKean, of Fort 
Edward, is his only brother. On his father's side he is 
descended from the Macklans, of Glencoe, Scotland. His 
branch of the family came to our country through Ireland, 
about the middle of the last century. John McKean, his 
Kreat-sirandfather, was the immigrant, and settled in Cecil 
Co., Md. There was born his grandfather, James McKean, 
who was cousin to Thomas McKean, one of the signers 
of the Declaration of Independence. On his mother's 
side, Mr. McKean's remote ancestors, the Bedells, of 
France, were Huguenots, he being descended from a branch 
of the fiimily that settled near New York city about two 
hundred and fifty years ago. 

Mr. JIcKean has been heard jocularly to insist that it 
was his duty to raise a regiment, because, through his 
mother, he escaped the massacre of St. Bartholomew's day ; 
through his father, he escaped the massacre of Glencoe. 
The spot where he was born was on the battle-field of Ben- 
nington, midway between the positions taken up by the 
opposing armies. In his infancy his parents removed with 
their family, and settled down upon the battle-field of Sara- 
toga, midway between the point where Burgoyne was 
defeated and that where he surrendered ; and, lastly, be- 
cause he thought he could raise a regiment when almost 
everybody else thought he could not. 

After residing some years in the town of Saratoga, the 
family removed to a farm in Half-Moon, near and south- 
east of Round lake. The subject of this sketch is indebted 
for his education to common schools, academies, and to self- 
teaching. In' his youth he taught in the district schools, 
and was for some time one of the professors in Jonesville 
Academy. While teaching and studying he gave some 
attention to Blackstone, Kent, and other sages of the law. 
When twenty-one years of age he was elected town super- 
intendent of common schools for Half-Moon. When twenty- 
three years of age he was elected colonel of the One Hun- 
dred and Forty-fourth Regiment of New York State militia, 
was commissioned by Governor Silas Wright, and com- 
manded that regiment for some years. 

In June, 1847, he entered the law office of Bullard 
& Cramer, at Waterford, and devoted himself to the law. 
On March 5, 1849, he was admitted to practice in all the 
courts of the State, and opened an office at Ballston Spa. 
On June 20, 1850, he married Katharine Hay, daughter 
of the late Judge William Hay, and sister to Mrs. Judge 
Bockes. In June, 1851, he removed to Saratoga Springs. 
In the fall of 1854, he was nominated for county judge by 
a Republican Convention, held at Ballston Spa, believed to 
have been the first Republican Convention held in the 
State. The Whig candidate for county judge was Gideon 
Putnam ; one wing of the Democrats nominated John A. 



196 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Corey, and the other Henry W. Merrill. The "Amer- 
icans" or " Know-Nothings" had no ticket distinct from 
the other parties, but selected from these candidates such 
as they chose. Some of them voted for McKean, some for 
Putnam, etc. McKean was elected county judge, and 
served four years. Several of his judicial opinions can be 
found in " Howard's Practice Reports." In 1858, the Re- 
publicans of the Fifteenth district elected him Representa- 
tive in Congress, and re-elected liim in 18G0. 

In the War of the Great Rebellion, Judge McKean took 
a prominent part, as has been already seen in these pages.* 

In the .spring of 18G5, believing that it would benefit 
his health. President Lincoln sent him to Spanish America, 
to exchange the ratifications of a treaty with the govern- 
ment of Honduras. Afterwards, Mr. Seward, as Secretary 
of State to President Johnson, tendered him the appoints 
ment of consul to San Domingo, which, however, he de- 
clined. In the year 1870 President Grant appointed him 
chief justice of the Supreme Court of Utah Territory, a po- 
sition for which he was not a candidate. He was induced, 
however, to accept the oflBce, and served in it five years. 
Judge McKean is now practicing law at Salt Lake City. 



HENRY W^ALTON. 

The subject of this sketch was descended from one of 
the old and celebrated families in the colonial history of 
New York State. His granduncle, William Walton, built, 
in 1754, what is now known in New Y'ork city as the 
" Old Walton House," on Franklin Square, where " he 
gathered around his table such of the famous men of the 
Old World as officially, or in pursuit of pleasure, visited 
the New. His lavish entertainments, dazzling display of 
massive silver, the forest of decanters which graced his 
sideboard, and the costly wines that flowed free and fast, 
were prolific subjects for criticism in England. " 

Henry Walton was born in the city of New Y'ork, Oct. 
8, 1768. In 1780 he was sent to England under the 
guardianship of Peter Van Schaiek, to be educated. From 
his twelfth to his twentieth year he studied in Great 
Britain, after which he returned to New York city, and 
began the study of law with Aaron Burr. In 1790 he 
went to Ballston, purchased some land, and erected a house. 
This place is now known as the " Delavan Farm." During 
his residence in Ballston he officiated as surrogate of the 
county, — 1794 to 1808. Subsequently he resided in A1-- 
bany and New York ; at the former place — in 1815 — he 
erected " Pine Grove," subsequently the residence of Chan- 
cellor Walworth. In 1810 he came to the village of Sara- 
toga Spiings, and took possession of the real estate descended 
to him from his father and uncle Gerard. In a few years 
he became one of the largest landholders in the place. He 
built a beautiful country-seat, which he named " Wood 
Lawn." His possessions in Saratoga Springs included all of 
the present village, except that portion lying south of Con- 
gress street and the mineral fountain.?. During the early 
years of his residence in Saratoga, he was associated in legal 
partnership with Mr. Leavett.f 

* See chapter .\xiii., p. 106. 
f KeminisceQces of Saratoga. 



He excavated and tubed many of Saratoga's numerous 
and noted mineral springs, and ei'ected a Chinese pagoda 
over one of them, the " Flat Rock Spring." The several 
residences he built, as well as the Pavilion Ilutel, show 
that he inherited his uncle's architectural tastes. 

In person Henry Walton was a tall, fine-looking man. 
Gentlemanly in manners and feelings, he had the faculty of 
binding to him in close ties the educated and refined. 
Although warmly attached to the Church of England, he 
was free from bigotry, as his many gifts to the Presbyterian, 
Methodist, and Universalist churches, etc., bear evidence. 
Mr. Walton, or, as he was usually called, Judge Walton, 
was a man of high culture, refined tastes, and public 
spirited. Ho was three times married. His first wife was 
a French lady, of which the following copy of the inscrip- 
tion on her tombstone in Briggs' cemetery gives us genea- 
logical data : 

" tu the memory of 
Pkrnktte Sara de Maffei, 

WIFE OF Henry Walton, 

Who died 22d Augu.'t, 1798, 

aged .39 3'ears.'' 

His second wife was a Mrs. Yates, whose maiden name 
was Miss Cruger. By her he had the following children, 
viz., Jacob, Mary, Henry, Jared, William, Cruger, and 
Matilda. His third wife was Mrs. Margaret Kearney, 
sister to General Phil. Kearney. The result of this union 
was three children, viz., Susan, Jarcd, and Susan K. 

He died in New York city Sept. 15, 1844, aged seventy- 
six years, and was buried in the family vault in Trinity 
churchyard. 



HON. JAMP:S M. MARVIN. 

James Madison Marvin was born in the town of Balls- 
ton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1809. He is the 
seventh in descent from Matthew Marvin, who came from 
England with his family in 1G35. Matthew Marvin 
was one of the original proprietors of Hartford, Conn., 
and resided several years on the corner of Village and 
Front streets. He was also a pioneer settler at Xorwalk, 
and represented that town in the general court of Connecti- 
cut in 1654. He died in 1680. 

Matthew Marvin, son of Matthew, was born in England 
about 1627, and came to New England with his fiither in 
1635, then a hoy eight years of age. He was also one of 
the original owners of Norwalk, Conn., which town he rep- 
resented iu the general court in 1694, and in 1G97. 

Samuel Marvin, son of Matthew, was born in Norwalk, 
and also represented his town in the general court in 1718. 

The remaining ancestors in the direct line of the present 
family were as follows : Josiah Marvin, son of Samuel, 
born in Norwalk, died about 1780 ; William Marvin, son 
of Josiah, born in Norwalk, March 24, 1740, married 
Susannah Wright, Nov. 10, 1767, died at Malta, Saratoga 
Co., N. Y., March 4, 1810; William Marvin, son of Wil- 
liam, born Oct. 19, 1768, married Mary Benedict, March 
5, 1793, and died at Malta, Saratoga Co., Feb. 27, 1839. 

The last mentioned, William and Mary (Benedict) Mar- 
vin, were the parents of the subject of this sketch, who. 





/7 




HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



197 



as we have said, was born Nov. 27, 1809, in the town of 
Ballston, Saratoga Co. Ho is the third in a ftmiily of three 
sons, of whom Alvah D. and Thomas J. (the hite Judge 
Marvin) were older brothers. 

James M. Marvin received in early life a good English 
education. In 1828, at the age of nineteen, he came to 
Saratoga Springs, and took charge of a hotel. The follow- 
ing year he went to Albany, and spent one year in the 
American Hotel, a new house just then opened. In 1830 
he returned to Saratoga and became one of the proprietors 
of the United States Hotel, which had then been built six 
years. Since then Mr. Marvin has resided constantly at 
Saratoga; and while he has mixed considerably in politics 
and held many offices of trust, the duties of which he has 
discharged with credit and honor, it is chiefly in connection 
with the building and management of the United States 
Hotel that his great energy, financial and executive abilities, 
have been conspicuous. Since the death of his brother. 
Judge Thomas J. Marvin, in 1852, the management of the 
immense hotel, as well as the estates of both families, has 
devolved upon him. 

In 1845 he was elected supervisor for Saratoga Springs, 
and was again elected in 1857, in which year he was chair- 
man of the board, and was also a member in 18C2, and a 
member and chairman of the board in 1874. 

In the fall of 1845 he was elected to represent the county 
of Saratoga in the General Assembly, being nominated by 
the Whig party, and elected in opposition to Patrick H. 
Cowen, the Democratic candidate. The result was a flat- 
tering compliment to Mr. IMarvin, as the county at that 
time was largely Democratic. At the time of the disinte- 
gration of the Whig party, about 1856, Mr. Marvin, on 
account of his conservative views in politics, became afiili- 
ated with the Democratic, with which he continued to act 
till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he became an 
earnest supporter of the Union cause. In 1862 he was 
elected to Congress on the Union ticket, and served six 
consecutive years, in the Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, and 
Fortieth Congresses. While in Congress he co-operated 
earnestly with the Republicans in securing those meas- 
ures rendered necessary by the destruction of slavery, and 
aided in the passage of the fourteenth and fitleenth amend- 
ments to the Constitution. 

He was a working member rather than a speech-maker, 
keeping aloof from all partisan and personal contentions. 
His large acquaintance and personal popularity with the 
members gave him great influence, and he rarely, if ever, 
failed to secure any appointment asked for his district. It 
is said that the interests of his district were more thor- 
oughly attended to during his services in Congress than 
under the administration of any other member who ever 
represented it in that body. 

Mr. Marvin, with his brother, Hon. Thomas J. Marvin, 
established the Bank of Saratoga Springs, now the First 
National Bank, in 1841. Judge Marvin was president, 
and James M. Marvin, cashier. "Although established and 
managed by them as a private interest, when its profits be- 
came large they did not selfishly retain the stock, but 
divided it among other business men of the village. 

He was one of the original commissioners of the Sara- 



toga Springs Water-works, and took an active interest in 
supplying the village with water. He has been for over 
twenty-five years a director of the Schenectady and Sara- 
toga railroad, and is at present a director of the New York 
Central and Hud.son River railroad. He has also been, for 
several years past, president of the First National Bank of 
Saratoga Springs. 

In religious belief he is an Episcopalian, and has held 
the office of vestryman of Bethesda church, of Saratoga 
Springs, for the past thirty years. 

On the 26th of September, 1838. he married Miss 
Rhoby H. Barnum, daughter of Eli Barnum, of Balloon 
Spa, an intelligent and cultivated lady, who is still his com- 
panion. Of the five children burn to them, four daughters 
are living. Their only son — a beautiful and promising boy 
— died at the age of nine years. 



GIDEON M. DAVISON. 

Gideon Miner Davison was one of the old line of men 
who early identified themselves with the growth and pros- 
perity of the village of Saratoga Springs, and contributed 
by their great energy of character, versatility of resource, 
and active personal efi"ort in securing the future welfare 
and position of the village. 

He was born in Middletown, Vt. His parents were for- 
merly from Connecticut, his mother's maiden name being 
Miner. His father was a farmer, and died in early life, 
but his mother is still well remembered by the older resi- 
dents of Saratoga. In the course of his genealogical studies 
Mr. Davison succeeded in tracing back the history of his 
mother's family for a period of five hundred years to the 
time of Edward the Third, of England, in whose reign the 
family name of Miner had its origin. A man named Bul- 
man, who was a miner by occupation, enlisted under the 
banner of his monarch, who was then at war with France, 
together with one hundred of his workmen, and armed 
them with weapons. He rendered such efficient service 
that he was rewarded by the king with a crest and coat of 
arms, and from that time a.ssumed the name of his occupa- 
tion — Miner. This crest can still be seen upon the tomb- 
stone of one of the Miner family, two hundred years old, at 
Stonington, Conn. The subject of this sketch attributed 
much of the success that he attained in life to the teachings 
of his excellent mother. 

Mr. Davison received a common-school education, and at 
an early age entered the office of Wm. Fay, in Rutland, Vt., 
to learn the art of printing. After his apprenticeship was 
completed he went to New York, where he worked at his 
trade for a number of years. He afterwards returned to 
Rutland, and entered into partnership with Mr. Fay, and 
there married Sarah, daughter of Hon. John Mason, of 
Castleton. During his residence in Rutland, his firm issued 
a " History of the War of 1812." They also established 
the Rutland Herald, which is still in existence. 

In 1817-18, Mr. Davison came to Saratoga, having 
formed a design of establishing a newspaper at that place. 
After advising with such men as Miles Beach, Rockwell 
Putnam, Esek Cowen, and Dr. John H. Steel, he decided 
to start The Saratoga Sentinel, the first number of which 



198 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



was issued some time in April, 1818. The paper met with 
success, and received the support of the must influential 
citizens of the county. In addition to the new.spaper de- 
partment, Mr. Davi.son increased the capacity of his office 
for book work, adding a stereotype foundry in 1841. He 
also printed and published " Cowen's Court Reports of tlie 
State of New York." He further edited and published an 
edition of " Stevens' Arithmetic," a quarto family Bible 
from stereotype plates, " Smith's Lectures to the Uncon- 
verted," several editions of Dr. Steel's " Analysis of the 
Mineral Waters," " Goodrich's Spelling-Book," and in 1838 
he and the late Judge Warren compiled a guide-book, 
which appeared under the titles of " The Fashionable Tour" 
and '■ The Northern Tourist." 

Mr. Davison was a strong advocate of public iniprove- 



Oct. 1, 1869, at the ripe age of seventy -eight. On the day 
following liis decease a meeting of the prominent citizens 
of Saratoga was lield, at wliidi addresses were made and 
resolutions adopted eulogizing the public achievements and 
private virtues of the deceased. As his body was borne to 
its last resting-place the places of business on Broadway 
were closed and the bells of the churches were tolled. 

Mr. Davison was a man of spotless purity of character, 
conscientious in the administration of the various trusts com- 
mitted to liim, just in all his dealings with his fellow-men, 
plain and unassuming in his manners, and courteous in his 
intercourse with others. 

We are indebted for many of the facts relating to his 
long and active life to Wm. L. Stone's " Reminiscences of 
Saratoga and Ballston." 




GIDEON M. DAVISON. 



ments, being especially interested in the establishment and 
extension of railroads, to several of which the most active 
years of his life were devoted. 

At the abolition of the court of chancery, under the Con- 
stitution of 1846, Mr. Davison occupied the position of 
clerk. His first wife died in April, 1861, and his second 
marriage to Anna Miller, who survived him, took place in 
January, 1863. He leaves four children, viz., John M. 
Davison, for many years register in chancery, and after- 
wards president of the Saratoga and Whitehall railroad ; 
Clement M. Davison, a banker in Detroit; Chas. A. Davi- 
son, a lawyer of New York city, and Sarah JM. Davison, 
his only daughter. 

He was a member of the Presbyterian church from an 
early date, was for many years the superintendent of the 
Sabbath-school, and, .since 1827, a period of more than 
forty years, one of its ruling elders. He died on Thursday, 



JOHN C. HULBERT. 

John C. Hulbert, who was judge of Saratoga County 
from 1863 to 1871, was born in Pittsford, Vermont, Feb. 
12, 1817. His father, Luther Hulbert, established him- 
self as a merchant at Malta, in this county, when John 
C. was quite young ; he also held several town offices, and 
seems to have manifested consideraljle talent and a decided 
leaning toward a political and legal career, having at one 
time been a master in chancery. The son, however, started 
out in life in another path, — that of literature. After 
finishing an academical education at Saratoga Springs, he 
(as did Judge Corey) decided to become a disciple of Gut- 
tenberg rather than of Blackstone, and served an appren- 
ticeship in the office of the old Ballston Spa Gazette; and, 
like Judge Corey, he forsook printercraft to follow the law 
as a life vocation. He .studied with such able men as Judges 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



199 



Marvin and Hill, and William A. Beach, Esq. In Decem- 
ber, 1836, he was admitted to the bar of the Common 
Pleas, and in 18!!9 to that of the Supreme Court. He wa.s 
eminently .^iuccessful and popular as an advoeato. From 
1847 to 1856 he iield the office, performing; the duties with 
acceptance and honor, of .surrogate. Tn 1862 he was elected 
county judge, and was re-elected for the two en.suing terms. 
He made an upright and able judge. Since his retirement 
from the bench, he has prosecuted his chosen profession at 
the bar. 



GENERAL EDWARD FITCH BOLLARD 

is a native of Saratoga County, having been born at Schuy- 
lerville, Feb. 7, 1821. He is the fourth son of Alpheus 
Bullard, and his paternal ancestors will be seen under the 
sketch of his brother, Daniel A. Bullard. His mother, 
Hannah Fitch, is a descendant of Thomas Fitch, who set- 
tled at Norwalk, Conn., in 1638. His son, Tiiomas (the 
second), had seven children, and died in 1690, at Norwalk. 
Thomas (the third), a son of the latter, died at Norwalk, 
May 10, 1731, aged sixty. A daughter of his was grand- 
mother of Chancellor Kent. Thomas (the fourth) was 
chief justice of the colony of Connecticut, and from 1754 
to 1756 was governor of that colony; died July 18, 1774, 
aged seventy-five. He had ten children. His third son, 
Ebenezer, was born at Norwalk, Feb. 25. 1729 ; married 
Lydia, daughter of Samuel Mills, Jr., of Greenwich, Conn. 
He died at Wilton, Conn., in 1762 ; left three sons, namely, 
Major Jabez Fitch, Ebenezer Fitch, and Giles Fitch. 

The second Ebenezer Fitch married Sarah, daughter of 
Colonel David Hobby, of Northcastle, Westchester Co., 
N. Y., a prominent actor in that vicinity during the Revo- 
lutionary war.* 

Ebenezer Fitch removed from Wilton, Conn., in 1785, 
to the Saratoga district, where he settled at a place now 
called St. John's Corners, in the town of Greenfield, and 
where his daughter Hannah was born, Sept. 9, 1787. His 
mother came with him and resided with .some of her chil- 
dren in that vicinity until the time of her death, Oct. 31, 
1813, in the eighty-third year of her age. She was a re- 
markable woman, of great intelligence, and beloved by her 
family and neighbors. She remained a widow fifty-one 
years, being generally known by the name of Widow Fitch, 
and her modest monument over her grave, in the town of 
Greenfield, is thus lettered. She lived to see her children 
all prosperous and somewhat distinguished, all having been 
engaged in the War of the Revolution. 

Her son Jabez was a major in active service, and her 
only daughter, widow of Captain St. John, lived until she 
drew her pension, about 1836, amounting to over $3000. 

Her son Giles was appointed by the governor and council 
justice of the peace in 1793, and held the office a great 
many years. 

Her son Ebenezer removed to Old Saratoga in 1798, 
where he died May 14, 1817, leaving ten children, among 
them Hannah, who married Alplieus Bullard, January 5, 

* Reminiscences of Saratoga, by Wm. L. Stone, p. 82. 



1812, and Edward, his youngest son, who succeeded to his 
beautiful homestead, near the outlet of Saratoga lake. 
Hannah is yet living, in full possession of her mental facul- 
ties, Ht the time of this writing (June 22, 1878), although 
nearly ninety-one years of age. 

Edward F. Bullard, when about two years old, removed 
with the family from Schuylerville to Nortluunberland, 
upon a new farm in the wilderness. The family of eight 
children wore there reared by the parents by means of great 
industry and economy. Each of the sons helped fell the 
forest and clear up the land. Young Edward was thus en- 
gaged upon the farm after he was seven, and attended the 
district school, a mile and a half distant, winters only until 
he was fourteen years of age. 

When fifteen years old, in September, 1836, he went to 
the academy at North Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., 
where he was a student for six months under the Rev. 
Ebenezer JNIack, and during that time resided in the family 
of his uncle, John Sari", M.D. 

This was the extent of his education in the schools. The 
summer of 1837 he worked upon his father's farm, and 
during the following winter he taught a district school 
in the town of Old Saratoga, near Bryant's Bridge, and 
finished his three months of teaching before he was seven- 
teen. 

In June, 1838, he commenced the study of law with 
Joseph T. Fullerton, at Schuylerville ; but during most of 
the summer he assisted upon his fathers farm. 

In September, 1838, he entered the office of Cramer & 
Ellis, at Waterford, in this county. Chesselden Ellis was 
then district attorney of Saratoga County, and young Bul- 
lard at once assisted in preparing the indictments, and very 
soon took part in the trials of the most important criminal 
cases brought before the courts of this county. 

In 1840 he commenced an active political life, although 
not then twenty-one years of age. In 1842 he was elected 
justice of the peace for the town of Waterford, at the time 
he gave his first vote. During the fall of that year he 
brought forward as a candidate for Congress Mr. Ellis, and 
was largely instrumental in securing his nomination and 
election. 

The rules of the Supreme Court then required a student 
to pursue a clerkship of seven years, and as he could pro- 
cure but six months' deduction for cla.ssical studies, in the 
ordinary course young Bullard could not have been admitted 
to practice in tliat court until 1845. Long before that he 
was in the habit of trying cases at the circuit, and arguing 
motions at the special term, by the special grace of the 
court. 

In May previous, Chief Justice Nelson made an order 
that he be admitted to present himself for examination at 
the October term, 1843. He was so examined at that 
term, with a class of about one hundred and ten, and stood 
at the head of the cla.ss, of whom about thirty were rejected. 
In 1844 he was appointed by Governor Bouck m.ister and 
examiner in chancery, in the place of John K. Porter, whose 
term had expired, which office he held until the court of 
chancery was abolished in 1847. In 1845 he was elected 
brigadier-general of the Ninth Brigade, and commissioned 
by Silas Wright, then governor. 



200 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



During the session of Congress of 1844-45, the ques- 
tion of the annexation of Texas was agitating the whole 
country, and most of the members from New York were 
opposed to it. Mr. Ellis sought the advice of his friend, 
young Bullard, who strongly urged him to sustain that 
measure, which he accordingly did. During the contest in 
the committee of the whole, the vote was sometimes so 
close that Mr. Ellis' vote was required to carry the ques- 
tion. Rlr. Ellis often stated afterwards that Bullard was 
respun.sible for his vote and the results which followed. 

In 1848, General Bullard took an active part in the can- 
vass in favor of General Cass for President, making speeches 
in nearly every town in this county. In 1849 the Demo- 
cratic party ran him as their candidate for Senator in this 
district against General Cook, but as that party was largely 
in the minority the latter was elected. 

In April, 1850, Daniel S. Dickin.son, then in the United 
States Senate, sustained tlie compromise measures against 
a powerful opposition in his own party, and at his request 
several leading Democratic politicians of this State were 
invited to Washington. Among the few who attended 
were Chancellor Walworth and General Bullard, and they 
together had interviews on that subject with many of the 
leading members of both houses. At the same time Gen- 
eral Bullard became personally acquainted with Daniel 
Webster, on whose motion he was admitted to practice in 
the Supreme Court of the United States. 

In September, 1850, General Bullard was a delegate to 
the Democratic State convention, and took an active part in 
indorsing the compromise measures which had then recently 
passed Congress. In 1851 the Democratic party ran him 
as a candidate for county judge against Judge Bockes. He 
then resided at Waterford, where he received a fluttering 
vote, but not enough to overcome the adverse majority. 

In the years of 1853 and 1854 he spent the winters in 
the south for the benefit of his health ; and while there 
was treated with great courtesy by leading southern poli- 
ticians, and by special invitation, in April, 1854, spent ten 
days with Governor James H. Hammond, of South Caro- 
lina, upon his plantation. 

During his excursion in the south, the sympathetic na- 
ture of General Bullard coming in contact with slavery 
converted him into the friend of the oppressed. 

Upon his return north he stopped over in Washington, 
and was present when the bill to repeal the Missouri com- 
promise passed the House of Representatives. On that 
occasion several of the members from New York presented 
his name to the President for the appointment of consul to 
Honolulu, and he would probably have received that posi- 
tion ; but, after his return home, July 19, 1854, he wrote 
to his friend, Governor Marcy, then Secretary of State, de- 
clining the place, and stating that he would accept no 
appointment which would impair his entire freedom to act 
as occasion might require. 

Having been brought up at the feet of John Cramer, the 
leader of conservative Democrats, up to this time General 
Bullard had strongly supported that party ; but having be- 
come converted to the anti-slavery cause he at once became 
a decided radical in favor of freedom. 

At once he took the field in that cause, and his early 



attempts to organize the Republican party have become a 
part of the history of the country. 

When the great anti-Nebraska convention, which met 
at Saratoga, Aug. 16, 1854, adjourned to Auburn without 
forming a new party, he at once, over his own signature, 
appealed to the independent voters of the State to join the 
convention to be held at Auburn, Sept. 26, 1854. 

As that convention fiiiled to follow his lead in forming a 
new party, he called a meeting in this county, to be held 
at Ballston Spa, Oct. 0, 1854, at which the Hon. William 
Hay presided, and Thomas C. Green, of Stillwater, was 
secretary, when Colonel McKean was nominated for county 
judge, and the nucleus of the Republican party was 
formed. 

Although General Bullard continued an active supporter 
of the Republican cause, his course was too independent to 
suit the leading politicians, and hence they never selected 
him for ofiBcial position. 

When secession raised its banner, and the country was 
shaken by the approaching war, he sternly adhered to the 
cause of the oppressed, while he retained the kindest feel- 
ings towards the true men of the south. To such an 
extent did his kindness lead him that in February. 1861, 
he wrot« lo his friend, Colonel McKean, then in the 
House, that Congress should oflFer to pay for the slaves of 
the loyal men if they would emancipate them peaceably, 
without waiting for war. Colonel McKean fully concurred 
in that view, and on the 18lh day of February, 1861, in- 
troduced a resolution into the House looking to that end, 
and sustained it by an able speech. President Lincoln 
afterwards sent a special message recommending substan- 
tially the same measures. 

After Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated. General Bullard 
sustained the cause of the Union, and, by correspondence 
and otherwise, was instrumental in keeping the government 
firm in protecting its integrity. 

At the outbreak, in April, 1861, General Wool, who 
was in command at New York, foreseeing the extent of the 
approaching conflict, took active measures to forward troops, 
while he stopped the shipment of supplies to the rebels at 
Norfolk. For these energetic measures some of the authori- 
ties at Washington had procured an order to be sanctioned 
by the President, ordering him back to Troy, and in effect 
superseding him. He had made strenuous eS'orts to be put 
in active service, and in this was aided by Senator Wilson, 
then at the head of the military committee of the Senate, 
and by A. B. Oliu, then upon the same committee in the 
House. At this juncture General Bullard visited Wash- 
ington in his behalf. On his arrival he called upon the 
members of the cabinet. General Scott, and the President, 
in company with Colonel McKean, yet a member of the 
House. The result of this conference was that within a 
few days General Wool was ordered into active service and 
sent to Fortress Monroe. 

In April, 18G3, General Bullard published a pamphlet 
of sixty-two pages, entitled, '• The Nation's Trial," " The 
Dormant Powers of the Government," etc., which was ex- 
tensively circulated. He received many letters in regard 
to this pamphlet. We take the liberty of publishing the 
foUowin"- : 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



201 



" PETEnBono, June 26, 1863. 
" E. F. Blillard, Esq. 

"MvDear Sir, — God reward you for your admirable pamphlet, 
* The Nation's Trial.' It is brimful of learning, wisdom, and right- 
eousness. Nothing could be more timely. In behalf of humanity 
I thank you for this service to humanity. I have increasing hope 
that our poor guilty country is to be saved. 

** Your fi'iend, 

" Grrrit Smith." 

In 1874, General Bullaid became a resident of Saratoga 
Springs, where he yet resides, and continues in the active 
practice of his profession. 

July 4, 187t!, he delivered the centennial oration at 
Schuylerville, upon the grounds where Burgoyne had sur- 
rendered. It was pulilished in pamphlet form, and fur- 
nished to many of the libraries of the country. 



FRANCIS WAYLAND. 

Francis Wayland was born in Frome, Somersetshire, 
England, in 1772. He married, in Norwich, Norfolk, 
Jliss Sarah Moore, a native of that city. Tliey came to 
this country in 1793, and to Saratoga Springs in 1821. 
Rev. Mr. Wayland was for several years pastor of the First 
Baptist church in this village, and after retiring from his 
charge, having a competent income, continued to re.side in 
the place, often gratuituously supplying the desk for neigh- 
boring destitute churches, and was held in request fur his 
just and wise counsels. He was among the first promoters 
of the cause of temperance in the county, uniformly hold- 
ing, however, that permanent reform must be based on 
Christian principle. 

A man of integrity, truth, and uprightness, of quiet 
tastes, unassuming and cordial manners, his influence was 
felt through the community, and he was endeared to many 
hearts by his kindly ministration to body and soul. He 
died at Saratoga Springs, in 1849. 

Mrs. Wayland was a woman of marked character and 
pleasing address, and added to noble principles, refined taste, 
and sound judgment, the graces of a Christian life. She 
died in Saratoga Springs, 1836. 

Their children were as follows: Francis Wayland, D.D., 
late president of Brown University, Providence, Rhode 
Island ; Daniel Wayland, formerly in mercantile business 
in New York city ; John Wayland, P.D., late rector of 
St. James', Koxbury, Massachusetts; Mary A. Westcott, 
adopted daughter, wife of James R. Westcott, Esq., of 
Saratoga Springs ; Susan P. Stone, wife of William L. 
Stone, Esq., of New York city ; Sarah W. Cushing, wife 
of Thomas Cushing, Esq., of Boston, Massachusetts; 
Anne E. Wayland, of Saratoga Springs. 



MILES BEACH. 



Among the prominent men of affiiirs who moved to 
Saratoga Springs- before the year 1810, was Miles Beach. 
His father was Zerah Beach, who was an early settler of 
Ballston from Amonia, Dutchess county, in this State. 
Zerah Beach was one of those who signed the treaty of 
Wyoming in 1778, and in 1793 was a magistrate of the 
26 



town in which he lived. Miles Beach was in the military 
service during the Revolution. In 1781 he rose to the 
rank of captain in the Massachusetts militia; his family 
still having in their possession his commission as such 
under the broad signature of John Hancock. Miles Beach 
married Jliss Cynthia M. Warren, who still survives him 
in the ninetieth year of her age, with the bright faculties of 
her youth to all appearances but little impaired, and in the 
enjoyment of a green old age. In 1807 he removed to Sara- 
toga Springs, built in 1814 the home which his family still 
retains, held the ofiice of postmaster, and was a prominent 
merchant and business man until his death, in 1837. His 
children were three sons, — William Augustus, Miles Ed- 
win, and John Henry Ethelbert, and four daughters, two 
of whom died young, and of the surviving, one married 
Patrick Henry Cowen, and the other Benjamin Hunting- 
ton Rosekrans. 



DR. JOHN H. STEEL. 

John Honeywood Steel was a native of Massachusetts, 
being born in Leicester in 1780. He was the son of Sam- 
uel and Anne Garfield Steel. His grandfather, Samuel, 
was a judge of the county court; his great-grandfather, 
Thomas, was also a judge; his great-great-grandfather, 
Thomas also, emigrated from England to Boston, and was 
a descendant of William Steel, Esq., magistrate, coun- 
sellor, recorder of London, baronet, and lord-lieutenant of 
Ireland. 

Dr. Steel was named for his great-uncle by marriage, 
Dr. John Honeywood, of England, who subsequently re- 
moved to Leicester, Mass. He left home when quite young, 
and his parents dying soon after, he never returned. He 
read medicine with Daniel Bull, M.D., of Saratoga. In 
1829 he received the honorary degree of " doctor of medi- 
cine" from the LIniversity of the State of New York, and 
in 1800 his diploma to practice physic and surgery. In 
1808 he was elected a member of the Saratoga County 
Medical Society, and during nearly every year from 1808 
to 1832 held either the office of president, vice-president, 
secretary, or censor. During his thirty years' membership, 
he took an active part in its operations. He was president 
of the New York State Medical Society ; he was appointed 
surgeon of the Fourth Regiment of Cavalry of the State of 
New York, mustered into service for the War of 1812 ; 
officiated also as assistant-surgeon on board a man-of-war, 
and was present at the bombardment of Algiers. In 1814 
he was commissioned as surgeon in the New York State 
militia. He was a prominent Freemason. He was an offi- 
cial member of the Albany Lyceum of Natural History, 
and either an honorary or corresponding member of every 
scientific and historical association of note in North Amer- 
ica, and of many in Europe. 

Dr. Stc';l married Mary Taylor, sister of Hon. Miles 
Taj'lor, Dec. 23, 1817. His family consisted of seven 
children, of whom one died in infancy. John H. and 
Mary are also deceased ; the others are Richard, Miles T., 
Sarah, and Ann. He died at Saratoga Springs in 1838. 
His widow survived him until 1872. 

Dr. Steel was a notable man, devoted to his profession, 



202 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



and beloved by the entire community as a wise and good 
man. Politics was little to his taste, yet he fulfilled his duty 
as a citizen, and discharged his share of its burdens and 
responsibilities, serving acceptably as judge of the court of 
common pleas in Saratoga County for several years, and as 
postmaster of Saratoga Springs village. 



TABOR B. REYNOLDS, M.D. 

Tabor B. Reynolds was born in Wilton, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., April 8, 1821. After acquiring an academic edu- 
cation he entered upon a course of study with a view to 
the medical profession with his father, the late Dr. Henry 
Reynolds, a well-known physician of the town of Wilton. 
He continued his studies with Drs. March and Armsby, at 
Albany, and graduated from the medical college of that 
city, in February, 1842. He was associated in practice 
with his father and brother at Wilton till the time of their 
decease. His father died Dec. 20, 1857 ; his brother. Dr. 
John Henry Reynolds, April 3, 1870. 

The subject of this sketch, while residing at Wilton, was 
repeatedly honored with official position by his townsmen. 
He was town superintendent of schools from 1847 to 1852. 
In 1856 and 1857 he was elected a member of the board of 
supervisors, was re-elected in 18G3, and by successive elec- 
tions held the office till Dec. 31, 1867. In the fail of 
1857 he was chosen by the Democrats and Americans to 
represent the Second Assembly district in the Legislature. 
He was a popular and useful member during his term of 
office. Previous to the war he was a Democrat, but upon 
the outbreak of the Rebellion he joined the party which 
was sustaining the hands of the government. He has ever 
since acted and voted with the Republicans, although since 
1870 he has taken no active part in politics. 

His services on the board of supervisors during the war 
were very laborious. He was among the most active and 
energetic in securing enlistments, filling the county's quota 
of men, providing for bounties, and making provisions for 
the soldiers generally. 

In the fall of 1867 he was elected sheriff of the county 
by a handsome majority, and discharged the duties of the 
office till Dec. 31, 1870, with credit to himself and satis- 
faction to his constituents. 

Since his retirement from office he has resided at Sara- 
toga Springs, and has devoted himself exclusively to his 
profession. By his eminent skill as a physician, his honor- 
able character and genial qualities as a man, his energy 
and strict attention to business, he has built up a large and 
lucrative practice, and stands second to none in the medical 
profession of his village and county. He has been a lead- 
ing member of the Saratoga County Medical Society, of 
which he was president in 1857. In 1858 he was elected 
a permanent member of the New York State Jledical So- 
ciety, and a member of the American Medical Association 
in 1860. He was also president of the Unicjn Medical 
Association of Washington, Warren, and Saratoga counties, 
in 1872. 

On the 17th of February, 1843, he was married to Sarah 
Ann, daughter of Linds Emerson, of Wilton, Saratoga 
County. She died Sept. 9, 1874, after a lingering illness. 



JOHN W. EDDY. 

John W. Eddy is of Scotch-Irish origin, — his grand- 
father, John Eddy, coming from Ireland, and his grand- 
mother from Scotland. John Eddy, Jr., the father of 
John W. Eddy, was born Feb. 15, 1770, and died March 
20, 1847, aged seventy-seven years, one month, and five 
days. Margaret Miller Eddy, his mother, was a daughter 
of Adam Miller, formerly of Germany, and was born April 
3, 1774. She died Aug. 15, 1838, aged sixty-four years, 
four months, and eleven days. John Eddy, Jr., was for- 
merly a blacksmith, at what used to be called Livingstone 
Manor, at a place known as Clairmont. He removed to 
Saratoga County in 1810, and went to farming, settling at 
wlint is now known as Eddy's Corners, near Saratoga 
Springs. John Eddy, Jr., and Margaret Miller Eddy had 
two sons and two daughters, — Maria, born Nov. 23, 1803, 
died Nov. 22, 1838; Samantha, born April 27, 1811; 
Daniel D., born Aug. 12, 1813; and John W. Eddy. 

John W. Eddy was born on March 7, 1808. His early 
years were passed in assisting his father in farming. He 
received no education other than that afforded by the com- 
mon schools of his day. In 1832 he married Hannah 
Maria, daughter of Moses Marshall, of Stillwater. He had 
seven children by this wife, of whom three — Elizabeth M., 
John M., and Margaret C. — are still living. Hannah M. 
Eddy died on April 5, 1844. 

In the year 1845, John W. Eddy married 3Irs, SjTcna 
Collamer, having by her one son, James S., who is still 
living. She died Aug. 30, 1847. 

Mr. Eddy married for his third wife, Martha Taylor, 
daughter of John Taylor, of Milton, on Oct. 17, 1852, and 
is still living with this lady. 

John W. Eddy has never made himself obtrusive in any 
way, but has steadily pursued his chosen calling as a farmer. 
He was born a Democrat, and has remained true to his 
faith. He has filled, without seeking them, certain town 
offices of trust. He has never made any .special religious 
professions, but has tried to make the golden rule his 
standard of duty through life. He has lived to a hale old 
age, being over seventy years of age, and is still active, 
energetic, and industrious. He has a beautiful residence at 
Eddy's Corners, which may be seen elsewhere in this work, 
has accumulated much of this world's goods, is surrounded 
by a pleasant family, and is respected for his plain, straight- 
forward performance of duty by all who know him. 



OLIVER L. BARBOUR. 

Oliver L. Barbour was born in Washington Co., N. Y., 
in the year 1811, but when quite young removed to Sara- 
toga Springs. He is a relative of Reuben H. Walworth, 
and as the confidential clerk of the celebrated " Chancellor," 
gained a knowledge of legal lore, and "became familiar 
with those great legal principles, the elucidating of which 
has given him such an enviable reputation in the profes- 
sion." His works hold high rank, having been commended 
by Chief-Justice Story, the American jurist, and other 
authorities of repute. He is author of the following trea- 
tises : " Equity Digest, embracing English, Irish, and 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



203 



American Reports," 4 vols., 8vo ; " Collyer on Partner- 
ships ;" " Chitty on Bills ;" "A Treatise on Criminal Law ;" 
"A Treatise on the Law of Set-off;" "A Treatise-on the 
Court of Chancery," 2 vols. ; " Reports of Cases decided in 
the Court of Chancery," 3 vols. ; " Reports of Cases decided 
in the Supreme Court of the State of New York," 18 vols. ; 
and revisions of his " Chancery Practice" and " Equity Prac- 
tice." Hamilton College has honored him by conferring upon 
him the degree of LL.D. He continues to reside at Saratoga, 
greatly honored both at home and abroad. 



JOHN A. COREY. 



Judge John A. Corey, son of a farmer living in Wash- 
ington Co., N. Y., was born at Greenwich, Nov. 5, 1805. 
Allen Corey, of the West Troy (N. Y.) Democral, was a 
brother, and Sidney G. Corey, D.D., and Rev. Daniel Corey, 
well-known Baptist divines, were cousins of the subject of 
this brief sketch. He received a good common school edu- 
cation, and adopted the profession of teaching. In 1824 
he established his residence at Saratoga, and, entering the 
office of The Sentinel, learned the " art preservative," with 
the late G. M. Davison, then publishing that paper. He 
subsequently turned his attention to the study of Black- 
stone and Chitty, in the offices of Judge Cowen, Ellsworth, 
and Nicholas Hill, Jr. He was admitted to practice in the 
Supreme Court in 1835, and advanced to the degree of 
counsellor in 1838. He was appointed examiner in chan- 
cery in 1836. 

With a "divided love," he again, in 1844, went back to 
journalistic labors, — commencing the publication of The 
Saratoga Republican in the year named. He continued 
the same until 1853, when his successor, Thomas G. Young, 
merged it in The Sentinel. Although this was his last pro- 
prietary interest, he remained a contributor to the press 
until his death. 

Ho was supervisor of Saratoga Springs in 1849, clerk of 
the board in 1850, '52, and from 1864 to 1867, and for 
several years a justice of the peace of his town. He was 
appointed county judge by Governor Seymour, in 1854, to 
fill the unexpired term caused by the resignation of Judge 
Bockes. The well-remembered " Carson league" prosecu- 
tions occurred during his term of office, and he fearlessly 
pronounced sentence upon all convicted of illegal liquor- 
selling, to the full extent of the law. As the Democratic 
candidate for re-election the following year, he was defeated 
by the liquor interest, who put a third candidate in the field 
against him. In 1855, President Pierce tendered him the 
governorship of the Territory of Kansas, but he declined the 
honor. Soon after he was appointed United States com- 
missioner by Judge Hall, and retained the office until his 
demise. 

He was one of the founders, and for many years secretary, 
of the Saratoga County Agricultural Society. Early in life 
he married a daughter of George Strover, Esq., of Schuyler- 
ville, who survives him, with a family of one son and three 
daughters. 

Judge Corey departed this life, after a lingering illness, 
the 29th of April, 1873, aged seventy years. 



JOSHUA PORTER. 

Dr. Joshua Porter was born in 1759, at Salisbury, Litch- 
field Co., Conn. He was the eldest son of Colonel Joshua 
Porter, a prominent man in his day, for more than fifty 
sessions judge of probate, and representative in both the 
Colonial and State Councils. During the Revolution he 
comu)anded the Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment, which 
formed part of the brigade of General John Fellows, and 
was present with his regiment at the surrender of Burgoyne 
at Saratoga. Colonel Joshua Porter died at Salisbury, 
Conn., in 1826, aged ninety-five years. 

Dr. Joshua Porter, his eldest son, after taking his degree 
at Yale College, and in medicine and surgery, was attached 
to the Continental army as surgeon's mate. 

While serving in that rank at the disastrous battle of 
Long Lsland, he was taken prisoner and confined in the 
notorious prison-ship " Jersey," but subsequently was re- 
leased on parole. ' 

During the early part of the present century, suffering 
from the opening of an old wound, he moved with his 
family to Saratoga Springs, then just in the dawn of their 
celebrity, in hopes of deriving benefit from their curative 
properties. Here he resided until his death, which occurred 
in 1831. 

He was the first president of the village, his son-in-law, 
Peter V. Wiggins, being village clerk, and he was long re- 
membered for zeal and energy in his management of muni- 
cipal affairs. For many years he was one of the principal 
physicians of the village, and the contemporary of Dr. 
John H. Steel. He was elder brother of the late John 
Augustus Porter, of Niagara Falls, and of General Peter 
B. Porter, secretary of war, etc., and Eunice Porter, wife 
of Colonel Albert Pawling, of the personal staff of General 
Washington, and first mayor of Troj'. Another sister, 
Sally Porter, was wife of John M. Holley, and mother of 
Alexander H. Holley, late governor of Connecticut. 

Of Dr. Porter's five children, his eldest daughter, Au- 
gusta, became the wife of R. F. Barnard, of Berkshire Co., 
Mass., and was the mother of Rev. Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, 
present president of Columbia College, N. Y., and General 
John G. Barnard of the United States Army. His young- 
est daughter, Mary, married, first, Henry Walton Andrews, 
second, Peter V. Wiirgins. 



HON. JOHN W. CRANE. 

Judge John W. Crane is a native of Saratoga County, 
and is of English descent by both his parents. His pater- 
nal ancestors settled in New Hampshire about the year 
1725, and subsequently that branch of the family from 
whom he is descended removed to New Jersey. His father 
was Justus Crane, who settled in Saratoga County about 
the year 1820, and died here in 1860. His mother, who 
is still living, in the eightieth year of her age, at Saratoga 
Springs, was Betsey, daughter of William Bridges, one of 
the first settlers of Ballston Spa. 

John W. Crane was born Sept. 30, 1827, at West Milton, 
Saratoga Co., N. Y. At the age of fifteen he entered upon 
a course of studies at the academies at Saratoga Springs, 



204 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



and received a good classical and scientific education, chiefly 
under the instruction of that eminent teacher. Professor 
William J. Hancock. 

In 1847, having chosen the profession of the law, he 
became a student in the office of Hon. William A. Beach, 
at Saratoga Springs ; and, after a thorough course of prep- 
aration, was admitted to practice at the September general 
term, in 1852. In 1854 he formed a law partnership with 
P. J. Avery and Franklin Hoag, under the firm style of 
Avery, Hoag & Crane, which did an extensive legal busi- 
ness. After the retirement of Mr. Avery the other part- 
ners continued the practice successfully till tlie election of 
Mr. Crane to the office of county judge, in 1858, or, rather, 
till his assumption of the duties of the office, on the 1st of 
January, 1859. 



and again in 1868 and 1869, and has also held various other 
positions of trust and responsibility in his town and village. 
Several noted cases might be cited wherein his abilities as 
a lawyer were signalized, but it is unnecessary where his 
reputation is so well known, and his general character in 
his official and professional life has been above reproach. 

In 1876 he was again elected to the office of county 
judge for a term of six years, and at this writing is honor- 
ably discharging tlie duties of his station. 

Judge Crane has always been a stanch Democrat. At 
the time of his last election he did not desire the office, 
and was nominated against his expressed wish. It was at 
the time of the presidential contest, when party lines were 
drawn more strongly than usual, and the county was Repub- 
lican by a majority of about fifteen hundred, yet he was 




Photo, by Myers, Saratoga Springs. 



HON. JOHN W. CRANE. 



He was nominated on the Democratic ticket. His oppo- 
nents were Alembert Pond, Republican, and Lemuel B. 
Pike, American. The Democrats were in the minority in 
the county ; yet such was his reputation for probity and 
integrity, that at the November election he received a 
plurality of three hundred and twenty-three votes over Mr. 
Pond, and a clear majority of forty-three over both com- 
petitors. 

At the close of his eminently successful term of four years 
on the bench, he resumed his professional practice on the 
Jst of January, 1864. During his official years he had 
practiced successfully in the higlier courts of the State, 
and had been admitted to the Supreme Court of the United 
States in 18C1. He made an honorable record on the bench, 
and has the reputation of being one of the best office lawyers 
and most careful conveyancers in the county. 

Judge Crane was elected supervisor of his town in 1863, 



elected by a good majority, showing in what estimate his 
character and abilities are held even by his political oppo- 
nents. 

Judge Crane was married to Mary Martin, of Hartford, 
AVashington Co., in 1852, and has one son, George M. 
Crane, who is a student-at-law in the office of his father. 



RANSOM COOK 

was born Nov. 8, 1794, in Wallingford, New Haven Co., 
Conn. His parents, Joseph Cook and Mary Ann Tolman 
Cook, removed to this, Saratoga Co., N. Y., when their son 
Ransom was but seven years of age. Joseph Cook was a 
furniture manufacturer, and took his said son to work in 
the shop with him at an early age, he being found expert 
in mechanical pursuits. At the age of ten years he made 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



205 



what was called common chairs, — turning the posts and 
rounds in a foot lathe, framing, seating, painting, and var- 
nishing the chairs. When twelve years of age, he manu- 
factured electrical machines for several physicians in the 
county. The machines were thought wonderful as the 
work of a small boy. " The cracking shocks they would 
give, which were thought certain to cure all diseases for 
which there was no other remedy," greatly increased the 
wonder. The boy's success with these machines no doubt 
served to stimulate his propensity for scientific experiments 
and investigations, which has been a prominent character- 
istic of his life, attended with ilattering success. He had 
never seen an electrical machine when he made these, only 
a poor picture of one. His education was obtained in the 
common schools. 




\<S^^ 



Fhoto. by Baker & Record, Sarntoga Springs. 





Cf^f't'-e-'^T^pt^ 



In 1813, when he had entered his nineteenth year, he 
commenced work in the village of Saratoga Springs as a 
journeyman, at his trade of furniture manufacturer. This 
he followed with various intervals for several years. At 
this time the land now occupied by buildings in said village 
was mostly covered with a second growth of white pine, — 
the primitive forest having been cut off for lumber. What 
is called the Upper village was then the principal settle- 
ment. Our present Broadway, now miles in length, was 
then mostly a pine grove. The inhabitants, about three 
hundred in number, were quiet, honest, and industrious. 
No prosecution for a criminal offense, even for assault and 
battery, is recollected by Mr. Cook, for several years after 
he commenced his residence here. 

In February, 1818, Ransom Cook was married to Rach( l 
Ayres, the daughter of a respectable and extensive farmer, 
living in the same neighborhood with Joseph Cook, the 
father of our subject, on the road between Saratoga Springs 
and Balkston. 

In 1822, Ransom Cook, finding the inhabitants of the 
village largely increasing their demands fur his services, 
purchased a place there to which he removed and extended 



his business, which soon became too extensive for his room 
there. He therefore in 1 827-28 erected an extensive shop 
and spacious dwelling on South Broadway. He there also 
erected a steam-engine, and various machines for working 
and shaping wood and metals to his purposes, which were 
the first of the kind known in said village. These facili- 
ties enabled Mr. Cook to greatly increase the products of 
his shop in furniture, and devote a considerable part of his 
own time to the manufacture of scientific apparatus. These 
articles, after filling his own shelves, he sold to colleges and 
other public institutions. 

Now, in another residence and in another shop, he still 
retains and frequently adds to his own supply of apparatus, 
as well as to his choicely-selected and much-admired librarj'. 
Here, in this quiet retreat, to use his own words, his " books 
and playthings furnish him with all the felicity he desires, 
during those intervals from pain which neuralgia allows 
him." 

We are admonished that in a work of this kind we have 
not room for more than an inventory of the events person- 
ally connected with such a long and active life as that of 
Mr. Cook's, nor can we give even those in full. In No- 
vember, 1828, Mr. Cook was elected a justice of the peace, 
and re-elected thereafter for many years, regardless of the 
political changes in the town. An elderly member of the 
bar thus writes us on this subject : 

" During the whole of Esquire Cook's full four terms, — 
sixteen years as a justice of the peace, — he was singularly 
successful in giving satisfiiction in the discharge of his 
duties. His conduct was always careful and correct, never 
allowing himself to be biased or prejudiced for or against 
either party in litigation before him, and his honesty was 
never doubted. He acted with such rare good sense and 
intelligence, as well as strict integrity, that his decisions 
were generally accepted as final, and very seldom was any 
attempt made to disturb them by appeal to the reviewing 
courts." 

He was also popular as an arbitrator, to whom cases 
which were then called large amounts were submitted. As 
a referee, cases were also referred to him from the Supreme 
Court, — sometimes on matters of account, but more espe- 
cially those where the issue was on mechanical subjects. 

Such references were not surprising to those aware of 
Mr. Cook's skill as a mechanic and inventor, he having 
obtained fifteen patents on various subjects. His first 
patent, obtained in 1842, was for a process for making 
wrought-iron and steel cannon. Our government, then 
fearing no war, declined to make the guns. The English- 
man, Armstrong, as Mr. Cook learned at Washington, 
obtained a copy of his patent and specification, adopted his 
process, and has made a fortune of millions by it. 

In 1842 he was appointed by our State government a 
commissioner to examine the mineral regions of our State, 
and obtain proposals for the sale of mines, with a view to 
the employment of our convicts in mining and smelting. 
This appointment was made without Mr. Cook's solicita- 
tion or knowledge, as were those to all the offices he ever 
accepted, — for he never applied for an office, but has refused 
many, and is still doing so. When the building of the 
State-prison was determined upon, its location was by law 



206 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



given to the governor, controller, and attorney-general. 
Mr. Cook had no vote or voice in the matter, as has been 
erroneously reported. But Mr. Cook was appointed, with- 
out his application, to the ofSces of both agent and warden 
of the prison, with the extraordinary authority to appoint 
all his subordinates, — physician, chaplain, keepers and 
guards, foremen and artisans,— the governor and Senate 
thus manifesting a strong confidence in the capacity and 
integrity of Mr. Cook. 

Mr. Cook's management of Clinton prison was the subject 
of much commendation by the good and eminent people who 
became acquainted with it, as well as by the careful scrutiny 
of special committees, composed of such men as Governor 
Silas Wright, Controller Flagg, and joint committees of the 
Senate and Assembly. They found his discipline of the 
convicts to be even-tempered and humane. His mechanical 
skill and economy was manifested in so many ways that 
several pages would be required to describe them. The 
prison is a model one. The work upon that, the steam 
saw-mill, foundry, machine-.shop, dwelling for his own and 
the clerk's family, with four or five other buildings and 
a large amount of maciiinery, including beautiful steam- 
engines, had prevented his erection of the forges for making 
iron before a change in politics relieved him from further 
labors there, — much to liis pecuniary advantage hut detri- 
mental to tlte Stale. 

An editor in Saratoga Springs, who had long been ac- 
quainted with Mr. Cook, spoke thus of him a few years ago 
in his editorial : 

"His scientific attainments, all self acquired, are of the 
highest order. His mind is well stored with knowledge on 
any subject within the range of human thought and inves- 
tigation. His well-selected library is his constant compan- 
ion, from which he draws words of wisdom for the benefit 
of mankind, and his laboratory is ingeniously arranged for 
applying satisfactory tests to everything emanating from his 
inventive mind. He is a devotee to science, particularly 
as applied to mechanics. The archives of the patent-ofiice 
at Washington contain designs and models by Mr. Cook 
which would do credit to any inventor in this country. By 
his improvement upon boring-implements he has conferred 
a lasting benefit upon all industries to which they are 
applied. 

" Mr. Cook is a useful citizen, tenacious of his own honor 
and integrity, rather too credulous and confiding for a man 
who means to be honest himself and expects to find honesty 
in others; once deceived or imposed upon, no subsequent 
explanation or apology will restore his confidence in the 
man by whom he has been cheated." 



ROBERT C. McEWEN, M.D. 

The subject of this notice was born on the 15th of Oc- 
tober, 1833, in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y. He is 
of Scotch descent. His paternal and maternal grand- 
fathers, Charles MeEwen and Josiah Hedden, were both 
eminent judges in the city of New York. The McEwens 



landed at Amboy, N. J., and thence removed to Stratford, 
Conn., where the old family residence still remains. 

Robert D. McEwen, father of the subject of this sketch, 
was a merchant, and was brought up at Stratford, Conn. 
In early life he became a clerk in New York city, and 
subsequently embarked in mercantile business for himself at 
Bainbridge, Chenango Co. In 1834: he removed to New 
York city, where he continued to reside, having also a 
country residence at Stratford, Conn. 

The. early life of young McEwen was .spent in the city 
of New York, where for nine years he was a pupil of the 
celebrated teacher, William Forest, A.M., whose school for 
boys was regarded as one of the best in the city. He was 
here prepared for college, and entered Williams at the age 
of sixteen. He graduated in 1853, and in 18.5-1 took his 
first course of medical lectures in Yale Medical College, as 
student under Dr. N. B. Ives, of New Haven. During 
the years 1854-56 he was a student of medicine in the 
office of Professor J. M. Smith, of New York city, and 
graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 
1850. 

On the 1st of October, 1857, after examination by the 
medical board, and upon its recommendation, he was ap- 
pointed by the governors of the almshouse junior assistant 
on the house staff of Bellevue Hospital, and subsequently 
occupied the positions of senior assistant and house physi- 
cian, having resided in the hospital during the period of 
one year and a half, and having performed its duties in the 
several offices with credit and satisfaction, receiving the di- 
ploma of the hospital. 

After a trip to South America, where he received a 
commission as surgeon in Her Majesty's service, and vis- 
ited the Cape of Good Hope, Dr. McEwen returned to 
New England in March, 1860, and, at the solicitation of 
his friends, remained and practiced his profession at Strat- 
ford, Conn., till the 16th of August, 1862, at which date 
he was commissioned first assistant surgeon of the Seven- 
teenth Connecticut Volunteers. He soon became acting 
surgeon of the regiment, and remained in that capacity till 
he resigned, on account of ill health, in September, 1863. 
After returning from the service he practiced in New York 
city, where he became a member of the New York County 
Medical Society. 

In 1866 he removed to Saratoga Springs, where he has 
since resided, and has built up a successful practice, his 
learning and experience in his profession rendering him a 
very skillful physician. 

Dr. McEwen occupies a high position in Masonry, being 
at present Eminent Commander of Washington Commandery, 
No. 33, K. T. He has also been for seven years a vestry- 
man of Bethesda Episcopal church at Saratoga Springs. 

His first wife was Caroline Armstrong, whom he married 
at Stratford, Conn. She died in 1864. June 10, 1867, 
he married his present wife, nee Sarah Watrous, daughter 
of Andrew Watrous, of Saratoga. He has two children 
living, one by each marriage. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



207 



BENJAMIN F. JUDSON. 
Benjamin F. Judson was born in Nassau, Rensselaer Co., 
N. y., July 22, 1827. His parents removed to Hillsdale, 
Columbia Co., where lie was brought up till the age of eigh- 
teen, at which time he went to the city of Hudson and 
learned the trade of a printer. He afterwards removed to 
Troy, where he continued the same occupation till 1855, 
when he came to Saratoga Springs and commenced the pub- 
lication of The Tempermice Helper, which he changed to 
The Saratogian on the 1st of January, 1856, and published 
about twenty-two years, a portion of the time alone, and the 
rest of the time associated with other parties. 



In 1873 he was elected president of the Editorial Asso- 
ciation of the State of New York. The convention was 
held at Saratoga Springs in June of that year, and was the 
largest and most successful meeting of that body ever held 
in the State. 

He severed his connection with Tlic Saratogian, Dec. 
22, 1876, since which time the affairs of the post-office have 
occupied his whole attention. 

At Albany, in 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss 
E. Augusta Thompson, a lady of that city. The fruit of 
this union has been three children, two of whom (daughters) 
are living at the date of this writing — May, 1878. 




riioto. Iiy Baker & Record, Saratoga Springs. 



B. r. JUDSON. 



In 18G1 he assisted in raising the Seventy-seventh Regi- 
ment New York State Volunteers, raised in the county of 
Saratoga, which he accompanied to the field in the ca- 
pacity of senior captain of the regiment. On account of 
disability he resigned, and returned home in the spring of 
1862. 

He has always been a zealous Republican since the forma- 
tion of the party in 1856. He assisted in forming the 
first Republican organization of the county, and in 1856 
ciianged T'hc. Saratogian, of which he was then publisiier, 
to a political paper, advocating the principles of the new 
party. He established the first permanent daily newspaper 
at Saratoga Springs in 1869 — The Daili/ Saratogian — 
which has continued its issues without interruption ever 
since. 

Soon after the election of General Grant to his first term 
of the presidency, in 1868, Mr. Judson received the ap- 
pointment of postmaster at Saratoga Springs, and by succes- 
sive appointments under each succeeding administration he 
has held the office ever since. 



PETER V. WIGGINS. 

Peter Vail Wiggins was born at Southold, Suffolk Co., 
L. I., June 23, 1793. He came to Saratoga County about 
the year 1820, first settling in the town of Greenfield, 
under the auspices of his uncle, James Vail, but moved to 
the village of Saratoga Springs, and commenced the mer- 
cantile business during the summer of 1822. This busi- 
ness he carried on successfully, and for many years was 
tlie principal merchant of the village. 

Oct. 26, 1825, he married Mary S. Andrews, widow of 
Henry W.Andrews, Esq., anddaughterof Dr. Joshua Porter. 
Four only of their children reached maturity, viz., Martha 
Vail, Augusta Porter, Mary Ellsworth, and Peter Porter. 

The eldest daughter, Martha Vail, was married June 13, 
1848, to Crugar Walton, Esq., son of Judge Henry Wal- 
ton. Mrs. Walton died July 29, 1850, leaving two chil- 
dren. Mary E. Wiggins died Oct. 6, 1853 ; Peter V. 
Wiggins die'd May 28, 1862. 



208 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



LEWIS PUTNAM. 

Lewis Putnam was the third among nine children of 
Grideon and Doanda Putnam, the original white settlers of 
Saratoga Springs, and was the first white child born at that 
place. During his earlier years he was employed in lum- 
bering throughout this section of the country with one of 
his younger brothers. They transported their lumber to 
Schuylerville, and thence rafted it down the Hud.son. His 
recollection of these good old days was always interesting, 
and it was with pride that he recalled the solid old log 
cabin of his birth, and the stump of a once immense tree 
in it which served for dining-table for the family. 

In the War of 1812, he, as colonel of a regiment, went 
to Plattsburg and served until honorably discharged. He 
was first married on Feb. 22, 1813, to Laura Bradley, and 
by her he had two children, of whom jMervine G. is the 
only surviving one. She died Sept. 2, 1820. Mr. Put- 
nam's second marriage was on Oct. 17, 1823, to Betsey 
Stillwell Alcott. Of the issue of this marriage, Dr. Lorin 
B. Putnam is the only survivor of seven children. 

Mr. Putnam was born Aug. 12, 1790, and died on July 
4, 1874, being nearly eighty-four years of age. He wit- 
nessed the development of Saratoga, from the log cabin and 
its stump table to its present size and prominence. His 
age covered the average of almost three generations, and 
has witnessed the growth of the Putnams to one of the 
largest families in the county. He filled several offices of 
trust, and among them that of trustee, overseer of the poor, 
assessor, and bank director. He built and, up to 183G, 
kept the Centre House, on Broadway, opposite to the 
United States Hotel, and in 1839 converted the building 
into stores. The spring which bears his name was dis- 
covered and first tubed in 1833. 

In 1858, he became a member of Rising Sun Lodge of 
Free and Accepted Masons, and was a member in good 
standing at the time of his death. Mr. Putnam accumu- 
lated a handsome property, which has of course enhanced 
in value by the growth of the village. He was a man of 
sterling integrity and scrupulous honesty, being always 
ready to fulfill any obligation assumed by him. Though 
venerable in years, and having survived the allotted time of 
man many years, yet few will be more missed than Lewis 
Putnam, the oldest landmark of Saratoga. 



SAMUEL SEARING. 

Samuel Searing was born at or near Hemstcad, Long 
Island, of Quaker parentage. He married Sarah Pearsall, 
sister of George Pearsall. Samuel, with his family, came 
to Saratoga Springs about or soon after the close of the 
War of the Revolution, and settled on the flat lands below 
the hill on which stands the house called the " Benjamin 
Putnam Place," about one mile west of the High Rock 
spring. He had six children, — Richard, Nathaniel, Gil- 
bert, Samuel, Margaret, and Sarah. The two daughters 
married brothers, John and Ziba Taylor, who were largely 
engaged in business (lumbering and merchandise) at the 
Ten Springs. At that time the Ten Springs was more of 
a business place than the village of Saratoga Springs. 



Ziba Taylor's daughter married John H. Steel, for many 
years the leading surgeon and physician of the village. 

Samuel Searing, Jr., settled at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and 
his descendants are numerous in that State. Nathaniel also 
married, and had three children, — Henry, Nathaniel, and 
Martha. Martha married a Mr. Worthington, of Albany, 
and the sons settled in jMichigan. Gilbert Searing died a 
bachelor. Richard Searing married Elizabeth Thunder, and 
had by her Clinton, Courtland, Betsey, Laura, and Martha. 
He settled about one mile east of the village, on the farm 
now known as the Eureka and White Sulphur Springs 
farm, on Lake avenue. 

He lost his wife, and married Hannah March, widow of 
William March, and daughter of Samuel Stanley. She 
was born at Jefi'rey, near the base of old Grand Monadnock 
mountain, in New Hampshire. She was of English parents. 
She bore him three children, — Sarah, Hannah, and Wil- 
liam jNI. Clinton never married. Courtland and Martha 
died young. Betsey married Leonard Adams, son of Jason 
Adams, an old resident of the southern part of Wilton. 
They settled at Cold Water, Mich., and had sons and 
daughters. Laura married Theron P. King, son of Daniel 
King, of Moreau, Saratoga County, settled about seven 
miles east of Troy, and had two sons and five daughters. 
Sarah married James Ingersoll, son of William IngersoU, 
of Wilton, settled in the town of Wilton, and had three 
daughters. Hannah died a maiden. William M. married 
Caroline M. Huling, daughter of Bookman and Maria 
Smith Huling, old residents of Saratoga Springs and 
vicinity. He engaged in the profession of law, and prac- 
ticed in said village, when his health would permit, up to 
the breaking out of the great Rebellion. He had sis chil- 
dren, and was engaged in manufacturing when the Presi- 
dent first called for seventy-five thousand men. He closed 
his factory and law-oiSce, and responded to the call. He 
procured the necessary papers, and organized three compa- 
nies, — two in Saratoga Springs and one in Greenfield, — 
went with them to Albany, and assisted Colonel Edward 
Frisbey with them to organize the Thirtieth Regiment New 
York Volunteers. Their children are Beekman H., who 
married Sarah J. Jenner, and resides at Saratoga Springs ; 
William M. Searing, Jr., who married Harriet A. Carpenter, 
and reside at Beloit, Wis. ; Richard C. Searing, an Epis- 
copal minister, is rector of a church at Walton, Delaware 
Co., N. Y. ; Edward J. Searing, clerk in St. Nicholas Hotel, 
New York city; Caroline M. Searing and David S. Searing, 
who reside with their parents. Hannah II. Searing died 
at the age of six years. 



JOSHUA T. BLANCHARD. 

Among the many prominent citizens of Saratoga who, 
while younger, several years ago took an active part in 
public affairs, and now live somewhat retired from business 
cares, in the enjoyment of a green old age, is the subject 
of this sketch. General Blanchard first came to the Springs 
in 1822 or '23. Before the United States Hotel was first 
opened, in 1824, while the proprietor was absent in New 
York purchasing his supplies, leaving General Blanchard 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



209 



in charge, a stage-load of g;entlemen drove to the door seek- 
ing entertainment. Although not formally open, the gen- 
eral took thorn in and kept them, and these were the first 
of the long list of summer tourists who have since made 
this famous hostelry their temporary home. General Blan- 
cliard afterwards was one of the proprietors of a line of 
stages, was engaged in railroad afiairs, became major-gen- 
eral of the militia, and mingled extensively in politics as 
an old line Whig and Silver Grey, with Francis Granger 
and others. 



SAMUKL J. PEARSALL, M.D. 

Samuel Jay Pearsall is a native of Wilton, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., where he was born on the ISth of May, 1833. He 
is the sou of Samuel and Caroline E. Pearsall. His father 



and, gaining in public confidence, be built up in a few years 
a very successful practice. During the past ten years Dr. 
Pearsall has had all the professional practice he could 
attend to, wlitie his practice is constantly growing in favor 
among an enlarging circle of patients. He is a member of 
the Saratoga County Homoeopathic Medical Society of 
Northern New York, and the State Homosopathic Medical 
Society, and has held all the offices in the gift of the two 
first-mentioned as-ociations. 

As a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he con- 
tributed liberally to the erection of the new church at Sar- 
atoga Springs, and has held the office of trustee for the past 
seven years. Though not an active politician, he has been 
repeatedly solicited to accept offices of trust, such as mem- 
ber of the board of education and trustee of the village, 
but he has steadily declined, and given his exclusive atten- 




riioto. by Mj-dS, Sariitiigi Spuiii 




was a native of Dutchess county, and an early settler in the 
town of Wilton, where he pursued the occupation of a 
firmer. His nidthcr was born in this county. 

The .subject of this sketch was brought up on his fathci's 
farm in Wilton, and was educated at the district schools 
and at the academies in Poultney, Vt., and in Fort Ed- 
ward, Washington county. 

In the spring of 1856 he came to Saratoga Springs and 
began the study of medicine with Drs. Easton and Mitchell. 
In 1856 he commenced attending lectuies at the Homoeo- 
pathic Medical College of Philadelphia, where he continued 
his course, and graduated in Jlarch, 1858. On the first 
of May, 1858, he commenced practice at Saratoga Springs. 
Honiieopathy was then new, and the prejudices to contend 
against and competition with the old school of practice ren- 
dei'ed his progress at first difficult; but his energy and 
knowledge of his profession soon removed theise obstacles, 



tion to his medical practice. In 18G0 he was married to 
Miss Carrie E., daughter of William Smith, of the town of 
Wilton, by wIkjui he has one son, eighteen years of age, 
who is a student preparing to enter college. 



HENRY W. MERRILL. 

Henry W. Merrill was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
Sept. 10, 1810. His fiither, Nathan Merrill, was a native 
of East Hartford, Conn., and married in Vermont, whence 
he removed to Jefferson county in 1809, where Henry was 
born the following year, being the eldest child of the family. 
His parents soon after removed to Bergen, Genesee Co., 
where he worked and assisted them on the farm, and at- 
tended district school as he had oiijiovtunity during his boy- 
hood. He had naturally a strong desire for education, and 



210 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



at the age of seventeen he entered upon a course of study 
with a view to preparing himself for a professional life. His 
parents not being in circumstances to provide him the means, 
could only give their consent that he should undertake to ed- 
ucate himself by his own exertions. The way which seemed 
open to him was that of teacher in the district schools, and 
to this he had recourse, teaching in winter and attending at 
classical schools during the summer. In this manner he 
attended an academj' at Middlobury, Wyoming Co., and 
subsequently a similar institution at Geneva, N. Y., and in 
due time, after experiencing many of those trials and hard- 
ships incident to the life of a young man seeking to make 
his own way in the world, he prepared himself for college. 
In 1835 he entered Union College as a freshman, and 
graduated in the class of 1839. 

Immediately after this lie accepted an offer to leach in 



an attorney-at-law to the Supreme Court. In due time he 
was admitted as counsellor, then as solicitor in the court of 
chancery, and finally to practice in the Supreme Court of 
the United States. 

At Schuylerviile, where he remained ten years, his prac- 
tice became large and lucrative, laying the foundation of 
his future financial prosperity. 

In 1846 he married Miss Valeria S. George, daughter 
of Jared George, of Watorbury, Vt., a lady of attractive 
personal appearance, excellent character, and amiable dispo- 
sition, who has since been his faithful companion. The 
fruit of this union has been nine children, six of whom, 
three sons and three daughters, are now living. 

In 1851 he removed to Saratoga Springs, where he pur- 
sued a successful practice till 1873, when, owing to ill 
health and other cau.ses, the practice was partially abandoned. 




Pliutd. by BaUrr & Record, S.ii'atog.i Sprinf^B. 



HENRY W. 51ERKILL. 



the academy at Union Village, Washington Co., where he 
taught less than one year, and at the .same time pursued 
the study of law in the ofiice of Judge C. F. Ingalls, father 
of Hon. C. R. Ingalls, present judge of the Supreme Court 
of the Third district of New York. He soon gave up 
teaching and went to practicing law, his talents and services 
being in demand in the lower courts, where he earned the 
means of support while pur.suing his legal studies. Mr. 
Merrill refers to this experience as being the most valuable 
of his life, giving him exercise, not only of his talents, but 
insight in human character and the motives and causes of 
litigations, which were of great service to him in his later 
practice. 

In 1840 he was admitted to practice as an attorney and 
counsellor in the court of common pleas of Washington 
county. In 1841 he removed to Schuylerviile, Saratoga 
Co., and opened a law-office. In 184^ he was admitted as 



The sketch we have thus hastily written indicates only 
.some of the salient point.s in the life of a self-made man. 
He is one of whom the Latin phrase is eminently true, 
Faber siix J'ortunse. — the architect of his own fortune, 
although it would better express the feelings of Mr. Merrill, 
as he has often expressed them, to say that niuler the Divine 
Providence he has been the architect of his own fortune, 
for he recognizes the assisting liand of the Creator in all 
man's ways. 

On account of the inability of his parents to a.ssist in 
the honorable course he had prescribed for himself, he was 
thrown early in life upon his own resources ; and it was his 
greatest pleasure, in after-years, to contriliute something of 
the property he had gained to their assistance who never 
lacked the disposition, only the means, to do all ibr his 
well-being which the tenderest affection and the mo.st 
earnest solicitude could prompt. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



211 



El.lAS LEK WAKEMAN. 

Tlio Wakc'iuaii family is prcsuuieJ to have descended 
from John Waiceraan, formerly of England. Timothy 
Wakeman, the grandfather of Elias L. Wakeman, was a 
farmer in Fairfield Co., Conn., for a nnmbcr of years, and 
was in the party who followed and harassed the British 
when they visited Danbury and burned the stores at that 
place. Elias Lee, his grandfather on his motlier's side, was 
a Baptist minister ; came originally from Connecticut, and 
established the First Baptist church of Ballston Spa, where 
he finally died. 

Samuel S. Wakeman, the father of Elias L. Wakeman, 
was born in Connecticut, in 17!^", and married Sarah Lee 
in that State. lie removed, in 1812, to a point about two 




Photo, by Baker & Record, Saratoga Springs. 
ELIAS LEE WAKEMAN. 

and a half miles from Ballston Spa, where he took up his 
residence as a farmer, at the same time sawing and trading 
in lumber. He coniinuod that business until 1824, when 
he removed to the farm now occupied by Elias L. Wake- 
man. He had six children, four girls and two boys, viz., 
John A., Elias L., Rachel, Amanda Ann, Margaret, and 
Sarah, of whom all are living save Rachel. He held a 
number of important ofiices in his town, and was road com- 
missioner at the time Saratoga Springs was cut off from 
Saratoga town. 

Elias L. Wakeman was the third child, and was born on 
Jan. 10, 181 (i, in Saratoga Springs. He received a com- 
mon-school education, and, until his father's death, assisted 
him in farming. Since that time he has farmed a large 
tract of land for a number of years, .subsequently purchasing 
two hundred and eighty-three acres of the same, which is 
the place where he now resides. He is still engaged in 
farming. He never married. 

He has been foremost in encouraging the introduction 
and use of the various farm improvements as they have ap- 
pcai'ed. He purchased one of the first mowing-machines 
introduced, and in 1S5S one of the first wheel-rakes. He 
has continued to keep abreast of the times, and has actively 
co-operated in the various progressive movements of the day. 



Mr. Wakeman has always been an active and sincere 
Democrat in politics, but has never desired, sought, nor 
tilled any office. He has been a regular attendant of the 
Baptist church. Strange to say, he has never had any 
serious altercation or di.spute with any one, has never had 
a lawsuit, and never identified him.self with any of the so- 
cieties of the day. He has stood singularly aloof, living a 
peaceful and smooth life. He has been acquainted with 
most of the old residents of his locality, has been identified 
with its growth and material improvement, and has watched 
with especial pleasure and pride the increasing importance 
and influence of his native town. 



THOMAS NOXON. 

Thomas Noxon was born in Beekman, Dutchess Co., N. 
Y., April 20, 1813. He is of English descent on his father's 
side, and on his mother's side of Scotch extraction, his an- 
cestors being common with those of the eminent Judges 
Noxon, of the city of Syracuse. His father, Clark Noxon, 




Plioto. by Balicr & Ui-coni, Saratoga Springs. 
THOMAS NOXON. 

settled in the town of Half-Moon, in this county, in 1816. 
Here Thomas Noxon was reared on a farm, and educated 
primarily in the common .schools, though in the school of 
experience and self-study he prepared himself for his suc- 
cessful business career. 

He married, in 183G, Emma Clapp, daughter of Joseph 
Clapp, of Half-Moon, and engaged in farming, which he fol- 
lowed about two years. In 1838 he embarked in mercan- 
tile business at Clifton Park village, and continued in that 
business, with an intermission of five years, in which he 
was engaged in farming, till 1871. 

He then removed to Ballston Spa, to attend to the duties 
of the office of sheriff of the county, to which he had been 
elected in the fall of 1870. He is a Republican, and was 
elected on that ticket in ojiposition to David Harlow, the 
Democratic miminee. Previous to this lie had represented 
the town of Hali'-!Moon in the board of supervisors for the 
years 1856, '57, "60, "61, 'G4, '65, and '66. In May, 1865, 
he became a resident of Saratoga Springs, of which town 



212 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



he was elected supervisor in 1877, and was, during that 
year, chairman of the board. In Marcli, 1878, he was 
elected president of the vijlase of Saratoga Springs, and is 
at this writing discharging the duties of the office. 

In all these official positions Mr. Noxon has discharged 
his duties with rare efficiency and integrity, and he is now 
retired from active business, occupying a high place in the 
esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. For many 
years he was postmaster at Clifton Park village. 



ANSON M. BOYCE. 
Anson M. Boyce is a son of Ananias Boyce, who was 
born in Dutchess county, at the town of Washington. His 
motlier's name was Sarah Mead, a native of Nassau. She 
afterwards reisided in the town of Schodack, Ren.^selaer 
county, where she was married. Ananias Boyce removed 
from Rensselaer county to the town of Wilton, Saratoga 
county, where he farmed for a number of years, and where 
lie finally died. He had fifteen cliildreu, — twelve boys and 



'1 
f 





i :UA -'^ 



I'lmti). l.y lliikor A Record, Sara1o;;a Springs. 
ANSON M. BOYCE. 

three girls, — of whom all are living save one boy, who died 
in iiifiiney. Hini.scU' and wife died a few years ago, each 
having lived tii be over eighty years of age. 

An.son M. Uoyce was born on June 14, 1S2S, at Scho- 
dack, Rensselaer county. He engaged in fanning with 
his father until seventeen years of age, when he com- 
menced a system of self-education, attending school and 
teaching. He gained a thorough knowledge of algebra 
without the aid of a teacher. He attended the com- 
mon schools, and subsequently the academy at Nassau, 
where he qualified himself to enter the sophomore class of 
Union College, but did not enter because of ill health. 
He was about twenty years old when ready for college. 

He nest entered upon the study of law in the office of 
Pierson & Wait, of Troy, N. Y., but after continuing this 
pursuit for two years his health compelled him to leave it. 



He then returned to school-teaching, and taught at Cas- 
tleton, Rensselaer county, for a term of years. He came 
to Saratoga County in 1854, and bought a farm in Wilton, 
upon which he supervised the work. 

In about a year he was elected school commissioner of 
the Second Assembly district, and held that office two full 
terms and a part of a third, in all about seven years. He 
also taught at the same time in Pine Grove School, No. 4, 
Saratoga Springs, and continued principal of the same for 
about twenty years, resigning his charge on June 22, 1877. 
When he first took charge of this school it had an average 
attendance of sixty pupils, and he had one assistant ; and 
when he left it the attendance averaged about three hundred, 
and he had six a.ssistants. 

In politics Mr. Boyce has alwaj's been a Democrat, and 
has filled several important local offices. He has been 
twice a member of the board of supervisors. He was a 
justice of the peace fur four years. He has filled the re- 
sjionsible office of overseer of the poor. He was always 
elected as a Democrat, although the town is largely Repub- 
lican, a fact which speaks well for his personal popularity, 
and shows the appreciation in which he is held by his fellow- 
townsmen. 

In March, 1850, Sir. Boyce married Caroline M. Stewart, 
of Schodack, Rensselaer county, by whom he had one child, 
Frank M. Boyce, born August 2, 1852. This son subse- 
quently pursued medical studies at Albany Medical College 
and Bellevue Hospital, New York, and is now a physician 
in successful practice in Sai'atoga Springs, where his father 
now resides. He is likewise a Democrat, and owing to his 
personal popularity has already been elected to and tilled 
the important offices of coroner and physician to the poor. 

It may be well to add, in closing this sketch, that Mr. 
Boyce has long since overcome the pulmonary disease 
which so seriously interfered with his earlier plans in life, 
and that to-day at the age of fifty years he is robust and 
strong, weighing about two hundred and sixty pounds. He 
has a fair promise of a lung life. 



LUCRETIA AND MARGARET DAVIDSON. 

A history of Saratoga would scarce be comjilete without 
a mentimi of these two talented sisters. They were the 
daughters of Dr. Oliver Davidson, and were born respect- 
ively Sept. 27, 1808, and March 26, 1823. In both, pre- 
cocity was early developed ; both had delicate constitutions, 
sensitive natures, and highly poetic temperaments. Lucretia 
lyiaria entered Mrs. Willard's Female Seminary, at Troy, in 
1824, to complete her education. She died Aug. 27, 1825, 
one month before her seventeenth birthday. Margaret Miller 
Davidson, as well as her sister, was born at Plattsburg, but 
before she was ten years of age, her parents had removed 
to Saratoga Springs. She was an incessant writer, — her 
poetical writings, which have been collected, amount to two 
hundred and seventy-eight pieces. Her poems were intro- 
duced to the public under the kind auspices of Washington 
Irving. They were first published in 1829, with a memoir 
by Prof. Sam. B. F. Morse ; they were noticed in a highly 
laudatory manner by Southey, the British poet.* 

■■'■ Duyckinck's ** Cycloj»a>dia of Amer. Literature," vol. ii., 32-1-2S. 



TOW]Sr OF SARATOGA SPRINGS. 



r.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

TllK town of Saratoga Spnn;_'s is very nearly in the 
centre of the county ; it is bounded north by Greenfield 
and Wilton, east by Saratoga, south by Malta, and west by 
Milton. It is a part of the Kayadrossera patent, and eon- 
tains si.xteen thousand si.\ hundred and eighteen acres.* 

We insert the following description of the town, and 
the definition of its boundary lines, as given in the revised 
statutes of the State : 

** The town of Saratoga Springs shall contain all that part of said 
county bounded northerly by Grcentield and Wilton, westerly by 
Milton, southerly by Malta, and easterly by a line beginning at the 
northeast corner of Malta, then down the middle of Siti'atoga lake 
and Fish creek to a point two rods above Stafford's bridge, and run- 
ning thence, so as to include said bridge and apiece of land four 
rods wide, to a point two rods below said bridge, and then due north 
to the south bounds of Wilton.", 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The surface of the town is undulating, but scarcely suf- 
ficient to be denominated hilly. The Kayadrossera creek 
forms the southern boundary line ; Saratoga lake is in the 
southeast corner. This, with its broad outlet, narrowing 
farther cast into Fort's creek, forms an important water 
front upon that border of the town. The surface is entirely 
drained by rivulets flowing into these streams and into the 
lake. Ellis creek, uniting with the Kayadrossera in the 
southwest, is the most important. TJpon it are located the 
mills at lluwlandville, just over the line, in the town of 
Milton. This creek drains the western portion of the town 
from the Greenfield line. There is one other small rivulet 
in the southwest, which the railroad crosses in the Brown 
neighborhood. There are three tributaries of the Kayad- 
rossera between Ellis creek and Lake Saratoga. The third 
and most important is the outlet of Lake Lonely, named on 
the maps Litth; lake. This body of water has three inlet- 
creeks, one rising just east of the Saratoga race-course; 
the other two, known as Spring run and Bog Meadow 
brook, rise the one northeast of the village of Saratoga 
Springs, the other farther east, on the line of Wilton. A 
small rivulet flowing across the entire ciistern end of the 
town, and uniting with Fort's creek near Stafford's bridge, 
completes the drainage system of the town. 

Along the Kayadrossera and the lake are found a range 
of low bluff's. 

North from Owl pond and Saratoga lake is a large tract 
of low and swampy land. The soil in many parts of the 
town is sandy and poor. A few good tracts are found in 
the vicinity of the lake, and in the Kayadrossera valley are 

* We have been assisted in the preparation and compilation of 
this and several others of the town histories, by Lewis H. Clark, of 
Sodus, N. Y. 



some valuable meadow lands yielding an abundant crop of 
hay. 

The mineral springs, so widely known, are situated about 
three miles from the lake. They are near the centre of 
what is sometimes called the " mineral spring region," said 
to have a radius of ten miles. This subject is fully treated 
of eLsowhere in this volume. 

Lake Lonely, mentioned above, is sometimes called Owl 
pond, but this is not correct, according to the people living 
in the vicinity. The name Owl pond really belongs to a 
deep, nearly-hidden body of water, comprising an area of 
four or five acres, and situated a little west of Lake Lonely. 
It is scarcely accessible at some seasons of the year, being 
surrounded by swampy ground. In time of very high 
water the two ponds constitute one body of water. 

In the town of Saratoga Springs are several beds of peat 
of most excellent cjuality. Edwin L. Carragan, whose resi- 
dence is one and a half miles west of the village of Saratoga, 
has on his farm there a peat-bed of singular richness. Upon 
being taken from the bed and dried, it is ready for burning 
without any further preparation. Three miles e;ist of the 
village are extensive peat-beds owned by Thomas B. Car- 
roll, of Troy. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

To write something original of a town like Saratoga 
Springs, upon which so much has already been published, 
may be difiicult. Yet it is evident that nearly all the 
works upon Saratoga have treated mostly of the village, 
and been devoted especially to tracing the development of 
the springs and the growth of the village around them. 
Writers have dwelt, too, upon the brilliant array of distin- 
guished men, poets, historians, jurists, and statesmen who 
have resided here in past years. It was a work of honest 
local pride, a labor of love for her own gifted sons and 
daughters, to write the annals of Saratoga Springs. 

Amos Stafford was the pioneer in the neighborhood of 
the bridge that bears his name. His children were : 1st, 
Mary, who became Jlrs. Green, of Saratoga, and after the 
death of her husband was married to John Hicks, and 
settled at Waterloo, Seneca Co. ; 2d, Henry, who settled in 
Penii Yan, Yates Co. ; 3d, Samuel, who removed to Victor, 
Ontario Co. ; 4th, Amos, who succeeded to the old home- 
stead ; 5th, Kensselaer, who settled in Saratoga adjoining 
his father's place ; 6th, Rachel, who married Anthony Max- 
well, of Old Saratoga; 7th, Phebe, who became Mrs. G. I. 
Lansing, of Half-Moon. 

The children of Amos, Jr., were: 1st, Mary, who be- 
came Mrs. George Rouse, of Bacon Hill ; 2d, Caroline, and 

3d, Ann Eliza, both of whom died young ; 4th, , 

who became Mrs. James Milligan, and settled in Ohio, and 

213 



214 



HISTOEY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



after the death of her husband married Samuel Bryan and 
removed to Wisconsin; 5th, Amos P., of Saratoga Springs ; 
Gth, Samuel Harvey, who died at the age of twenty-one. 

The old gun with which Amos Stafford, the pioneer, is 
said to have killed wolves enough to pay for hi.s farm with 
the bounty earned is in the hands of Samuel Stafford, of 
Geneva, Wisconsin. He is a son of Henry. 

With this pioneer family may also be appropriately men- 
tioned the three brothers Wagman, — John, Henry, and 
Nicholas, — who were half-brothers of Mrs. Stafford, and 
who followed the Stafford family a few years later to this 
section. Their old homestead is still in the hands of their 
descendants, being the present residence of Lewis and 
Nicholas Wagman, in Old Saratoga. 

Amos Peck, whose wife was a sister of the Wagman 
brothers, came nearly as early. 

The Stafford neighborhood seems to be the proper place 
to mention the pioneer Giles Slociim, though his location 
■was in Old Saratoga, half a mile east of Stafford's. 

Benjamin French was the earliest pioneer in the south- 
east part of the town. He came as early as 1780. His 
house was built on the present farm of Thos. B. Carroll ; 
it stood on the brow of the hill, overlooking the Kayad- 
rossera flats. He had, it is thought, twelve hundred acres 
of land. Before coming to the Carroll place he lived at 
first in a cabin at the north end of Lonely lake, better 
known in old times as Owl Pond. Mr. French had a splen- 
did section on the Kayadrossera flats devoted to meadow. 
It is said that he used to cut a .swath two miles and a half 
long as a road for those to whom he sold the hay. 

His .sons were John, Benjamin, and Richard ; John 
owned a large portion of the old farm and passed his life 
in this town ; Richard removed to Williamson, Wayne Co. ; 
and Benjamin also went west. 

Stepsons of Benjamin French were Jonathan Ramsdell, 
William Ramsdell, and Silas Ram.sdell. Silas moved to 
Madison county ; William settled and died in this town. 

Jonathan Ramsdell, about 1802, settled on what is now 
the Ramsdell property, at the lake, half a mile south of 
C. B. Moon's hotel. His house was on the site of the 
present house of Jefferson Ramsdell. He left two daugh- 
ters, Mrs. Calvin Avery and Mrs. Benjamin Leggett ; four 
sons, Jefferson, Morgan, Nelson, and Aaron, all of whom 
are living. Nelson Ramsdell, proprietor of the Holden 
House, Saratoga Springs, is a son of Morgan. An orchard 
set out on this farm in ISIG is still bearing. The trees 
were obtained fiom a nursery grown on what is known as 
the " drowned lands." An orchard set out by Benjamin 
French before ISOO has all disappeared. 

In early times the .settlers along the creek suflFered from 
fever and ague. Some of them were not very permanent 
inhabitants. Dr. Carpenter, an early physician, used to 
say that he laid out one season $200 worth of medicine 
along the Kayadrossera, and that as soon as he had a 
patient ready to travel he was sure to go without paying 
for the quinine. 

Mr. Abell w'as a pioneer as early, perhaps, as 1700. A 
brother of Mr. Abell stopped in Stillwater and purchased 
the farm of the White Sulphur spring. Early burials in 
this section were on the Judge James farm, the Ramsdell 



farm, the Whitford farm, and at the cemetery still in use 
in the Curtis neighborhood. 

The place now occupied by C. B. Moon was owned for 
many years by James Green. He purchased it of one 
Upton, who was probably the pioneer, though it is under- 
stood that he only remained here a short time. In later 
years it was owned by George and Horace Loomis and by 
Mr. Ikelseimer. Two houses of entertainment were opened 
many years ago, one by Dr. Green and the other on the 
present place of Mr. Moon. Large parties gathered there in 
the old times. When wealthy southern visitors thronged the 
hotels of Saratoga before the war, two hundred and three 
hundred would often go out to the lake for a dinner under 
the shady trees, and these dinners were got up regardless 
of expense, — fish and game, with costly wines. 

The present Lake House of C. B. Jloon was opened by 
him in 1853, and has become widely celebrated amung the 
many visitors whom the annual return of summer brings 
to Saratoga. Mr. Moon has displayed excellent taste in 
fitting up the grounds, and much energy in making the 
enterprise a decided success. The place is very attractive. 
The house with its neat and convenient ajipointments, its 
pleasant parlors, its spacious piazzas, the steep hill-side 
with its seats and summer-house, its cool shady groves, its 
ponds and winding walks, together make it a delightful 
resort. All these things are an excellent prelude to the 
charms of the lake itself, the sandy beach, the pure air, the 
fishing, rowing, or sailing. Mr. Moon has added many 
other attractive features. There is a bowling-alley, and 
the upper st(iry of the same building affords a splendid view 
of the entire lake. Steam-yachts and sail- and row-boats 
are ready for the enjoyment of his guests. 

" Moon's Island Driving Park" is akso another addition 
made within a few years. The house is open about four 
months of the year, and upon its registers are the names of 
the most distinguished men in the United States, as well as 
many from foreign lands. 

The house is noted for its fish and game dinners, and 
Moon's fried potatoes are a well-known and fu'-famed 
luxury. Nine-tenths of all the Saratoga visitors go out to 
the lake at Moon's. The drive is a splendid one, — over a 
finely-graded road of fair miles. 

Adjoining the grounds of Mr. Moon on the south is the 
country-seat or summer residence of Frank Leslie, the 
well-known publisher of illustrated papers. He has a 
large tract of tlie uplands devoted to a driving park and to 
agriculture, with farm buildings of unusual and superior 
architecture. His residence is on the very bank of the 
lake, where he has utilized the steep hill-side in every pos- 
sible form for comfort, beauty, and elegance. Rustic seats, 
arbors, summer-houses, the water just iu front, and the 
boat-houses, combine to render the place a picture of 
elegant cultured taste and refinement. The dwelling it.self 
is a perfect little gem of a home, where many of the best 
writers of the land occasionally find welcome and rest. 

Of the Jewell family, Calvin Avery states that the pio- 
neers were three brothers, — Asa, William, Staats. The 
homestead of Asa was the present Thomas B. Carroll place. 
They probably came about 1800. 

The children of Staats Jewell were Isaac, Benjamin, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



215 



Eliza, wlio became Mis. Solomon West, Anna (Mrs. Daniel 
Davis), Bradford, Belinda. 

The children of Asa Jewell were a son, Altice, and 
daujrhters Rachel and Sarah. 

The family burial-ground is mentioned in another place. 

Pardon Fish was an early resident. His house was in 
what is now the open field north from Moon's. 

James Green afterwards purchased the place. 

Thomas Arnold was an early resident over the lake, in 
Old Saratoga, nearly opposite the Ramsdell place. He was 
a son-in-law of Foster Whitford the elder. 

John Eddy came from Columbia, Dutchess Co. (he lived 
near the dividing line of the two counties). He reached 
Saratoga Springs April 1, 1810, and settled on what is now 
the Putnam farm. The pioneer house was a little west of 
the eornei-s, near some trees still standing. He had two 
sons, — John W. and Daniel. The section has long been 
known as Eddy's Corners. 

Zachariah Curtis and his brother Henry moved from 
Stillwater into the present town of Saratoga Springs about 
the year 1796 or 1797. Their farms were new and unim- 
proved, bought from the patentees and not from previous 
settlers, and emisisted of about three hundred acres. The 
first house built by Zachariah stood a little west of the 
jiresent house of Henry D. Curtis, and that of Henry 
Curtis just south of the present barn of Joshua Curtis. 
Zachariah Curtis had si.K sons, — Gideon, Joshua, Henry, 
Elias, William, and Chauncy. Joshua, Henry, and Wil- 
liam .settled ill tliis town ; Elias moved to Monroe county, 
Gideon to Chautauqua county ; Chauncy lives in Scluiyler- 
ville. 

The Curtis family were originally frem Chatham, Co- 
lumbia Co. Henry Curtis died at the age of one hundred 
and two. His hundredth birthday wa.s celebrated by a 
gathering that included more than a hundred of his descend- 
ants. 

David Abel, the pioneer, came from Dutchess county 
about the time of the Revolutionary war,^ — probably 1779 
or 1780. He first located on what is known as the 
Tyler Durham farm, southeast of the lake. He was a 
man ready for any kind of work necessary for a new coun- 
try. A blacksmith, he shod his own horses and made his 
own axes ; a carpenter, he built his own house and assisted 
his neighbors. After a few years — about 1795 or perhaps 
earlier — he came to this side of the lake, first living a short 
time on the Andrus Riley farm, and then coming to the 
present place of Washington Abel, his grandson. His sons 
were David, Peter, Jacob, Richard. David succeeded to the 
old homestead. The others went west. Daughters were 
Mrs. James Barhydt, Mrs. John Whitford, Mrs. Andrus 
Riley. The large trees around the homestead were set out 
by David 2d, father of Washington. They form a living 
permanent memorial of his labors. 

Benjamin Avery came from Little Nine Partners, 
Dutche.ss county, about 1790, and settled about two miles 
from Stafford's bridge. Of his sons, James settled in Wil- 
ton, Edward in Wilton, Frederick in Saratoga, Hiram in 
Saratoga. Austin died young. Orlin was drowned in the 
lake. Calvin, the youngest, settled in Saratoga Springs. 
Daughters were Mrs. John Kelly, of Greenfield, Mrs. Noah 



Weed, of Greenfield. Calvin was the youngest of the family, 
married a sister of Morgan Rumsdell, and is still living. 
He is the last of the original family, having neither father 
nor mother, nor brothers or sisters living. 

Foster Whitford was an early resident of Old Saratoga, 
and had a grist-mill known as Mud mills, on a small stream 
near Snake Head hill. He was there before the Revolu- 
tionary war, according to the information of his descend- 
ants. His grandson, now living, says that his father, John 
C. Whitford, was born in Old Saratoga, and the family Bible 
gives that date Sept. 7, 1770. The children of Foster 
Whitford were John C., who settled in Saratoga Springs, 
Orrison in Saratoga, Pasco in Saratoga, Earl in Indiana, 
and Foster in Allegheny. Daughters were Mrs. Lot Birge, 
Mrs. Eli Foster, and Mrs. John Ward. Lot Birge was an 
early schoolmaster in this section of country. 

John C. Whitford, mentioned above, came to Saratoga 
Springs 1790 to 1795, and settled where his son, Foster, 
now resides. The children of John C, the pioneer on this 
side of the lake, were David Foster, John, Calvin, William, 
and one daughter, Mrs. Zachariah Curtis. Foster Whit- 
ford has heard his father speak of his neighbors when he 
first moved in here, as Mr. Wendover on the present Pen- 
rose farm, Mr. Swetland on the pre.sent Henry Curtis farm, 
the hous3 being near the old orchard, and Mr. Brundage, 
in the same neighborhood. 

Foster ^Vhitford remembers Dr. Carpenter as the earliest 
physician. In his boyhood he used to go to meeting at the 
old Baptist church that .stood at what is now Geyser 
Springs. 

Daniel Rogers was connected in the busines.s of the Mud 
mills with Foster Whitfield, Sr. 

Robert Ellis was a very early settler at what is now Gey- 
servillo. It is the impression of William Carragan, who has 
a long and accurate acquaintance with that neighborhood, 
that the removal of Mr. Ellis from Schuylerville to this 
point was about the year 1777. He came with an ox-cart, 
bringing his wife and two children and a little household 
furniture. They halted just on the brow of the bluif, near 
the small creek not far from the present residence of Wil- 
liam Verbeck. A large pine-tree was cut, the top of the 
stump smoothed oif for the first table, and the body of the 
cart inverted served as a shelter to sleep under until a log 
house could be built. In this primitive style settlement 
was commenced. 

Robert Ellis' sons were Robert, Jr., Blyron, Charles, and 
one other. Charles was killed accidentally. Daughters 
were Mrs. George Peck, Mrs. De Pitkin, Mrs. James R. 
Westcott, Mrs. Joseph Westcott. With Mr. Ellis came two 
other pioneers, Robert Welds and John Scott. 

Robert Ellis built a saw-mill just below the present bridge 
very early. He built a grist-mill about 1818. Mr. Carra- 
gan remembers that the rai-sing was quite a prominent aifair 
in those times, — a large gathering of people, — a general 
" good time." 

John and Jerry Cady, brothers, moved to the Ellis 
neighborhood about the close of the Revolutionary war, 
perhaps, as early as 1780. One of the brothers built a 
house, where Mr. Leggett now lives, at what is called Cady 
hill ; the other upon the premises that were afterwards the 



216 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



tavern-stand. The sons of John Cady were Thomas and 
Jerry. Jerry Cady, one of the pioneer brothers, went west 
at an early day. A large portion of the old Cady farm is 
now the property of George 0. Chamberlain, who came to 
this place in 1823, and whose pleasant residence occupies 
the sightly elevation near the old tavern-stand. 

Eleazer Carragan, though not a pioneer before 1800, was 
largely identified with this section of the town. He came 
from Dutchess county in 1811, and settled west of Cady 
hill, where C. Vandenburg now live. His sous were John, 
James, Edwin L., Hanson, William, Anthony, Sidney. 
Hanson and Sidney settled in New Jersey, the others iu 
Saratoga Springs. Daughters were Mrs. Demand Vail, 
of Saratoga Springs, and Mrs. Charles Glover, of West 
Milton. 

Joseph Cook was from Wallingford, Conn. That town 
is said to have been originally settled by two of that family 
name, and the population to-day is very largely Cooks. 

Joseph Cook came to East Line, Ballston, in the winter 
of 1800-1801. He was a cabinet-maker, and his furniture 
was sold at Saratoga Springs and other growing villages. 
About 1814 or 1815 he came to what was then known as 
the Wallace farm. The old house where he lived is still 
standing near the High bridge, on the railroad, a mile and a 
half south of Geyser Springs. He afterwards lived a short 
time in Milton, and then came to Saratoga Springs. 

Of his children. Ransom settled at Saratoga Springs, 
Marcus in Michigan, Andre at Saratoga Springs ; Mary 
Ann became the wife of Ira Millard, Nelson became an 
artist of distinction, residing in Italy. He is now (June, 
1878) lying dangerously ill at Rome. Truman held official 
positions at Washington, D. C. Henry and Joseph died 
young. Julia married Henry Loomis. 

Robert Ayers was a soldier of the Revolution. He and 
six others were apprentices at Col. Dickinson's tannery in 
Stillwater. Without waiting for a legal termination of 
their indenture they enlisted in the army. After the war 
was over with, Robert Ayers married a Miss Ashton and 
bought a farm near the present High bridge, on the rail- 
road, in the southwest part of the town. He added other 
lands to his original purchase, and owned finally a tract of 
several hundred acres, including a portion of the flats along 
the Kayadrossera. His sons were John, who settled in 
Saratoga ; Isaac, who went west. Daughters were Mrs. 
Hicks Seaman, mother of Reuben Seaman, who now re- 
sides on the place; Mrs. Elisha Rockwell, of Milton ; and 
Mrs. Ransom Cook, of Saratoga Springs. 

In the same neighborhood Thomas Brown was an early 
pioneer, and Mr. Wallace also, whose place Joseph Cook 
bought in 1813. 

REMINISCENCES OBTAINED OF NATHANIEL H. WATER- 
BURY. 
Mr. Waterbury was born in Saratoga Springs, June 18, 
1796. His fiither was William Waterbury, who came 
from Stamford, Connecticut, to Greenfield in 1787. He 
settled on a part of what was afterwards known as the 
Elihu Wing farm, now owned by Hiram Rowland. He 
remained in Greenfield but a few years. He had reached 
this town in 1787 with only eighteen pence in his pocket 



and an old scythe. He was also " embarrassed," according 
to the modern phrase, by a debt of seven dollars and fifty 
cents, incurred to pay the expenses of removal from Con- 
necticut ; for this he had given his note. Believing that 
Saratoga Springs would become a place of importance, he 
removed here in 1794, buying in connection with his 
brother, Samuel Waterbury, one hundred acres south of 
Congress street ; a large share of this tract is now divided 
into village lots. The two brothers had both been en- 
gaged in the War of the Revolution. They lived in Con- 
necticut near the line dividing the British forces from the 
Americans, and were employed in valuable service as scouts. 
Samuel was wounded, from the effects of which he became 
entirely deaf. He acquired great leadiness in understanding 
what others said from the movement of their lips. 

The children of Samuel Waterbury were, first, Betsey, 
who married Shedrick Scofield, settled in Hadley, and 
afterwards went to Chautauqua ; second, David, settled in 
Chautauqua; third, Hannah; fourth, Rhena, who married 
Stephen Wasliburne, settling in Luzerne and afterwards 
in Chautauqua ; Phebe, who became Mrs. Dexter Barnes, 
and Amy, Mrs. Barnhart, both of Chautauqua. 

The children of William Waterbury were, first, Sarah, 
who married Lewis Bradley, first settling in Saratoga, and 
after a few years removing to Williamson, Wayne Co. 

Second, John A., who settled in Saratoga Springs, marry- 
ing Alice Scofield, of Greenfield. 

Third, Rhoda, who married David Foot, of Conway, 
Mass. 

Fourth, Asenath, who became Mrs. James Wright, re- 
mained a few years in Saratoga Springs, then removed to 
Pultneyville, Wayne Co., N. Y., and finally to Illinois. 

Fifth, Nathaniel H., whose first wife was Cynthia Mather, 
and his second, Nancy Harrington. He always resided in 
Saratoga Springs. 

Sixth, Robert, died in childhood. 

Seventh, Philo R., who married Mehitable BuUard, and 
settled in Saratoga Springs. 

Eighth, William C, unmarried, settled in Charleston, 
S. C, was a soldier in the Florida war, and died in Charles- 
ton in 1867. 

Ninthj Josiah, and tenth. Marvel, both of whom died 
in childhood. 

The elder Waterbury came to Greenfield in the winter, 
crossing the Hud.son at Watcrford. His mother could 
never be induced to visit her sons in Saratoga on account of 
the danger in crossing over the Hudson river on a scow. 
In 1787 they went to mill at Ballston. William Water- 
bury died in 1843. He used to say that when he came to 
Saratoga, the place of the present village at the springs 
was a good deal of a swamp, and a hard-looking place any 
way. He could have bought the whole village for a small 
sum in those times. Alexander Bryan and Samuel Norton 
were about the only settlers here then. Bryan lived on 
the bank northwest of the High Rock spring, and Norton 
was living a little out, within the town of Greenfield. 

The Waterburys bought the one hundred acres of a non- 
resident. About 1805, William Waterbury bought the 
Denel place, a tract through which Van Dam street was 
afterwards laid out. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



217 



In 179-1 there were few houses at Saratoga Springs. 
Nathaniel Waterbury remembers that his father took the 
children out to see a frame building raised, the first one 
they had ever seen. It was Union Hall, called by the 
people generally " Putnam's folly.' It was supposed a man 
must be crazy to erect a three-story house for the accom- 
modation of boarders. Mr. Waterbury supposes that one 
Reynolds was a very early merchant. Asa Wright had a 
store on the northeast side of Front street. John Taylor 
and Ziba Taylor were also merchants and lumber-dealers 
near the same place, but on the sontheast side of Front 
street, very near the bank above the High Rock spring. 
They owned mills on the Loughberry creek. 

Alexander Bryan's home was opposite the Taylor store, 
a log hou.se. On the site is now a stone house. A black- 
smith-shop was nearly opposite Wright's store, where George 
Downing worked. He lost his life by the burning of a 
shanty when he was working at the burning of a coal. 
Jotham Holmes was an early shoemaker. He afterwards 
opened the Columbian Hotel, which was burned a few years 
since. His shoe-shop was in the then village, near the High 
Rock. 

Mr. Waterbury recalls other early settlers, all of thorn 
before 1810, and some as far back as 1790. 

Sylvester Bishop was a tavern-keeper on the bank op- 
site the Star spring. Warren Cady another tavern-keeper 
across the street from Bishop's. John Swain was a lime- 
burner. His kiln was on the bank near the Empire spring. 
Mr. Devan was a resident near the Empire spring, also Mr. 
Bevins. John Scabury a little east. Scth Saddler, a farmer, 
lived on the hill south of the Empire spring. William 
Patchin was the village fiddler. Joseph Thompson was a 
carpenter. Samuel Annable lived on the present place of 
N. B. Sylvester. 

Stephen Crawford, a farmer, lived near what is known as 
Splinterville. This place derived its name from the number 
of baskets made there. Henderson Crawford, a farmer, lived 
where the late Wm. Dunning resided ; Robert Crawford 
at the Four Corners west ; David Crawford also near by. 
These were brothers, uncles of Nathaniel Waterbury. 

Caleb Ellis, a farmer, lived where Frank Prior now lives. 
He was a magistrate for many years. James Reed, a farmer, 
lived just west of Samuel Annable's. Benjamin Benedict, 
also a farmer, lived in the .same neighborhood. Zachariah 
Curtis was a farmer in the south part of the town ; Henry 
Curtis in the same neighborhood. Mr. Waterbury helped 
bury the latter at the age of one hundred and two. 

Samuel Wiekham was a blacksmith in the Curtis neigh- 
borhood. One Toms lived in the same vicinity. They were 
both adepts in the art of story-telling. Of these the fol- 
lowing were suppo.sed to be good specimens. Wiekham 
said that in the time of the Burgoyne campaign be was 
taking care of a coal-pit. Being obliged to leave, he was 
absent twnnfy-fonr years. Returning, he found the pit 
grown over with bu.«hes and small trees the thitkne.^s of a 
man's arm. Taking his spade he thrust it into the ground, 
a.i\d /mind tin; fire ^till bright and the, coal Jn.tt nicely done. 
Timis was perhaps equal to the occasion. He said that being 
within the lines during the battle oC Stillwater, he saw a 
wagon-load of ]iowder driven U[i. A red-hot ball .struck the 
28 



wagon, and an explosion followed. The driver rose upward 
through the mv, passed over the top of the tallest pines^ and 
came down unhurt. 

Robert Ellis was a farmer owning nine hundred acres, 
extending from the Greenfield line to the Geyser spring. 

William Wait was a resident of the Curtis neighborhood, 
and John C. Whitford also. Richard Searing was a former 
and lumber dealer, lived on the Schuylerville road a mile 
east. Colonel Searing, of Saratoga Springs, is a son of 
Richard. 

Ashcr Taylor and Isaac, cou,sins of the merchants John 
and Ziba, lived about a mile east of the Ten Springs. Har- 
mon Ostrander and Abram Ostrandcr were early residents 
in the south part of the town. Dr. Cyril Carpenter was 
the earliest physician remembered by Mr. Wateibury. He 
lived on the site of the United States Hotel. Mr. Water- 
bury remembers Charles F. Smith as an early lawyer, and 
a little later than him Aaron Blake. Archibald Crawford 
was a farmer in the southeast part of the town. His sons 
were Daniel, Wallace, and John. John Bemus lived on 
the present farm of Hamilton A. Rodney. He was a 
brick-maker. 

William Shaft was an early settler at Saratoga Springs. 
Elias Benedict, of the town of Millon, owned a farm a little 
west of Saratoga Springs, and was the founder of the first 
hotel, on the site of the United States. Solomon Manezer 
was a farmer a little west of the Geyser spring. Jeremiah 
Cady lived near him. Benjamin Risley was a farmer, and 
also proprietor of a boarding-house very early, on Van 
Dam street. Sfjuire Jones was an early settler in the 
Crawford neighborhood. 

Timothy Soper and Burtis Soper, near the Eddy Four 
Corners. George Peck was a scythe-maker ; did a suoces.s- 
ful business. His shop was near the Gej'ser .spring. He 
was the father of Sirs. Rockwell Putnam. 

Mr. Waterbury emphasizes the swamps of Saratoga 
Springs by saying that he had often helped get cattle out 
of the mud in the valley above and below Congress Park. 

Ezjkicl Bradley lived on the place where Nelson Slade 
now lives. Howard Bradley and Lewis Bradley lived be- 
yond, on the west side of the creek. They all moved west 
at an early day, and settled in Wayne county. 

Gilbert Waring's place was the farm now laid out for 
the new cemetery. He was a large farmer, and one of our 
most successful lumbermen. At one time he was a mem- 
ber of Assembly from this county. 

Gardner Bullard came from Vermont in 1812. He 
snppo.ses himself to have come to Saratoga Springs earlier 
than other citizens now living who moved in as he did, from 
a distance. Other citizens living in Saratoga Springs longer 
than he are natives of the town. 

Of Mr. Bullard we obtain a few notes concerning the 
first town officers elected in 1820, 

Ashbel Andrews lived at the Springs, corner of Broad- 
way and Washington streets. Harman J. Betts, the first 
town clerk, kept a store opposite the old Columbian Hotel. 
He was noted as a singer. 

John Bemus, the first collector, lived about two and a 
half miles south of Saratoga Springs, on the present place 
of Ilaniilton Roblee. 



218 



HISTOEY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Joseph White lived near the upper Rock spring. He 
was a mason by trade. 

Joel Clements, the second town clerk, lived at the Springs. 

George Peck lived south, about ten miles, on the present 
Deuel farm. 

James R. Westcott, town clerk and supervisor for eleven 
years, was a merchant at the Springs. Joshua Bliven, an 
early collector, was a butcher. John H. Still, supervisor 
in 1828, was a physician at the Springs. He was an army 
surgeon in the War of 1812. 

Eli Holbrook lived in the village. 

Washington Putnam and his brolher, Rockwell Putnam, 
kept the old Union Hotel. 

William A. Langworthj', first justice elected by the 
people, was a hardware merchant in the village. 

Ransom Cook, still living, is the inventor of the screw 
auger. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

The first town-meeting was held at Union Hall, on the 
7th day of March, 1820. This was on the site of the 
present Grand Union Hotel. The following ofiicers were 
elected : Ashbel Andrews, supervisor ; Harman J. Betts, 
town cleik ; Walter Crawford, Richard Searing, Nathan 
Lewis, assessors ; Daniel Crawford, Samuel Stafford, Samuel 
S. AVakeman, commissioners of highways ; John Eddy, 
Gilbert Waring, overseers of the poor ; John Bemus, col- 
lector; John Glean, George Peck, Rockwell Putnam, com- 
missioners of common schools ; Rev. Francis Wayland, 
Rev. James 0. Griswold, William L. F. Warren, inspec- 
tors of common .schools ; Solomon Spaulding, Joseph White, 
Frederick Avery, constables ; Richard Searing, poundmas- 
ter ; George Peek, John Bryan, Richard Searing, inspec- 
tors of weights and measures. The town was divided into 
fifteen road districts; voted $125 for roads and bridges ; 
$620 for the poor. Partition and circular fences were ordered 
to be at least " four feet and a half high, tight and strong." 

At the town-meeting of 1823, two fines, imposed for sell- 
ing liquors contrary to law during the' year, were remitted 
by vote of the people. ' 

The following curiously-worded resolution was adopted: 

Resohtd, That the poor of the town be advertised within 
six days after they shall become chargeable from time to 
time, and sold to the lowest bidder. 

Union Hall, the place of the first town-meeting, was a 
hotel kept for boarders. It has been renewed step by step, 
and changed, until it is the present Grand Union Hotel of 
Stewart's estate. 

The house of Smith Wheeler, where the town-meeting 
of 1823 met, was on the site of the present S. & W. Ains- 
worth buildings, and town-meetings were held at the same 
place for many years. In 1829 the town-meeting was held 
at the house of James R. Milligan, on the site of the pres- 
ent Bicknell and Farrington block. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICER.S. 

Surervisms. Town Clerks. CoUectors. 

Harmon J. Betts. John Bemus. 

" " Joseph White. 

Joel Clements. '' " 

Iliiruion J. Betts. " " 

James R. Weistoott. " " 



1820. Ashbel Andrews. 

1821. Esek Cowen. 

1522. " •' 

1523. George Peck. 
1S24. 
lS2o. " 





Supervisors. 


To^ 


•n Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1826. 


George Peck. 


James R. Westcott. 


Joseph White. 


1827. 


a i( 


it it 


Joshua Blivcn, 


1828. 


John H. Steel. 


it 


.< 


1829. 


•' 


it 


Eli Holbrook. 


1830. 


James R. Westcott. 


Washing'n Putnam 


it it 


1831. 


" 


a 


it it 


1832. 


it it 


" 


Joshua Bliven. 


1833. 


it ti 


Rockwell Putnam. 


Joseph White. 


1834. 


" 


" 


Lucian Hendrick. 


1835. 


Rockwell Putnam. 


Abel A. Kellogg. 


Daniel Wait. 


1836. 


Samuel Chapman. 


John A. Corey. 


(( (( 


1837. 


(( it 


Joseph M. AVhceler 


Joseph Brisbin. 


1838. 


a a 


Ezra Hall. 


Marvin S. Putnam. 


1S39. 


J.ames R. Westcott. 


Rockwell Pufnam. 


Amasa Patrick. 


1840. 


Samuel Chapman. 


S. R. Ostrander. 


" 


1841. 


it it 


Horace Fonda. 


Daniel Polls. 


1842. 


it tt 


Patrick H. Cowen. 


Clemens Gibbs. 


1843. 


It It 


Horace Fonda. 


Wm. C. Owen. 


1844. 


Joel Clement. 


Wm. H. Andrews. 


it it 


1845. 


James M. Marvin. 


Wm. E. Caslle. 


Wra. Wait. 


1846. 


John L. Perry. 


Wra. S. Balch. 


Wm. A. Muredell. 


1847. 


tt it 


Charles S. Lester. 


John B. Felshaw. 


1848. 


" 


John T. Carr. 


Hiram Owen. 


1849. 


John A. Corey. 


Wm. L. Griswold. 


George Burnham. 


18511. 


Samuel Chapman. 


Wm. S. Balch. 


Daniel D. Eddy. 


1851. 


Samuel Pitkin. 


C. W. Burlingame. 


George Burnham. 


1S52. 


Thomas J. Marvin. 


<t ti 


Gardner Bollard. 


1853. 


Snmuel Freeman. 


Robert Nichols. 


tt it 


1854. 


Crugar Walton. 


" 


It it 


1855. 


Franklin Iloag. 


Chas. H. Hulburt. 


Riley V. Surdam. 


1S5C. 


Crugar Walton. 


George L. Stearns. 


John Rouse. 


1857. 


James M. IMarvin. 


Chas. C. Morehouse 


Jos. H. Hodgeman. 


1858. 


Henry B. Ilathorn. 


C. W. Burlingame. 


a 


1859. 


John H. White. 


Lorin B. Putnam. 


Ezra Hall. 


1860. 


Henry H. Ilathorn. 


.. 


Chas. W. Whitfurd. 


1S61. 


Hiram H. Martin. 


Abram B. Jcnner. 


Chas. H. Brown. 


1862. 


James M. Marvin. 


it it 


Alfred P. Mallory. 


1863. 


John W. Crane. 


" 


Thomiis Eldridge. 


1864. 


Charles S. Lester. 


Jas. M. Ostrander. 


Chas. W. Whilfoid. 


1S65. 


a 


'• 


Allied P. Mallory. 


lS6fi. 


Henry H. Hathorn. 


.< 


Daniel T. Rockwell. 


1867. 


" 


Daniel T. Rockwell 


Calvin M. Avery. 


1868. 


John W. Crane. 


Henry Marshall. 


John Foley. 


1869. 


" 


L. L. Brintnall. 


Harmon S. Hoyt. 


1870. 


James P. Butler. 


Frederick N. Owen. 


Jonath'n S.Howland. 


1871. 


it it 


George II. GiUis. 


Wm. F. Calkins. 


1872. 


James I. Wakefield. 


Wm. M. Scaring, Jr 


Wm. E. Dexter. 


1873. 


" 


Patrick McDonald. 


(Office abolished.) 


1874. 


James M. Marvin. 


George H. Gillis. 




1875. 


Anson M. Boyce. 


Daniel Eddy. 




1876. 


it tt a 








Patrick H. Cowen. 


ti It 




1877. 


Thomas Noxon. 


tt tt 




1878. 


Joseph Baucus. 


Isaac Y. Ouderkirk. 




JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 


18.31. 


William A. Langworthy. 


1845. Abel 


A. Kellogg. 


1832. 


Ransom Conk. 




1846. Joseph R. Plunkett. 




Eli Holbrook. 




1847. William E. Castle. 


1833. 


John B. Gilbert. 




1848. Charles S. Lester. 


1834. 


William A. Beach. 




1849. Abel A. Kellogg. . 


1835. 


Daniel T. Reed. 




1850. Seymour Gilbert. 




John A. Waterbury 




John 


T. Carr. 


1836. 


Ransom Cook. 




1851. " 


ti 


1837. 


John B. Gilbert. 




1852. John 


H. White. 


1838. 


Sidney J. Cowen. 




1853. Lemuel B. Pike. 


1839. 


George W. Wilcox. 




1854. John 


B. Felshaw. 


1840. 


Shelemiah R. Ostrander. 


1855. John 


T. Carr. 


1841. 


Ransom Conk. 




1856. John 


R. Putnam. 


1842. 


Joseph While. 




1857. Joseph D. Briggs. 


1843. 


John C. Ilulbcrt. 




1858. John 


H. White. 


1844. 


Augustus Bockes. 




1S59. William C. Barrett. 



* Elected and resigned. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



219 



1869. Anson Vf. Boyoe. 
James M. Andrews. 

1870. Phinoas F. Allen. 

1871. John Foley. 

1872. Lewis Wood. 

1873. AVilliam C. Barrett. 

1874. Pbineas F. Allen. 

1875. Augustine W. Shepherd. 

1876. Thomas G. Young. 

1877. Charles M. Davison. 
Wm. C. Barrett (long fm) 

1878. Lewis Wood. 



Under a special statute the town was authorized to elect 
at the fall election, once in three years, a receiver of taxes, 
and the office of town collector was abolished. 



1860. 


Jerome B. Buckbec. 


1861. 


Esek Cowcn. 


1862. 


Joseph 1>. Briggs. 


186.1. 


William C. Barrett. 


1861. 


Elias U. Peters. 




Lewis Varney. 


1865. 


" 




John B. Finley. 


1866. 


J. S. B. Scott. 


1867. 


William C. Barrett. 


1868. 


Elias H. Peters (app.). 



1872. William E. Dexter. 



1875. Lewis Wood. 



Under a special act the town of Saratoga Springs was 
authorized to elect a police justice, commencing in 1848. 



1848. Joseph R. Plunkett. 
1850. Abel A. Kellogg. 
1852. " " 

1854. Matthias A. Pike. 
1856. " " 

1858. " " 

1860. " " 

1862. John H. White. 
1864. William M. Searing. 



1866. Patrick II. Coweu. 

1868. William C. B.arrett. 

1870. James S. B. Scott. 
1872. " " 

1874. " " 

1876. John H. White (dec'd). 

1877. C. II. Tetrt, Jr. (to fill va- 

cancy). 

1878. Charles H. Tefft, Jr. 



v.— VILLAGES, HAMLETS, NEIGHBORHOODS. 

The village of Saratoga Springs is situated upon the 
nortlieru border of the town, its corporate limits extending 
to Greenfield and Wilton. The village is very generally 
supposed to be the Saratoga of History, and many 
strangers no doubt come here supposing that they are 
visiting the place so famous in the wars of olden times, or 
at least the battle-fields of the Burgoyne campaign. Tiie 
engaging of livei'y to visit those points soon dispels the 
illusion. 

Tiie importance of Saratoga Springs renders it necessary 
to devote to its history a separate chapter, and to that the 
reader is referred. 

Stafford Bridge is quite noted as a place of early 
settlement, and as a central point near which town-meet- 
ings were frequently held when Saratoga and Saratoga 
Springs constituted one town. The bridge and the neigh- 
borhood derive their name from the pioneer, who, escaping 
from the Wyoming massacre of 1778, not long after made 
his home on the outlet of Saratoga lake. The homestead 
is now the residence of the family of the late Piiineas 
Smith, and stands on a pleasant elevation north of the 
bridge. The house, remodeled and painted, is now about 
eighty -four years old. In this same neighborhood, a little 
farther east in Old Saratoga, was the residence of the other 
noted early pioneer, Giles Slocum. This is now the place 
of Mr. Lockro, and the hou.se stands fortber up the hill 
than in the olden times. Both Stafibrd's and Slocum's 
were taverns, and the town-meetings of Old Saratoga, when 
it comprised a large extent of territory, were held at these 
then well-known places. The road through here is no 
longer a great public route as in the early days, and the 
neighborhood is quiet and secluded. 



The Steamboat Landing, better known in late years as 
" Moon's," has become an important annex of Saratoga 
Springs. They are connected by a broad and beautiful 
avenue. The springs are at one end, the lake at the other, 
and the driving park in the route between. It is not too 
much to say that there are few thoroughfares iu the world 
along which more of fashion, wealth, and luxury roll than 
along the avenue from Congress Hall to Moon's. In old 
times there were two ferries, one at the present place of 
Moon, the other opposite the Schuyler House, farther south. 
As early as 1 800 one Shook ran the south ferry ; at the 
same time, or perhaps earlier, the other ferry was managed 
by Upton. An attempt to destroy Shock's boat had a 
ludicrous ending. The parties trying it filled the boat par- 
tially with sand, took it out into the lake, and sunk the 
craft. But, loaded unequally, it went down in such a man- 
ner that most of the sand slipped out, and in the morning 
the boat was discovered sticking up endways out of the 
water, a condition from which it was easily rescued. The 
early ferries were by scows rowed with large heavy oars. 
The first rope-ferry was as late as 1835. 

A little south of Moon's, on the Ramsdell farm, the 
Kayadrossera flows into the lake. Its real entrance was a 
very crooked stream. In early years the lumbermen en- 
gaged in rafting timber cut across a small point, and made 
a much better channel to the lake. The lumber business 
was an important one here in early times, timber being 
floated down the Kayadrossera, and even down some streams 
that seem now unimportant rivulets. 

The first bridge up the Kayadrossera was known as the 
Old Red bridge. The original French farm, elsewhere men- 
tioned, extended ftom the lake up to that. 

During the noted boat regatta, a few years ago, the artists 
of Harper s Weekly had their lookout on a beautiful pro- 
jecting point on the Ramsdell farm. 

Eddy's Corners derives its name from the pioneer of 
the Eddy family, who settled at this place more than sixty 
years ago. Several families of the name reside in the 
vicinity at the present time. 

Ashley's Corners is directly south from the depot at 
Saratoga Springs, and is on the old stage-route from Afbany, 
a route that was almost a straight line from Round Lake 
viii Dunning Street, Malta Ridge, and Ashley's Corners. 

Ellis Corners, so named on county maps, is better 
known as " Geyser Springs." The value of these mineral 
waters is steadily developing business interests at this point, 
and it is just far enough from the village of Saratoga Springs 
for a fine drive, or even a pleasant walk. 

Cady's Hill is a slight elevation west of the Geyser 
springs, where the main road divides into two branches, 
leading northeast and southwest. Ellis Corners and Cady's 
Hill now constitute Geyserville. 

The little creek at Geyserville has been made to do con- 
siderable service since settlement began at this point. 

George Peck had scythe-works there as early as 1800, 
on the west side of the creek. The same buildings were 
afterwards used for a bolt and nut factory, with another 
building, a little farther down the stream. One of the 
buildings is now the bottling-hou.se of the Geyser spring. 

There was also a pottery iiere. These, with the grist- 



220 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



and saw-mills, gave to the place a considerable business im- 
portance in former times. 

The hotels on the hill west were the place for holding 
elections in old times, and also were the the resort of many 
pleasure-parties. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

The school districts of the new town of Saratoga Springs 
were arranged by the commissioners in 1820 and 1821. 

Of the early schools we have but little account. 

The first school-house at the lake stood where its succes- 
sor does, near the present farm establishment of Frank 
Leslie. The lot was given by Mr. Abell. He was a pio- 
neer as early perhaps as 1790, and interested in educational 
matters. 

Outside the village of Saratoga Springs the schools are 
generally small. District No. 5 has, however, one hun- 
dred and thirty-five children between the ages of five and 
twenty-one, and the public money apportioned for attend- 
ance shows a good average. 

There are only six districts beyond the corporate limits 
of the village. 

The commissioners of common schools who served one or 
more years each, from 1820 to 1843, inclusive, are as fol- 
lows : 

John Glen, George Peck, Rockwell Putnam, Henry 
Walton, John Pjddy, Benjamin Marvin, Jr., G. M. David- 
son, David Scidmore, John H. Steel, Thomas Brown, John 
A. Waterbury, Derick L. Palmer, Zachariah Curtis, Wash- 
ington Putnam, Wallace Crawford, Hiram Avery, Palmer 
Williams, W. L. F. Warren, Daniel Douglass, Warren A. 
Smith, Nathaniel H. Waterbury, John B. Gilbert, Joseph 
Waring, Asa B. Jewell, Daniel T. Reed, Jonathan B. 
French, Amos StafiFord, Lewis P. Close, Jesse Morgan, 
Ezra Hall, Henry P. Hyde, Horace Fonda, Isaac K. Finch, 
Horatio N. Finch, Beekman Iluling, Shelemiah R. Ostran- 
der, Jonathan Hall, Russell C. Carpenter, John Rouse, 
Sidney J. Cowen, Joshua Curtis, Abel A. Kellogg, Richard 
L. Allen. 

The inspectors of common schools who served during the 
same period one or more years each were the following : 

Rev. Francis Wayland, Rev. Darius 0. Griswold, Wil- 
liam L. F. Warren, John H. Steel, Harvey F. Leavitt, 
John D. Mann, Gideon M. Davidson, D. L. Palmer, Wm. 
A. Langworthy, James R. Westcott, E. H. Porter, Judiah 
Ellsworth, C. B. Brown, Miles Taylor, George W. Fish, 
Thomas J. Marvin, John A. Corey. Wm. A. Beach, Leis- 
ter Wilco.x, S. H. O.strander, George M. Bailey, Richard 
L. Allen, Mervin G. Putnam, Thomas Rogers, Alanson 
Smith, Asher S. Taylor, John C. Hulbert, Randall D. Hu- 
ling, Carey B. Moon, E. Darwin Carpenter, John B. Fel- 
shaw, Isaac Hall, Charles A. Cook. 

Under the system of supervision by town superintendents 
from 1844: to 1856 the following were elected : 



1844.— A. B. Olmsteil. 
1845.— Charles Kendall. 
1846.— Charles KeDdall. 
1847.— Henry H. Douglass. 
1848.— John L. Terry. 



1850.— Lewis Curtis. 
1852. — Anthony W. Carragan. 
1854. — Anthony AV, Carragan. 
1856. — Andrew M. Franklin. 



The annexed apportionment by the school commis- 
sioners for the current year, 1878, shows the present 
condition of the schools : 

COMMISSIONER'S APPORTIONMENT, SARATOGA SPRINGS, 
MARCH, 1878. 




With the abolition of this office in 1856 all supervision 
of the schools by town authority ceased. 



Vir.— BURIAL-GROUNDS. 

There was an old hiirial-iyJnce, now a locust grove, just 
before reaching the Geyser spring from the village. The 
remains were removed some years ago, and all the stones 
that had any inscriptions. It is probable that there are, 
however, some unknown graves in this shady grove, and 
that of their occupants there is now no record or trace. 

The Cudy Burial- Ground is west from Cady hill. The 
inclosure is now a neglected spot ; the palings of the fence 
fallen ; briers and wild shrubs intruding where the roses, 
planted long years ago by loving hands, are still casting 
their annual wealth of flowers upon the graves of the 
departed. 

Among the inscriptions are the following : 

" Peter Baker, died Feb. 12, 1806, aged twenty-six." 
"Three children of Warren Cady: Minerva, died Feb. 8, 1808, 
aged four years; Harmon, died Feb. 9, 1808, aged one year; Jere- 
miah, died March IS, 1803, aged thirteen. Still earlier, Arvilla, in 
the same family, died July 13, 1803." 

" Daniel Dennis, died June 11, 1806, aged forty-five." 
'' Thomas Cady, died Nov. 14, 182G, aged forty-six." On this stono 
is the tribute, ' Long neglected but not forgotten. Erected by John 
P. Cady, New Orleans.'" 

Farther west from Cady hill is the private Munger fam- 
ily cemetery. It contains only two inscriptions. 

Some other places of single graves may perhaps exist in 
town, but this sketch is believed to include all the well- 
known public and private cemeteries away from the village 
of Saratoga Springs. 

The Whif/ord biirial-gronnd is the main one in the town 
away from the village of Saratoga Springs. A few years 
since, like most of the earlier burial-places, it was neglected 
and desolate. But the people rallied, formed an incorpora- 
tion under the statute, enlarged and improved the grounds, 
until now they are a credit to the rural neighborhood. The 
older portion has been neatly laid out, — even the graves 
with the old common stone of the last century lovingly 
cared for with the others. Among the earlier inscriptions 
are the following: 

» Includes $800 for supervision. 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



221 



"Silas Davis, died June 11, 1811, aged fifty-two." 

" Elizabeth, daughter of Silns Davis, March 25, ISIO, ten years." 
" Daniel Ostrander, died July G, 1812, aged seventeen." 
'• Thomas Ostrander, died Jan. 31, 1S12, aged forty-seven." 
" Phebe, daughter of Thomas Ostrander, died Feb. 3, 1801, aged 
si.\." 

" Sarah, wife of Thomas Ostrander, died Jan. 1, 1844, aged seventy- 
eight." 

"Daniel, infant, son of Henry Curtis, died Jan. Ij, 1808." 
"Archibald Crawford, died June S, ISOG, aged seventy-three." 
"Mary, his wife, March 2, 1813, aged seventy-three." 
" Parthena, wife of John Crawford, died April 21, 1807." 

Soldiers buried here, and their graves marked (June, 
1878) willi flags, are: Henry A. Austin, One Hundred 
and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Company K, died Oct. 9, 
1863; PhiHp J. Austin, died Deo. 17, 1862. 

The Jetcell burial-place is on tlie present farm of Thomas 
R. Carroll, a little north of Moon's. It was originally an 
acre reserved by Pardon Fish, an early resident, at the foot 
of the little hill where the grave-stones are now seen. The 
burial-place, somewhat neglected, has, however, a pleasant 
location, overlooking to the south the long winding outline 
of Saratoga lake. Some of the inscriptions here are : 

"Saiuantha, an infant child of Jeremiah Coon, died April 28, 
1818." 

" Twin daughters of Isaac Hoag, died, the one April IS, the other 
April 21, eight years old," 

" Dorcas, wife of ytatos Jewell, June 22, 1821. aged forty-four." 

"Temperance, wife of John French, May 16, ISI',1, aged twenty- 
seven." 

"Levi Lamphier, Dec. 10, 1818, aged seventy." 

"Cornelia, wife of Samuel Knight, Nov. 29, 1839, aged sixty- 
seven." 

The historian may here suppose that he has suddenly 
discovered the earliest death in Saratoga County, as one 
inscription gravely reads, " Rradford Jewell, died April 24-, 
1667." The stone-cutter who was to carve 1S67, and made 
the error of two hundred years, and yet failed to correct 
it, has not left his own name on the marble. 

The Abel burial-groimd is on a beautiful elevation be- 
tween the family mansion and the lake. Here sleep the 
pioneer and his wife, amid the scenes of their life-long toil, 
and beside the lake where they chose their early forest- 
home. The place is neatly kept, with seats arranged for 
visitors. The tall pines waving above it, and the fresh, 
bright, and cheerful waters, speak of life, and hope, and 
trust. The inscriptions are : 

" David Abel, died Sept. 9, 1825, aged eighty." 
" Eve, wife of David Abel, died March 27, 1829, aged eighty- 
seven." 

"Dennis White Abel, died Nov. 15, 1829, aged five." 
" Cordelia, wife of Seymour Gilbert, died Dec. 22, 1849." 
"Hannah, wife of David Abel, aged seventy-three." 
" David Abel, died Jan. 7, 1868, aged seventy -five." 

The RamsJell family burial-place is an inclosure well 
cared for, and thoroughly protected from intrusion. The 
inscriptions are : 

"Mary R., wife of Jonathan Kamsdell, died Sept. 7, 1849, aged 

8ixty-si.\." 

"Jonathan Ramsdell, died Dec. 15, 1851, aged si.\ty-nine." 
"Mary E., daughter of Charles F. Wood, died Oct. 28, 1847, aged 

two." 

"Alexander, son of Morgan, died Sept. 6, 1849, aged eighteen." 
"Jennie K., daughter of Uenry Rogers, died Feb. 6, 18G1, aged 

two." 



The Stafford burial-ground, though just beyond the line 
of the town, may be appropriately mentioned here. It is 
on high ground not far from the Stafford homestead, over- 
looking for soiue distance the valley of Fi.sh creek, as well 
as the higher lands east. From this now quiet and culti- 
vated hill-side not only the home and the farm of the 
noted pioneer are within view, but also a wide extent of 
country, over the hills and through the valleys of which 
the early hunter so successfully pursued the fierce game 
of the forest. The inscriptions in the cemetery are : 

"Amos Stafford, died March 27, 1813, aged fifty-seven." 

" Sarah, wife of Amos Stafford, died May 14, 1847, aged eighty- 
five." 

" Samuel Ilarvey, son of Amos and Eliza Stafford, died July 24, 
1835, aged twenty-one." 

" Christian, daughter of Alexander Mcintosh, died Dee. 17, 1845, 
aged sixteen." 

"Sally, daughter of Henry Stafford, died .July 4, 1811, aged four 
year.-;.'" 

" Caroline, daughter of Amos and Eliza Stafford, died Sept. 13, 
1829, aged four." 

" Amos Stafford, died Oct. 12, 1850, aged sixty-one." 

"Anna Eliza, daughter of Amos and Eliza, died Sept. 23, 1845, 
aged eighteen." 

"James, son of Henry Stafford, died April 29, 1834, aged three." 

There are also several other graves, some marked by 
common field stone, showing very early burial. 

There is another burial-place a little farther east (of 
course in Old Saratoga), which it seems appropriate to 
mention at this point, and that is the one on the hill, above 
the old Giles Slocum place. This neighborhood, both sides 
of the town-line, is noted historic ground, not for battles, 
but for early settlement, and incidents occurring in this 
vicinity have been woven into the stories of many writers. 
In the little neglected burial-place above mentioned is one 
very old inscription : 

" Deborah, wife of John Sebury, died April 25, 1779, aged 33." 

Another inscription is, — 

" Abigail, wife of Samuel Lawrence, died Sept. 21, 1828." 
Close beside this spot is the Thorn family burial-place, 
neatly fenced and well cared for. 

VIII.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The business interests of the whole town are intimately 
connected with those of the village. 

The soil is not favorable to successful agriculture in very 
large portions of the town, yet whatever crops are raised 
find a ready market. A village of ten thousand inhabitants, 
with its immense number of visitors during several months 
of the year, finds employment for very many who live 
beyond its corporate limits. Large numbers of the people 
of the town are directly interested in the various business 
enterprises connected with the bottling and shipment of the 
mineral waters ; others in raising produce for, or in catering 
to the wants of the village, and the comfort and luxury of 
the annual guests. 

A successful " season" to the village and the hotels means 
a call for labor, for provisions, for teams, and secures to 
quite an extent remunerative employment to all the people 
of the town. The outlying portions of the town arc but 
the suburbs of the village, and when the village is pros- 
perous the suburbs are. 



999 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The statistical tables given in the general history show 
very clearly the productions of the town for the period 
named. 

IX.— MILITARY. 

During the War of the Revolution that portion of Sara- 
toga now constituting the town of Saratoga Springs can. 
scarcely be said to have been settled at all, and there are 
little or no reminiscences of Revolutionary interest to be 
given, except such as occur in the items relating to early 
settlement. It is said that one of the early log houses at 
the High Rock was of square timbers, built as a block-hou.se, 
and pierced for the use of guns in defense, if it should be 
necessary. 

The War of 1812 excited special public interest here, as 
it did in all this section, exposed as it was to a repetition 
of the Burgoyne campaign that had occurred thirty-five 
years before. Col. Searing states that Mr. Ham was a 
drummer in the service at that time. Mr. Danforth was 
also in the army of 1812. Doubtless there were many 
others, but it is exceedingly difficult to make a list that 
would be either complete or reliable. 

During the Mexican war a volunteer company was re- 
cruited here by Col. Plunkett, and its ranks were promptly 
filled. Its services were tendered to the government, but 
it was never called into the field. 

At the present time there is one citizen in tiie regular 
army, — Edgar Ham. 

The war of 1861-65 produced great military activity at 
Saratoga Springs. The action by the town was prompt 
and patriotic. A detailed account of the regiments formed 
will be found in the general history. The following list 
has been prepared from the roll in the office of the town 
cleik, from the printed muster-in rolls, and from the niu.s- 
ter-out rolls of the Seventy-seventh Regiment, in posse.>^siun 
of Colonel French. 

We prefiice it with the oflScial action taken by the town 
as found in the records. 

A meeting of the town board was held Friday, Oct. 16, 
18G3, to consider measures for the relief of families of volun- 
teers. Regulations were adopted with reference to granting 
such relief. Present : J. W. Crane, supervisor ; F. Height, 
town clerk ; William C. Barrett, Joseph D. Briggs, Esek 
Cowen, and Jerome B. Buekbee, justices of the peace. 

Another meeting for the same purpose is recorded under 
date of Dec. 16, 1863. 

At a special town-meeting, held March 24, 1864, rasolu- 
tions were adopted providing for the payment of a town 
bounty of S300 to each volunteer credited to the town. 
The supervisors were authorized to borrow a sum not ex- 
ceeding $20,000 for that purpose, payable in four equal 
installments of $5000 each. The town board were author- 
ized to borrow $1000 to continue the granting of relief to 
families of volunteers. Under these resolutions the town 
board, March 28, 1864, directed the borrowing of $10,000, 
and issued therefor ten bonds of $1000 each. 

May 14, 1864, the board directed the supervisor to bor- 
row $10,000 more for the same purpose. 

At a special town-meeting, June 23, 1864, resolutions 
were passed authorizing the town board to borrow such sum, 
not exceeding $30,000, as might be necessary to pay each 



volunteer, including expenses, the sum of $325 ; $1000 
was also voted for further relief to the families of volun- 
teers. 

Another special meeting, July 16, 1804, authorized the 
town board to fix the amount of bounty to be paid, and 
gave the power to borrow any sura necessary, not exceed- 
ing $30,000; also voted $1000 for further relief to the 
families of volunteers. 

The payment of bounty and expenses was extended to 
any person who should procure a substitute certified to by 
the provost-marshal of the district. 

At a special town-meeting, Aug. 15, 1864, the further 
sum of $50,000 was voted for the payment of bounties by 
the town board ; and the amount of bounty voted to be 
pjiid was $500 to each recruit for three years, $350 for 
two years, and $200 for one year. 

At a special town-meeting, Sept. 7, 1864, a bounty of 
$1000 for each volunteer was authorized, if they conlJ not 
be obtained for fes.s-, and this was also extended to any citi- 
zen who should procure a substitute; $130,000 was voted 
for this purpose. 

SOLDIERS' KECOnO,— lSOl-65. 

Francis I. Alien, eul. Oct. 13, 18i;l, TTth Ucgt, Co. C ; discb. for dis^ibility, Sept. 

24, 188:^. 
James H. Adams, enl. Sept. '28, 18Gl,77tli Kegt., Co.C; discli. forilii;ibilitj-, Feb. 

20, 1862. 
James .\. Andrews, enl. March 10, 1802, 7Tth Regt., Co. C, disch. Dec. .1, 1SG2. 
William Henry Austin, enl. Oct. 10, 1801, 77tb Eegt., Co. G; disch. for disability, 

Aug. 28, 1802. 
Reuben Alden, enl. Nov. 3, 1?G1, 77th Regt., Co. F; dis. Dec. 25, 1801 ; rc-enl. 

Dec. 20, 1864 ; died Feb. b, 186,'>. 
John Adams, Jr., enl. April 3U, 1801, Co. D, 3uth Regt.; left the service at Falls 

Church, Va. 
Reuben Alden (2d), enl. April 30, 18GI, 301h Regt., Co. D. 
.Tames M. Andrews {2d), enl. Blay 7. 18G1, SOtli Regt., 1st lieut.; in several 

battles, taken prisoner: disch. with regiment. 
Henry .\danis, enl. Sept. 1801, 5Jd Rejrt., nine months' service, Corp.; re-enl. 

.Vug. 0, 1862, lloth Ri'gt. ; wounded and di>cliarged. 
James W. Austin, enl. Sept. 14, 1804, 13lh Kegt. 
B. Alden, enl. June 1, 1804. 
John .\dkiiis, eul. Sept. 8, 1804. 
William Adkins, onl. Sept. 8, 1804. 

James F. Austin, enl. Ort.23, ISlil, 77tli Regt., Co. *; disch. Sept. 2), ISO!. 
Sylvester Andrews, enl. July 17, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
John Abbott, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77th Kegt., Co. E; left the service, July 12, 

180.i. 
William Beardsley, enl. Jlarch 10, 1802, 25lh Cav , Co. C. 
John Belts, enl. Oct. 14, lSOI,77th Regt., Co. C; accidentally wounded, and disch . 

Jan. 0, 1.803. 
Julius P. Bennett, enl. Sept. 18, 18G2, 77th Regt., Co. C ; disch. for disability, July 

IG, 186.i. 
Dennis S. Barringer, enl. Sept. 21, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; disch., and re-enl. 

same regiment, Dec. 24, 18G3. 
Charles II. Benedict, enl. Aug. 31, 1802,77th Regt., Co. C; disch. June 16,1865. 
John Henry Briggs, eid. Sept. 21, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. to Corp.; died of 

wounds received at Winchester, Sept. 19,1804; buried at Saratoga. 
Clarence Bruce, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. July 1, 1862, for 

dsability. 
Mansfield Bruce, eul. Sept. 27, 18Gl,77th Regt., Co. E. 
Halsey Bowo, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. E ; shot by accident, July 21 , 

1862, and died Aug. 10, 1802. 
Geoige Uuliard, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. E ; left the service, Jan. 20, 

1802. 
WiUuun H. Brown, enl. Oct. 12, 1801, 77tli Regt., 'Co. E ; sergeant; disch. April 

25, 1862, for disability. 
John W. Beliling. enl. Aug. 15, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. I ; 2d lieutenant ; pro. to 

1st lieut. March 19, 1863; died of wounds received at Cedar Creek, Oct. 

27, 1804. 
Jeremiah Baker, enl. .\.ug. 31, 1862, 77tli Regt., Co. E; wounded twice, and dis- 
charged. 
Herbert 11. Bryant, enl. April SO, 1801, 30th Eegt., Co. D; pro. to 1st sergt., 2d 

lieut , and dischaiged. 
Lewis Brassel, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D ; wounded at Fredericks- 
burg ; disch. June 18, lS6:i. 
Lester D. Bardwell, enl. April 30, 1861, 3]|h Regt , Co. D ; disth. June 18, 1S63. 
Peter Bell, enl. Feb. 19, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G; disch. June 21, 1S02. 



HISTOEY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



223 



George Bourne, enl. Dec. 1, 18Cl,"7th Kegt., Co. D ; died of fever at Yorktown, 

Miircli 1.5, 1862. 
Sanuiel Bui pee, enl. Sept 20, 1862, "Tth Ei'gt., Co. I; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

KPKt. 
Noimiin Bennett, enl. Jnly 1C,181J?, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Frederick Bennett, cnl. .Tuly 23, 1SU3, 2d Vet. CiVV., Co. F. 
Kojal B. Brown, cnl. July 20, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
James Burke, enl. .July 8, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. P. 
John Berigin, enl. July 8, 1S63, 2d Vet. Ciiv., Co. F. 
\Vm. 0. Bryant, enl. July 18, 1SC2, ll.ith Begt., Co. G. 
Cas.-ius 51. BnsI.eo, cnl. Aug. 12, 1SC2, ll5lh Regt., Co. F. 
R chard \. Bi-tts, •■nl. Jnly 31, 1S02, ll!Jtli Regt., Co. F. 
John A. Brown, cnl. April 30, 1861, .30th Regt., Co. D ; disch. June IS, 1863; 

re-cul. 2d Vet. Ciiv., Jnly 9, 1803. 
George V>\ Brisbin, enl. April 30, 1861, 30lh Regt., Co. D ; left the service, Dec. 

12, ISI-.l, 
EoUin D. Baker, enl. Ajiril 30, 1801, 3Uth Begt., Co. D ; left tlic service, Dec. 12, 

1S61. 
Luther Bingham, enl. Juno 12, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D ; pro. 2d sergt. ; disch. 

June 18, l.SG-i. 
Louis I. Brnso, cnl. April .30, ISCl, EOth Eegt., Co. D; t.aken prisoner at Bull 

Run, Atig. 30, 1862; disch. June 18, 1803. 
Wm. H. Brown (2d), enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; disch. July 8, ISGl. 
Alfred M. Baldwin, cnl. May 7, 1861, 301h Rc'gt., Co. F; discharged; re-enl. 2d 

Vet. Cav. ; killed in battle on the Red River expedition. 
Ambrose Blodgett, enl. May 7,1861, 30th Regt, Co. F; lelt the service from 

hospital. 
SpenciT I. Blanihard, cnl. May 7, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
John M. Beniiptt. enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F; re-enl. 2d Vet. Cav. 
Chail.'S Bacon, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 30th Regt., Co. G; in buttle of Ficdeiiiks- 

buig; d"sch. April, 1863. 
Lewi^ II. Balch, enl. Aug. 26, 1861, 30th Kegt., Co. G ; disch. for disability. 
Charles Blanchard, enl. Ang. 31, 1802, 30th Regt., Co. G ; trans, to 70th Regt. ; 

discharged. 
Elon Bollalil, eid. Oct. 1, 1802, 30th Regt., Co. G; disch. for ilisability. 
Cliailes K. Burnham, enl. Dec. 23, 1803, 77th Regt., «■. C; killed in action, 

May 0, 1^04. 
Erjkine B. Branch, enl. Oct. 10,1801,77th Kegt., Co. D; disch. for wounds, Sept. 

20, 1864; lost a leg. 
George Bellamy, enl. July 10, 1863 ; 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
John Boyd, enl. July 31, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Timothy Brophy, enl. Acg. 10, 1862, 116th Kegt., Co. G. 
Charles G. Bemens, enl. Aug. 12, 1''02, llolh B'-gt., Co. G. 
George Brooks, enl. Aug. 14, 1862. 115th Kegt, Co. G. 
Schuyler Buyce, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, llSth Regt., Co. G. 
Ania.sa Baitk-tt, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, Hoth Kegt., Co. G. 
Wm. H. Blackwood, enl. Ang. 12, 1862, 115th Eei;t., Co. G. 
George N. Blackwood, enl. Aug. U, 1862, llotli Regt., Co. G. 
Arthur L. Burns, enl. Oct. IS, 1862 ; ord. seigt. 4llth Regt. 
Norman Barnnm, enl. Ang. 28, 1802,30th Regt. ; tiaiiB. to 7Uth R'gt., and served 

out his time. 
Edgar 0. Burt, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. June 10, 1805. 
Dennis G. Bushnell, cnl. July 10, 1862, 77th Kegt. ; disabled by wound and disch. 
John Ballard, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 77th Regt. ; disch. Dec. 25, 1803. 
L. D. Bardwell, enl. Nov. 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C: in several battles; discli. 

Nov. 8, 1805. 
Samuel B. Burk, enl. Dec. 3, 1803, 161h H. Art., Co. A ; in several battles ; disch. 

Sept., 1865. 
Eichard A. Betts, enl. July 30, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
John Beach, enl. May 7, 1864 ; lost left leg in Initlle at Hatcher's Run. 
Smith Biill, enl. May, 1801, 30th Kegt., Co. F; disch.; re-enl. 2d Vet. Cav., Co. 

F, July 15, 1803. 
Miles T. Bliven, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D ; disch. Nov. 20, 1861 ; re- 
enl. 2d Vet. Cav., 1st lieut., Sept. 26, 1863 ; disch. Aug. 0, 1864. 
John Brainard, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77 th Regt., Co. D; disch. by writ — underage. 
William Beagle, enl. Oct. 30, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D, 
Richard Brewer, enl. July 28, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Silts B. Blowers, cnl. Aug. 9, 1802, 116th Regt., Co. G. 
Duncan Cameron, enl. in the 30th Regt. ; discharged ; enl. 2d Vet. Cav., Co. .\ ; 

pro. to dipt.; to niaj. ; lost his right arm at second Bull Run. 
Lewis E. Close, cnl. Sept. 11, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav.. Co. I ; killed at Ale.vandri.a. 
Enos Crandall, cnl. Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt.. Co. G. 
Michael Costello, enl. Aug. 10, 1802, 115tli Regt., Co. G. 
Paul Crand.all, enl. Aug. 11,1802, 115th R'-gt., Co. G. 
John Collins, enl. July -.8, 1802, llolh Regt., Co. G. 
Edward Curry, enl. Aug: 3, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Thomas Costello, cnl. July 20, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Wilbur M. Clark, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115th Kegt., Co. G; wagoner. 
Selden Colebridgp, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115lh Regt., Co. G; corporal. 
Patrick Colophy, cnl. Aug. 2, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G ; corporal. 
Hiram E. Collins, cnl. Aug. 4, 1862, listli Regt.,.Co. F. 
John Croate, cnl. Aug. 7, 1802, 116th Regt., Co. F. 
Thomas Casey, enl. Dec. 11, 181.1, 77tli Kegt., Co. H ; left the service. 
Henry B. Cluto, cnl. May, Isr.l, 301h Regt., Co. G. 
John G. Ca.-ey. enl. May, 1S61, 301li Regt., Co. G. 

John Henry Cozzins, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. C; disch. Jnno 4, 1806. 
Wm. Carlow, eul. Sept. 24, isiil, 77th Regt., Co. C; disch. Nov. 23, 1804. 



Augustus Cook, cnl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Kegt., Co. C ; disch. Oct. 29, 1802, for 

disability. 
Isaac D. Clapp, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; Corp., pro. to sergt.-niaj., 
Dec. 22, 1802 ; re-cnl. Dec. 29, 1803; pro. to capt. : wounded .\pril 2, 1805 ; 
disch. June 27, 1865. 
James E. Conse, enl. Sept. 29, 1801, 77tli Regt., Co. E ; disch. Sept 27, 1862, for 

disability ; re-enl. 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
James Church, enl. Feb. 1,1862, 77th Regt, Co. E; disch. April 25, 1804, for dis- 

aidlity. 
Simon Gary, enl. Oct. 8, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. E ; wounded Slay 3, 1803; disch. 

June 27, 1865. 
Albeit Close, enl. Oct. 10, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G; musician ; disch. March 23, 

1863. 
Charles Cook, enl. Doc. 7, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. D; trans, to 77th Vet Bat 
John I. Cameron, enl. Nov. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F ; 2d lieut. ; died of disease, 

INIay 6, 1862. 
Isaac L. Crook, enl. April 30,1861,30th Kegt, Co. D; discli. March 31, 1803. 
riatt Clute, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt, Co. D ; di-ch. March 4, 1802, for dis- 
ability. 
Richard C. Cary, enl. April .30, 1801, 30th Regt, Co. D; disch. Juno 18, 1803, 

and re-cul. in 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
James M. Colo, Jr., enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 30th Regt . Co. C ; trans, to 7Gth Regt. 

and served out his lime. 
Wm. R. Chase, enl. Sept 1, 1862,30th Kegt., Co.C; disch. for disab lity. 
George W. Carnigan, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th R-gt, Co. E ; died of lover, Ju'y 

1, 1803. 
Henry Cbiytou, enl. Oct. 4, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. E; wounded Oct 19, 1804; 

lost a leg. 
James Church, enl. Feb. 1, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. E; disch. for disability, April 

22, 1864. 
John H. Cozzens, enl. Aug. 3, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. C; trans, to Vet Bat, 

77th Regt. 
Daniel Casey, enl. 4lth Kegt. ; killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 1803. 
Timothy Conners, enl. Aug. 15,1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Timothy Cady, enl. July 23, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
William Checiiey, eul. July 30, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Theron Conkiin, cnl. Aug. 3, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Lewis E. Close, enl. Sept. 11 , 1803, 2d Vet Cav., Co. I ; killed in the Red River 

expedition. 
Thomas Cochrane, enl. June 16, 1804, 25th Cav., Co. C. 
James Connelly, enl. May 7, 1801, 30th Regt, Co. E ; served his time ; in many 

battles; disch. with regiment; re-enl. 2d Vet Cav. 
Thomas Clark, enl. M.ay 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
Michael Casey, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Kegt, Co. F; wounded in hand and 

discharged. 
George R. Chase, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 30th Regt., Co. G ; disch. for disability. 
Selden C. Clabiidge, enl. Aug. 26, 1862, 1st lieut in 115th Regt; wounded in 

knee and lost right arm. 
Patrick Curr.m, cnl. .\ug. 1 1, 1862, 115th Regt. ; disch. and re-eiil. in 25th Cav. 
James Curran, enl. Feb. 1801, 13th Art. 
John W. Case, cnl. Aug. 16, 1863, 47th Regt; wounded; prisoner at Anderson- 

viUe ; exchanged and discharged. 
Richard Clary, enl. Nov. 1863, 2d Cav.; in several battles an 1 disch. with his 

regiment, Nov. 8, 1865. 
Obed M. Coleman, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77lh Regt., 2d sergt.; disch. June 16, 

1865. 
Wm. Cole, cnl. May 7, 1801, .30th Regt., Co. D. 
Bi-njamin Cratidell, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt, Co. D. 
Wm. Conkiin, enl. May, 1861, 30tli Regt., Co. D. 
Thomas Cahill, enl. May, 1801, 30th Kegt., Co. F. 
Michael Clerman, enl. May, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
George M. Close, enl. Oct 10, 1861, 77tb Kegt, Co. G ; died at Camp Griffln, 

March 12, 1862. 
James L. Degraff, enl. Dec. 10, 1861, 77tli Regt, Co. D ; disch. for disability, 

Jan. 24,1862. 
Ruloff H. Deyoe, cnl. -iug. 30, 1S62, 77tli Regt., Co. I) ; disch. for disability, 

April 16, 1863. 
John N. Deloff, cnl. Sept. 7, 1863, 2d Regt. Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Jacob A. Deyoe, cnl. Aug. 7, 1863, 2d Kegt. Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Wm. Dutcher, enl. Nov. 12, 1863, 2d Regt Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Wm. Dingman, enl. Nov. 27, 1803, 2d Regt Vet Cav., Co. L. 
Elijah Dean, Jr., eul. Aug. 14, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 

Charles Davis, cnl. June 2, 1802, 77th Kegt, Co. C; disch. May 29, 1862, for dis- 
ability. 
John Henry Derby, cnl. Feb. 5, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. C; disch. Aug. 26, 1862. 
John B. Darrow, enl. .\ug. 31, 1862, 77th Begt., Co. C ; died of wounds in the 

Wilderness, May 0, 1864. 
Alexander Dunn, eul. Oct. 29, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. C ; left the service at Sara- 
toga, Oct 30, 1801. 
Darius L. Davis, enl. Oct 22, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. C ; left the service, Feb. 28, '63. 
Henry C. Darrow, cnl. in 77th Regt, Co. G ; died of wounds received May 14, '64. 
Andrew J. Doweii,enl. Sept 24,1861, 77th Begt., Co. H ; in several battles, and 

disch.; re-enl. in same regiment, and killed in battle, July 12, 1804. 
John II. D.iwon, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77 Ih Riigt, Co. I; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th 

Kegt 
William I)<oven, Jr., eul. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. I ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 
77tli Regt. 



224 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Barnett Dovven, enl. Aug. 23, ISO'2, "Tth Kegt., Co. I; trans, lo Vet. Bat., 77th 

Re-t. 
John D. Dowen, piil. Aug. SO, 180-2, 77th Bogt., Co. I; trans, to Vet. But., 771h 

Rej;t. 
Josiah Dowcn, enl. .Vii,^. :ill, 1SG2, 77(h Regt., Co. I; left the service, .Ian. 20, 

1SG3. 
Seth Duel, enl. Sept. 15, 1862, 77tli Regt., Co. I ; left the service, Jan. 20, ISO.'i. 
George W. Dingnian, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 77tli Regt., Co. E ; disch. Dec. 2.'), 186:1 ; 

re-enl. in same leginient; <tiscli. .Inly 2, 180.'). 
William D. Doolitlle, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D; disch. Juno 18, 1863. 
William Doe, enl. Sept. 28, 1861, .30th Regt., Co. D ; re-enl. and died in the 

service. 
Wm. II. Uo.voe, enl. Sept. 10, 1302, 77th Regt., Co. E ; killed at Fredericksburg, 

May 3, 1863. 
Chester Dowi), enl. Nov. 30, 186I,77t!i Regt., Co. D; died .1I.iy 11, 1862, of fever, 

iit Camp Griffin. 
Michael Danliy, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. I. 
George Derhy, Jr., enl. July 8, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Edwin Delong, enl. July 10, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav , Co. F. 
Beecher Deniing, enl. July 27, 186^1, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Hor.ice Deniing, enl. July 2.'i, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
John M. Dnhois, enl. Ang. 11, 1802, lloth Regt., Co. G. 
Charles B. Deland, enl. Ang. 11, 1802, ll.itli Kegt., Co. G. 
John Deyoe, enl. Ang. 28, 1804. ll.itli Regt., Co. G; corporal. 
Wm. Divine, enl. Oct. l.~t, 1801, 77111 Regt., Co. H; missed in action. 
John Dumph.v, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co.F: disch. Jnne IS, 1303; re-enl. 

in 2d Vet. Cav., Ang. 2o, 1803. 
John Digman, enl. May 7, 1801,30th Regt., Co. F; killed at Bull Run, Ang. 

29, 1SC2. 
Thomas Dnnnigan, enl. May 7, 1861, 301h Regt., Co. F; killed at Bull Run, 

Aug. 30, 1802. 
Jacob A. Deyoe, enl. May 7, 1801, 30tb Regt., Co. F; wounded and ilisch. June 

18, 1803. 
Patrick Dolan, enl. Dec. 2-3, 1803, 77tli Regt., Co. C; in many battles; disch. 

with regiment; since died. 
Thomas Delany, enl. Dec. 23, 1803, 77th Kegt., Co. C; in several battles; taken 

prisoner, exchanged, and disch. with his regiment. 
James DenelTe, enl. Sept. 1, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A : died of fever, Sept. 1, 1863. 
John Donahue, enl. Aug. 5, 1S02, 115th R.gt., Co. F. 
Peter Davis, enl. .'iug., 1802, 115th Regt. 
Samuel E. Davis, enl. Dec. 10, 1S61 ; 77tli Regt., Co. D ; in all the battles of his 

regiment ; pro. corporal, and disch. Dec. 28, 1804. 
Chas. W. Derby, enl. Sept. 2i, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; trans, to Invalid Corps, 

Sept. 1, 1863. 
George Denel, enl. May, 1861, 30lh Regt., Co. D. 
Eli Dieti;, enl. May, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D. 
Wm. H. Dwyer, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77tli Regt., Co. D. 
John E. L. Deuel, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Kegt., Co. D; trans, to Signal Corps, 

Aug. 23, 1803. 
James Evans, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; left the service, July 14, 

1803, at Boston Mills. 
Harry W. Eggleston, enl. Slay 7, 1801, 30lh Kegt., Co. F; taken [irisoner; e.x- 

changed and discharged, 
Theodore Egglestou, enl. Oct. 1, 1.861, 30th Regt,, Co. F; di*ch. June 18, 1803. 
George Elliott, enl. Aug. 11, 1863, 8;lii Regt. ; trans, to 97th Regt. 
Jarvis Eniigh, enl. Oct. 23, 1801, 03d Kegt. ; wounded and disch. for that cause. 
Oliver Evans, enl. July 28, 1862, 115tli Regt., Co. G. 
Charles Esmond, enl. 44th Regt.; disch. for disability. 
Clarence E. Elems, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
Charles Elems, enl. May, 1801, 30lh Regt., Co. F. 
James Fames, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; left the service, July 14, 

1863. 
Gilbert Edmonds, enl. July 10, 1862, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Sampson Ellis, enl. July 23, lS62,llcth Regt., Co. G. 

Austin Elmer, enl. Aug. 31, lS62,77tli Regt, Co. C; trans, to Vet Bat., 77th Regt. 
Andrew J. Freeman, enl. May, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D. 
John W. Freeman, enl. May, 1801, 3oth Regt., Co. D. 
George S. Freeman, enl. May, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D ; left the service, Jan. 20, 

1862. 
Charles Fitzgerald, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
Wm. Flood, enl. Feb. 19, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. I ; died of fever, at White House, 

June 23, 1802. 
Lawrence Funk, enl. Oct. 4, 1802, 77tli Regt , Co. E ; left the service, Nov. 16, 

1862. 
Clinton B. Fay, enl. Sept. 30, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G ; corp. ; disch. May 10, 1862. 
Thomas S. Fowler, enl. Nov. 7, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; pro. q.-m. serg., April 3, 

1802. 
John W. Fay, enl. Nov. 20, 1S61, "7th Regt., Co. D ; pro. hospital steward, Nov. 

20, 1801. 
Lucas A. Folinsbee, enl. July 15, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
John Flaherty, enl. July 10, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Wm. Foley, enl. Ang. 7, 180 i, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
An.irew M. Franklin, enl. Dec. 3, 1803, 2d Vet Cav., Co. L; capt. 
Henry D. FoiUush, enl. March 19, 1804, 2d Vet. Cav., CVj. C; 2d lieut. 
Charles Fryer, enl. Aug. 14, lSli2, 115th R'gt., Co. F. 
Michael Fitzgibbons, enl. July 29, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Wm. Foyle, enl. Sept. 16, 1801, 771h Regt., Co. U ; died Aug. 4, 1802, at Harri- 
son's Landing. 



Edward H. Fuller, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C; wounded May 3, 1803, 

at Fredericksburg ; discli. Juno 10, 1865. 
Leonard Fletcher, enl. Oct. 23, 1801, 77th Uegt., Co. H, Corp. ; pro. sergt. ; disch. 

Dec. 13, 1804. 
Winsor B. French, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Ist lieut. Co. D ; appointed 

adj.; pro. to major. Jnly 18, 1862; wounded at Fort Stevens and Fisher's 

Hill ; pro. to col. and brev. brig. -gen.; mustered out with regiment, Dec. 

13,1864. 
Horatio Neilson Finch, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; served out his 

time; re-enl. in 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Francis W. Fletcher, col. May 7. 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F: killed at Bull Run, 

Aug. .30, 1862; buried on the field. 
George Farrar, enl. Aug. 20, 1802, llotli Regt., 2d lieut.; pro. to 1st lieut. Oct. 

;'0, 1802 ; resigned Slarch 4, 1803. 
Andrew M. Franklin, enl. l»t lieut. May 7, ISOl, 30th Regt., Co. F. ; disch. 

Sept. 11, 1802. 
Jacob A. Garcy, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 

James Oailor, enl. Aug. o, 1804, 75th Regt., Co. G; d'sch. Sept. 10, 1865. 
Joel G. Gailor, enl. May, 1862, llolh Regt. 
Clarence F. Gooilspeed, enl. Aug., 1803, 2d Vet. Cav. ; disch. 
Stephen H. Guest, enl. Aug. 20, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C; died Jan. 14, 1863, at 

White Oak Church. 
Henry G. Guruey, enl. Oct. 10, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G, discb. April, 1863. 
Henry Gilbert, eul. Aug. 31, lSO:t, •2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Sniilii J. Guruey, enl. Jnne 27, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F, captain. 
Frank Gilbert, eul. July 8, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
David H. Graves, enl. July 22, 1802, 115tli Regt., Co. O. 
Elijah H. (Jarner, enl. July 22, 1802, llotli Uegt., Co. F. 
John A. Gilbert, enl. Aug. 12, 180i, 115th Kegt., Co. G. 
George Henry Gillia, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77lh Regt., t'o. C; pro. sergt. and 2il 

lieut, ; trans, to Co. G ; wounded at Winchester; disch. Dec. 13, 1804. 
George Gicii, enl. Sept. 'Z", 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. E; pro. curp. ; wounded twice ; 

disch. Dec. 13, ISOt. 
Trninaii 1. Gilbert, eul. Nov. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G; a prisoner at Aniler- 

sonville; exchanged and discharged. 
John A. Gazley, enl. Feb. 12, 1802, 77th Kegt., Co. G; afterwards trans, to Cav. 

Regt. ; pro. lieut. 
Lorenzo Gregory, eul. Oct. 26, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. Dec. 20, 180 i. 
Charles H. Gots, enl. Aug. 3, 1802, 77th Kegt., Co. I; a prisoner at .\udei-son- 

ville ; served through the war, and disch. June 16, 1805. 
James Goss, enl. June IS, 1801, 30th Kegt, Co. D; disch. Sept 7, 1801, for dis- 
ability. 
SaniuelGilbert, enl. Apiil 30, 1861,30th Regt., Co. D; disch.; reentered 'Jd Vet. 

Lav. ; died from wounds received in battle. 
James Green, enl. Sept. 27,1801, 30th Regt., Co. D ; re-enlisted ; died in service; 

body brought home. 
Horace B.Gilbert, enl. May 7, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. F; disch. Jnne IS, 1803; re- 
enlisted in 2d Vet. Cav, 
David 11. Graves, enl. Aug. 13, 1862, 115th Regt., 2d lieut. ; pro. 1st lieut. ; 

wounded ; trans, to 47th Regt; disch. Aug. 30, 1805. 
James Garry, Jr., enl. Feb. 24, 1805. 
Loilwick S. Green, enl, Aug, 1862, 115th Regt,, Co, F, 
Thomas Greenleal, enl, Oct, at, 1861, 1st Bat.; injured and disch, 
J. T. Goodspeeo. enl. Dec. 8, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav. ; died in hospital, Feb. 28, 1804 
Joseph W. Height, enl. July 31, 1862, lljtb Regt., Co. G. 
Benjamin B. Hyde, enl. Aug. 1, 1802, lloth Kegt., Co. G. 
Elisha Hewitt, enl. Ang. 0, 1802, 115tb Regt., Co. G. 
Dennis lieenan, enl. July M, 180J, 115th Kegt., Co. G. 
George Uagadurn, eul. -\ug. 12, 1862, 115th Kegt., Co. G. 
John H. Uoughlon, eul. Aug. 0, 1802, lloth Regt., Co. G. 
Hal ui.iu Hiigadorn, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Jolin Hardy, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Griffiu Uaigbt, enl. July 31, 1802, 115th Kegt., Co. F. 
Jerome Hudson, enl. Oct. 21, IbOl, 77th itegt., Co. F. 

John W. Ham, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77tU Kegt., Vu. F; killcil June 2S, 1662. 
Edwin Ham, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77lh Kegt., Co. D ; pro. corp, ; taken prisoner 

June 28, 1802. 
Smito Heirick, enl. Sept. 23, 1801, 77lh Kegt., Co. C; died of pneuiuuiiia at 

Washington, June 22, 1802. 
Benjamin A, Harr.ngton, eul, Dec, 23, 1803, 77th Kegt., Co. C ; transf. to Vet. 

Bat., 77tli Regt. 
Richard Hutchings, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D. 
Elia> Hunter, eul. Nov. 9, 1801, lu the Navy. 
Charles U. Hodges, enl. Oct. 22, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. C; wounded at Yorktown; 

disch. Nov. -9, 1802. 
Francis W. Horlon, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Cj. C; transferred to Invalid 

Coi'lis ; disch. Nov. 23, 1804. 
William Hall, enl. Nov. 21, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. for disability, Feb. 

11, 1863. 
James R. Hiuds, enl. March 3, 1802, 77th Kegt., Co. E; served through the 

war; disch. June 16, 1865. 
James Uendrick, eul. Aug. 31, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. E; promoted corp. ; killed 

in battle at Fredericksburg, May 3, 1803. 
Delos Hammond, eul. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. G ; in several battles ; disch. 

June 10,1805, 
Warren C, Hall, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. G ; wounded May 3, 1803 ; 

trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



225 



Myron B. Hall, ea\. Oct. 28, 1861, 77tli Best., Co. D ; detailed to -Vntletam hos- 
pital, Sspt. 17, 1862; iliscli. Dec. 1:), 1864. 
Heciry Haas, onl. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. E; killi^J at .\ntietam, Supt. 

17, 1862. 
William II. Hall, cnl. April 30, 1861,30th Regt.,Co. D; discharged; since died. 
Jefferson J. Hyde, enl. April 30, 1861,30th Regt., Co. D; served through the 

war; promoted sergt.; disch. June 18, 186.5. 
Cliarles N. Hall, enl. April 30, 1801, 3Uth Bjgt., Co. D ; diich. for disaliility, 

March 30, 1862. 
James G. Hall, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; disch. Juno l.s, 1863. 
Charle* Hudson, onl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D. 
William H. Hoffman, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Itegt., Co. D; disch. for disahility, 

Jan. 7, 1S62. 
Wra. J. Hammond, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G; disch. with regiment. 

Doc. 13, 1864. 
Thomas Hoey, eul. Sept. 18, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E, trans, to Vet. Battalion, 77th. 
James R, Hinds, enl. 5[arch 3, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th. 
Alexander Hays, enl. Feb. 6, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G; trans, to Battery. 
William Huffman, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. D; died July 20, 1863, of 

chronic diarrhcea. 
Aaron Hase, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D; died Dec. 31, 1862. 
Jonathan Hopkins, enl. Oct. 22, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. for disability, 

Jan. 25, 1S02. 
Horace Hamell, onl. Aug. 14, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
John Hall (2d I, enl. Aug. 26, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Henry Hunt, enl. Aug. 7, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Harmon Holt, enl. May, iscl, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
William Hays, enl. June 25, 1801, -lOth Regt., Co. D ; wounded at Bull Run ; 

di<ch. June 18, 1863. 
John H. Hudson, enl. Feb. 11, 1802, 30th Regt , Co. D ; disch. June 18, 1863. 
Hiram Hendrick, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. ; disch. for disability. 

Doc. 5, 1862. 
Henry Hagerdon, eul. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F; dead. 
Alden S. Uuling, enl. March 4, 1862, 30th Regt., Co. F; served with the regi- 
ment, and disch. June 18, 1803. 
Edward M. Holcomb, enl. Sept. 2,1862, 30th Regt., Co. G; disch. fur dis- 
ability. 
John Handley, enl. Aug. 25, 1862, 30th Regt., Co. G. 
James H. Hulsted, enl. Dec. 25, 1863, 77tb Regt., Co. F; served through the 

war; disch. July 2, 1865. 
Joel Hays, enl. Aug. 14, 1802, 44th Regt.; wounded and discharged. 
James H. Hudson, onl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77lh Regt., Co. F ; disch. Sept. 10, 1802. 
Christopher C. Hill, enl Sept. 22, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. E; captiiin; resigned. 
Edmund J. Huling, commissioned its acting assistant paymaster, U. S. navy, 

June, 1864 ; served on the S.S. '* Huntress," in Mississippi squadron, un- 
til Aug. 1865 ; returned home and honorably discharged. 
Ferdinand Height, paymaster's steward, U. S. navy ; served on the S. S. " Hun 

tress" from June 16, 1804, to Aug. 1865. 
Clias. W. Hemingway, enl. May, IS61,3l)th Regt., Co. D. 
George Ingersoll, enl. Sept. 1861, 44th Regt. 
George W. Xngersoll, enl. Feb. 21, 1862; 77th Regt, Co. G ; trans, to Veteran 

Battalion, 77th. 
James B. Johnson, enl. Oct. 29, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. Dec. 13, 1864. 
Frederick U. Jordan, eul. April 30, 1801, 30tli Regt., Co. D; dis. June 18, 1863. 
Horace L. Jordan, enl. Feb. 9, 1862, 30th Regt., Co. F ; left the service, June 

19, 1802. 
David E. Johnson, enl. July 21, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G ; sergt.; disch. from 

hospital Jan. 1863. 
Jepthah Juhnsun, Jr., enl. July 24, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Enoch I. Johnson, enl. Aug. 3, 1862, llSth Regt., Co. G. 
Henry Johnson, enl. Feb. 1864, 25th Cav. 
Frank H. Juncket. enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E ; disch. Dec. 6, 1862, 

for disability. 
Beiyamin F. Judson, enl. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Regt., Co. C; appointed capt. ; 

resigned March 20, 1802. 
Michael Jennings, enl. July 30, 1862, llSth Regt., Co. G. 
Harvey Jones, eul. Oct. 14, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D ; left the service, Sept. 22, 

1862. 
John G. Kitchncr, enl. Sept. 24,1861,77th Regt., Co. C; pro. to sergt ; disch. 

Dec. 23, 1803; re-enl. ; wounded twice ; disch.; since died. 
Peter Knickerbocker, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77tli Regt., Co. G ; killed in battle at 

Fredericksburg, fllay 3, 1863; body brought home for burial. 
William Kirapton, eld. .Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Cii. C; in several battles; 

disch. Dec. 23, 1863, and re-enl. same regt. ; died ot wounds. May IS, 1864 ; 

buried on field of Spott^ylvania. 
William Kelly, enl. June 23, 1801 ; 1st sergt. 53d Begl. 
Thumas Kelly, enl. Jan., 1804, 25th R"gt. 

John Kelly, onl. Aug. 31. 1864,16th Heavy Art.; disch. for disability. 
Horace Kelly, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D; left the service, June 15, 

1862. 
Robert Keith, enl. June 12, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D ; taken prisoner; exchanged 

and discharged, June 18, 1863. 
Morris Kelly, enl. Jlay, 1861, 30tli Regt., Co. D. 
Daniel W. Kendall, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
John Kennedy, enl. July 27, 1802, lloth Regt., Co. G. 
Charles Ketchum, enl. March 11, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I ; died of foverat FIsIht's 

Station, Aug. 31, 1862. 

29 



Peter Knickerbocker, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 78th Regt., Co. E; killed at Fredericks- 
burg, May 3, 1S63. 
Peter Kenjp, enl. Sept. 1801, 44th Regt. 

Martin Lowery, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G ; died Dec. 29, 1861. 
David W. Langiion, enl. Aug. 7, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
George Laurence, enl. March 7, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. C. 
Peter Lyons, enl. March 8, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. C. 
JIartin De Lacture, enl. July 20, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Joseph Larose, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
James A. Lee, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Alexander Lee, enl. .^ug. 12, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
(ieorge B. Lyons, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G; Corp. 
Lulher M. Loper, enl. Aug. 6, 1862, 116th Regt., Co. G; sergt. 
Francis Leroy, enl. Aug 6, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Edwaril Lorance, enl. Dec. 9, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. H. 
Oscar F. Lockwood, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C ; sergt. ; disch. with 

the regt., Dec. 13, 1864. 
George Laney, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. 0. 

John Layan, onl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77lh Regt., Co. C; left the service, July 10, '63. 
John La Clare, enl. Sept. 17, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. Jan. 6, 1863, for 

disability. 
Joseph H. Lovoland, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K; pro. capt., Oct. 2, 

1863; disch. Dec. 13, 1864. 
Edwin Lawrence, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. H; disch. Dec. 25, 1863; re- 
enl. in same regiment, and disch. July 2, 1864. 
James M. Lowery, onl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; killed at Bull Run, 

Aug. 30, 1862, and buried on the battle-field. 
Timothy Lowery, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D; disch. June 18, 1803; 

re-enl. and died. 
Francis Le Clerk, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D; killed at Bull Run, 

Aug. 30, 1802, and buried on the battle-field. 
James H. Leggett, enl. June 30, 1801, 20th Regt., Co. D; disch. for disability; 

re-enl.; taken prisoner, and died at Andersonville. 
Franklin B. Lawrence, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 3Uth Regt., Co. D; killed in action, 

Aug. 30, 1802, and buried on the field. 
John Lowery, enl. Oct. 1, ISOl, 3llth Regt., Co. F; disch. for disability. May 22, 

1862. 
William A. Langdon, enl. Sept. 18, 1802, 30th Regt., Co. G; left the service. 
Frank Loveland, enl. .May, 1801, 3l)tli Regt., Co. D. 
Andrew M. Lee, cnl. May, 1801, 30th Eegt., Co. D. 
David McNeil, enl. Sept. 5, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. E; killed in tho Wilderness, 

May 6, 1804. 
John G. Michaels, enl. Nov. 8, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; left the service, Nov. 9, 

1801. 
Herman McPherson, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 7nh Regt., Co. D; disch. Jan. 20, '64. 
Andrew McIIwain, enl. Sept. 12, 1862, 77lh Regt., Co. D; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt. 
Florence McCarty, enl. March 5, 1864, 'aSth Cav., Co. C. 
Nicholas D. Maffltt, enl. March 19, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. C; captain. 
Levi Mcintosh, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
Juhn J. Monroe, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D; trans, to 10th U. S. Inf., 

Jan. 10, 1863. 
William H. Monroe, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for disability, 

Jan. 7, 1862. 
Ira McNeil, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for disability, Sept. 22, 

1802. 
George B. Mingay, enl. April 28, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; pro. Corp.; disch. Jan. 

15, 1803. 

Warren B. Miller, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; in sevenal battles; 
disch. Dec. 13, 1864. 

Allen McLean, enl. Oct. 11, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; wounded in the Wilder- 
ness; disch. Dec. 13, 1864. 

Wm. H. McClean, onl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C ; jiro. Corp.; disch. Oct. 

16, 1802. 

John D. McDonald, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; disch. July, 1862. 

John Miller, enl. Oct. 23, 1861, 44th Regt., Co. C ; disch. Dec. 21, 1803. 

James McDonaldson, cnl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C ; left the service Sept. 

22, 1862. 
Edward Marsham, enl. Oct. 16, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C. 
Patrick McDonald, cnl. Oct. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. for disability, 

June 21, 1862; since died. 
Wm. McGovern, enl. Sept. 28, 1801,77th Regt., Co.E; disch. for wounils at 

Antietam, Nov. 21, 1862 ; re-enl. 2d Vet. Cav. 
Wm. McDade, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; pro. Corp. ; killed May 15, 

1865. 
Michael McDade, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co.E; died of fever in Vir- 
ginia, March 17, 1803. 
Wm. JlcCall, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F ; disch. Dec. 30, 1863 ; re-cnl. 

same regiment, and disch. July 2, 1865. 
James B. McKean, enl. Oct. 14, 1861, 77th Regt.; appointed col.; resigned for 

disability, July 16, 1863. 
James Minnick, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for wounds at 

Fredericksburg, June 18, 1803. 
Wm. McDade, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; pro. Corp., Aug. 25, 1864; 

trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. 
Peter Murphy, onl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 



226 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Charles Myers, enl. Aug. 3, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 

Wm. McGoTerii, en). Jill.v 30, 1S63, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 

Justus J. May, enl. Aug. 12, 1S02, 115th Begt., Co. F. 

Kiley Miller, eul. Oct. 28, 18C1. "7lh Regt., Co. C -, disch. Dec. 21, 18G3. 

Allen McLain, enl. Oct. 11, 1861, 77th Ecgt., Co. 0; disch. Dec. 13, 1864. 

George Moore,enl. May, 186!, 30th Begt., Co. F. 

Edward McNary, enl. May, 18H, 30th Regt., Co. F. 

Peter McCue, enl. May, 1801, 30lh Eegt., Co. F. 

George H. Miller, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt, Co. D. 

Hiram Myers, enl. May, 1861, 30th Begt., Co. D. 

Isaac Myers, eul. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D. 

Lafayette Myers, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D. 

Alexander Martin, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Begt., Co. D ; disch. June 18, 1863. 

William L. Monroe, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D ; left the service, June 

18, 18G2. 
Charles C' Morehouse, enl. Sept. 14, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for disahility. 
Adreal Moore, enl. March 4, 18C2, 30tli Regt., Co. D ; discharged. 
William Marshall, enl. Sept. 1, 1862,30th Regt., Co. C; disch. for disahility, 

1863. 
George Moore, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
William M.irrison, enl. Sept. 1, 1862, 3()tli Regt., Co. G; discharged. 
George H. Morris, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 30th Kegt., Co. G ; disch. for disability. 
John H. Marston, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; appointed 1st lieut., 

resigned Feb. 14, 1S62. 
Junies Mingay, enl. Aug. 6, 1862, llolh Regt., Co. F; discharged. 
Thomas Mathew, Jr., eul. 2d Vet. Cav. ; served through, and disch. Nov. 8,1865. 
Michael McCormick, wounded three times and lost his left leg. 
Moses Milliman, enl. March 1.3, 1S64. 
Krastns Mitchell, enl. Sept. 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F; wounded in Bed River 

expedition ; disch. Nov. 8, 1865. 
John W. Murray, enl. Sept. 16, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav.; disch. for wounds in Red 

River campaign. 
John C. Marston, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; appointed 1st lieut.; 

resigned Feb. 14, 1862. 
Joseph Muirer, enl. Sept. 24, 1S61, 77th Regt., Co. E, Corp.; killed at Antietam, 

Sept. 17, 1802. 
George McGovern, enl. Sept. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E ; taken prisoner, June 
27,1862; exchanged, July 30, 1862 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1864, and joined the 
regular army. 
Tunis Ncsbitt, enl. Oct. 30, 1861, 77th Begt., Co. D; disch. for disability, June 

24, 1862. 
Austin Nash, enl. July 20, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav . Co. C. 
Martin V. Norton, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; sergt. ; takeu prisoner; 

died of wounds. June 2, 1864. 
Charles Nev.ns, enl. Nov. 6, 1861, 7th Vet. Art. 

Martiu Nash, enl. Feb. 17, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G; died June 18, 1862. 
Thomas Oslrander, enl. Dec. 19, 1863, 26tli ftiv. 
John Obein, enl. 1862, 123d Eegt. 
John Ohereri, enl. 38th Regt. 
Frederick N. Owen, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I; in all the battles of 

the 77tli Regt. from his eulistuient to his disch., June 16, 1865. 
Samuel O&burn. enl. Dec. 25, 1863, 77th Kegt., Co. F ; disch. with regiment, 

July 2, 1805. 
Thonuis I'utnam, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th. 
John R. Place, enl. Aug. 8, 1802, llolh Regt., Co. G. 
Abram Price, enl. Aug. 8,1802, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
George H. Putnam, enl. July 31, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G. 
George H. Potts, enl. Aug. 12, lSt2, lloth Regt.. Co. G ; musician. 
Charles Phelps, enl. May. 1861, 3lUh Regt., Co. F. 
George Pitkin, eul. May, 1861, 30th Begt., Co. F. 
Nathan G. Phelps, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
Hemy F. Putnam, enl. May, 1801, 30tli Regt., Co. D. 
Edwald S. Pearsall, ^il. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C ; disch. Dec. 28, 1862, 

for disability. 
John Patterson, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. C ; 2d lieut., pro. to 1st lieut. ; 

resigned Sept. 8, 1862, for disability. 
Emmett J. Patterson, enl. Sept. 25, 1861, 77th Begt., Co. C ; pro, to 2d lieut. May 

11, 1862; resigned Dec. 18, 1862. 
Stephen H.Pierce, enl. Aug. 22, 1862, 77tli Eegt., Co. C; pro. to 1st lieut.; killed 

before Eiclimond, April 2, 1865 ; brought home for burial. 
George E. Pulling, enl. Aug. 25, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D ; wounded twice ; trans. 

to Vet. Bat., 77th ; discharged. 
John L. Perry, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Eegt.; surgeon ; resigned Feb. 1, 18G.i. 
James Plunkett, enl. June 8, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; killed at Antietaui, Sept. 

17, 1S62. 
George Pitkin, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F; disch. April 1, 1S02. 
Hugh J. Pattereun, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 30th Eegt., Co. O ; trans, to 76th Eegt. 
Wm. Poucher, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 30th Regt., Co. G. 
Merviii G. Putnam, enl. April 30, 1861, 30tli Regt., Co. D ; appointed 1st lieut. ; 

resigned Jan. 12, 1862. 
Albert J. Perry, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F; capt., pio. to maj. Oct. 29, 

1862; disch. with the regiment June IS, 1863. 
Hiram .\ugustus Peck, enl. Oct. 14, 1861, Olh Cav., Co. 1. ; disch. Aug. 16, 1865. 
Wm. C. Putnam, eul. July 1, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav. 
Wm. Pntn.im, enl. Sept. 13, 1S04, 134th Regt. 
Jerome Purdy,enl. May, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. H. 
John M. Putnam, eul. Sept. 13, 1864, 1341 h Regt. 



George F. Peruvielli, enl. Nov. 11, 1861, 77th Begt., Co. E; disch. for wonnds 

at Antietam, Nov. 21, 1862. 
Robert S. Prior, enl. Aug. 1862, 115th Begt. 

Horatio G. Peck, enl. Oct. 12, 1861, 77tb Eegt., Co. F; disch. July 2,1862. 
Albert I. Quimby, enl. Nov. 11, 1862, 1st BiHe Corps. 
Simeon D. Russell, enl. Aug. 29, 1862, 77th Begt., Co. D ; killed June 3, 1864, at 

Cold Harbor. 
George B. Beno, enl. Sept. 16, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th. 
John Redmond, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, !15th Begt., Co. G. 

John Bose, enl. Feb. 13, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G ; left the service, June 24, 1862. 
Gilbert N. Bose, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. G ; died May 5, 1802. 
Sherman Raymond, enl. July 10, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
John Reed, enl. .\ng. 11, 1862, 115th Rejit., Co. G. 

Simeon W. Rowley, enl. Sept. 10, 1'61, 77th Regt., Co. H ; died Nov. 6, 1862. 
Gideon M. Rowley, enl. Sept. 28, 1S61, 77th Regt., Co. H; killed at Antietam, 

Sept. 17. 1862. 
Henry C. Rowland, eul. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E; pro. to 1st lieut.; 

wounded in the Wilderness; disch. Dec. 13, 1864. 
George R. Reno, enl. Sept. 16, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. June 16, 1865. 
Orriu E. Engg, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G ; pro. to Ist lieut., also capt., 

and killed in battle. May 10, 1SG4. 
Charles 0. Richardson, eul. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E ; disch. for disability, 

Aug. 20, 1862. 
Alexander Bouch, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; disch. June 18, 1863; 

re-enl. in 2d Vet. Cav. 
James Ryan, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Begt., Co. D ; disch. June 18, 18&3 ; re-enl. 

in 2d Vet. Cav. 
.Tames Reagan, enl. April 30, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. D; disch. June 18, 1863. 
Joseph H. Rogers, enl. May 7, 1.S61, 30th Regt., Co. F; disch. June 18, 1863. 
Sherman Riiyniond, enl. Juno 18, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav. ; served through, and disch. 

Nov. 8, 1865. 
Edwin Basell, eul. Oct. 1863, 21st Cav. 
Lester Rose, enl. Oct. 17, 1862, 1.53d Regt. 

Solomon W. Russell, enl. Nov. 19, 1861, Cav. ; pro. to major; disch. 
Charles N. Reno, eul. Sept. 8, 1864, 131h Art. 

Cornelius Bose, enl. Sept. 29, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I; disch. for disability. 
Hiram Boot, enl. May. 1661, 30th Regt., Co. F. 

Louis Sicard, eul. Aug. 31, 1362, 77th Regt., Co. E ; lost in the Wilderness ; sup- 
posed died at .\ndersonvilIe. 
Jo^iah Stratton, enl. Aug. 25, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I ; trans, to luv. Corps, Feb. 

3, 1864. 
Franklin Spicer, enl. July 22, 1863, 2d Vet. Cuv., Co. F. 
Fiank Seiow, enl. July 23, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Thomas B. Smith, enl. Dec. 3, 186.3, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C ; pro. 1st lieut. 
Frederick Suntler, enl. Oct. 7, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Henry St. Clair, enl. Nov. 13, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 

James M. Steenburgh, enl. Dec. 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L; disch. with the regi- 
ment, Nov. 8, 1865. 
Elisha A. Stcen, enl. Aug. 6, 1862, 115th Begt , Co. F. 
Wm. 0. Sullivan, enl. July 24, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Abram B. Smith, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Begt., Co. F. 
Wm. H. Sexton, enl. Sept. 24, 1S61, 77Ih Eegl., Co. D ; killed in the Wilderness, 

May 6, 1864. 
.Andrew J. Smith, eul. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Eegt., Co. D; left the service, Jan. 1, 

1862. 
Eobt. H. Skinner, enl. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Regt., Co. D ; pro. 2d lieut.; disch. 

for wounds, Feb. 28, 1863. 
Daniel Smith, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. C ; lost in action. May 6, 1804; 

died in rebel prison. 
James H. Smith, enl. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Begt., Co. C; lost in action, May 5, 

1864. 
Elum Sustin, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77Ih Eegt., Co. C ; disch. June 16, 1865. 
Andrew J. Smith, enl. Feb. 17, 1862, 77th Begt., Co. C ; disch. Feb. 17, 1865. 
Edward W. Smith, eul. Aug. 30, 1862, J7th Eegt., Co. C; disch. June 16, 1865. 
James Henry Smith, eul. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. C ; left the service. May 

5, 1864. 
Dennis B. Smith, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. E ; disch. Feb. 13, 1863, for 

disability. 
George Henry Scidmore, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. E; pro. Corp.; 

wounded; disch. June 16, 1865. 
Louis Sicard, enl. .\ug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E ; takeu piisoner in the Wil- 
derness; reported dead. 
James Stevens, enl. Nov. 5, 1861, 77th Begt., Co. H ; disch. 
Thomas H . Sexton, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 7Tth Regt., Co. D ; disch. Feb. 28, 1862. 
Charles E. Sexton, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; left the service, Feb. 

28,1803. 
Benj. F. Stillwell, enl. Aug. 21, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I ; died ot wounds at Spott- 

sylvauia ; brought home for burial. 
James Stevens, enl. April 30, ISOl, 30th Begt., Co. D ; left the service, Nov. 11, 

1861. 
Benjamin F. Slecht, enl. June 12, 1861,. 30th Eegt., Co. D; disch. June 18,1863. 
Charles Sexton, enl. April 30, 1861, 3(lth Begt., (Jo. D ; disch. Aug. 24, 1801. 
Howard T. Sexton, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 30th Eegt., Co. C. 
Lewis J. .Smith, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; killed in the Wilderness, 

May 6, 1864. 
Thomas Slewart, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. E; woui-ded May 0, 1864; 

trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Begt. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



227 



George H. Sadmoro, enl. A«g. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; pro. Corp.; trans, to 

Vet. Bat., 77tli Kegt. 
John Sagon, enl. Aug. 3, 1862, 77tll Kegt., Co. 0; left the service, .Inly 12, 1803. 
Henry H. .Shill, enl. Aug. 9, 1S02, 77th Kegt., Co. C; trana. to Vet But., 77th 

Kegt. 
John Smith, enl. Sept. 1, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. I. 
Don D.Stone, enl. Sept. 8, 1863, 2d Vet. Car., 0«. E; 2.1 lient. ; killed in Ited 

River exp.-diIion. 
John H. Shaft, enl. Aug. 9, 1863, llotli Regt., Co. G. 
\Vm. H. Salisbury, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, 11.5th Kegt., Co. G. 
Oliver Smith, eiil. Aug. 9, 1802, U.ith Regt., Co, G. 
Georse R. Smith, enl. Oct. 25, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. K; trans, to Co. F, Oct. 30, 

1S02. 
Frederick .Suntler, enl. May, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. F. 

Edward Silvey, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, SOtli Regt., Co. C; disch. for disal.ility, 18G3. 
James E. Snyder, enl. Sept. 9, 1802, 30tli Regt., Co. G ; trans, to "Gth Kegt. 
Riley V. Suydam, enl. Doc. 29, 1SC3, ICtli Art., disch. June 18, l.'iOS. 
AOner Smith, enl. 1801, 4th Art.; disch.; re-enl. same regiment; killed at 

Colli Harbor, June 8, 1864. 
George A. Smith, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F; disch.; re-enl. in Vet. 

Cav. ; disch. for wounds received in Red River campaign. 
Egbert B. Savage, enl- Aug. 13, 1802, 115th Regt.; 1st lieut. ; pro. capt. ; trans. 

to 47th Regt.; appointed major. 
Chas. H. Sherman, enl. Oct. 8, 1802, 77th Regt. 
Edward Squires, enl. Aug. 12, 1861, Cav. ; disch. and re-enl. in same regiment, 

Dec. 21, 1863. ■■ 

James M. Steenburgh, enl. Dec. 5, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav.; sen*ed through the war, 

and disch. Nov. 8, 1865. 
Nelson Swan, enl. Aug. 1862, 30tll Regt.; trans, to 76th Regt. 
Wm. BI. Seiiring, enl. May 21, lS0l,30th Regt.; maj. ; pro. to lieut.-col., March 

22, 1802; and col., Sept. 2", 1802; mustered out at expiration of service. 
Owen Sullivan, enl. Nov. 1863, 2il Vet. Cav. ; disch. Nov. 8, 1805. 
Edward Sullivan, enl. .\ug. 1S62, 30th Regt.; disch. for disability. 
Charles H. Tompkins, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 30th Regt., Co. O; trans, to 76tli 

Regt. 
Peter Taylor, enl. Oct. 15, 18C1, 77th Regt., Co. I; died of heart disease, Nov. l.">, 

1861. 
Edward II. Thorn, enl. Aug. 31, 1862,77th Regt., Co. C, trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt. 
,Iohn Thornton, enl. Nov. 8, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. I. 
R. S. Tourtellot, enl. Aug. 2, 1802, llotli Regt., Co. G. 
John Turner, enl. Aug 11, 1862, U5th Regt., Co. G. 
Michael Teathers, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. G. 
■William Taylor, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77lh Regt., Co. D; pro. to corporal. 
John Tompkins, enl. May, 1861, 30th Kegt., Co. D. 
Charles De Forest Thurber, enl. Aug. 28, 1862,77th Regt.; pro. to Corp., sergt., 

2d lieut., Ist lieut., and q.-m.; disch. July 7, 1865. 
Edward H. Thorn, enl. Aug 31,1862; 77th Kegt.; pro. to com. sergt.; disch. 

June 16, 1865. 
William J. Tabor, eul. Oct. 8,1861, 77th Regt., Co. H; pro. to 1st lieut.; killed 

Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek ; brought home for burial. 

George Thompson, enl. Bat. 

Charles D. Thurber, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D; pro. to Corp.; disch. 

July 23, 1861 ; enl. Co. D, Feb. 13, 1863. 
Jesse B. Thorn, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. D; wounded in Wilderness ; 

disch. Dec. 13, 1804. 
Stephen Trumble, enl. Sept. 16, 1862, 77lh Regt., Co. E ; wounded in theWilder- 

ness. May 6, 1864. 
William B. Thorn, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. to sergt.; disch. 

June 16, 1865. 
Jacob Thompson, enl. Feb. 14, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C; disch. July 10, 1862. 
Gustavus Tack, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; died May 18, 1864, of 

wounds received at Spottsylvania; buried at Fredericksburg. 
Edward Van Rensselaer, enl. Nov. 17, 1862, 1.53d Regt., Co. H ; disch. Nov. 1865. 
Newman Vanwie, enl. Nov. 4, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; left the service, June 25, 

1862. 
Charles W. Van Petten, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F; left the service, 

Aug. 27, 1862. 
J,)seph Valentine, enl. May, 1863, 2d Yet. Cav. ; disch. with Regt. Nov. 8, 1805. 
Frederick Voxman, enl. May, 1861, 30tli Regt., Co. F. 
Abram L. Velie, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Jidin K. Valentine, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115lh Kegt., Co. F. 
W. W. Worden, enl. Sept, 24, 1861, 77th Regt. ; pro. Ist lieut. ;"wounded in the 

Wilderness and at Winchester; mustered out Dec. 13, 1864. 
William H. Walker, enl. Nov. 24, 1803, 2d Cav. ; pro. 1st hosp. stew., July 1, 

1865 ; disch. Nov. 8, 1865. 
Augustus R. Walker, enl. Aug. 31, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. C ; wounded four times ; 

disch. June 16, 186.5. 
Oscar B. Walker, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 10th Art. ; pro. Corp. ; disch. Aug. 21, 1805. 
James H. Wilson, eid. April 14, 1804, 25th Cav., Co. E. 
D. J. Wheeler, enl. July 7, 1864. 
George Henry Weeks, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F; pro. 1st lieut. ; 

disch. June 17, 1865. 
Andrew J. Williams m, enl. Oct. 16, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. Corp.; disch. 

Oct. 29, 1802. 



Thom,a8 M. White, enl. Aug. 3, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C ; had served full lime in 

the 30th; pro. 2d lieut. and adjut:iut; in many battles; brevet maj.; 

mustered out July 7, 1865 — four years and three months. 
Luther M. Wheeler, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. capt.; died of 

wounds at Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863 ; brought Iiome for burial. 
Henry Whitman, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. E; disch. Jan. 28, 1803, for 

disal'ilitv. 
Andrew A. Weatherwax, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; transf. to Bat- 
talion, 77th; served out his time. 
John W. Wh'ttaker,enl. Sept. 6,1862,77th Regt, Co. E; trans. to Vet Bit., 77t h. 
James Welch, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E, trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th. 
Hiram Weatherwax, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. E; disch. for disability, 

June 1.5, 1863. 
Jerome Weatherwax, enl. Aug. 31, 1862; 77th Regt., Co. E; disch. Aug. 21, 

1863, for disability. 
Patrick Winn, enl. Aug. 31, 1862; 77th Regt, Co. I. 
Samuel Wilcox, enl. July 7, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Thomas J. Wheaton, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, H5th Regt., Co. G. 
Denni* Welch, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Frederic G. Woodward, enl. Oct 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. H ; discli. for disability , 

Nov. 18, 1862. 
George W. Winne, enl. Oct. 16, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
diaries Welch, enl. 31ay, 1861, 3(ltli Regt., Co. D. 
Andrew Weed, enl. May, 1801, 3CJth Regt, Co. D. 
Joseph H. Weatherwax. enl. Aug. 31, 1862,77th Regt., Co. E; trans, to Battalion, 

77tli ; served out his time. 
David W. Weatherwax, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, 77th Kegt., Co. G; in all the battles 

of the regiment. 
Wallace W. Wickham, enl. Sept. 3ll, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G; disch. Dec. 13, 

_ 1864. 
Alexander K. Waldron, enl. Dec. 1, 1861, 77tli Kegt, Co. D; pro. hospital 

steward; disch. Dec. 25,1803; re-enl. same regiment; wounded; disch. 

July 28, 1865. 
Lewis Wood, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. E; resigned Oct 4, 1862; cap- 
tain of his company. 
Alonzo Williams, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. E; discli. Jan. 5, 1863, for 

disability. 
Elisha A. Waters, enl. April 30, 1861, 3llth Regt, Co. D ; disch. June IS, 1863. 
Henry W. Whitman, enl. April 30, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D ; disch. June 18, 18^!. 
John Weeks, enl. Apr.l 30, 1861, 30th Regt, Co. D ; disch. June 18, 1S03. 
Thomas A. White, enl. June 9, 1801, 30th Kegt, Co. D: loft the service, Feb. 12, 

1862. 
Addison Walker, enl. Sept. 25, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. A; tlken prisoner; ex- 
changed; disch. June 18, 1863. 
Daniel Webster, eol.May 7, 1861, 30th Regt, Co. F; re-enl. 2d Vet. Cav. 
Robert Williams, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt, (?o. F; disch. for disability. 
Bernard Winn, enl. May 7, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 
Edwin Washman, enl. Oct. 16, 1801,77th Regt, Co. C; left the service. May 

30, 1802. 
Samuel Weeks, enl. Sept. 22, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. F; left the service, Feb. 24, 

1803. 
Andrew J. Weed, enl. Aug. 6, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
James Wiley, enl. Aug. 25, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. D. 
Alonzo Williams, enl. Sept 27, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. E; disch. for disability 

Jan. 5, 1863. 
Charles H. Wildy, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 3Uth Kegt., Co. G ; trans, to 76th Regiment. 
Daniel G. Wager, enl. Aug. 13, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F; wounded; disch. Nov. 

15, 1805. 
Luke Welch, enl. July, 1864, 16th Cav.; discharged for disability. 
John Washburn, enl. June, 1865, 192d Regt. 
George Washburn, enl. Sept. 28, 1864, 142d Regt. 
George A. Webb, enl. Oct. 18, 1861, 77lh Kegt 

James B. Walley, enl. Sept. 1862, 30tli Regt.; transferred to 77th Regt. 
John C. Winney, enl. Aug. 5, 1862,115th Regt.; served through; disch. with 

regiment. 
Bruce Winney, enl. .\ng. 5, 1862, 115th Regt. ; disch, with regiment. 
Smith C. Whitcomb, enl. Sept 27, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. E; died May 6, 1862, of 

fever. 
Edward W. Winne, enl. Oct 17, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. C ; 1st sergt. ; pro. 2d lieut, 

March 24, 1802; Ist lieut, Jan. 23, 1863; capt, May 9, 1863; disch. Sept 

9, 1864. 
Andrew J. Williamson, enl. Oct. 16, 1861 ; pro. corp. ; disch. for disability, Oct. 

29, 1862. 
Augustus R. Walker, enl. Aug. 3, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. C; trans, to Vet Bat- 
talion, 77th. 
William K, Young, enl, Nov, 23, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, G ; appointed 2d lieut, ; 

resigned April 15, 1862, 
George Young, Jr., enl, Aug. 30, 1862, 301h Regt., Co. G. 
George Y'oung. enl. Sept. 4, 1802, 30th Regt., Co. G, 
Uriah Young, enl, Aug, 30, 1862, 30th Regt,, Co, G. 
William II, Yale, enl. Oct, 28, 1861, 77tli Regt,, Co, D; in all battles of the 77th ; 

wounded; disch, Dec, 13,1804, 
Frederick Zwanker, enl. May, 1661, 30th Regt,, Co, F, 
Guslavus Zack, enl, .\ug, 31, 1862, 77tli Regt., Co. E; died of wounds May 18, 

1864. 



VILLAGE OF BALLSTON SPA. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 

The village of Ballston Spa, the county-seat of Saratoga 
County, is situate at the head of the lower valley of the 
K(ty-ad-ros-se-ra river. The village lies mostly in the town 
of Milton, the shire-town of the county, but the upper or 
southern part is fast extending across the town-line into the 
town of Ballston. This latter name was first written Balls- 
Town, in honor of the Rev. Eliphalet Ball, the founder of 
the town. But as there was already a Ballstown in Maine, 
it was changed to Ball-town. Afterwards, in conformity 
with the law of phonetic decay in language, as Fontaine- 
helle-eau, " the beautiful spring," in Prance, has run into 
Fontainebleau, the favorite country-seat of royalty, BaU- 
town Springs has become Ballston Spa. 

The valley of the KciJj-ad-ros-se-ra river, which extends 
from Ballston Spa easterly, following the tortuous course 
of the stream until it falls into Saratoga lake, is one of ex- 
ceeding beauty. Like the flir-famed valley of Rasselas in 
the classic eastern story of .Dr. Johnson, this valley of the 
wild Kiiy-aJ-ros-sc-ra was the " happy valley" of the Mo- 
luitclcs hunting bands, who were the owners of the vast 
hunting-ground of the same name, of which it formed a 
part. 

In Indian tradition many a thrilling legend has its 
scenes kid in this " valley of the crooked stream." From 
the opening of spring all through the summer and autumn 
moons until about the 1st of February, when they went 
home to celebrate the " feast of the white dog," their New- 
Year's festival, the Ilohnwh braves made this " happy val- 
ley" the ground of their hunting lodges. Through this 
happy valley also ran the old Indian trail which led from 
the Mohawk valley to Lake Champlain and the St. Law- 
rence. It was the only trail over which they could travel 
with their canoes with little land carriage. This long trail 
led down the Mohawk at the mouth of the Eel-place creek, 
thence up that creek to near the head of Ballston lake ; 
thence down the lake and its outlet to what is now East 
Line. At East Line there was a short carry to the Mournkil, 
down which they paddled their canoes into the Kay-ad-ros- 
se-ra river, which they entered in this beautiful valley, the 
classic land of Indian story, made immortal by Cooper, 
Irving, Peter Kalni, and La Rochefoucauld. 

II.— EARLY .SETTLEMENT. 

The mineral springs of Ballston Spa, like those of its 
sister village of Saratoga, liave long been world-renowned ; 
but, unlike those of Saratoga, these springs had received 
but little attention from the red man. The Indians had 
often noticed that game flocked in great abundance to 
drink the waters of this valley, but there was in it no great 
228 



"medicine spring" like the famous high rock at Saratoga. 
It was reserved for the white man to discover and develop 
the mineral springs of Ballston Spa. 

In the early summer of 1771 some surveyors employed 
by the commissioners appointed to survey and partition 
among its thirteen proprietors the great patent of Kayad- 
rossera were engaged in running the north line of the five- 
mile square, now the line between the towns of Milton and 
Ballston. When these surveyors and their chain-men arrived 
on the brow of the hill, opposite what has since been 
known as the Public spring, the heat of the day being 
intense, and seeing the rippling waters of the creek through 
the openings in the forest, they with one accord dropped 
their instruments, and ran down the bank to the stream 
to quench their thirst and bathe their foreheads in its 
cooling waters. It was then and there they FOUND A 
MINERAL SPRING, — the spring now called the Public 
spring, its waters then bubbling up cool and delicious from 
the low swampy ground which then bordered the creek. 
It was when first found a large full fountain rising to the 
surface and freely running off. The discovery was soon 
noised abroad, and people soon began to find their way 
along forest-paths to drink of the waters of the new-found 
mineral spring. 

Reuben Sears, the author of a book called "Mineral 
Waters, a Poem," published at Ballston Spa by him in 
1819, says in a note, page 78, " William Bousman, aged 
sixty-one, who has resided at the southwest corner of Sara- 
toga lake from the age of twelve years, informs me that the 
next year after his father came to that place, in 1771, he 
saw these springs. An Indian named Harry, of the 7V.s- 
carora tribe, who tarried all that summer at his father's, 
coming home one night from a hunting excursion, said he 
had discovered a spring of very fine water like that of 
Saratoga. The next day he and the Indian, taking their 
guns, went to the place, and saw near the creek the spring 
that now stands in the public highway. At the first dis- 
covery it appears there was but one spring, though after- 
wards another broke out near by, which has since been 
lost." 

It was not until about the year 1787, nearly twenty 
years after their discovery, that any permanent improve- 
ment was made at these springs. During this period of 
twenty years these springs were much frequented, it is 
true, by traveling parties and by the early settlers of the 
vicinity, who mostly located a mile or two to the south of 
them ; but no one built near them any structure larger 
than a temporary log hut or bark shanty for a summer 
camping-place. A rude trough was dug out of a log near 
by, in which the spring water was used for bathing jnir- 
poses ; and a gourd shell, hung on a tree near by, was the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



229 



only coDVfiiience for diinkiug. During this time, however, 
many people visited the springs, and boarded with the early 
settlers two miles away, or, bringing their provisions with 
them, encamped near the springs a part of the summer, as 
people now do in the Adirondack wilderness. They were 
then springs in the wilderness. 

But about the year 1790 a new era dawned upon Balls- 
ton Spa. In the year 1787, Benajah Douglas, father of 
Stephen A. Douglas, the " Little Giant" of the presidential 
campaign of IStiO, came to settle at Ballston Spa. The 
father of Benajah Douglas was Asa Douglas, long known 
as a famous pioneer of the valley called •' Jericho," which 
extends along the western line of Massachusetts from Leb- 
anon Springs towards North Adams. For a long time before 
the war of the Revolution the line between the States of New 
York and JIassachusetts was di>puted, — New York claiming 
to the Connecticut river and Massachusetts claiming to the 
Hudson. A.sa Douglas settled on this disputed ground just 
west of the State line as .since established, in which is now 
Stephentown, three or four miles north of Lebauou. But in 
colonial times it was claimed he lived in Massachu.setts, and 
for several years before the Revolution he represented the 
region in the colonial House of Delegates, at Boston. In a 
word, Asa Douglas was a famous man iu all the region, and 
had kept a tavern for many years. 

His son, Benajah, now became the pioneer of the .springs 
in the valley of the Kayadrossera, and was enabled to profit 
from his father's experience iu tavern-keeping, and make 
these springs of the forest another Lebanon. So in the 
year 1787, Benajah Douglas built, for those days, a commo- 
dious log tavern near the Public spring. He purchased a 
farm of one hundred acres adjoining the .spring on the west, 
on which he built his first rude hostelry and opened it for 
the accommodation of guests. He also built a small frame 
house near by for the use of people who came there with 
their own victuals. 

About the same year !Micajah Benedict opened a tavern 
and took boarders, one mile .south of the springs. 

Iu the year 1792, Douglas, who, the year before, had 
taken a deed of bis one hundred acres, built what was then 
considered a large house, it being thirty by forty feet in 
size, with a kitchen added. 

In the year 1792, Nicholas Low also built a house of the 
same size on his land lying east of the spring and adjoining 
the lot of Douglas. 

jNIr. Low, long a famous merchant of th'e city of New 
York, and the fifth son of Cornelius Low and Margarette, 
his wife7 was born near New Brunswick, on the Raritan, 
New Jersey, on the 30th day of March, 1739. Late in 
life he married a widow named Alice Fleming, by whom 
he had three children, — two sons and a daughter named 
Henrietta, who married Charles King, for many years pres- 
ident of Columbia College. His elder brother, Isaac Low, 
the part owner of land at Saratoga Springs, upon the break- 
ing out of the Revolutionary war, at first e.spoused the 
American cause, but afterwards adhered to the crown. 
Nicholas cast his lot with his countrymen. Isaac went to 
England in 1783, and died there in 1796, having been at- 
tainted and banished by an act of the Legislature in 1779. 
Nicholas died in New York on the 2litli day of December, 



1826. In addition to these, Salmon Tryon built on the 
hill south of the spring a log hou.se, to which he added a 
small frame with one room only and a bedroom. To these 
buildings Tryon added a store for the sale of dry goods and 
groceries. 

The houses of Douglas and Low were not completed till 
the summer of 1793. In that year Mr. Merrill took and 
kept the house of Mr. Low, but neither of the houses did 
much the first season. 

It was not till the year 1794, oidy six years before 
Gideon Putnam began to build the Union at Saratoga, that 
the great tide of summer travel set in towards Ballston Spa. 
Yet those .six years of superior accommodations aflForded by 
Ballston Spa would doubtless have cost Saratoga its now 
peerless position among watering-places, had not the Ballston 
springs been afterwards, through natural or artificial causes, 
nearly lost. 

In the year 1794, Mr. Merrill also put up a small frame 
building, which he let to visitors, who furnished themselves; 
and iu that ,seasoi> all the houses at Ballston Spa were filled 
with guests. People came from New York, Boston, Phila- 
delphia, Hartford, and the West Indies. This house built 
by Mr. Low afterwards passed into the hands of the brothers 
McMasters, who built large additions. Not long after 
Douglas finished his house, in the year 1795, he sold his 
fiirm to Joseph Westcot, upon whose death it passed into 
the hands of Mr. Adderde, who built extensive additions 
and kept it for many years with great success. 

In the year ISOl, Stephen U. White built an addition 
to a small house which had been put up two years before, 
and the year following he built the east, and in 18U7 the 
west, wing of his large boarding-house, which, after his 
death, was kept by his widow for many years. 

In the year 1803, Nicholas Low erected the spacious and, 
for those days, the elegant hotel called by him the Sans 
Souci, after a fiimous one visited by him in Europe. 

The Douglas property sold to Reuben Hewitt atid Joseph 
Westcot consisted of one hundred acres. The house was 
on the site of Henry A. Mann's, and the farm extending 
back on the uplands. The price is stated in the deed as 
£1600, which seems to be rather high for those early 
times, unless dreams of future greatness were already at- 
tracting adventurers. The witnesses to the deed mentioned 
were John Thompson, Nathan Thompson, Epenetus White, 
Alexander Sloan. It was acknowledged before Epenetus 
White. Mr. Westcot's sons were Reuben and Joseph. 

Two of the sons of Reuben, John H. and Joseph E., 
reside in Ballston Spa, also a daughter, Mrs. N. J. Johnson, 
and another daughter is Mrs. Lorenzo Kelly, of Rochester. 

The elder Westcot dying soon after emigrating here, his 
widow was married to Joshua B. Aldridge, and the place, 
afterwards a celebrated boarding-house, was known for many 
years as the Aldridge House. In possession of John H. 
Westcot are many papers of historic value. Reuben Hewitt, 
one of the said joint proprietors who was connected to 
the Westcots, was in the army of the Revolution, and his 
several commissions as sergeant, sergeant-major, second lieu- 
tenant, and first lieutenant bear the signatures of distin- 
guished men, — Eleazer Fitch and Jonathan Trumbull, 
governors of Connecticut, and the bold, unmistakable auto- 



230 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



T 



graph of John Hancock, president of Congress. A-jiong Mr. 
Westcot's papers is also a map of a portion of the old farm 
laid out into lots, described as '■ being near the town of 
Bath or Ballston Springs," surveyed and drawn by James 
Scott, December, 1802. 

Au early scientific writer states that " the original spring 
issues from a bed of stiff blue clay and gravel, which lies 
near a stratum of slate nearly on a level with the brook or 
rivulet which runs through the town." Besides this one 
original spring there were three others, all said to have been 
of different taste and (piality and all very near each other. 
These were on a small plat of ground in what is now the 
extension of Bath street. One of these at the foot of the 
hill, opposite the present harness-shop, exactly in the present 
road, was known as the Jack spring. There was still an- 
other in the yard of Medberry's hotel. All these springs 
promised to have a national and world-wide reputation. 
Visitors coming tlirough the forests to find them led to the 
building of the Douglas log house for their accommodation, 
even in 1792. The tide of travel grew with each year. 
Other hotels or boarding-houses followed in quick .succes- 
sion. The now quiet, secluded, yet beautiful glen around 
the old iron-railing spring, rapidly cleared of its forests, 
became the resort of fashion and wealth. With the rush 
of visitors for the summer came all the other institutions 
of a thriving village, — stores, shops, schools, and churches. 

In the course of ten or twelve years the following board- 
ing-houses were built, as remembered by Joseph Jennings, 
now living at the age of ninety, and John S. Ford, seventy- 
seven. The Aldridge or Douglas House, already mentioned, 
was very early enlarged. At one time there was an exten- 
sion seventy feet long, containing a dancing-hall below and 
sleeping-rooms above. This was in after-years, about 1843 
or 1844, moved across the road by Reuben Westcot and 
became part of another building. The old " Low Hotel" 
was also built near the iron-railing spring. The present 
Jennings House, the front part of which was first a store, 
was established perhaps as early as 1800. There was still 
another large boarding-house kept by White on the place 
now owned by Widow Corey. The McMaster Hou.se was 
also near the main spring. No house at all now on the 
place occupied by it. The Clark House stood just where 
the railroad now crosses. The Ball House was just below 
the Clark House. There were three of the brothers Ball ; 
two of them were " dancing-masters," as the teachers of the 
terpsichorean art were always termed in the olden times, 
so that this village might have easily been named Balls' 
Town even if no minister of that name had ever settled in 
this county. There was also the Flint Hotel, not far from 
the Aldridge House. In the rapidly-growing village there 
was also another hotel on the site of the present Commercial. 
In the north part, not far from the grist-mill, was also a 
very early tavern kept by Daniel Thomas. Besides all these 
the Sans Souci, built by Nicholas Low nearly three-quarters 
of a century ago, — even in 1803 built to its present size 
and its present form, — so that with the exception of slight 
addition,?, necessary repairs and painting, that building ex- 
ists to-day as it stood in the childhood of the oldest citizens 
in Ballston Spa. Even Joseph Jennings was but seventeen 
years old when the Sans Souci was built. In this large 



and, for those times, palatial building, were entertained the 
most distinguished men of the nation, — presidents, senators, 
governors, and judges inscribed their names upon its regis- 
ters ; wealth, fashion, and culture met in its ample rooms, 
and pages of anecdotes might be written of this famous 
resort. There Joseph Bonaparte and his suite stayed for 
some months, in 1827 ; and tiiere, in the west parlor, a 
mes.senger brought to him the letter that announced the 
death of the great Napoleon on the island of St. Helena. 

The springs that promised to be so valuable were lost, 
according to the story of the older people, by not " letting 
well enough alone." In the attempt to dig them over and 
retube them, the several veins were lost, though as valuable 
water as ever has in late years been recovered by boring 
deep. Indeed, chemical analysis shows the waters at the 
present time to be peculiarly pure, healthy, and medicinal, 
rivaling those of Saratoga. 

In 1809 most of the .stores were on the flat. Epenetus 
White was an early merchant on the corner, near the '• iron- 
r.iiling spring." Near there, too, Warren was an early 
trader, followed by Sear.s. In this same place William 
Bridges kept a bakery, and his father before him. Prob.i- 
bly it was the first bakery in all this section. 

Joel Lee was an early merchant where the new bank 
building now stands, and Barnum at We.stcot's place. x\n 
early jeweler was Mr. Edson. Elder Langworthy, the old 
Baptist minister, was also a jeweler. Moses Williams was 
an early shoemaker, and followed the business for many 
years. John S. Ford, to whom we are indebted for many 
of these items, served his apprenticeship in the shop of 
Williams. This was the principal shop. There were one 
or two others. Eli Barnum had a harness-shop in connec- 
tion with his store, assisted by Harvey Loomis, now re- 
modeled into the residence of John H. Westcot. Webster 
was an early blacksmith. His shop was on the site of a 
present one. Loekwood was also a blacksmith, with his 
shop near the creek. Samuel Smith and Archibald 
Kidd were merchant tailors, perhaps nearly as early as 
1800. 

There was a grist-mill before or about 1800, built by 
Hezekiah Middlebrook, somewhat above the site of the 
present Blue mill. Another mill was built in later times, 
on the creek above the Aldridge House, known as the Red 
mill, recently burned and not rebuilt. Daniel Thomas was 
the early pioneer in the north part of the village. There 
are not many buildings erected before 1800 now standing 
in the village. The old Middlebrook house, now owned by 
Edwin H. Chapman ; parts of the Henry A. Manri hou.se ; 
the John W. Taylor house, now owned by John Brown, 
Esq. ; the Scribner house, and the Flint house, are thought 
by some to have been erected earlier than 1800. 

We take a page at random from an old account-book, 

kept by a merchant in Ballston Spa, in the possession of 

Mrs. John B. Thomas. The name of the merchant is not 

given : 

Piigc no, Oct. 22, IS06. 

£ s. il. 

Solomon Sherwood, Dr. to 1 gal. of rum 8 

John Griswold, *' 1 bbi. of new eiiier 8 

Joseph Pines, " sundry merchandise 4 15 3 

Samuel Ilollistor, " G5 lbs. .Swedes' iron 1 18 

.'^amuei N:(sh, ** ,1 jjal. molasses 2 6 

Oliver Mi.i.llcKruok, " 1 qt. of rum 2 




Photo, by T. J. Arnold, Ballston Spa. 



George G. Scott, the subject of this sketcli, was born at tlie 
family homestead, in the town of Ballston, near tlie Milton line, 
on the 11th of May, 1811. His grandfather, George Scott, who 
was a descendant of Benjamin Scott, an English colonist in Ire- 
land in the reign of James I., emigrated from Londonderry Co., 
Ireland, in 1773, and settled on that farm in 1774. For a time 
it was literally a frontier clearing in the great northern wilder- 
ness. His wife, who came with him to this country, was a sister 
of General James Gordon. 

In the raid under the leadership of Munro, in October, 1 780, 
when General Gordon and others wore captured and taken to 
Canada, Mr. Scott's dwelling was attacked and pillaged, and him- 
self stricken down with a tomahawk and loft for dead. James 
Scott, his only son, a noted surveyor during the first third of the 
present century, was born Jan. 31, 1774, on the Gordon place, 
in the present town of Ballston, then in the district of Saratoga, 
in the county of Albany. He always resided within the limits of 
what is now Ballston, and died there in 1857. His wife was Mary 
Botsford, a native of Derby, Connecticut, who died the same year. 

The subject of this sketch, George Gordon Scott, was their 
only child. He graduated from Union college in 1831, and the 
same year entered the law office of Palmer & Goodrich, at Balls- 
ton Spa, where he remained two years, and completed his clerk- 
ship with Brown & Thompson, of that village. He was admitted 
to the bar in 1834, and entered upon the succes.sful practice of 
his profession at that place, which he has continued to the present 
time. 

He married Lucy, a daughter of the late Joel Lee, of Balls- 
ton Spa. 

In 1838 he. was commissioned by Governor Marcy as judge 
of the county courts, but resigned before the expiration of his 



term. He was elected to the assembly of 1856, and was re- 
elected to the assembly of 1857. In that year he was elected to 
the senate from the Fifteenth district. He declined a re-election, 
and was succeeded by Hon. Isaiah Blood. In 18G1 he received 
the nomination of the Democratic State convention for the office 
of comptroller, but was defeated by Hon. Lucius Robinson, the 
present governor. 

In 1859 he removed from the Milton part of Ballston Spa 
into his native town (his residence being on High street, nearly 
opposite the county clerk's office), and the next year he was 
elected supervisor of Ballston, and has since been repeatedly re- 
elected, generally without opposition, and is now (1878) serving 
in liis nineteenth term. He was chairman of the board in 18C3 
and in 1876. Notwithstanding the various positions which ho 
has held he has never been an office-seeker, they all having been 
conferred without his suggestion. 

In 1876 congress, by resolution, indorsed by the proclama- 
tion of the president, recommended that, on the Centennial of 
American Independence in that year, liistorical addresses relating 
to counties and other localities should be delivered. Judge Scott 
was designated by the county officials for the performance of that 
duty, which he discharged by delivering, in the court-yard of 
the Sans Souci hotel, at Ballston Spa, an historical address relating 
to Saratoga County. And in 1877 upon him was conferred the 
honor of presiding at Bemus" Heights, upon the occasion of the 
celebration of the centennial of that decisive battle of the Revolu- 
tion, the interesting ceremonies of which he opened with an 
appropriate address. 

He is now the sole .survivor, not only of the old common 
pleas bench, but of the fifteen senators who have been residents 
of Saratoga County. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



231 



£ s. d. 

John Blood, Dr. to 1 gal. rum 8 

Benjamin Calvin, " ij doz. buttons 2 3 

Samuel Ijce, " i quire of jiaper 1 

Ra.vmond Taylor, " 2 lb.«. candles 3 6 

Enos Morehouse, " i gal. of rum 4 

Floj-d Wakeman, " 12 sugar 12 

Daniel Stavu, " i gal. rum, 98 feet lath... 9 

Benjamin Peck, " 1 jiair of shoes 10 

Edward AVatrous, Cr. by transportation 2 2 

Solomon Sherwood, Dr. to .V gal. rum 4 

Abel Curtis, " 1 ])iecc muslin. 7 lbs. sugar 2 3 6 

Edward Wilkes, " i lb. of tea and 1 qt. of rum 5 6 

It is probable thLs was tlie old store of Epenetus White, 
Jr. Another page contains a bill against a citizen who was 
evidently building a barn. There are seven entries for 
rum, and four for nails. 

An old day-book, in possession of John H. Westcot, 
supposed to be from the store of Hewitt & Westcot, the 
old red store that stood near the AJdridge House, across the 
street, lias many items of interest. We copy from a few 
pages a list of names, showing early settlers in this portion 
of the county about the year 1800 or soon after: Philip 
Sharp, Daniel Starr, Nathan Lewis, James Garrett, John 
Buck, Wm. Marvin, John Fitch, Levi Kinnicut, George 
E. White, Ebenezer Robinson, Asahel Simons, Walter 
Patchin, Nathan Wood, Samuel Pike, Jared Patchin, Levi 
Kinnicut, Peter Darrow, Ebenezer S. Coon, Isaac Patchin, 
Robert Spear, Joel Lee, Adonijah Moody, James Wilson, 
John Lee, Saul Parks, Wm. Hawkins, John Blood, John 
Griswold, Levi Benedict, J. and I). McMasters, James 
Caldwell, James Merrill, James Hawkins, D. and A. Alcott, 
Joseph Bryan, Joshua Blood, John Burns, James Scott, 
Aaron Gregory, Dennis Penfield, Isaac Finch, Isaac Denton, 
James Gavitt, John Griswold, Samuel Pike, Timothy Hatch, 
Edward Dolph, Patience Westcot, Elias Lee, John Webb, 
Calvin Calkins, John Whitehead, James Lloyd, Aaron 
Sturgcs, Silas Briggs, Ebenezer Robinson, John Higby, 
Henry Luscomb, William Bridges, Amos Benedict, Wright 
Tryon, Stephen Ailing, James Mann, Lemuel Wilcox, 
James Hawkins, John Welch, Powell, and Kellogg. These 
names are taken from the book under date of September 
28, 1802, to November 2 of the same year. 

Iir.— ORGANIZATION. 

The record of the iirst election hold in the village is as 
follows : 

" At an election of the inhabitants of the village of Balls- 
ton Spa, held at the house of David McMaster, on the 
first Tuesday of May, agreeable to public notice, and in 
conformity to the charter of incorporation of the said vil- 
lage of Ballston Spa, granted by the Legislature in an act 
entitled an act relative to the village of Ballston Spa, passed 
March 21, 1807, the following persons were duly elected 
to the respective offices : Joshua B. Aldridge, Stephen H. 
White, and Nathan Lewis, trustees ; John Warren, David 
McMaster, and Archy Kasson, assessors; Epenetus White, 
Jr., treasurer ; Eli Barnum, collector ; Wm. Shepherd, 
clerk ; Elihu Roe and Samis Blakely, constables." 

At the first meeting of the trustees, hold at the house 
of Joshua Aldridge, regular meetings were ordered for the 
Thursday of each week at five o'clock p.m. ; a fine of fifty 
cents for non-attendance. A drain of timber nine inches 
in the clear was ordered from near " the northeast corner 



of the house now occupied by Anson Bradley, and termi- 
nating in a straight line to the upper corner of the bridge, 
west of the house of John Flint." A dock was ordered 
to be built " at the west side of this bridge near John 
Flint's house, and running up the creek in a straight line 
until it intersects a line to be drawn jxirallel with the ivest 
corner of the house occupied by Agus Wells." What sur- 
veyor was employed to run aline which should be " parallel 
to the corner of a house" is not stated. 

Lands for streets were ceded by Nicholas Low and Joshua 
B. Aldridge by deeds dated December 15, 1807. At the 
second election, in 1808, the same trustees were continued. 
David McMaster, Peter Williams, and Ezra Ferris were 
elected assessors, Epenetus White, Jr., treasurer; Thomas 
Palmer, clerk ; Farquhar McBane, collector ; Elihu Roe 
and Thomas B. Burnett, constables. 

jMay 28, 1808, each owner of a dwelling-house was re- 
quired to have two ladders ready for use in case of fire, — ■ 
one to reach the eaves, another, with iron hooks, to be laid 
on the roof. 

In 1810 the following assize of bread for the village 
was ordained : 

" A loaf of superfine flour to weigh 21bs. 4oz. for one 
shilling. A loaf of like flour to weigh lib. 2oz. for sis- 
pence. A loaf of common flour to weigh 21bs. lloz. for 
one shilling." 

The early records are full of ordinances to protect the 
spring, to drain the streets in its vicinity, and otherwise to 
provide for the convenience and comfort of visitors. 

The assessment of property for 1817 amounted to 
8175,650. The highest thirteen taxpayers were Joshua 
Aldridge, $44.80 ; Charlotte White, $33.60 ; Nicholas 
Low, $70 ; Andrew Berger, $33.60 ; Epenetus White, 
.?11.20; James Caldwell, $15.40; Farquhar McBane, 
$11.20; James Merrill, $8.40; Joseph Perry, $7.28; 
David Sprague, Raymond Taylor, Moses Williams, Na- 
thaniel and Stephen Tobey, each $7. The whole number 
of taxpayers wa.s one hundred and four. 

In 1822 the oflicers of the first Fire Engine Company, 
No. 1, were appointed by the board: Andrew Watrous, 
captain ; Rowland A. Wright, assistant captain ; Stephen 
B. Noble, secretary ; Lyman S. Ballard, steward. 

Previous to 1842 no president was elected. The trus- 
tees, three in number, were equal in authority. 

In 1842 the number of trustees was increased to five, 
and after that a president was annually elected at the first 
meeting in each year. 

The following list of clerks and collectors is added from 
1807 to 1877, with the presidents from 1S42 : 

LIST OF CLERKS, PRESIDENTS, AND COLLECTORS. 
Clerk. Collector. 

1807. Wm. Shepherd. Eli Barnum. 

1508. Thomas Palmer. Farquhar McBane. 

1509. " '• " " 

1510. Hugh Hawkins. Elihu Roe. 

1811. " 

1812. " " " " 

1813. Aaron Nash. Eli Barnum. 

1814. " " Oren Sage. 

1815. " " William Clark. 
1S16. " " Elijah Taylor. 
1817. " " Rowland A. Wright. 



232 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 





Clerk. 


Collector. 


President. 


1818. 


Aaron Nash. 


Rowland A. Wright 




1819. 


ti it 


" 




1820. 


H it 


(( tt 




1821. 


tt ti 


it tt 




1822. 


a tt 


tt a 




182.3. 


tt tt 


" " 




1824. 


It tt 


Horace St. John. 




1825. 


tt It 


John Cutler. 




1826. 


tt tt 


it ti 




1827. 


tt tt 


it it 




1828. 


tt tt 


" " 




1829. 


tt tt 


Rowland A. Wright 




1830. 


tt tt 


« 




1S31. 


tt tt 


" 




1832. 


tt tt 


Aaron R. Pattison. 




1833. 


tt tt 


Stephen Fox. 




1834. 


" " 


Oliver H. Lockwoot 


. 


1835. 


11 tt 


Cheeseman Burtis. 




1836. 


ti ti 


Amariah Ford. 




1837. 


John Manning. 


ti it 




1838. 


James VV. llorton. 


Stephen Fox. 




1839. 


« ,t 


Squire Burnett. 




1840. 


John Wait. 


Stephen Fox. 




1841. 


G. G. Hawkins. 


Harvey N. Hill. 




1842. 


" " 


Stephen Fox. 


James M. Cook. 


1843. 


David Maxwell. 


N. J. Seeley. 


a it 


1844. 


" " 


Harvey N. Hill. 


Reuben Westcot. 


1845. 


tt tt 


tt a 


James M. Cook. 


1846. 


it tt 


a tt 


Abel Meeker. 


1847. 


John J. Lee. 


tt it 


it 


1848. 


(1 ti 


tt tt 


Samuel H. Cook. 


1849. 


Joseph E. Westcot. 


Albert T. Blood. 


Abel Meeker. 


1850. 


J. Oakley Nodjne. 


Stephen Fox. 


George Thompson. 


1851. 


John J. Lee. 


Bernard McKitrick. 


Reuben Westcot. 


1852. 


« it 


Stephen Fox. 


George Babcock. 


1853. 


" " 


it a 


Wm. P. Odell. 


1854. 


it tt 


Bernard McKitrick. 


L. W. Bristol. 


1855. 


" 


Stephen Fox. 


Reuben Westcot. 


1856. 


Wm. B. Litch. 


tt it 


Edw. H. Chapman 


1857. 


Perc. G. Newcomh. 


Bernard McKitrick. 


James 0. Leach. 


1858. 


" 


John F. Burtles. 


Edward Gilbourn. 


1859. 


Wm. F. Posson. 


Bernard McKitrirk. 


Seymour Chase. 


I860. 


a tt 


it it 


Hiro Jones. 


1861. 


Joshua B. Boss. 


a tt 


J. H. Westcot. 


1862. 


Eph. W. Reynolds. 


tt tt 


David Maxwell. 


1863. 


Bernard Patchin. 


tt a 


Levi Weed. 


1864. 


" " 


Perry Burnham. 


John Wait. 


1865. 


tt tt 


Bernard McKitrick. 


David Maxwell. 


1866. 


David F. White. 


George B. Colony. 


John 11. Westcot. 


1867. 


" 


Perry Burnham. 


„ 


1868. 


Emery Denton. 


Bernard McKitrick. 


George G. Scott. 


1869. 


Wm. J. Jennings. 


It 


(( a 


1870. 


David Maxwell. 


a a 


Henry A. Manu. 


1871. 


" 


it ti 


it it 


1872. 


" " 


tt it 


tt it 


1873. 


tt ti 


tt tt 


tt it 


1874. 


it it 


" " 


Albert B. Blood. 


1875. 


Chas. 0. MeCrecdy. 


" (( 


Henry A. Mann. 


1876. 


it tt 


it !tt 


S. C. Medberry. 


1877. 


it it 


George H. Barlow. 


.1 « 



The action of the village board has always been carefully 
directed to preserve the springs and provide convenient 
facilities to visitors. 

IV.— BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. 

The springs was the first source of the prosperity of the 
village. These in time declined, as already mentioned. 
Joseph Jennings relates that Joshua B. Aldridge predicted 
the ruin of the main spring if an attempt was made to dig 
it over and retube it. To those commencing the work he 
protested. Said he, " My hou.se is full of boarders ; you 



might as well burn it down and destroy my business that 
way as to tamper with that spring." 

The permanent prosperity of Ballston Spa was finally 
assured by other causes than the springs. Until 1796 
the county had no fixed place for the transaction of its 
busin&ss, but in that year the first court-house was built in 
the town of Ballston, on what has ever since been known 
as Court-House Hill. This continued the county-seat until 
the court-house and jail was burned, in March, 1816. The 
next struggle to be the capital of the county ended by the 
designation of Milton as the shire-town, and the selection 
of a site for the court-house in the village of Ballston Spa. 
The selection of this point was materially aided by the 
wise liberality of Nicholas Low, the wealthy landed pro- 
prietor of early times, who donated to the county the hand- 
some elevation where the public buildings now stand. 

This decision brought the public county busitiess to 
Ballston Spa, and made it very lai-gely the political, as it is 
the official, centre of the county. 

The excellent water-power furnished by the Kayadro.ssera 
was the other permanent source of prosperity, and under 
all these several influences the village has progressed in 
population and in conveniences and facilities both for busi- 
nes.s and for pleasure, until there are few finer places of 
residence in the State. 

We include in the following notice of the manufacturing 
interests of the village the paper-mills up the valley, that 
contribute, in various ways, to the business of Ballston Spa, 
this being the point of shipment, — the point where a por- 
tion of the mills are actually situated, and where the pro- 
prietor of the great chain of mills himself resides. They 
arc not given either in order of time or location, but as 
seems most convenient to present them for the purposes of 
description. 

The establishment of Allen & Heaton, miners and manu- 
facturers of emery, is somewhat recent, but is evidently des- 
tined to be an important business at Ballston Spa. The 
works are in the building formerly known as the "oil-cloth 
factory." The building itself is very old, having been 
erected in 1812, and the main shaft of the machinery 
brought from Europe. Allen & Heaton obtain the emery 
from the mine at Thurman, in the Adirondacks, and manu- 
facture solid emery-wheels at the ftictory here. The mines 
and the works are under the same management. It is a 
branch of industry with little or no competition upon this 
continent. Already, besides wheels, they are putting up 
the material in the form of scythe-stones, — and the forms 
and uses to which it may be devoted are perhaps only just 
begun to be developed. 

The building was erected for a cotton-mill. Amos Olcott 
and Nicholas Low are understood to have been largely in- 
terested in it. The great " walking-beam" suddenly broke 
when the factory had been running not more than a month. 
So much damage was done that the enterprise was aban- 
doned. The building was used somewhat for a cider-re- 
finery, but was occupied by no manufacturing enterprise for 
nearly forty years. About 1850 oil-cloth works were opened 
in it by Messrs. Booth, Wait, Jloore, Wakeman, Thomas. 
An excellent quality of cloth was produced. The machinery 
was mostly destroyed by fire in 1875, and the works closed. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



233 



The Ghii Paper Collar Co., of Ballston Spa, was estab- 
lished in 1868 ; commencing business in April of that year. 
The buildings are very old, and were first built for the stor- 
age of grain in connection with the grist-mill. The foun- 
dation is peculiarly strong and massive. They had stood 
unused for some years, when they were devoted to the paper 
collar business by the firm of Medberry & INIann, who con- 
tinue the enterprise at the present time. They employ 
from sixty to one hundred and twenty hands, varying in dif- 
ferent portions of the year. Their daily production is about 
one hundred thousand collars. They have recently added 
the manufacture of paper pails, leasing for that purpose 
water-power at the Barber planing-mills. 

The gas-works of the village were established about the 
year 1857. The ownership has changed hands several 
times since the organization, and is now vested in the First 
National Bank. The present lessee (1877) is James M. 
Cleish. The average amount burned per night during the 
year is about three thousand cubic feet. 

In 1808 or '10 an iron-forge was established by Ben- 
jamin Hall. It stood near the old red bridge. The In- 
dians used to encamp on the island near that forge. 

Paper-Mills. — George West may be styled TUE paper- 
manufacturer of the Kayadrossera valley. Not satisfied 
with one or two mills, he has extended his operations along a 
line of more than eight miles. His enterprises have con- 
tributed largely towards the general prosperity of the town 
of Milton and the village of Ballston Spa. The present 
firm-name is George West & Son. The history of Mr. 
West, even though compressed into the brief space that 
must be assigned to it here, reads more like a romance than 
veritable reality. He came to Ballston Spa in 18G1, and 
entered into the employ of C S. Buchanan, of the Rock 
City Falls paper-mills. Mr. West was thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the business of manufacturing paper, having 
learned it in the best establishments of Devonshire, Eng- 
land. Perhaps he had derived something of inherited 
skill from two generations of ancestors that bad preceded 
him in the same line of work. To his complete acquaint- 
ance with the manufacturing of paper he had also added a 
thorough knowledge of machinery and practical ability to 
adapt it to new and improved uses. At the end of one 
year, with scarcely more than $3000 capital, he made his 
first bold venture by purchasing the Empire paper-mills, 
of Rock City Falls, taking the risk of an immense debt. 
This was in June, 1862. Success followed his enterprise. 
At his touch business sprang into redoubled activity. The 
quality of the paper made immediately attracted attention. 
Eagerly called for in every market around, his first enter- 
prise grew upon his hands until he was compelled by his 
own success to increase his facilities. Three years from 
the commencement of his proprietorship he built the Ex- 
celsior mills, of Rock City, finishing them in 1866. These 
were entirely his own work, — dam, roadway, buildings, 
machinery, everything. At the same time in connection 
with others he bought the Angel! paper-mills at Water- 
town, and was a partner there until 1870, when he retired 
from that enterpri.se to devote himself more closely to the 
Kayadrossera valley. In the year 1870 his business de- 
manded still further accommodations, and he bought the 
30 



Middle Grove or Jamesville mills up the stream within 
the town of Greenfield. These he rebuilt with his usual 
energy, and the same year purchased the Pioneer mill at 
West Milton. He now had four separate mills, but could 
not yet keep up with the orders for his paper, and in 1S74 
he bought the Eagle mill, located at Craneville, two miles 
above Ballston Spa. In 1875 he turned his attention to 
the Island mill, formerly owned and run by Jonas A. 
Hovey as a cotton-mill. This property he bought, consist- 
ing of three large buildings. The cotton-factory was 
at once remodeled into a paper-mill, and this required so 
much of the water-power that the two smaller buildings 
are not run as paper-works but are used for store-rooms. 
He signalized the year 1874 by buying at the same time 
with these "Island buildings" the cotton-mill No. 1, known 
also as the Union mill, and the woolen-mill near it, and 
also the fine private residence where he now lives on 
Milton street. The cotton-mill he leased to other parties. 
The woolen-mill he turned into a paper-bag manufactory. 
This career of unequaled courage, rapidity, and energy has 
only occupied the brief space of fifteen years. It tells its 
own story. 

The firm manuRictures manilla-paper, confining all their 
attention to this one line. Their finished work reaches 
two hundred tons per month, and they manufacture from 
eighty to one hundred millions of paper-bags every year, 
and their orders are steadily in advance of their work. No 
dead stock is found upon their hands. The care and man- 
agement of these enterprises has been reduced to an exact 
system. The reports from each mill per week, the con- 
densed monthly statements of production and sales, are all 
models of business forms devised by Mr. West. 

Reversing perhaps the usual order, we add the past 
history of these several mills in Ballston Spa that were 
purchased by Mr. West, as shown in the previous account: 
In 1836, Jonathan S. Beach and Harvey Chapman bought 
seventy-two acres of land, east of Milton street, between 
Malta avenue and the railroad near North High street, in- 
cluding all the water-power of the lower dam now occupied 
by Mr. West. Soon after this purchase they built the 
west mill of the three on the Island ; this was opened and 
operated as a woolen-mill for a few years, but finally dis- 
continued. About the year 1840 Beach & Chapman erected 
the second or middle building upon the Island ; they sold 
it in a short time to P. H. McOmber, and he transferred it 
finally to Samuel H. Cook. This was a cotton-mill, and it 
was in operation down to the year 1861. In the year 1844 
Beach & Chapman erected the third mill, the one now 
run by Mr. West as a paper-mill ; they soon sold this, with 
the water-power and land still remaining to them, to James 
M. Cook. This was also a cotton-mill, and was operated 
until 1861. All of this Island property was then bought 
by Jonas Hovey. 

The Ballston Spa mill-company was formed in 1838 to 
1840, consisting of Beach, Chapman, James Thompson, 
John W. Tiiompson, George Thompson, Lebbeus Booth, and 
others ; they bought the land and water-]iower wc-st of 
Milton street, north of Gordon creek, and south of the 
Blood & Thomas property. This was purchased of the 
Middlebrook family. In early times Daniel Thomas and 



234 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Hezckiah Middlcbruok had owned together a very large 
tract ill and around the northern portion of tlie present 
village. They divided the property, Middlebrook retaining 
the water-power and Thomas taking the land.s, covered 
then with valuable pine timber. In after-years the water 
privileges became far more valuable than the other. The 
Ballston Spa mill-company did not continue as a corporation, 
but the parties named above as joint proprietors erected the 
Union cotton-iniil, .sometimes known as No. 1. The mill 
was operated by Ziba H. Cook and others for manufacturing 
print cloths until about the year 1855. The same proprie- 
tors built the brick mill on the hill, the one now occupied 
by Mr. West in the manufacture of paper bags. This was 
opened for a knitting-mill, operated by H. Chapman & Son, 
also by Bassctt and Iliro Jones ; the latter owning the 
real estate. It was sold, as was the other factory, to Jonas 
Hovey in 1864-65. Mr. Hovey, having thus become 
the owner of all these mills, operated them, to a greater or 
less extent, until the time of his death in 1873. In con- 
nection with his extensive operations here, he built the 
residence now owned by George West. On this house is 
said to have been expended $50,000. 

Beach & Chapman also built about the year 1850 a 
woolen-mill, known as the Glen woolen-mill property, now 
owned by Edwin H. Chapin. It has been occupied by 
Chapman and others as a blanket- and clolh-niill to the 
present time. It should also be stated in this connection 
that about the year 1830, a few years before the formation 
of the Ballston mill-company, Hezckiah Middlebrook had 
built the dam and the grist-mill known as the Blue mills. 

The original grist-mill built by Daniel Thomas stood 
ftrther up the stream, — about the middle of the present 
pond. When the new dam was erected by Middlebrook, 
in 1830, it attracted attention as unu.sually high, and doubts 
were expressed whether it would stand. All of these 
several enterprises brought to Ballston Spa a large amount 
of capital, caused the erection of many dwellings for 
workmen and others, and now after the various changes of 
three-quarters of a century, Ballston Spa again has all of 
its three original sources of prosperity — the county-seat, 
manufactures, and spriugs. 

The court-house and jail erected in 1S19 arc still in use. 
The first permanent office for the county clerk was erected 
in 1824, near where the railroad crosses the main street. 
It is a venerable relic of the past, — fifty-three years old. 
Previous to the building of this, each clerk had taken care 
of the records in his own office, wherever he might be 
located. 

The building of 1S24 was first occuiiied by the then 
county clerk, Thomas Palmer. The clerk's office at one 
time, under Clerk William Stillwell, was in his cabinet-shop, 
now the residence of G. S. Christopher, on Front street. 
He also kept the records at his residence on Church street, 
where Chester Clapp now resides. The valuable papers of 
the county remained in the small stone building forty-two 
years, when it was succeeded by the present fine structure 
near the court-house. 

v.— SCHOOLS. 

The earliest school that the older people speak of was 
nearly or quite as early as 1800 on the ground of the 



present cemetery, kept in what was the first Baptist meet- 
ing-house. This was followed in a few years by the large 
two-story building, known for so many years as the "Acad- 
emy." This stood in what is now Science street, near the 
railroad. It does not appear to have been an actual academy 
under the care of the regents, but simply a large public or 
district school, with two departments, one for the smaller 
scholars and another for the older pupils, two teachers being 
employed. This was an excellent school, and many of the 
older and middle-aged citizens were educated there. It was 
finally abandoned as a school building, removed to the cor- 
nei' of Charlton and Ballston streets, and fitted up by the 
Methodists for a church. Sold by them to the Catholics, 
and finally by them to private parties, and fitted up as a 
dwelling-lMuise. The removal from Science street was about 
the year 1836. and two district school-houses were built that 
year, one on Malta avenue, nearly opposite the residence of 
Edward W. Lee ; the other is still standing on High street, 
between Ballston and Cliarlton, remodeled into a dwelling- 
house. Tliis system was succeeded by the Ballston Spa 
Union School district. This was organized April 17, 1870. 
The first board of education con.sisted of the following citi- 
zens: Hiro Jones, president ; Neil Gilmour, clerk ; E. H. 
Chapman, B. F. Baker, C. N. McClew, E. Parkinson, J. B. 
Cheydlcu ; John J. Lee, treasurer. 

The school was maintained for three years in the old 
school buildings of the districts and such other rooms as 
could be procured. In the fall of 1873 it was voted to 
erect a union school building, and the present convenient 
house on Bath street was erected the following year, at a 
total expense of about $23,400. The school was opened 
Sept. 14, 1874; principal, Thomas C. Bunyan, who has 
remained in charge to the present time, October, 1877. 
The school is arranged in three grades, — academic, inter- 
mediate, and primary, and so divided into sections as to 
require the employment of eight teachers. The annual 
pay-roll of the teachers amounts to $3750, and the district 
received from the State in 1877, $1654.27 ; and there were 
nine hundred and ninety-two scholars. The present board 
of education for the school year 1877-78 is as follows: 
E. H. Chapman, president ; John H. Wcstcot, clerk ; D. G. 
Harris, B. W. Noxon, Seth Whalen, S. C. Medberry, 
George R. Beach; John J. Lee, treasurer. 

Some years before the adoption of the union school sys- 
tem, the Malta avenue school-house had been abandoned, 
and another one built on the corner of Milton avenue and 
Hamilton street. 

OTIIEU SCHOOLS. 

From IMann's " Bench and Bar of Saratoga County" we 
take the following : 

Mention should be made of the State and National law- 
school, established by John W. Fowler, a bright, but er- 
ratic son of genius, in the old Sans Souci Hotel, Ballston 
Spa, in 1849. He opened it with a full corps of compe- 
tent professors, and secured an abundant patronage. Among 
the graduates may be mentioned the names of Colonel 
Slocum, of the Firet Rhode Island Infantry, who fell at the 
head of his regiment fighting at Bull Run ; Governor Gil- 
bert C. Walker, of Virginia; Judge Abraham R. Law- 
rence, surrogate ; Delano C. Calvin ; General Roger A. 




i'holu. liy 'I'. J. Aniol.l, Ballsloii Sj™. 





-7^11. 



^,^ 



Leverett RIoore was bom on the 'Jtli of December, 
1805, in I'almer, Mass., where he was placed with a farmer 
to be reared, his father having died when he was seven years 
of age. Here he worked and attended school winters until 
the age of fourteen, having the mind and the application to 
maiie the best use of his limited opportunities. At the 
age of eighteen he commenced teaching, by which he ac- 
(|uired the means of attending a classical school at Gran- 
ville, Ma.ss., and continued teaching and .studying until the 
age of twenty-one, when he commenced the study of medi- 
cine. He completed his course at Pittsfield, Mass., and 
graduated at the medical college in that city in December. 
1 829. After practicing a short time in Ulster county, N. Y., 
ho removed to Albany, where he carried on a successful 
practice till September, 18.34, when he removed his office 
to Greonliush, on the opposite side of the Hud.son, and 
practiced there about six years. 

In 1840 he settled as a physician at Ballston Spa, taking 
the place of Dr. Samuel Freeman, who had practiced for 



twenty-five years previous. Dr. Moore has remained in 
successful practice here since 1840, until about two years 
since, when he began gradually to withdraw from the active 
duties of his profession. He has filled a place in the medi- 
cal profession in this county attained by few local prac- 
titioners, and is universally esteemed, not only for his pro- 
fessional talents and integrity, but for his character as a 
man and a citizen. 

lie is a member of the Saratoga County medical society, 
of which he was for a number of years secretary, and is 
also a member of the Union medical as.sociation, of Wash- 
ington, Warren, and Saratoga counties. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, but, on account of his professional duties, 
has always declined to accept office. 

His first wife was Elizabeth G., daughter of Horace 
Allen, of Albany, to whom he w:ts married in XKiW. She 
died in 1813, and he married for his second wife Mary L. 
Smith, of Ballston, in 1844. He has a son and daughter 
living by the first marriage. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



235 



Pryor, of New York ; and ex-Judge Samuel D. Morris, 
of Brooklyn, an alumni that would reflect honor on any 
institution. At the commencement in 1850 there were 
present ex-President Van Buren, Governor Hamilton Fish, 
and the great Kentucky commoner, Henry Clay. The lat- 
ter made a memorable address to the students, addressing 
through them, for the last time, the young men of America 
in words of earnest counsel to be true to themselves and 
their countrj'. But the projector of this law-school, to 
balance all his other attainments, lacked what General 
McCook called a " level head." He was very improvident, 
knowing nothing of the financial problems conducive to suc- 
cess, and after three years of active and useful life the 
in.stitution went into bankruptcy. 

Rev. Deodatus Babcock also opened and carried on a 
school for a time, and it was continued by Chas. D. Seeley. 
It was kept in the Henry A. Mann house; beginning 
about 1846, and continuing about ten years by Rev. Mr. 
Babcock, and about three years by Mr. Seeley. It was an 
excellent school, and furnished a thorough course of training. 

There was also a ladies' seminary from 1822 to 1835. 
It was in High street, and was afterwards changed to a boys" 
school, and continued for a short time, when it was aban- 
doned. This school was under the charge of Lebbeus 
Booth, a gentleman of classical culture and a successful 
teaciier. 

The private school by Rev. James Gilmour, opened in 
1856, was a valuable acquisition to the educational facilities 
of Ballston Spa. The school building was on Pleasant 
street, on the present site of the residence of J. J. Luther. 
The schoof-house was burned down twice, and after the last 
fire the enterprise was abandoned. Hon. Neil Gilmour, 
now superintendent of public instruction of the State, was 
an assistant instructor in the institution. 

The old Sans Souci Hotel, besides its other interesting 
reminiscences, also has the honor of having been devoted 
to the purposes of a ladies' seminary. Rev. D. W. Smith 
was the proprietor and principal of the school, and continued 
it some two years or more. 

The parish school of Christ church, Ballston Spa, was 
organized in May, 1850, under the rectorship of the Rev. 
George Jarvis Geer. The rector was assisted in this work 
by the Rev. Theodore Babcock and the Rev. John II. 
Babcock, who were teachers in the " Ballston Spa Institute," 
then a flourishing institution under the charge of the late 
Rev. Dr. Babcock. The parish school was placed under the 
care of Miss Mary R. Smith, who has had charge of it ever 
since. The number of pupils has varied much from time 
to time, ranging from thirty to sixty, never over sixty ; but 
most of the time as many as forty. School in se.ssion sum- 
mer and winter, with usual vacations. 

VI.— CHURCHES. 
CHRIST CHTJRCH OP BALLSTON SPA. 
The first Episcopal service of Saratoga County (except 
what may have been held by Chaplain Brudenell, of Bur- 
goyne's army, as mentioned in another place) was in the 
.spring of 1791, by Mr. Ammi Rogers, of Bradford, Connec- 
ticut, who, under the supervision of the Rev. Mr. Ellison, 
of Albany, ofiBciated as lay reader at St. George's church, 



in Schenectady, and in private houses in this section of the 
country. Mr. Rogers was ordained deacon by Bishop Pro- 
vost, in Trinity church. New York, June 4, 1792, and ad- 
vanced to the priesthood by the same hands, October 19, 
1794. Christ church was first located at Ballston Centre, 
and Mr. Rogers was its fii-st pastor. Families of Episcopal 
views in both Charlton, Ballston, and Mihon attended 
church there, and services were occasionally held in private 
houses in the various towns. The parish of Christ church 
was organized in 1787, by Thomas Smith, Ezekiel Horton, 
James Emott, Edmund Jennings, James Mann, Elisha 
Miller, Salmon Tryon, and forty-two others. In 1792 the 
first church edifice was erected a little south of Ballston 
Centre, on lands now owned by Riley Crippen. The first 
vestry consisted of Joseph Bettys, Elisha Benedict, war- 
dens ; Thaddeus Belts, John Wright, Joshua Bloore, Ja- 
bez Davis, Richard Warn, and James Emott, vestrymen. 
Rev. Mr. Rogers remained rector until 1807, when he was 
succeeded by Rev. Mr. Van Horn, and he in turn by Rev. 
Gamaliel Thatcher, who died while in charge. Meanwhile, 
in 1810, at the rapidly-growing village of Ballston Spa, a 
parish was organized under the name of St. Paul's church, 
with the Rev. Joseph Perry, rector. After the death of 
Mr. Thatcher the pastor of St. Paul's assumed charge of 
both churches. But they were so near each other that it 
was evident strength and efficiency would be promoted by 
union. Accordingly, in 1817, they were consolidated into 
one society, and the united body appropriately received 
the name that had been given to the early church of the 
flithers in Ballston thirty years before. The first vestry of 
Christ church of Ballston Spa was Joshua B. Aldridge 
and James Mann, wardens; Epenetus White, Jr., Thomas 
Palmer, Samuel Smith, Thomas Smith, Eli Barnum, Daniel 
Starr, vestrymen. At this time the church edifice was 
taken down, removed to the village, and erected on a lot 
adjoining the old county clerk's office. It was re-opened 
by the celebration of morning prayer and a sermon by Rev. 
Benjamin T. Onderdonk, afterwards bishop of New York, 
from the text, " He loveth our nation and hath built us a 
synagogue." Rev. Mr. Perry was succeeded as rector by 
Rev. William A. Clark. In 1824, Rev. Deodatus Bab- 
cock accepted the call of the parish, and administered the 
sacraments and performed the offices of the church for 
nearly a quarter of a century. From 1845 to the present 
time the successive rectors of the church have been Revs. 
George J. Geer, Robert G. Rogers, Charles Arey, George 
W. Dean, George Worthington, and Joseph Carey. 

During the rectorship of Rev. Wm. Dean, in 1860, the 
corner-stone of the new edifice was laid, and the work of 
erection was prosecuted to completion in the next two years, 
at an expense of about $11,000. In JIarch, 1862, the 
congregation took a sorrowful leave of the hallowed walls 
within which they and their fathers had so often gathered. 
There the children of successive generations had been bap- 
tized. There for seventy years the people had worehiped 
" the Lord in his Holy Temple." From its sacred altar the 
dead had been borne forth to burial, the .sad refrain of mor- 
tality, " txshcs to ashes, dust to dust," relieved by the glori- 
ous words of Christian hope, " I am the resurrection and 
the life." The congregation moved from the old to the 



236 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



new, praying that the glory of the former house might de- 
scend on the latter. The old edifice was taken down after 
a few years, its oaken frame still sound as when it came 
from the hewer's axe, fit representative of the solid men of 
old, who laid the foundations of our civil and religious in- 
stitutions. As an evidence of early genuine Christian 
friendship, it should be added that the bell which has so 
long called the faithful to the House of God, was a gift 
from the North Pearl Street Dutch Reformed church of 
Albany. It bears the ancient inscription, " Benj. Whitear 
Sharon in 1774. This bell is made for the High Jarmon 
Reformed church, Albani."* 

The rectory adjoining the church was built many years 
before the new edifice, — a wise forethought having at an 
early date secured the valuable corner lot for the church. 
A few years since the church also purchased from the State 
the building erected for an armory in 1858. It is used for 
the general purposes of the society and for the parish school. 
The present officers of the church are Rev. Walter Dela- 
field, rector; James W. Horton, Benj. F. Baker, wardens; 
S. C. Medberry, clerk ; George C. Beecher, treasurer ; Ste- 
phen B. Medberry, Wni. A. Wheeler, Samuel Smith, 
George C. Beecher, Stephen C. Medberry, John Richards, 
Andrew Booth, John Scott, vestrymen. 

We add the following biographical sketch of the first 
pastor of this church, and the founder and leader of many 
others. The Rev. Ammi Rogers, the first pastor of Christ 
church, was born at Branford, New Haven Co., Conn , on 
the 2Gth May, 1770, and was a lineal descendant in the 
fifth generation of the Rev. John Rogers, who was burnt 
at the stake at Smithfield, 14th February, 1554, first martyr 
in Queen Mary's reign. At the age of sixteen he entered 
Yale College, and was graduated in 1790. He was or- 
dained deacon 24th June, 1792, and elevated to the priest- 
hood 19th October, 1794. In the year 1794 he married 
Margaret Bloore, only daughter of Joshua Bloore, of Balls- 
ton. She died at Ballston in the year 1800, leaving three 
infant children. During the nine years of his ministry in 
Schenectady and at Ballston and vicinity, he baptized fifteen 
hundred and forty-two persons, and officiated at more than 
a hundred weddings and as many burials. 

Joshua Bloore was a settler in Ballston previous to 1787. 
He came from Manchester, England, and first settled as a 
merchant in Albany. His wife was Margaret Brintnal, of 
Langly parish, Derbysnire, England. His only daughter, 
Margaret, married Rev. Ammi Rogers at Ballston, in the 
year 1794, and dying there in 1800, left three infant chil- 
dren as the fruit of their union. 

BAPTIST CHURCH OF BALLSTON SPA. 
The first organization of this church was in 1791. The 
congregation met in a school-house south of where the 
village now stands, and continued to meet there until the 
year 1802. During this time the village was a preaching 
station supplied by different ministers, two of whom may 
be mentioned, — Rev. Mr. Mudge and Rev. Mr. Langworthy, 
of Saratoga Springs. In the year 1800, Rev. Elias Lee 
was called to the pastorate of the church, which then 

* A verbatim copy of the inscription. 



numbered ninety-four members. Mr. Lee was a man of 
remarkable talent and power, and well beloved by his church. 
He remained pastor thirty years, and the connection then 
only terminated because he was called " up higher." The 
first meeting-house was built soon after Mr. Lee assumed 
the pastorate, and occupied a part of the ground where the 
present Ballston cemetery is located. The pulpit of the 
old meeting-house is said to have been almost exactly above 
the place where Elder Lee was buried. This first Baptist 
meeting-house stood until about the year 1820, when it 
was removed to a spot just west of the railroad depot, where 
the water-tank now stands. There services were held until 
the year 1837, when the present house was completed at an 
expense of S8000. The legal organization of the church 
took place in 1802, and the certificate, recorded in the office 
of the county, clerk, shows that Rev. Elias Lee was pastor, 
William Stillwell, deacon, Jo.seph Robinson, William Still- 
well, Silas Briggs, Nehemiah Seeley, Eiisha Roe, and 
Jonathan Peckham, trustees. 

In 1805 the Saratoga Baptist Association was formed, 
and this church was one of the constituent members. 
Like most other churches this has had its days of spiritual 
growth and prosperity, as well tis its days of adversity and 
declension. The church had its largest additions during 
the two years' pastorate of Rev. S. S. Parr, — one hundred 
and nineteen. The catalogue of pastors is as follows: Rev. 
Eli;is Lee, thirty years; William E. Waterbury, four years; 
S. 8. Parr, two years ; Charles B. Keyes, one year; Norman 
Fox, twelve years; Orrin Dodge, two years; Joseph Free- 
man, one year ; L. Y. Hayhurst, four years ; E. S. Widde- 
mer, one year ; William Groom, Jr., four years ; William 
O. Holman, four years ; P. Franklin Jones, one and one- 
half years ; George W. Clark, five and one-half years ; 
E. II. Johnson, one and one-half years; R. T. Jones, the 
present pastor, now in the third year of his labors. The 
present organization consists of Anson B. Garrett, Barney 
Grossman, Seymour Rowley, Calvin Wiley, A. J. Griffen, 
deacons; Edward Maxon, treasurer; Seymour Rowley, 
Stephen E. Garrett, James W. Morris, Charles N. McCleuv, 
William S. Waterbury, trustees; Jerome B. Schultz, sexton ; 
A. J. Griffen, church clerk. 

This church was known as the Second Milton until 1802. 

PEESBYTERIAN CHDRCH. 

The First Presbyterian church was organized in June, 
1834. Previous to this time families of Presbyterian senti- 
ments had belonged either to the church at Ballston Centre 
or that of Milton Centre. The rapidly-increasing import- 
ance of the village of Ballston Spa led to a desire for a 
separate church at this point. The movement was very 
much aided, as was that of the Methodist organization 
about the same time, by an extensive and noted revival, a 
part of this general work that prevailed over so large a por- 
tion of the State from 1828 to 1835. The first prelimi- 
nary meeting was held May 10, 1834, and the church 
organized with sixty-six members, bearing letters from the 
two churches named above. 

The first trustees were elected July 8, 1834, Philip H. 
McOmber, Jonathan S. Beach, Edward W. Lee, Moses 
Williams, Christopher Earl, and James Comstock. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



237 



The church edifice was erected in 1835, at a cost of 
$10,000. It was dedicated in November of that year, 
the congregation having met for a few months in the court- 
house. 

A parsonage was bought in 1856, at an expense of nearly 
$3000. 

In 1860, Samuel H. Cook built a neat chapel on Milton 
street, at an expense of about $600, for the use of the so- 
ciety. His intention, expressed before his death, of making 
it a free gift to the church was carried out by his family. 

The several pastors of the church have been James 
Wood, Samuel J. Prime, A. T. Chester, Daniel Stewart, 
George T. Todd, Nathaniel S. Piime, Richard H. Steele, 
Nathaniel B. Klink, David Tully, S. Mattoon, S. A. Hoyt, 
Jr., David Murdock. 

The present organization (1877) consists of five elders, — 
T. M. Mitchell, Hiro Jones, J. L. Phillips, Joseph Horn, 
E. R. Scareman ; and of six trustees, — T. M. Mitchell, 
Hiro Jones, John McLean, George R. Beach, Jonathan S. 
Beach, James 0. Leach ; Hiro Jones clerk of session and 
also of the trustees. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

It is a matter of regret that no records are preserved of 
the earliest Methodist work in this village. It would, no 
doubt, show interesting facts of early prayer-meetings gath- 
ered in private houses ; of the welcome given to the toiling 
itinerant minister, as he traveled the immense circuit of the 
olden times, and once a fortnight or once a month reached 
this place ; the efiiciont method of organization, which is 
characteristic of Methodists. The establishing of a pioneer 
" cla.ss," where only two or three " mot together in the 
Saviour's name," was a work in many places all unwritten, 
yet powerful as the nucleus of future churches and con- 
ferences. Not even a single leaf of class records may come 
down to the eager grasp of the historian ; yet there is 
ample proof that the work was done, and well done, though 
the names and facts are known only to 11 im who needcth no 
record to recall the earthly labors of His faithful children. 

Coming down to the actual organization of the church, 
we find that this occurred in 1836 ; that the society con- 
sisted of E. Jones, S. Hicks, C. Caulkins, C. Patchen, and 
some fourteen others. 

Revs. Elisha Andrews and Wm. H. Backus were the 
first ministers. 

They first worshiped in the old academy, so called. 

Their first house of worship was erected in 1836, and the 
dedication services were conducted by Noah Levings. The 
present one was erected in 1846, at an expense of about 
$12,000. It has at various times been enlarged and im- 
proved, at a cost of $6000. In connection with the church 
a parsonage was erected, at an expense of $2000. 

The present pastor is Rev. R. H. Robinson, who has 
once before also been appointed to this charge. During 
the war he was chaplain of the Thirty-second Regiment, 
New York Volunteers. The present organization consists 
of nine stewards, — C. Garling, J. L. Weed, N.. L. Roe, T. 
White, A. Reynolds, J. E. Purdy, J. L. Hemstead, Wil- 
liam Winters, David Winne ; of five trustees, — David At- 
kins, president ; W. B. H. Outt, secretary ; George West, 



M. J. Esmond, W. W. Garrett; and of eleven cla.ss-leaders, 
— David Atkins, Charles Van Valkenburgh, S. D. Arnold, 
D. C. Garrison, William Shaw, E. Rogers, J. Tucker, M. 
J. Esmond, H. C. Dey, A. Clark, W. W. Garrett. The 
membership is over three hundred. An efficient Sunday- 
school is maintained, with a good library. The house of 
worship is centrally and conveniently located, in the midst 
of the business portion of the village. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF B.4LL.ST0N SPA. 

Catholic services were held by various pastors of the 
church, some perhaps as early as 18 19. Father Ilavreman 
first celebrated mass here on Ash Wednesday. The meet- 
ings were held in the old Methodist meeting-house, which 
the Catholics purchased. Father Daly next ministered to 
this congregation. He was followed by Pastor Cull. Un- 
der his administration of the parish, ground w;is purchased 
and the corner-stone of the present house was laid in De- 
cember, 1859. It was finished the following year, and 
consecrated by Bishop McCloskey, now cardinal. IMrs. 
jMcLaugblin, who has furnished this information (on the 
failure of the priest to do so), states that the great cardinal 
dined in her humble house. The church cost about $3000, 
and the fitting up $1000 more. The building committee 
were Michael St. John, Dennis McLaughlin, and John 
Hand. Father Cull ministered to this society many years. 
Pastor Sheehan came next, and then the first regular parish 
priest. Rev. M. McGeoghan. 

The Catholic cemetery was purchased in the year 1865, 
and consecrated with appropriate ceremonies. The first 
burial in it was James St. John. 

CENTENNIAL HALL. 

The Centennial hall, erected or finished, as its name in- 
dicates, in the year 1876, is a neat and ornamental build- 
ing, devoted to free discussion in religious matters. It was 
built by citizens favoring or at least interested in modern 
spiritualism, and its platform is occupied from time to time 
by speakers upon that subject. The movement has not 
crystallized into an organization, but regular exercises are 
now held (October, 1877) twice each Sunday. The advi- 
sory committee consists of Dr. Moore, Lawyer Brotherton, 
Mr. Barber, and Mr. Noxon. 

VII.— BANKS. 

" The Btdlston Spa Bank," the first banking institution 
in town, was organized in 1838, and commenced business 
May 15, 1839. The first board of directors were James 
M. Cook, Isaac Frink, Anson Brown, Lebbeus Booth, 
Jonathan S. Beach, Samuel Freeman, Eli Barnum, John 
W. Thompson, Stephen Smith, John Kelley, Harvey Chap- 
man, Philip H. Macomber, Samuel Hides. James M. 
Cook was president ; Isaac Fowler, cashier ; John J. Lee, 
teller. The institution was reorganized in 1865 under the 
name of the " Ballston Spa National Bank." The present 
board consists of John W. Thompson, president, Jonathan 
S. Beach, Samuel Smith, Andrew W. Smith, Arnold Har- 
ris, Leverett Moore, Henry Knickerbocker, George G. 
Scott, George L. Thompson. Cashier, John J. Lee. 

It will be noticed that three, John W. Thompson, Jona- 



238 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



than S. Beach, and John J. Lee, have been connected with 
the bank thirty-eight years. The latter has also been treas- 
urer of the village and treasurer of the Union School dis- 
trict for many years, enjoying, in a high degree, the confi- 
dence of the community. 

" The First National Bunk of Ballslon Spa' was es- 
tablished April 1, 1865. Capital, $100,000. The first 
trustees were Hiro Jones, Henry A. Mann, Nathaniel Har- 
rison, Samuel L. Eldridge, Samuel Gould, Jr., Lawrence 
W. Bristol, John H. Westcot, James 0. Leach, J. S. Smith, 
John McLean, John D. Bancroft, L. M. Crane, and James 
Ellison. Hiro Jones, president; John D. Bancroft, cash- 
ier. This bank has a savings department, organized April 
1,1870. Deposits, about $65,000. The present board of 
trustees consists of Hiro Jones, president ; Stephen C. 
Medberry, cashier; George West, John McLean, James 
W. Horton, James 0. Leach, John H. Westcot, Lawrence 
W. Bristol, J. S. Lamareaux, Thomas Noxon, M. J. 
Esmond, Abel S. Whitlock, John H. Bassett. 

Before 1838 banking was done at Schenectady, Troy, 
and Waterford. 

It may be added that Mr. S. C. Medberry, of the First 
National Bank, is said to be the youngest cashier in the 
State. 

VIII.— SOCIETIES. 

MASONIC LODGES. 
In reviewing the history of Freemasonry in this vicinity, 
it appears that in 1794 a number of Masons met in the 
town of Ballston for the purpose of forming a lodge, and 
that on the 16th day of May, in the same year, the Grand 
Lodge of the State of New York granted a charter to 
Franklin Lodge, No 37, located in the town of Ballston. 
For a long time the meetings were held at the residence of 
one of the members, on the southwest corner, opposite the 
present church at Ballston Centre, and, after the death of this 
brother, were held at the residences of the different mem- 
bers until 1834, when the warrant was forfeited, and de- 
clared to be not legally capable of being revived. 

About ten years subsequent to the organization of 
Franklin Lodge, above noticed, a number of the fraternity 
met at the residence of William G. Boss, in the town of 
Milton, September 24, 1804, and organized a lodge. This 
was at " Milton Hill." The organization received a charter 
from the Grand Lodge, March 22, 1805, with the title of 
Friendship Lodge, No. 118. Meetings continued to be 
held in the town of Milton until January 2, 1821, when 
the lodge was removed to Ballston Spa, where regular com- 
munications were held until 1835, when the' charter was 
surrendered, and never afterwards revived. 

On the membership roll of this lodge we find the names 
of many brethren who afterwards became active and useful 
members of Franklin Lodge, No. 90, one of whom, Worthy 
Brother Joseph Jennings, is still living in this village, at 
the advanced age of eighty-nine years. 

For more than half a century Brother Jennings has been 
an esteemed member of the fraternity, receiving the degrees 
in Friendship Lodge, and being one of the founders of 
Franklin Lodge, No. 90, of which lodge he is now the 
oldest living member. During these many years of faith- 
ful adherence to the principles and teachings of Free- 



masonry, he has filled neai'ly every position in the lodge, 
always with credit to himself and honor to the fraternity. 

For a period of seven years, from 1835 to 1842, there 
was no Ma.sonic organization in this village. June 3, 1842, 
the charter under which Franklin Lodge, No. 90, now 
works, was granted by the Grand Lodge. Nearly all the 
members of Franklin Lodge, No. 37, and of Friendship 
Lodge, No. 118, became members of the new lodge, which 
has maintained its regular communications in this village 
to the present time. In the proceedings of the Grand 
Lodge, under date of June 3, 1842, is found the following : 
" The committee on warrants reported in favor of grant- 
ing a warrant to constitute a lodge at Ballston, in the county 
of Saratoga, by the name of Franklin Lodge, of which 
Brother William Saunders is to be the first Master ; Brother 
William Hawkins, S. W., and Brother Joseph Jennings, 
J. W., and that the property of the late Franklin Lodge, 
No. 37, be returned to said new lodge on payment of the 
usual fee for the warrant." 

Franklin Lodge has numbered among its members several 
brethren who have attained to high positions among the 
fraternity, and in the civil walks of life. Of the latter. 
Brother James M. Cook, who received the Masonic degrees 
in this lodge, was for several years superintendent of the 
State banking department, and also represented his district 
in both houses of the State Legislature. He was buried 
with Masonic honors, and his remains now rest in the 
cemetery in this village. Among those whom the craft 
have delighted to honor, we find the names of W. Brother 
George Babcock, at one time Grand Commander of the 
order of Knights Templar in this State ; W. Brother Seth 
Whalen, District Deputy Grand Lecturer for two years, and 
Master of this lodge for seven years ; and R. W. Jonathan 
S. Smith, District Deputy Grand Master, and present Master 
of the lodge. 

For more than eighty years Franklin Lodge has been 
engaged in advancing the sublime teachings and principles 
of the order, and now occupies a high position among the 
lodges of the State for the excellence of its work, and a 
close adherence to the ancient landmarks of Freema.sonry. 
At the formation of this latter lodge, June 3, 1842, 
William Saunders was elected W. M., William Hawkins, 
S. W ; and Joseph Jennings, J. W. 

The successive incumbents of the Master's chair have 
been William Saunders, William Hawkins, Joseph Jen- 
nings, Abel Meeker, S. A. Emerson, Reuben Westcot, 
Abel Meeker, Harvey N. Hill, Abel Meeker, George Bab- 
cock, Harvey N. Hill, Abel Meeker, Harvey N. Hill, 
George II. Milliman, George W. Ingalls, Harvey N. Hill, 
S. H. Drake, P. G. Newcomb, Graham Pulver, Seth 
Whalen, Benjamin Allen, Seth Whalen, Jonathan S. Smith, 
Albert J. Reid, Jonathan S. Smith, Edward F. Grose. 

This lodge, in connection with the chapter, have a very 
fine lodge-room, fitted up with elegant and costly furniture. 
The present oflicors (June, 1878) are Edward F. Grose, 
W. M. ; George H. Barlow, S. W. ; C. Fred. Wheeler, J. 
W. ; John McKown, Treas. ; John J. Lee, Sec. ; George 
H. Noxon, S. D. ; S. H. Van Steenburgh, J. D. ; Alonzo 
M. Shepherd, S. M. C. ; Edwin C. lloyt, J. M. C. ; Rev. 
W. Delaficld, Chaplain ; A. P. Hemple, Tyler. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



239 



The treasurer and secretary above named have held their 
offices continuously for a long series of years. 

Warreii Chapter, No. 23, was organized in 1809, the 
dispensation being granted March 30 of that year to Seth 
C. Baldwin and others. Just previous to this, in 1808, a 
warrant had been granted to Eliakim Corey, Nathan Wor- 
dcn, and William G. Boss, authorizing them to hold an M. 
M. Lodge, to be known as Friendship, No. 39. 

Chapter No. 23 was represented in the Grand Chapter 
of the State, in 1808, by James Hawkins as prosy. The 
roll of representatives from that time to this is a long and 
honored one. 1811, A. Olcott; 1812, Joseph Euos, Jr.; 
1814, William Hawkins; 1815, William Worden ; 1817- 
20, William Hawkins; 1821-22, Jonathan Edgecomb ; 
1823, Rev. William A. Clark (the latter also represented 
Chapter 23 in the emergency session at the celebration of 
the opening of the Erie canal); 1824, Thomas Palmer; 
1825-26, Lyman B. Langworthy ; 1827, John Dix ; 1828, 
Jonathan Edgecomb. 

From 1829 to 1846, seventeen years, the chapter was 
not represented, but maintained its rights by paying its 
dues, retaining its name and number. Having commenced 
working again, the representatives have been : 1847-48, 
Reuben Westcot ; 1849, Abel Meeker; 1850-51, Harvey 
N. Hill; 1852, Abel Meeker; 1853, Reuben Westcot; 
1854, Harvey N. Hill; 1855, Abel Meeker; 1856-57, 
Harvey N. Hill; 1858, George W. Ingalls; 1859, Harvey 
N. Hill; 1860-61, Reuben Westcot; 1862-65, Harvey 
N. Hill; 1866, J. S. Lamareaux ; 1867-68, Percy J. 
Newcomb ; 1869-70, Graham Pulver; 1871, Charles Rea- 
soner, Reuben E. Groat, and Jonathan S. Smith ; 1872-78, 
Jonathan S. Smith. The latter is also one of the officers 
of the Grand Chapter of the State. 

The present officers of Warren Chapter (June, 1878) 
are Jonathan S. Smith, H. P.; Samuel F. Day, K.; N. 
R. Vandenburgh, Scribe ; Allen S. Glen, Treas. ; John J. 
Lee, Sec. ; Rev. Walter Delafield, Chaplain ; J. George 
Christopher, C. of H. ; Seth Whalen, P. S. ; John L. 
Brownell, R. A. C. ; Hicks Seaman, M. 3d V. ; Edward 
F. Grose, M. 2d V. ; George C. Benham, M. 1st V. ; A. 
P. Hemple, Tyler. 

INDEPENDENT OEDER OP ODD-FELLOWS. 

Kayadrossera Lodge, No. 17, /. 0. 0. F., was organized 
Jan. 9, 1844. The charter members were Samuel H. 
Cook, David Maxwell, James G. Stebbins, William T. 
Odell, William Smith, and Edward Gilborne. The lodge 
had its first rooms in the building known as the " Old 
Mansion House,'' near the foot of Front street. 

It continued to work until about 1865, when it was dis- 
solved. The successive incumbents of the chair of Noble 
Grand were Samuel H. Cook, David Maxwell, William P. 
OdoU, P. H. Cowen, William Smith, Lorenzo Kelly, John 
J. Lee, Henry Wright, Edward Gibbon, G. V. Mix, Har- 
rison Emerson, Siiuire Barrett, George Thompson, Selden 
A. Emerson, Spencer Twitchell, John McKown, John 
Wilder, James Ashmun, James W. Morris, Amos W. 
Cook, Daniel W. Culver, Abraham Carey, L. W. Bri.stul, 
George Babeock, H. P. Jones, A. J. Goffe, Isaac D. Gib- 
bons, H. C. Hakes, Edson 0. Arnold, William W. Siui- 



mons, Cornell M. Noxon, Nelson H. Huested, Isaac H. 
Sears, James W. Culver, C. H. Van Valkenburgh, E. C. 
Foster, John C. Sullivan, Henry A. Mann, Burdick F. 
Davie, Joshua B. Boss, William W. Day, John H. West- 
cot, Edwin Miller, Josiah B. Hall, John C. Newman, John 

F. Bortles, James S. Garret, C. C. Hill, J. P. Weatherwax, 
E. A. Frisbie. 

This lodge having ceased to work, a new movement was 
made a few years later, and Kayadrossera Lodge, No. 270, 
w:is organized. This was about the year 1870. The lodge 
is a flourishing institution, having, with the K. of P., a 
fine hall, richly carpeted and furnished, and several hun- 
dred dollars in the bank. The present officers (June, 
1878,) are: 

James Chalis, N. G. ; Joseph Richardson, V. G. ; Dan- 
iel Nims, P. S. ; Emmet P]. Lee, R. S. ; Frank W. Bortles, 
W. ; Marshall L. Vaughn, C. ; William Barrett, Treas. ; 
Rev. R. H. Robinson, Chaplain ; Hiram Van Ness, Guard ; 
Frank Wilson, P. N. G. ; E. 0. Hora, R. S. N. G. ; Charles 
W. Massey, L. S. N. G. ; OrviUe Mcintosh, R. S. V. G. ; 
George W. Miller, L. S. V. G. 

Ballston Eneampmeiit, No. 72, I. 0. 0. F., was organ- 
ized Nov. 9, 1854. Instituting officer present, G. P. Sey- 
mour. The fir.st officers were : 

D. W. Culver, C. P. ; J. H. Sears, H. P. ; J. J. Lee, 
J. W. ; John McKown, S. W. ; L. W. Bristol, Scribe ; J. 
W. Culver, Treas. ; W. W. Simmons, Guide. 

This organization was only continued a few years. 

GRAND ARMV OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Post No. 46, G. A. R., was organized in May, 1875. 
The officers were A. J. Reed, C. ; Thomas Harris, S. V. 
C. ; Charles Massey, J. V. C. ; P. P. Williams, Adjutant ; 

G. D. Storey, Q. M. ; Justin Warner, Q. M. S. ; James 
D. Thompson, 0. D. ; R. H. Young, Chaplain ; Charles 
Brock way. Surgeon ; Martin Lee, 0. G. 

The post numbers about sixty members. The present 
officers (June, 1878) are James D. Thompson, C. ; James 
Dunk, S. V. C. ; Hamilton White, J. V. C. ; George 
McCreedy, Adjutant; George D. Storey, Q. M. ; John 
Mitchell, Q. M. S. ; Michael Brady, 0. D. ; James Wood, 
Chaplain ; B. W. Noxon, Surgeon ; John H. Foster, 0. G. 

The only presiding officer between the first and last 
named was Thomas Harris, two terms. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

Ihrman Lodge, No. 90, A', of P., was formed in De- 
cember, 1873. Among the first officers were S. H. Van 
Steenburgh, C. C. ; W. W. Garrett, V. C. ; R. H. Young, 
P. ; A. M. Shepherd, K. of R. and S. ; George McDon- 
ald, M. of Ex. ; Matthew Livingston, M. of F. ; George 
Briggs, M. A.; Willard Brown, J. G. ; John E. Cooke, 
0. G. ; M. Weiner, P. C. C. 

The lodge has increased to seventy members, and meets 
in Pythian Hall every Wednesday evening. 

Other presiding officers have been W. W. Garrett, R. 
II. Young, A. M. Shepherd, George Yatt, and Cortland 
Rouse. 

The present officers (June, 1878) are George D. Storey, 



240 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



C. C. ; Robert Groom, Y. C. ; James Dunk, P.; Justin L. 
Warner, K. of K. and S. ; Joseph Richardson, M. of Ex. ; 
Willard Brown, M. of F.; R. M. Moore, M. A. ; Henry 
Burnham, J. G. ; Albert Hopkins, O. G. ; George Yatt, 
P. C. C. 

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. 

A Tent of Recliahites existed in Ballston in the early 
years of that order in the United States. It was known 
as Delaware Tent, and lasted several years. 

The present organization, under the same name. No. 66, 
N. 0. R., was formed in the spring of 1876. At that 
time John Edwards was S. H. ; R. H. Young, C. R. ; and 
Frank Ross, D. R. The tent meets every Thursday even- 
ing, and numbers about fifty members. The present officers 
(June, 1878) are John Edwards, S. H. ; Thomas Mills, 
C. R. ; Erastus Smith, D. R. ; Frank Ross, P. C. R. ; 
John Smith, Treas. ; Joseph Richardson, F. S. ; John Van 
Ever, C. S. ; John Agan, Levite ; Loren Allen, G. 

Ballston Division of the Sons of Tcnijierance had a 
vigorous existence for several years in the earlier times of 
that order, but ceased to work. 

A new division was attempted a few years since, but 
after two or three years gave way to a lodge of Good 
Templars, which was instituted about 1874, and this ceased 
to work in 1876. The last presiding officer was John 
Coon. 

A branch of the order of United Workmen has recently 
been organized in Ballston Spa. 

IX.— INTERESTING REJIINISOENCES. 

We add the following circular of the Sans Souci Hotel 
of 1811: 

REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED AT THE SANS SOUCI HOTEL. 

Gentlemen on their arrival are requested to insert tiieir names on 
the public register kept in the office for that purpose; also, the 
names of the whole of their party individually, and number of ser- 
vants, after which they will please to make choice of their bedrooms. 

Tcrytte of Board. 

Ten dollars per week ; two dollars a day for a shorter period. 
Children under twelve years of age and servants, half price. 
Breakfast (for servant and help), six; dinner, one; supper, six. 
Hour of breakfast is eight o'clock ; one hour previous a preparatory 
bell will be rung. I>inner at two, with the same notice at one 
o'clock. Supper at seven, with a like notice at six. 

Pn'ce of' Liquors. 



Old Madeira, 1st S.'i.OO 

" 2d 2.50 

Sicily 1.60 

Port Wine 2.00 

Chamjiagne 3.00 

Rhine 3.00 

Claret l.oO 

Sherry 1.50 

Teneriffe 1.50 

Vindegravo 1.50 



Burgundy $2.00 

Martinique Liquors 2.00 

Cherry Brandy 1.50 

Jamaica 1.50 

Holland Gin 1.50 

Brjindy 1.50 

Brown Stout 75 

Cider 3"i 

Mixed Liquors, glass \2\ 



To prevent mistakes arising from w.aiters not understanding the 
names of gentlemen calling for liquors at the dinner table, each 
waiter will be provided with cards and pencils. Gentlemen, when 
they want anything, will demand a card and pencil, and insert it 
thereon, with their signature. The charges at the b.ir will corre- 
spond, and must be correct. 

Ladies and gentlemen are rcqiiested not to enter the dining-room 
while the waiters are placing the dinner on the table. The bell 
will give due notice when ready. To prevent annoyance to the ladies 
neither drinking nor smoking can be allowed iu their drawing-room. 



Gentlemen will please to give timely notice of their departure, as 
frequent mistakes are made in bills for want of time to make them 
out. 

Persons bringing their own liquor will pay ctne dollar for each 
bottle opened. Gentlemen who drink liquor at the bar arc requested 
to pay for the same when they receive it. 

A.VDREW Berger. 

Ballstos Spa, July 1, ISll. 

In the hotel are still some curious specimens of the old 
furniture, — wide old-fashioned sofas and mirrors ; and in 
the office a round table covered with locust from a tree cut 
on the premises. Es-Governor Wm. L. Marcy died in 
this hotel July 4, 1857. His signature, written June 
22, twelve days before in the hotel register, was one of 
his very last autographs. 

July 9 ex-President Pierce and ex-Govornor Washington 
Hunt were at the hotel, but their names were probably 
written by a clerk. 

The old Sans Souci has ever been held in high esteem by 
health-seekers, and under its umbrageous elms and its 
ho.spitable roof have entered John C. Calhoun, Martin Van 
Buren and his son Prince John, R. Barnwell Rhett the 
elder, General Wool, Franklin Pierce, J. Feniiuore Cooper, 
Washington Irving, Commodores Hull, Decatur, and 
McDonough, General Dix, Charles O'Conor, Bishop B. T. 
Ondeidonk, Jerome Bonaparte, Louis Napoleon, then an 
obscure princeling, and many othere well known in the 
world's history. 

George Smith, who made this last noted improvement 
on the grounds of the Sans Souci, is now the proprietor of 
the Ballston Spa House. This was formerly the icinter 
house of the Sans Souci when the main building was closed 
at the end of the pleasure season. 

S. R. Earls is the present manager of the Sans Souci. 

X.— MINERAL WATERS OF THE PRESENT TIME. 

We close this account of the village of Ballston Spa 
with a statement of the several springs, which have restored 
to the village the source of its former prosperity, and which 
bid fair now to prove valuable and permanent. The various 
streams, rising from a great depth with immense force, are 
safe from surface impurities. 

ARTESIAN LITIIIA SPRING. 

As the result of the oil excitement in Pennsylvania, 
enterjirising adventurers oF every community looked eagerly 
around their own localities for evidences of oil. A com- 
pany undertook to bore in Ballston Spa for oil. They 
commenced work in the fall of 1865, and finished the next 
year. The}' missed the petroleum, but struck a splendid 
.stream of the mineral water, at five hundred and fifty-two 
feet, that in old times had made Ballston famous, but the 
surface flow of which had mainly disappeared. Over this 
a suitable brick building has been erected, — beautiful 
grounds laid out in front of it, — an enterprise which, 
though temporarily embarrassed (not, however, for want of 
wiitor), will no doubt prove remunerative in the future. 
The following certificate of analysis shows the quality of 
the water. The well was drilled by Conde & Denton, and 
was extended to six hundred and fifty-two feet iu depth. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



241 



BALLSTON SPA ARTESIAN LITHIA SPRING. 

.■liia/^«i'» bt/ Pi-iif. C. F. OhawlUr, Ph.D. 

Gmins. 

Chloride of sodium ToO.O.iO 

Chloride of |iot:issiura 3S.27fi 

Bromide of i^odium .'i.()4:l 

Iodide of sodium 0.124- 

Fluoride of calcium a trace. 

Bicariionate of lithia 7.7.50 

Bicarboniitc of soda 11.928 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 180.002 

Bicarbonate of lime 238. loG 

Bicarbouatc of strontia 0.807 

Bicarbonate of barvta 0.88I 

Bicarbonate of iron 1.581 

Sulphate of potassa 0.520 

Phosphate of soda O.O.iO 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina 0.077 

Silica 0.761 

Organic matter a trace. 

Total 123:1.246 

Carbonic acid gas 426.114 cub. in. 

Density 1.0169 •• 

Temperature .52 deg. F. 

School ok Mi.ves, Columbia Collkgk, N. Y., .April 21, 186S. 
FRANKLIN SPRING. 

The " Franklin Jlineral Spring Company," some twenty 
years ago, bcfaiue tlioroughly convinced, by geological and 
scientific evidence, that valuable medicinal waters could, by 
a large uutlay of nionc}' and much perseverance, be brought 
to the surface (for the benelit of humanity) at Ballston 
Spa, — waters unequalcd in the known world for medicinal 
purposes, as well as a healthy, grateful beverage ; but owing 
to circumstances and proper conditions, the work of boring 
for this water was not commenced till late in 18G8. A 
contract was then made with an Artesian Well Company, 
and the work was at once begun. This companj' sunk a 
drill, five inches in diameter, twenty-three feet through 
earth and came to rock, through which they drilled to a 
depth of sis hundred and ninety feet. — seven hundred and 
fifteen feet deep. When this great depth was reached and 
the drill removed, the water came rushing up with frightful 
velocity, and throwing it into the air fifty-three feet, and 
sustaining it sixty minutes by the watch, producing one 
of the subliniest and most wonderful phenomena witnessed 
by man, and since that time the supply has been exhaust- 
less. 

This spring is about half a mile northeast of the railroad 
station, on Malta avenue, on a swell of land overlooking the 
village and the surrounding country for niile.s. The well 
was also drilled by Conde & Denton. The following is the 

CERTIFIGATE OF ANALYSIS. 

L.tnORATOItV OP TIIK Sc'llOOL OF MiNHS. Coi.rilBIA "I 

Collkgk, Cohnku op 49th Stiekkt and Fourth > 
AvK.vuE, New Yohk, August 9, 1869. J 

Sir, — The sample of spring water from the Franklin spring, sub- 
mitted to mc for examination, contains iu United States gallon (231 
cubic inches) : 

(ii-ains. 

Chloride of sodium 659.344 

Chloride of potassium 33.930 

Broiniile of sodium 4.665 

Iodide of sodium .235 

Fluoride of calcium a trace. 

Bicarbonate of lithia 6.777 

Bicarbonate of soda 94.604 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 177.868 

Bicarbonate of lime 202.232 

Bicarbonate of strontia .002 

Bicarbonate of baryta 1.231 

Bicarbonate of iron 1.609 

Sulphate of potassa .762 

31 



Grains. 

Phosphate of soda .011 

Biborate of soda ." a trace. 

Alumina .263 

Silica .735 

Organic matter a traee. 

Total 11S4.368 

Carbonic acid gas 460.066 cubic in. 

Density 1.0115 

Temperature 52° F. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
C. F. CHA.vnLKn, 
Professor of Analytical and Applied Chemistry. 

THE WASHINGTON SPRING 
is situated near the railroad embankment in the centre of 
the village, north and south. This was drilled to a depth 
of six hundred and twelve feet in the summer of 1868. 

The proprietors, Simon B. Conde and John Brown, have 
recently erected a fine building over the spring, and have a 
tract of seven acres of land, including a portion of the flat, 
and extending up the wooded slope to the ftiir-grounds. 
Mr. Conde, who has sunk most of these wells in Ballston 
Spa, has given considerable study to this work, and is un- 
derstood to have been the author of the article in " Apple- 
ton's Encycloptvsdia" upon artesian wells. His skill and 
judgment have established for him a wide reputation as a 
successful operator. The following is the analysis of the 
water of this spring, and it ought to be added that it was 
made from a specimen taken before the work was fairly 
finished, and before it was protected from the intrusion of 
fresh water, as it is now. A new analysis would show still 
greater strength and purity : 

ANALYSIS OF THE WASHINGTON LITIUA WELL. 

Matte by Pi'iif. C II. Ch'tndtef. sftoirinfj Ihc umoiinl it/ Sol hi Cimtenta 
in (t Onllun itf ^^'^^^C}\ 

Grains. 

Chloride of soflium 645.481 

Chloride of potassium 9.232 

Bromide of sodium 2.368 

Iodide of sodium 925 

Fluoride of calcium a trace. 

HiCAIlllONATE OF LITHIA 10.514 

Bicarbonate of soda 34.400 

Bieariionate of magnesia 158.348 

Bicarbonate of lime 178.484 

Bicarbonate of strontia 189 

Bicarbonate of baryta 4.739 

Bicarbonate of iron 2.296 

Sulphate of ]>otassa none. 

Phos]ihate of soda 003 

Biborate of soda a trace. 

Alumina 595 

Silica 1.026 

Organic matter a trace. 

Total per gallon, 231 cubic inches 1047.700 

Carbonic acid gas 338.345 cub. in. 

Density 1.010 

Temperature 49° F. 

THE SANS SOUCI SPOUTING SPRING. 

In 1870, Mr. Smith, then proprietor of the Sans Souci, 
desiring to supply all needed facilities for his guests, caused 
an artesian spring to be drilled in the court-yard, directly 
in the rear of the main hall. Mr. Smitli says he had the 
drill put down just where he wanted it, on a line with the 
centre of the hall, disregarding entirely the advice of those 
who, by bending boughs in trance dreams, sought to have 
him bore here or there. Taking the responsibility of 
selecting just the point ho desired, tlie result was a mag- 
nificent success. When the drill first struck the water at 
the depth of six hundred and ninety feet, the grand spout- 



242 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



ing was a sight shared in by a large crowd, which the 
whistle of the engine called together. Tlie analysis of the 
water is as follows : 

SANS SOUCI SPOUTING SPRING. 

U.MON College, Schenectady, N. Y., July 1, 1870. 
Analysis of water from "Spouting spring," Sans Souci Hold, 
Ballfton Spa, N. Y.: 

Grains. 

Chloride of sodium 572. .306 

Chloride of potassium 5.S60 

Bromide of sodium 1.055 

Iodide of sodium 620 

Bicarhonatc of soda 4.757 

BicAnnoNATBoi' LITHIA 11.7U:i 

Phosphate of lime 3.175 

Bicarbonate of lime 193.179 

Bicarhon ate of magnesia 1 SI. 1 06 

Bicarljonale of iron 9.239 

Alumina a trace. 

Silica 1.140 

Bicarbonate of baryta 1.790 

Bicarbonate of strontia a trace. 

Chloride of rubidium a trace. 

Total 986.345 

in a gallon of 231 cubic inches. 

Carbonic acid gas 538.074 cubic inches. 

Density 1.015 " " 

Temperature 50° F. 

The gas shows a pressure at the opening of twenty-four (24) 
pounds to the square inch. 

Mamrice PKnKiNS, A.M., M.D., 
Prof, of Chemistry at Union College, and at .\Ibany Jledical College. 

THE^PUBLIC SPRING, 

owned and provided for by the village, is nearly at the jioint 
of the old famous " iron-railing spring." An artesian well, 
six hundred and forty-seven feet in depth, was drilled at 
this point in the year 1874, at an expense of about $2500. 
A neat pavilion, costing $G50, was erected for it in 1875, 
and so arranged that visitors obtain the medicinal beverage 
without fee or reward. 

No new analysis of the water appears to have been made. 
Being public property, no establishment for bottling is con- 
nected with it. It is simply provided by the liberality of 
the village as a free gift to visitors and citizens. An old 
analysis, given many years ago (as early as ISOO probably), 
states the contents of a quart in grains as follows. Perhaps 
it applies to the waters of the new public well : 

Muiiate of soda 42 

Muriate of magnesia IJ 

Muriate of lime 3^ 

Carbonate of magnesia 11^ 

Carbonate of lime 9^ 

O-fide of iron I 

Total 69 

Of aeriform fluids ; 

Carbonic acid gas 61 

Azotic gas 2i 

Total 634 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HON. GEORGE WEST. 

Few men have furnished a more illustrious cxamjile of 
the genius for organization and successful business enter- 
prise than the subject of this sketch. By dint oi" energy. 



sagacity, and persevering industry, he has risen in a few 
years from comparative poverty to opulence, and is now one 
of the largest manufacturers in the eastern section of the 
State. 

Born in Devonshire, England, on the 17th of February, 
1823, of parents in very moderate circumstances, he had 
very little adventitious aid in making a future for himself 
He received a good common-school education, however, 
and inherited from his parents industrious habits and a ro- 
bust constitution. With these as his exclusive capital, he 
commenced the battle of life. His father and uncle were 
paper-makers, but he served a thorough apprenticeship with 
John Dcwdney, one of the leading manufacturers in the 
west of England, learning the business in all its branches, 
and to his natural genius adding the skill acquired by a 
thorough training. 

Soon after reaching his majority he married an English 
girl, whose prudent management and wise counsel, no 
doubt, contributed in no small degree to his success. He 
soon discovered that England failed to afford scope for his 
abilities, and in Februarj', 1849, when ho had reached his 
twenty-sixth year, he came with his young wife to this 
country. When he arrived on our shores he was almost 
penniless, but he possessed a good stock of indomitable en- 
ergy. He procured employment in New Jersey, where he 
worked about a year. From there he went to Massachu- 
.setts, where he obtained employment in a paper-mill as an 
ordinary operative, continuing in that capacity about three 
years. Ultimately his employers discerned and appreciated 
his value, and he soon found himself the responsible man- 
ager of one of the largest manufactories of writing-paper in 
the Bay State. 

During several years' experience in that position, he 
rapidly developed the sterling qualities by which he finally 
won success, and before he had been ten years in this coun- 
try he became a partner in an extensive paper-mill. In the 
year 1860 he sold his business in Massachu.sctts, and see- 
ing a favorable opening at Ballston Spa, moved thither. 
How well time has demonstrated the wisdom of his ven- 
ture is shown by the fact that he is now sole proprietor of 
nine mills and factories, and is doing in connection there- 
with a business which averages about $65,000 monthly. 

The mills of Mr. West are all water-power mills, situ- 
ated on Kayadrossera creek, and are nine in number, as 
follows : seven paper-mills, one cotton-fiictory, and one 
paper-bag factory. He started with the old Empire mill at 
Rock City Falls in 1862. In 1866 he built the Excelsior 
mill at Rock City Falls, at a cost, exclusive of the site, of 
$50,000. In 1870 he purchased the ruins of the old Pio- 
neer mill, at West Milton, and rebuilt it, at a cost of 
$75,000. In the same year he bought the ruins of the 
two mills in Middle Grove, and rebuilt them at a cost of 
$40,000. In October, 1874, he purchased the paper-mill 
formerly owned by Charles H. Odell, now known as the 
Eagle mill, at Factory Village, at a cost, including im- 
provements made by him, of $55,000. In August, 1875, he 
purchased the property formerly owned by Jonas A. Ho- 
vey, in the village of Ballston Spa, consisting of three cot- 
ton-factories, two woolen-iactories, the mansion which now 
constitutes his residence, about forty tenements, a number 




■■^i'iij .\_v. iu*.:3i-'^ 




TJTu^J 




HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



243 



of baros and storehouses, and a considerable tract of land, 
forming one of the most picturesque purtious of tlie village 
of Ballston Spa. 

The principal cotton-mill, included in the above pur- 
chase, he still operates as a cotton-factory ; it contains six 
thousand two hundred and twenty-four spindles. One of the 
cotton-mills he changed into a first-class paper-bag factory, 
which has a fall of twenty feet of water, and turns out two 
millions of paper bags per week, or, in round numbers, one 
hundred millions a year, of all sizes, for grocers' use and 
flour bags, the manufiicturing being done entirely by ma- 
chinery. Tiie product of the entire paper-mills is two 
hundred and thirty-four tons per month, while the whole 
business employs one hundred and seventy hands, besides 
many teams, engaged in handling the immense stock and 
manufactured goods. 

The perfect order and .system which pervade all of Mr. 
West's enterprises strike the observer as one of the most 
remarkable features of his business. If " order is heaven's 
first law," it is equally necessary in any great and compli- 
cated enterprise successfully conducted by human agency : 
and of this the business of Mr. West affords a striking il- 
lustration. His great success is in a large measure due to 
his genius for organization, and the thorough order and sys- 
tem to which he has reduced every shop, mill, office, and 
department of the immense business of which he is the 
ever-active and vigilant head. 

In personal appearance Mr. West is a good specimen of 
the sturdy Briton. Though of short stature, his robust 
form and broad shoulders seem well able to carry the 
massive and well-developed head, which seems a fit reposi- 
tory for a brain of more than ordinary activity. He beai-s 
with him, however, the air and manner of one who has 
earned the right to take the world easy, and the geniality 
characterizing his intercourse with others strengthens such 
an impression in the mind of one who judges men by first 
impressions. He is a man of much earnestness of charac- 
ter, and a hard worker in everything he undertakes. 

He has always been an ardent Republican, and enjoys 
a large degree of popularity in his own district. In the 
fall of 1871 he was elected to the Assembly by the large 
majority of eleven hundred and sixty-six over William T. 
Odell, his Democratic competitor. In the fall of 1872 he 
was re-elected without opposition, no othe.r candidate being 
nominated, and in the Legislature of 1873 he was the only 
member of the Assembly having no votes against him. In 
the fall of that year local issues which arose rendered hira 
less fortunate, his majority over George A. Ensign, his 
Democratic opponent, being four hundred and twenty. In 
the fall of 187-1 he was elected by a majority of seven hun- 
dred and nine over Benjamin H. Knapp, Democrat ; and in 
the fall of 1875 he was chosen by a majority of six hun- 
dred and one, his opponent being George A. Ensign. He 
was a candidate in convention for the senatorial nomina- 
tion against the Hon. Webster Wagner, and the contest 
was conducted with such spirit that it attracted attention 
throughout the State, and so close was it that on the final 
ballot Mr. West was defeated by only one vote. 

His recent Assembly canvass closed, however, with a very 
saddening event, — the loss of a favorite son, a young man 



whose future seemed more than ordinarily promising, and 
whose death occurred on the evening of election day. 

Mr. West, in 1874, was chairmin of the committee on 
trade and manufactures, and member of that on public 
printing and public lands. In 1875 he was a member of 
the committees on public printing and on trade and manu- 
factures ; and in 1876 he was chairman of the committee on 
railroads, and a member of that on expenditures of the 
House. 

A few years ago, Mr. West associated with himself in 
business his son, George West, Jr., sines which the firm 
style has been George West & Son. 



JOHN W. THOMPSON. 

The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
John Thompson, was of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors 
having emigrated in the early part of the last century from 
the north of Ireland to Londonderry, N. H. About 1763 
he settled in what is now Stillwater, where he lived until 
his death, which took place in 1823, in his seventy-fifth 
year. He was by occupation a fiirmer, and was endowed 
by nature with unusual strength of intellect. Ho w;is an 
active patriot during the Revolutionary struggle. In 1788 
-89 he was a member of the State Assembly from the 
county of Albany, and upon the organization of Saratoga 
County received the appointment of first judge of the 
county courts. This position he held until 1809, when he 
retired by force of the constitutional limitation as to age, 
which was then sixty years. He was a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1801, and was a representative in 
the Sixth, Tenth, and Eleventh Congresses. 

Judge Thompson's second son, James (the father of John 
W. Thompson), was born in Stillwater, Nov. 20, 1775, and 
was educated at the academy in Schenectady, — the old build- 
ing which until recently stood at the northwest corner of 
the junction of LTnion and Terry streets. His schoolmates 
, from this county were Rev. Joseph Sweetman, of Charlton ; 
Levi H. Palmer and James Scott, of Ballston ; and George 
Palmer, of Stillwater. He studied law at what is now 
Buell's Corners, at South Ballston, with James Emott (a 
son-in-law of Judge Beriah Palmer), and subsequently 
known as Judge Emott, of Poughkeepsie. Daniel L. Van 
Antwerp, Samuel Cooke, Samuel Young, and Levi H. 
Palmer were his fellow-students. Upon his admission to 
the bar, which was about 1797, he opened an office a little 
south of Milton Centre, and immediately entered upon a 
lucrative and extensive practice. Here he remained until 
1806, when he removed to what has been subsequently 
known as the "Judge Thompson place," two miles north- 
west of Ballston Spa, where he lived until his death, which 
took place Dec. 19, 1845. In 1818 he w;is commissioned 
first judge of the county courts, his predecessor, Salmon 
Child, who had succeeded his father, taking his place be- 
side him as one of the judges. He ably discharged the 
duties of this office until 1833, when he was succeeded by 
Samuel Young. He was one of the regents of the Univer- 
sity, having been appointed in 1822. He inherited the 
mental vigor of his father, was distinguished by great force 



244 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



of character, and wielded an extensive pereonal influence. 
He seemed to take a far greater interest in promoting the 
political fortunes of his immediate pereonal friends, such 
as Young and Cramer, than in caring for his own. As a 
counsellor and advocate he stood in the front rank. Dr. 
Nathan Thompson, of Galway, was his brother. 

The subject of this sketch is the second son of Judge 
James Tiiompson. He was born at the family home- 
stead, in Milton, Dec. 29, 1S08. His mother was a daugh- 
ter of Abel Whalen, one of the early prominent settlers 
of Milton. He was named from his two grandfathers. 
After attending the " Milton Union School," and subse- 
quently the Lansingburg Academy, he, in 1824, entered 
Union College, and was a room-mate of the lute Preston 
King. He graduated in 1827, and the same year com- 
menced a law-clerkship at Ovid, Seneca county, witii his 
uncle, William Thompson, then a prominent lawyer of 
western New Y''ork, and completed his clerkship with Judge 
Luther P. Stevens, of Seneca Falls. He was admitted as 
an attorney of the Supreme Court in January, 1831, and in 
a few weeks formed a law-partnership at Ballston Spa with 
Anson Brown, which was continued with unu.sual success 
until Mr. Brown's death, while a representative in Congress, 
in 1840. Upon the nomination by Governor Marcy, in 
1834, Mr. Thompson was appointed surrogate, and re- 
mained in office until 1847, when the new constitution took 
effect. Probably the duties of that important office were 
never discharged in a more thorough, intelligent, and satis- 
factory manner than during his administration. He was 
one of the original incorporators of the Ballston Spa Bank, 
which was established in 1838, and is the only surviving 
director of the first board of directors. In 1856, upon the 
resignation of James M. Cook, who received the appoint- 
ment of superintendent of the banking department, Mr. 
Thompson was chosen to succeed him, and, upon the reor- 
ganization of the bank under the national banking law, he 
was continued in that position, which he still holds. Durin<' 
his presidency he has devoted the most of his time to the 
management of the institution. As a financier, he has 
few, if any, superiors. Having an ample fortune, he long 
since practically abandoned the drudgery of the law, not- 
withstanding he inherited the legal ability of his father. 
Since he was surrogate, with the exception of one term as 
supervisor of Milton, he has steadily resisted all overtures 
for political preferment. In politics his grandfather and 
father were of the Jeffersonian school, and Mr. Thompson 
has uniformly adhered to the same faith. Indeed, this 
family trait has descended to his son, George L. Thomp- 
son, the present Democratic supervisor of Milton. The late 
George Thompson, of Ballston Spa, an alumnus of Union 
College of the class of 1822, and for many years the county 
treasurer, and who died in 1871, was his eldest brother. 

Mr. Thompson is now a widower ; his wife, Augusta, 
a daughter of the late Joel Lee, of Ballston Spa, having 
died in 1871. 

JAMES W. HORTON. 

Mr. Horton was born in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
Sept. 29, 1810. He is a son of Ezekiel and Clarissa 
(Watson) Horton. His father was a native of Hebron, 



Conn., and settled in Ballston about the year 1795, where 
he died in 1843, aged sixty-seven years. His mother was a 
daughter of Captain Titus Watson, a captain in the Revo- 
lutionary war and a pioneer of Saratoga County. She 
was born in the town of Ballston in 1780, and died here 
in 1839, at the age of fifty-nine years. 

The subject of this sketch received his education at the 
common school and academy, and came to reside at Ballston 




■^«i;,N\ 




C^O'?-^-i:..c.^i^-'y>?-1^v 



vT-T^vy^U 



Spa in 1829, at the age of nineteen. He has resided here 
ever since. In 1840, under General Harrison's administr.a- 
tion, he was appointed postmaster of Ballston, and held 
the office three years, until removed by President Tyler. 
In 1845 he was elected clerk of Saratoga County, on the 
Whig ticket, and by successive elections has held the office 
ever since, having been eleven consecutive times elected to 
fill the same responsible position. He was a Whig in politics 
till the disintegration of that party, and luis since been a 
Republican. He had two sons in the war for the Union, 
who were brave soldiers. The elder, Stephen S., was a captain 
in the Seventy-seventh New York Volunteers, and was 
wounded at the battle of Antietam. The younger, William 
B. Horton, was wounded at the second Bull Run battle, 
and died of his wound in Wa.shington, D. C. His other 
son, J.ames C. Horton, the eldest of the fomily, resides in 
Lawrence, Kansas, where he has held several important 
and responsible offices, having been a member both of the 
Assembly and Senate of the State. 

Mr. Horton was first married, in 1836, to Abby Clark, 
of Ballston Spa, who died in December, 1850. His second 
wife was Julia E. Betts, of Troy, N. Y''., to whom he was 
united in marriage Jan. 14, 1852. 

The sons above referred to, and Clara V., now Mrs. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



245 



George C. Beecher, of Ballston, are his children by the 
first marriage. He has two daughters by his second 
marriage, viz., Jennie and Annie Watson Horton. 



DR. SAMUEL DAVIS. 
Dr. Samuel Davis was born in East Hampton, Long 
Inland, in 1765. His father, John Davis, left England in 
the early part of the seventeenth century, and settled in 
Massachusetts, and afterwards removed to Long Island, 
where he was successfully engaged in farming and the 
manufacture of leather. Samuel, the first son by his 
second wife, at an early age chose the profession of medi- 
cine, and was di.stinguishcd a.s a physician and surgeon of 
the old .school, lie studied his profession with Dr. Turner, 
of Stonington, one of the most distinguished physicians 



and surgeons of his day. After the completion of his 
medical course, which he did with great honor to himself, 
he emigrated to Schoharie Co., N. Y., where he practiced 
with great acceptance among the inhabitants for two years. 
Then Beriah Palmer and Seth C. Baldwin, two influential 
men of Ballston, Saratoga Co., learning from highly re- 
spectable men of Albany, who had become acquainted with 
him, of his skill anjj success for so young a man (being 
then scarcely twenty-five years of agej, induced him to 
leave Schoharie and settle in Ballston, where, at twenty- 
five years of age, he re-commenced his practice and con- 
tinued it for fifty years. He secured not only an enviable 
confidence in his skill in the profession, but the respect, 
esteem, and confidence of the inhabitants of the county, as 
a man of high moral character, genial and gentlemanly in his 
manners, and a Christian gentleman. 



TOWN OF BALLSTON. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

The town of Ballston is situated southwest of the geo- 
graphical centre of the county, aud extends to the southern 
boundary. It consists of the so-called " Five-mile square," 
together with a small addition at the southern extremity. 
This five-mile-square tract, together with five thousand acres 
now constituting the south part of Charlton, was set apart 
to defray the expenses of the survey and partition of the 
Kayadrossera patent. The commissioners were Christopher 
Yates, John Glenn, and Thomas Palmer. An examination 
of these lands now will convince any one that the com- 
missioners made no mistake, if it was their intention to set 
ofi' the most valuable portion of the patent to pay the 
expenses. The town is bounded north by Milton, east 
by Malta, south by Clifton Park and Schenectady county, 
■west by Schenectady county and Charlton. It contains 
14,979 acres of improved land, 2-471 unimproved, of which 
2041 are forest, the whole area being about twenty-seven 
and a quarter square miles. The population in 1875 was 
1932. This town is described in the revised statutes of the 
the State, and its boundary lines defined, as follows : 

*' The town of BixlhUm shall contain all that part of said county 
comprehending the tract of laud commonly called the fire-mile 
square, and the west line of the same e.\tendcd south to the bounds 
of the county ; then along the bounds of the county to a line run 
from the south end of Long lake south fifty-three degrees west; 
then along that line and the east shore of said lake to the south 
bounds of the said five-mile square." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The surface of the town is gently undulating. The 
principal streams are the Mourning Kill and the outlet of 
Ballston lake. This body of water from its shape was ap- 
propriately called Long lake, but in later years it is more 
generally known by the name of the town. It is a narrow, 
deep, and beautiful sheet of water, and though no pleasure 
resorts or camp-meeting grounds have been located upon its 
banks, yet there are several choice sites that may hereafter 
aspire to rival Round lake and other favored localities. A 
few mill-privileges exist in the town, though now of little 
importance, and never of any great value. 

The outlet of Ballston lake flows into Round lake, and 
thence through Anthony's Kill to the Hudson river at Me- 
chanicville, forming a beautiful chain of lakes and streams. 
The clearing up of the country has so diminished the 
amount of water in the streams that they are useless for 
milling purposes. The northwest part of the town is 
drained by the branches of Gordon's creek, that finally 
empties into the Kayadrossera at Ballston Spa, and west of 
Burnt Hills several rivulets flow southward to the valley of 
the Mohawk. 
246 



III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Before the year 1760 there were not many places settled 
in the county. The old village of Saratoga was destroyed 
in 1745, leaving only a few scattered pioneers at Schuylcr- 
ville. Isaac Mann was at Stillwater Mills ; there was a small 
hamlet at Waterford, while, perhaps, a daring adventurer 
or two had built cabins along the north bank of the Mo- 
hawk and the west bank of the Hudson. Practically, the 
whole county was an unbroken forest back from the two 
rivers. 

The settlement of Ballston was just about coeval with the 
removal of the Connecticut colony to Stillwater and the 
temporary residence there of Dr. Tiiomas Clark's Scotch- 
Irish colony, who settled Salem, Washington county. 

Michael McDonald and his brother Nicholas were the 
pioneers. They came to the western shore of Ballston 
lake in 1763, and located south of the creek. The house 
stood near the lake, just south of Charles Wiswell's place. 
Sir William Johnson, on his trip to the springs in 1767, 
found them here, and stayed overnight with them. The 
McDonalds were from Ireland. When boys, they had 
been enticed on board a vessel and brought to America, 
and then sold to pay for their involuntary passage. In their 
new locations they were on friendly terms with the Indians. 
Indeed, they came to this place on the invitation of the 
Indians, who assisted them in building their log house. 
Michael McDonald died June 29, 1823, in the 94th year 
of his age. On his tombstone it is recorded that " He 
was the first settler of Ballston." 

Of Nicholas McDonald there is not so much known. 

A granddaughter of one of the brothers, Mrs. Morse, is 
still living, and her son. Nelson Morse, resides in Ballston, 
between Court-house hill and the Centre. 

Between 1763 and 1770 it is not known that there were 
any additional settlers. The McDonalds had the country 
all to themselves. The purchase of four hundred acres by 
Eliphalet Ball was made, according to the deed, October 12, 
1771. The price was only nominal, — ten shillings for the 
whole, and one year's service in helping to settle the coun- 
try. The present Presbyterian church is located upon the 
southwest corner of the Ball farm. The removal to this 
town of Mr. Ball and family was in the year before the one 
named in the deed. 

His pioneer home was near the present house of Abram 
Post, at Academy hill, a little north, in the south part of 
the orchard. His children were three sons — Stephen, 
John, Flamon — and one daughter, Mary. 

John was a colonel in the Revolutionary army, and was 
in active service. He was in the relief-party, under Gen- 
eral Arnold, that marched to the aid of Fort Stanwix. 

The daughter became the wife of General James Gordon. 



HISTOKY OF SAKATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



247 



Kev. Eliphalet Ball was a tliiid c■ou^sin of George Wash- 
ington. Of Steplieii Ball, it is .said he once assisted his 
father at a marriage service in a peculiar way. Having in- 
quired of the bridegroom whether he had ever seen any one 
married, and finding that he had not, Stephen told him 
just what to do, and said he, " Father will expect you to kiss 
the bride several times during the ceremony, but he won't 
like to tell you ; I will sit near you and touch your heel at 
the right time." The service just commenced, Stephen 
touched the heel and a hearty smack followed. The min- 
ister frowned, but .said nothing; but when the same thing 
occurred two or three times, Mr. Ball threatened to leave 
them half-married if that nonsense didn't stop. The poor 
bridegroom replied, " Stephen told me to." 

George Scott was an emigrant from the north of Ireland, 
and settled in 1774 on what has since been well known as 
the Scott homestead. The house was on an eminence north- 
east of the present dwelling-house. His wife was the sister 
of General James Gordon. During the Munro Tory raid 
of 1780 he narrowly escaped death, being in flict struck 
down with a tomahawk and left for dead. His children 
were James Scott, born at the Gordon homestead, Jan. 31, 
1774. Daughters, — Mary, became Mrs. William Marshall ; 
Margaret, who never married ; Susan, Mrs. Daniel Starr. 

James Scott was a well-known surveyor of the olden 
time. His son, Hon. George G. Scott, is the present super- 
visor of Ballston, a position he has occupied for nineteen 
years consecutively, honoring by careful service that office, 
as he has the higher and more responsible positions to which 
he has been repeatedly called through his long and distin- 
guished public career. 

Gen. James (jordon was a pioneer whose name is asso- 
ciated with the most stirring events of early times, with 
the most important civil positions, town, county, State, and 
national. In the catalogue of public officials his name 
repeatedly appears. He was from County Antrim, Ireland, 
when a boy of seventeen or eighteen ; went back, returned, 
and (after being in the Indian trade at Albany) in the year 
1771 or 1772, finally settled in Ballston, and located where 
Eugene Wiswell now lives. The Gordon house was a little 
southwest of the present house. He was actively in service 
during the llevolutionary war, and was promoted through 
successive grades to the rank of general. He was taken 
prisoner by the Tories in 1780, and carried to Canada. Re- 
moved from Quebec to the Isle of Orleans, and finding 
his old neighbors taken in the second raid of 1781, 
they effected their escape, and, after severe hardships and 
wellnigh starving, they reached Boston to find that peace 
was declared. The wife of General Gordon was the daugh- 
ter of Eliphalet Ball. He left one daughter, Melinda, who 
became Mrs. William B. Verplanck, of Fishkill. He dying, 
she married Henry Waller, of Sing Sing. 

The three JlcCrea brothers, in B;illston, were William, 
who married General Gordon's .-lister, and settled on what is 
now the Henry Davis farm ; James, who lived next north 
on the Henry Harrison farm ; and Samuel, who settled on 
the present Thomas McCarty tarm. 

Joseph Morehouse with his brother-in-law, Nathan Ray- 
mond, came from C'lmnecticut before or during the Revolu- 
ticiii and settled on the east .side of the lake. The Morehouse 



homestead was the present place of Edwin B. Cook. The 
Raymond place was the present place of widow Frances 
Rexford. Sons of Joseph Morehouse,— Talcott, Jo.seph, 
John, Daniel, Bradley. Talcott settled in Ballston, Brad- 
ley in Michigan, the other three in Greenfield. Two 
daughters became the first and second wives of George 
Watson. Tallcot is still living, at the age of eightj'-nine. 

Samuel Wood was an early pioneer on the east side of 
the lake. His homestead is now owned by Jehial F. IMiller. 
The house, built about 1780, is still .standing. 

Epenetus White came from Connecticut about 1771-72, 
and settled on the east side of Ballston lake. The old 
homestead was on the site of the present brick house owned 
by the Collamers. His .son, Epenetus White, Jr., settled 
at Ballston Spa about 1800, near the old iron-railing spring, 
and opened a store; continued till 1828; then built the 
red mill which was burned in 1874. He died in 1832. 
His sons, David F. and Henry, settled at Ballston Spa. 

A daughter, Mrs. W. L. F. Warren, resides at Saratoga 
Springs. 

A daughter of Epenetus White, Sr., became Mrs. Shep- 
herd, of Albany. 

Dr. Elisha Miller came from Westchester county in 1770, 
about the same time as Rev. Mr. Bali, and settled on 
the east side of the lake. His old house stands a little 
way from the outlet, — now occupied by Edward McLahey. 
The original farm was about one hundred acres. His 
children were John, Elisha, William, Ephraim, James, 
and Moses. Moses and James settled in Pennsylvania, 
John in Cooperstown, William in Northumberland, Eph- 
raim settled east of the lake, Elisha where his daughter, 
Betsey Miller, now lives. A daughter of p]lisha Miller, 
Sr., — Deborah, — became Mrs. Daniel Clark, of East Line, 
afterwards of Sullivan county. 

Dr Miller was a practicing physician. During the war 
he removed his family to Schenectady, and returned him- 
self to practice. After the Burgoyne battle he procured 
two horses from the woods, which were full of estrays. 
Descendants of this breed are now owned by Jehial F. 
Miller, a grandson. Dr. Miller was a man of varied ac- 
quirements, and lived a long and active life. Among the 
papers of Dr. Miller, in possession of John Miller, of 
Gansevoort, are many valuable documents. 

A letter upon the death of his wife, written in 1791, 
says, "When Death receives his summons to execute the 
almighty decrees of Heaven, doctors are but cobwebs before 
his all-conquering arm." 

There is an assignment by Thomas Weed to Dr. Miller, 
dated Jan. 14, 1800. A survey and map of Dr. Miller's 
place in Ballston. A lease, June 18, 1772, from Sunder- 
land Sears to Jesse Smith, of two hundred acres. A re- 
ceipt signed by John Pollen in 1772. A deed of land in 
Westchester county, in 1745, by John Holmes, — a vener- 
able paper, one hundred and thirty-two years old. 

The following notice of entry or purchase also is pre- 
served : " The bearers hereof, Messrs. Epenetus Howe and 
Dr. Elisha Miller, have taken lot No. 3, in the 11th Divi- 
sion of the township of Ballston, containing 210 acres, not 
having been taken uj) before." 

Capt. Titus Watson was an early settler^in Ballston be- 



248 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



fore the Revolution. He was in active service during the 
war. His homestead was on the east side of the lake, and 
is still in the family, owned by his grandchildren. Of his 
children, Titus settled in Ohio, Freedom in the south, 
George lived and died on the old homestead. Daughters 
were Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Waterman, and Mrs. Ezekiel 
Horton. 

Ezekiel Horton was the son of Ebenezer Horton, of 
Hebron, Connecticut. He came to Ballston about the year 
1802, and settled near the line of Charlton. He afterwards 
removed to Acadoni}' hill, and kept a public-house, where 
the tavern now stands, opposite the school-house. 

His son, James Watson Horton, clerk of Saratoga 
County since 1845, was born there and educated at the 
academy opposite. Bearing the name of his maternal 
grandfiither, he recalls the numerous stories told him in his 
boyhood by Capt. Watson of the old Revolutionary struggle. 
The places in the forest where they hid from the Indians, 
their exposure, sleeping in the woods in blankets, waking 
up to find a foot of snow over them, but warm and ready 
again for the fight or the march. 

Edmund Jennings was another early settler in the town 
of Ballston. He came from Connecticut in 1775, and set- 
tled on the present farm of widow Spear. Of his children, 
Elisha, Samuel, and Joseph settled here. Abram went 
west. Daughters, Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Anson Seeley. 
Abrara, in Michigan, is still living (1877), and also Joseph, 
■ in Ballston Spa, at the advanced age of ninety-one. The 
latter came from his farm to the village sixty years ago, and 
led an active life as constable and deputy sheriiF for many 
years. He once brought twelve prisoners from the jail at 
Schenectady handcuffed together, and on his arrival here was 
obliged to chain them to a tree until he could secure his 
team. He also assisted in preparing the murderer, Benja- 
min Bennett, for the gallows, July 21, 1S20, and also pre- 
pared John Watkins for execution, Jan. 17, 1834. Mr. 
Jennings yet retains the rope used on this last occasion. 
Mr. Jennings recalls the following as old neighbors to his 
fiither's house when he was in his boyhood : James Spears, 
Archy Spears, John Wilson, Noah Toby, 'Squire De For- 
est, Joseph Hubbell. The latter was probably the earliest 
blacksmith in that section of the town. Joseph Jennings 
was named for him, and the blacksmith presented his name- 
sake a pair of sleeve-buttons. The first school Jennings 
attended was in a log house just within the present town of 
Charlton. An early school-teacher was Mr. Hugin. 

In early times Peter Williams was a tanner, and had a 
shoe-shop on the Mourning Kill. 

The earliest burials in that part of the town were at the 
" Hop City" burial-ground. 

Mr. Jennings describes clearly the old spring and the 
early times of fiishionable resort to its celebrated waters. 
The spring was surrounded with an iron railing, four gates, 
and a marble floor ; and in the season was thronged with 
visitors. Rude means for bathing were provided in very 
early times. He remembers coming with his father and 
his brothers while j'et boys to the springs. His brothers 
were induced to try the shower-bath. So, removing their 
clothes behind the temporary screens, they awaited the 
dash. When they received the sudden shower they rushed 



out of the bath pell-mell without stopping to dress. On 
the old homestead is an orchard set out before Joseph 
Jennings was born. 

Zaccheus Scribner removed to this town in 1770, and 
settled on the east side of the lake. His pioneer home 
was the present place of Stephen Bowen. 

His son Thaddeus was active in the War of the Revolu- 
tion, and was also the '-old mail-carrier," known for and wide 
by the blast upon his horn. 

Stephen White came to Ballston from Connecticut in 
early times. He was a captain in the Revolutionary army, 
and was a cousin of Epenetus Wiiite, Jr. ; therefore his 
father must have been a brother of Epenetus White, Sr. 

Hezekiah Middlebrook came from Connecticut probably 
as early as 1772, and settled on the farm now owned by 
William Smith. He sold to the father of Mr. Smith the 
next year, and removed to the farm long known by his 
name, just north of the town line. He had two sons, Mi- 
chael and Hezekiah. The former settled in Milton, on the 
south line of the town and on the middle line road. Heze- 
kiah came to Ballston Spa, it is supposed, a little before 
1800, and bought a large tract of land in connection with 
Daniel Thomas. His enterprises arc spoken of elsewhere. 
A son, Hezekiah, — the third of that name in succession, — 
resides in Ballston Spa. A daughter became the wife of 
Harvey Chapman and mother of George W. and Edwin H. 
Chapman. Another daughter became Mrs. Arnold Harris. 
It is a tradition in the Middlebrook family that Joseph 
Bettys, the celebrated spy, had some touches of kindly 
friendship in the midst of his fearful career. The elder 
Middlebrook having concealed his cattle somewhere to the 
north for a time, was bringing them back just before one 
of the raids. Met by Joseph Bettys, the latter warned him 
to keep them in a place of safety. He did so and s.ived 
them. 

John Taylor was probably the father of John W. Taylor, 
the well-known congressman for many years, and Speaker 
of the House of Representatives. Their pioneer homestead 
was just within the present limits of Charlton. 

John, Samuel, Azor, and Eliakim Nash. It is not known 
whether these were brothers, though it may be inferred 
they were. Eliakim died not long after their settlement. 
John and Samuel lived on the farm between Wm. Smith's 
and Mr. Alexander Sears', west of the middle line road. 

As David Clark died soon after settlement, it is difficult 
to ascertain anything concerning him. 

Ebenezer Sprague lived north on the Jliddle Line road. 
He came from Connecticut, about the year 1770. He set- 
tled on what is now the James Thompson place. 

Beriah Palmer was a noted man in early times, repeat- 
edly filling important public positions and executing the 
most responsible public trusts. He came from Connecticut 
early in the war or before, and settled on the farm now 
owned by Hon. S. W. Buell, which is at the forks of the 
road north of Burnt Hills. There Judge Palmer died. One 
son was D. L. Palmer, of Saratoga Springs. At this point 
there were, in early times, a store, a tavern, and shops ; but 
Burnt Hills afterwards became the village for the south 
part of the town rather than the Palmer place. 

Sunderland Sears came from Connecticut about the same 




ELISHA CURTISS. 



This gentleman's paternal grandfather came from England 
and settled at Huntington, Connecticut, where the subject 
of this sketch was born July 17, 1793. His father, Andrew 
Curtiss, was also born at Huntington. He was a soldier in 
the Revolution ; was on duty at New York when the town 
was taken by the British. In 1797 he emigrated to this 
county and settled in Charlton, where he lived nine years; 
then moved to Ballston and purchased the farm now 
owned by Asa W. Curtiss. 

Elisha lived with his father till he was twenty-three years 
of age, when ho married Elizabeth Waterman (daughter 
of Asa Waterman, of Ballston), and commenced for him- 
self as a fiirmer, which occupation he followed for a few 
year.s; he then went with Colonel Young (canal commis- 
sioner) as assistant, and was engaged in the construction of 
the canal until its completion iu 1825, when he was ap- 
pointed superintendent. This office he held until 1830, 
when he gave notice of his resignation, which was some 
months previous. The canal board, who were Samuel 
Young, Henry Seymour, Wm. C. Bouck, Silas Wright, 
Azariah C. Flagg, and Abram Keyser, gave him the fol- 
lowing neat compliment : 

" Resolved, That the .skill, economy, and ingenuity which 
Elisha Curtiss has exhibited in the discharge of his duty 
as .superintendent on the canal, entitles him to the appro- 
bation of this board, and that the clerk of this board trans- 
mit to him a copy of this resolution." 

While Mr. Curtiss was superintendent he took his family 



to West Troy, whore ho built the first weigh-lock, and 
another at Albany. In 1829 he purchased the farm ad- 
joining the old homestead in Ballston, and in 1830 removed 
there and made substantial improvements on the farm. After 
remaining one year he again went forth to assist in the 
construction of our national highways, and took part in 
building the Albany and Schenectady railroad, which was 
the first railroad in America ; also, the Troy and Ballston 
railroad, and others. When the Eric canal was enlarged, 
he, with Harvey Davis, took contracts for three sections, 
wliich was completed about 1842, when he returned to the 
farm, and has since followed that calling. 

His wife died Aug. 22, 1829, leaving five children, throe 
of whom are now living, — Asa W., Frederick, and Eliza- 
beth Holister. Mr. Curtiss was again married in August, 
1830, to Miss Belinda Waterman, sister of the former wife. 
They both, and Mr. Curtiss, united with the Presbyterian 
church at Ballston Centre about 1823, and have since been 
consistent and active members. Mr. Curtiss is at this time 
the oldest elder in the church ; and now, as the life of this 
pioneer, already lengthened more than a decade beyond the 
allotted threescore years and ten, is drawing towards its 
close of activity, he can look back over its varied shadows 
and sunshine, its struggles and its triumphs, and, with a 
serenity born of an unfaltering trust in One who doeth all 
things well, await with composure the inevitable liour that 
comes to all livintr. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



249 



time as the other pioneers, and settled northwest of Burnt 
Hills. His children were Rev. Reuben Scars, Dr. Isaac 
Sears, Dr. Levi Sears, William Sears. Daughters were 
INIrs. James Comstock, Mrs. Curtiss Taylor. The old 
Sears Homestead is known as the J. W. Haywood place. 

Isaac How came from Connecticut and settled in Balls- 
ton at an early day. The How place was southeast of 
Ballston Centre. 

Isaac Stow was the miller of Gen. Gordon, and the man 
killed in the Tory raid, as noted in another place. 

Jabez Ilubbell settled at Hop City. 

Wm. Barnes resided on the present place of Isaac Cain, 
between Ballston Centre and Burnt Hills, opposite tiie old 
school-house. 

Robert Speir settled in Ballston very early, in the north- 
west part of the town, where liis two sons, Archibald and 
James, also resided. The name is still common in Ballston. 
His grandson, Robert, was a sheriff of Saratoira County. 
A son of Archibald, Gilbert M., is a judge of the Supreme 
Court in New York city. 

It is known that John Young, with his wife, joined 
the Presbyterian church in 177G. 

John Cable was an early pioneer some time before 1776, 
as he united with the church that year. His place was the 
present farm of Abram G. Bradt. 

Uriah Benedict came fiom Connecticut in early times, 
and settled on the East Line road. His home was the 
farm now owned by Thomas MofEtt. He was a supervisor 
of Ball.ston in 1784, when the town included nearly eight 
of the present towns of the county. His children were 
Uriah, Elias, and David. Uriah died young. A grandson 
was Lewis Benedict, of Albany. James M. Marvin and 
Thomas J. Marvin are grandsons. 

Nathaniel Weed was in Ballston very early, as the deed 
of the Ball farm bounds the tract on the south by land 
owned by Nathaniel Weed. His homestead is supposed to 
have been on the corner opposite the church at Ballston 
Centre. He afterwards removed to Greenfield. Mrs. 
Morehouse Belts is a granddaughter, and lives northwest 
of the church, and Mrs. Riley Crippen is a great-grand- 
daughter of Mr. Weed, now living on the homestead of her 
ancestor. 

Miles Beach w;is an early settler of Ballston. He came 
from Connecticut in 178t), with his father, Zerah Beach. 
Miles Beach married Cynthia Warren, in 1807. Their 
second child was William A. Beach, the noted lawyer. His 
father afterwards removed to Saratoga Springs. 

The Davis family, coming in about the time of the open- 
ing of the Revolutionary troubles, settled on the present 
place of A. J. Slade, the first house north of Ballston 
Centre, on the Middle Line road. The first barn built is 
still standing there, and is said to have been the first framed 
barn in town. It is a tradition in the family that the 
Tories were confined as prisoners in this barn, when they 
attempted to join the British forces in Canada, and were 
seized and brought back. The old house of Mr. Davis 
stood south of the present mansion, near the well. It was 
moved back, and is yet in use as a wagon-hou.se. A son 
of the pioneer, Henry Davis, resides north of Academy 
Hill. 

32 



Asa Waterman, now residing near Burnt Hills, is the 
son of David Waterman and grandson of Asa Waterman. 
The father of this last named was also Asa Waterman. He 
Wiis in active service in the Revolutionary war, and was 
present at the surrender of Burgoyne's army. In posses- 
sion of the present Asa Waterman is his ancestor's com- 
mission as lieutenant-colonel, signed by Governor George 
Clinton, December 27, 1786. This was an appointment in 
the militia just after the war was over. There are pre- 
served also the sleeve-buttons marked A. W., a pocket-book 
and knee-buekles, very likely worn at Schuylerville, Octo- 
ber 17, 1777. The wife of Asa Waterman, Sr., lived to 
an advanced age, dying in 1831. Her great-grandson, now 
living, received from her many anecdotes of the war, and 
particularly of the battles of Stillwater, and these had an 
especial value as not coming through several hands, but 
related by one who lived then to one living now. She 
confirmed all that has been written of Arnold's brave, des- 
perate fighting that last great day, — October 7, — and when 
he fell wounded Mr. Waterman carried him from the field. 
When the fearful crime occurred that forever blackened the 
name of the brave hero, Waterman regretted that ho had 
not left him to die upon the field of his glory rather than 
live to be stained with treason. 

The Waterman family, Asa Sr., and Asa Jr., went from 
Columbia to Montgomery county, .soon after 1786, and a few 
years later came to Ballston. Their home here was at first 
opposite the Presbyterian church at the Centre. Soon after 
they removed to the Larkin farm, just east of the present 
Asa Waterman place. Asa the second was an only son. 
His children were David, Frederic, and John. All settled 
in this vicinity. 

Seth C. Baldwin was one of the early settlers of Balls- 
ton. His pioneer home was the well-known Colonel Young 
farm. He was an active and useful citizen, and filled im- 
portant public positions for many years. He was elected to 
the Assembly for three years from 1797, and was also chosen 
supervisor of the town in 1793, and again in 1800-1. In 
the latter year he was appointed sheriif. He held that ofiice 
three years, and was then elected county clerk. He con- 
tinued in that position for nine years, and kept the records 
all that time at his own residence, no public oflice having 
then been built. 

TAX LIST OF TIIE DISTRICT OP B.\LLSTON. 

As fully showing the entire list of property-holders in 
the district of Ballston in 1799, we add a copy of the tax 
list of that year. The original is in the possession of Mr. 
John Miller, of Gansevoort. 

This assessment was levied pursuant to an act of the 
Legislature of the State of New York, entitled an act for 
raising the sum of S2,500,000, by tax within the State, 
pas.sed 23d of October, 1770. 

The district of Ballston then comprised Ballston, Milton 
Charlton, Providence, Gahvay, Day, Edinburgh, and the 
western parts of Hadley, Corinth, and Greenfield. 

The collector of this tax was Dr. Elisha Miller, — and in 
this connection the following certificate of Rev. Mr. Ball 
will be of general interest, a fac-siniile of which is given 
on the lollowing page: 



250 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 












(^Aya^^^i^^TrS (7^c 



AtisesB- Amountof 

inctit. Tax. 

£ If. d. 

.InhnPavia 14 12 2 

Klipliiil.'t lliill 528 22 1(! 4 

J.iliii Dull :17 1 12 

Niilliiuiii'l Mead 1^7 6 18 3 

Thomas Haniiim 57 2 9 3 

I.fwia Ititi'iiiim 29 1 5 

KilwanI A. WatloUB... 102 7 

Paul Persons 2ln 9 16 

John Gi iswold 74 3 4 

Isnu'l Mnnn 22 10 

Jalii.^a liiiicilict 190 8 4 2 

WilliiiiM Miridi 117 S 1 

Jali.z (l.nliam 100 7 4 

Sanmi-I McCna 349 15 1 9 

William BUCr.a 204 8 10 4 

.Tami'sMrCrca 232 9 IB 

Daniel Scclcy 03 2 14 U 

.lah,-/, lliililicll 418 18 1 4 

St.pliiMi SluTwood 221 9 11 

ICilmiirHl .linriings 108 4 13 3 

.I.iliri Cole 133 5 16 

Juaeph rii.itor 24 1 1 

John Wntera 50 2 3 

Nc'lirniiali Sccley 40 1 14 9 

Giixim I'Vishy 210 9 10 

John Curry 75 3 5 

James McDonald 40 1 14 

llohert Spears 20 1 2 

James Kullcrton 92 3 19 

James (lordiin 714 3U 17 

Klisha Uencdirt 309 10 

J..lin Ilighv 217 9 7 

Junalliau IMiilo 2G 12 4 

Daniel Hand 26 12 4 

Uriah UleKory 80 3 14 6 

Oilbei t Denedict 10 13 10 

Samuel lienedict 16 13 10 

John llnrMhluton 10 8 9 

John Cal.le 113 4 10 

Jeremiah Persons 70 3 10 

John Spi'at;ue 119 5 3 

lienijali Suiitll 130 6 12 

Daniel (lliiisted 130 5 12 

Ehene/er Sprajoi** 128 5 11 

Thomas Kennedy 127 5 10 

John Kennedy 105 4 10 9 

Jonathan Olmsted 14 12 2 

Kl.eni'zerSpraguo, Jr. 102 4 8 6 

llenjamin Wood 102 7 1 

David W.iod 105 7 3 

Stephen Wood 182 7 17 

Gyrus I'liilniore 40 1 14 9 

Ulijati W,.od 30 1 

NatlianWood 30 1 

Tlibnias .Smith 30 1 

Josepli Ketcltum 87 3 I'j 

(.iideon Lawrence, Jr. 21 IS 

James White 77 3 

K/.ekiel Olmsted 82 3 10 9 

Ko'/.elle Itussell 100 4 6 

Tlioruas and Charles 

Mirick 406 17 12 

Samuel llryon llio 4 

Thomas liallard 108 4 13 

Jalie/. I'alchin 1-12 6 2 9 

Kol.i'rt Slii'aror 10 8 9 

Kolierumd John Tan- 

nahill 10 8 9 

George (iardinor l(i 8 9 

Alexander (ilcn 10 8 9 

J.ihn McNiel 135 5 10 6 

GeoraeScott 00 2 17 

John M. McMoil 110 4 16 

Samuel Hunter 173 7 10 

Peter II.. w (probably) 110 6 

John Christie 00 2 12 

I'eler Mel'herson 08 2 18 



Ass.'ss- 

ment. 

f 

Josepli Shearer 10 

Anfjns 51iI)erniolt 10 

J..hn Michael 10 

JoniitlninTuttle 95 

William Stewart 4!l 

Alexamler Davidson... 40 

lliMiiy liiRford 10 

Oe.irKe llolton 10 

WilliaTn Wihla 10 

Jamistirant 61 

George Frazier .'>7 

Joseph Uue 2.'il 

Joseph Itne, Jr 130 

IIey,|.kiah Secley 143 

NathanielCook 108 

Daviil Gordon 114 

David Maxwell l.W 

.lames Adams 221 

J(.hn Camp 87 

J..hn SUKnight 71 

Th as lliown 227 

Tlu.nnis Sweatniun.... 142 

Uol.ert Clinch 34 

John Y..unK 43 

KliNorrhrnp 95 

Wilson Northrup 20 

Zophar Wicks 7 

Tln.mas BleCarty 10 

Ol.a.lh.h Woial 

SuiuM.l Whitney 8 

JiimcsM. Kinh-y 25 

John ati.l Mos.'S Mc- 

Kinley 17 

John M'ajor 38 

John McClannan 9 

John McKerg (prob- 
ably) 9 

Thonnts Pattison 6 

Christopher llerriug- 

ton 25 

.h>hn Aeleson 2 

William Kelly 23 

.lanies McWiilianis... 1 

William Gilchrist 24 

J..hn Whitiu'y and 

.lat.e/, Morehouse... 90 

Peter Smith Ill 

Jos(.ph Gonzalez 220 

lienjaniin T. Scher- 
nu'rhorn and Nich- 
olas Van De Ilogert 247 

S.'th llnhbi.ll 44 

Nathan'l Woalt (prob- 
ably) 28 

James Sherwood 62 

J..lin Ib.lmes 190 

Nalhan Hull 112 

.lisse Cunda 108 

J..hTi liogers 84 

J.ihn Taylor 173 

Ah.xanderMcAuley... 

James how 56 

Jonathnn Douglas 132 

Nathaniel Jessup 132 

Mithacl McDomild.... 2.'.9 

.loseph Morehouse 123 

Get.rgi' Morehouse 108 

Zijeeii.-ns Scribiier 150 

Daniel S.ribucr 07 

William Reeves 73 

Nathan Kayniond 109 

Zaccheus Scribner,Jr. 68 

/.achariah Mead 144 

A7...r Nash 185 

William Helden 99 

Daniel Armstrong 160 

Samuel Wood 148 



nn.untuf 


Tax. 




£ s. 


</. 


8 


9 


8 


9 


8 


9 


4 2 




2 2 





2 




8 


9 


8 


9 


8 


9 


2 4 




2 1(1 




in 17 




5 17 


6 


6 3 


6 


4 13 


6 


4 19 




10 





9 12 




3 16 


6 


9 17 




2 


9 


1 9 


6 


1 18 




4 2 





17 










8 


9 


5 


3 


" 




1 1 





14 





1 12 


9 


7 


9 


7 


9 


4 


4 


1 1 


6 


1 


8 


1 






10 


1 1 




4 3 





4 10 




9 17 




10 16 




1 18 


3 


1 4 


3 


2 14 




8 10 




4 17 


3 


7 li 




3 13 




7 9 





6 


3 


2 .s 





6 1.-. 




6 16 




11 6 




6 6 





7 




15 


6 


2 18 




3 3 


3 


7 





2 10 


6 


6 4 





8 




4 6 


6 


6 16 


3 


10 





Assess- 
ment. 

.John Wood 140 

Uriah Itenedict 196 

Jonas White 175 

Epenetns White 160 

Stephen White 207 

Jidin Nash S3 

Joel Pease 151 

Azor Cole 61 

John While ,39 

Gamaliel Stewart 110 

C'hristolther Ilager- 

man 166 

Audi us Mitchell 499 

Job Avlesworth 100 

J.din itliller 20 

William IhuiiB 121 

Thomas Armstrong... 90 

Joseph Deltys 296 

SnnderlamI Sears 348 

Deliverance King 77 

Itenjantin Young 277 

.losei.h Chard 142 

Michael Jliddlebrook 124 

Gilbert Miller 778 

Soh.mon Conch 14 

Tyrannus Collins 100 

Isaac How 219 

SbitlvSeranron 10 

George White 114 

ElishaJlilhr 188 

Eliphalet Kellogg 430 



Bai.isto.n, 31st of December, 1779. 



Amount of 


Tax. 




.i .«. 


(1. 


2 




8 9 





7 12 




6 10 




8 19 




3 12 




11 




2 12 


9 


1 13 


9 


4 16 




16 




21 12 




4 7 





17 





6 6 




3 18 




12 18 




16 2 





3 7 




12 




6 3 




5 8 




33 18 




12 


3 


4 


6 


9 10 





8 


9 


9 7 





8 3 




18 14 





M^^ ^^7^ 



Assess- Amount of 

ment. Tax. 

.t .« s. A. 

Joines White ]s7 8 2 

John Clinton 225 9 15 

David Clinton ,68 2 10 

John Clinton, .Ir 47 2 1 

llezekiah Middle- 
brook 369 16 

Nathaniel Mnnn 17 14 9 

Thonuis Van Vleck... 274 11 17 

Hailnanus Van Vleck 10 8 9 

Jlatthew I'aircliild... 139 1 

Samuel Nash 71 3 10 

(ieorge Wakenian 881 38 5 

Ileriah Palmer 132 5 14 6 

Abraham Hyatt 84 3 13 

Elisha Pers.ms 33 18 9 

John Glen and Ryar 

Schcrmerhorn 200 8 13 

Daniel Campbell ...'... 9,045 390 10 6 
Heirs of .l(diannos 

Fisher, Albany 3,107 134 4 

McCreannd the Beek- 

mans, concerned in 

the same allot mcnts 

of land in the (ii eat 

Patent 4,029 200 

Nannlng 'Vischer 2,S08 123 18 

Luther Thurber. 522 22 11 

Samuid Stringer. 320 13 16 

John McKie... 10 13 6 

Nicholas Vischer 1,348 .58 4 

Total property 46,207 1969 03 8 

Jamks Gordon, SwiJervtsor. 



IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

Name. — This town derives its name froui the early min- 
ister, Rev. Eliphalet Ball. lie was not the first settler, as 
appears in another jilace, but as the leader of a company 
of his neighbors from Beilford to this section of country; 
as the pastor of the first eliurch, founded no doubt by his 
labors ; as a prominent citizen in every other respect in those 
early times of civil peril, he became so well known that 
the now settlement received his name, and was called lidll- 
town. Common usage soon inserted the " s," and the abbre- 
viating tendencies of language reduced the final word to a 
mere syllable, and " /la/kfaii" was the result. The tradition 
that ho piirclKised the right tt) have his name attached to the 
town from pioneers still earlier than himself 9H((,y be true, as 
such a process is known to have changed Wing's falls to 
Glen's. Rut in this case the circuinstances of the times, 
the eliange in the word it.self, conclusively indicate that the 
name was of gradual growth, not one of sudden apjilica- 
tion. Whatever may be true as to this, it is certain that 
no worthier selection could have been made than this to 
perpetuate the memory of a faithful pioneer pastor. 



HISTORY OF SAllATOGA COUNTY, NEW YOllK. 



251 



We may add, for what it is worth, that the purchase of 
the right to name the place is said to have occurred at an 
old-fashioned " raising" of a log house ; that somewhat in 
jest Mr. Hull offered the McDonalds a gallon of rum to sur- 
render their right as pioneers to name the town ; that the 
offer was accepted, otherwise citizens at the present time 
might now have been compelled to date their letters at 
" McDonaldtou." 

Civil History. — The Districts of Saratoga and Half-Moon 
were organized in 1772. At that time Half-Moon included 
three present towns, Half-JIoon, Clittoii Park, Watorford. 
Saratoga comprised all the rest of the county, or what is 
now divided into seventeen towns. In 1775, Ballston dis- 
trict was formed from Saratoga. Tiie throe districts then 
consisted of the following territory : Half-Moon, the same 
as before ; Saratoga and IJalLston, dividing all the remainder 
of tlie county between them by the present east line of 
Ballston, extended northward to the Hudson river. The 
three districts remained in this form thirteen years, or until 
1788, when four towns were created, — Half-Moon, Still- 
water, Saratoga, Ballston. llalf-iMoon retained the same 
territory as when a district. Stillwater, taken from Sara- 
toga, comprised the present town of Stillwater and the 
largest portions of Malta, while to Ballston remained the 
same territory as before ; that is, the present towns of Ball- 
ston, Charlton, Milton, Galway, Providence, Day, Edin- 
burgh, Hadley, and parts of Corinth and (jreenfield. The 
records of the dL-itriet of IJallston, from 1775 to 1778, 
are probably lost, or have drifted into j)rivate hands, and 
are consigned to some bo.K or chest in an old pioneer gar- 
ret. Tliey would be of rare value now at the lapse of a 
hundred years. May it not be the reward of some patient 
searcher yet to discover and bring them to light? As it 
is, the records of Ballston still preserved in the ofl5ce of the 
clerk are the earliest district or town records in the county. 
They commence with 1779. The district-meeting for 
that year was held in the meeting-house, and the following 
officers were chosen : Supervisor, James Gordon ; Town 
Clerk, Beriah I'almer ; Collector, Dr. Elisha Miller ; As- 
sessors, Captain Elisha Benedict, Jabez Patehen, John 
Rogers, Beriah i'almer, Jr. ; John Taylor ; Constables, 
Isaac Stow, Daniel Taylor ; Fence- Viewers, Lieutenant 
John Bell, Lieutenant Nathaniel Weed ; Overseers of the 
Poor, Hezekiah IMiddlebrook, Jabez Ilubbell ; Pathnias- 
ters, Nathaniel Weed, Jabez Hubboll, Elisha Benedict, 
Jabez Patcheu, James Adams, Sunderland Sears, Nathan 
RajMnond, Isaac How. The assessors, it will be noticed, 
were headed by a captain, and the fence-viewers were qual- 
ified for their positions by being lieutenants in the military 
service. 

The next year the same officers were generally re-elected, 
though a few new names appear, — Stephen Sherwood, John 
Holmes, Uriah Benedict, George Morehou.se. These names 
show to some extent ihe scattered settlers in all the ten 
towns of what was then Ballston. 

There are no records for 1781-83, and it is supposed no 
annual meetings were held, the settlers having been cap- 
tured or driven away largely by the Tory raids of 1780 and 
1781. Commencing again in 1784, the lists of town officers 
are complete to the present time. lu 1792, four years after 



the town organization, l?allston was reduced to its present 
limits by taking off Charlton, Galway, and Milton. 

We add the names of the supervisors, town clerks, and 
collectors down to the present time. 





LIST 01' TOWN OFFICERS. 




Sviporvisor. 


Town Clerk. 


Collector. 


1779. 


James GonUm. 


Beriah Palmer. 


Dr. Elisha Miller. 


17S0. 


(. a 


.< 


Maj. And. Mitchell. 








Capt. Tyr. Collins. 
Capt. Stcph. White. 


17S1. 


None elected."^' 


None elected."'* 


None elected.* 


17S2. 


(( it 


a tt 


it ti 


I7S.-!. 


tl n 


tt it 


tt tt 


ns4. 


Uriah Henedict. 


Beriali Palmer. 


Josoiih Cole. 


I7S.I. 


Andrew Mitchell. 


U It 


Nathaniel Weed. 


1781). 


lienjamin Andrews. 


it tt 


ti t. 


17S7. 


James Gordon, 


tt tt 


Gilbert Miller. 


17SS. 


ti ti 


Wra. Weed. 


Eliphalet Kellogg. 
John Taylor. 


17S9. 


tl u 


" " 


Elijah Walbridgc. 


1790. 


Beriah Palnior. 


Seth C. Baldwin. 


Nathan Raymond. 
Walter Patehen. 


1791. 


tt K 


ti it 


it tt 


1792. 


Uriah Henedict. 


Caleb Benedict. 


Nathan Raymond. 


1793. 


Seth C. lialdwin. 


" " 


'• " 


1794. 


Edward A. Watrous 


•• 


" 


179.'->. 


*t 11 


Lloyd Wakcnian. 


Gideon Luther. 


17911. 


« 


Caleb Benedict. 


Thaddcus Patehen. 


1797. 


Jabez Davis. 


tt tt 


Amos Lurkins. 
Bushnell Benedict. 


179S. 


Henry Walton. 


Robert Leonard. 


tt it 


1799. 


IJeriali Palmer. 


John MoCrea. 


it it 


1800. 


Scth C. lialdwin. 
Si'th C. Baldwin, res 


ti it 


ti it 


1801. 


John McCrea, app. 


tt it 


Samuel Ilollister. 


1802. 


Nathaniel Booth. 


Jonathan Kellogg. 


Wm. M. Wilkins. 


iso:i. 


n tt 


a it 


U 1( 


ISOI. 


it it 


1( tt 


(i tt 


1S05. 


Samuel MeCrca. 


Samuel Young. 


tt tt 


180fi. 


" •' 


" " 


tt it 


1807. 


tt tt 


Ebeuozer S. Coon. 


Elihu Roe. 


1808. 


it tt 


it t< 


Julin Joues. 


1809. 


Samuel Vouug. 


it it 


a ti 


1810. 


tt It 


tt it 


Samuol Hollistor, 


I81I. 


Ebene/.er S. Coon. 


Joseph Taylor. 


Win. M. Wilkina. 


1812. 


Samuel Young. 


ti tt 


John Jones. 


181;i. 


.< 


it it 


Goor'^G Munn. 


1811. 


Abijah Ilubbell. 


it tt 


Uriah Beers. 


1815. 


S. I). lloUistor. 


it tt 


Wni. llcury. 


1810. 


James MeCrea. 


John Gibson. 


Elijah Taylr»r. 


1817. 


tt tt 


Sherman Curtis. 


Jerry PeiiiieUt. 


1818. 


" " 


tt it 


Nathaniel il. Seeley 


1819. 


ti tt 


it tt 


it tt 


1820. 


tl it 


tt a 


it tt 


1821. 


a It 


Elijah Castle. 


Ncheiniah Harlow. 


1822. 


tt tt 


tt it 


Elihu Roe. 


182:{. 


it it 


ti it 


n •< 


1824. 


Jesse Robertson. 


tt tt 


Samuel LiirUin. 


lS2.'i. 


., 


David AVatcrman. 


Uriah Boers. 


lS2t>. 


tt it 


It tt 


Elihu Roe. 


1827. 


it tt 


tt ti 


Uriah Beers. 


1828. 


ti tt 


it it 


Sim'n S. MeDunaUl. 


1829. 


tt ti 


tt it 


Bradley Morehouse 


1830. 


tt it 


it tt 


John Cutler. 


1831. 


tt it 


ti tt 


" u 


1832. 


it tt 


Cady Ilollister. 


T'riah Boers. 


1833. 


tt it 


it it 


Wn». E. Loo. 


1834 


it it 


it it 


a ti 


1835 


it it 


it tt 


Altniliiim Wigg. 


183G. 


Anson Seeley. 


Lewis Miller. 


Rogers C. Ahell. 


1837 


tt tt 


tt it 


Rogers C. Abell. 



* On account of the war. 



252 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 





Supervisor. 


Town Clerk. 


Collector. 


183S. 


Wm. G. Verplanck. 


Alfred Hollister. 


Rogers C. Abell. 


1S39. 


Anson Seeley. 


" " 


Amaziah Ford. 


1840. 


Anson Buell. 


" 


it it 


1841. 


■' 


Joseph F. Kingsley 


John Jones. 


1842. 


William 11. Satterlee 


. Stephen Merchant. 


S. D. F. Jennings. 


1843. 


ft it 


tt tt 


Lewis Raymond. 


1844. 


Stephen Merchant. 


Wm. n. Satterlee. 


Alvah Robertson. 


1845. 


Anson Buell. 


tt tt 


David R. Harlow. 


1846. 


Cady IloUister. 


David Boyd. 


" " 


1847. 


« « 


Richard H. Castle. 


Wm. II. Wendell. 


1848. 


it it 


tt <i 


it tt 


1849. 


Anson Seeley. 


tt tt 


David R. Harlow. 


1850. 


John P. Roe. 


tt tt 


Wm. H. Wendell. 


1S51. 


Henry P. Woollcy. 


Andrew Curtis. 


Royal M. Stiles. 


1852. 


Wm. H. Wendell. 


Richard H. Castle. 


Henry L. Sears. 


1853. 


Abel Meeker. 


Daniel E. Larkin. 


a it 


1854. 


" 


" " 


Cyrus French. 


1855. 


John P. Roc. 


it tt 


David R. Harlow. 


1856. 


John Vibbard. 


Albert S. Curtis. 


Cyrus French. 


1857. 


it i( 


" " 


Royal M. Stiles. 


1858. 


John Wait. 


Alexander Sears. 


Wm. H. Southard. 


1859. 


u u 


(( tt 


Wm. K. Post. 


1860. 


George G. Scott. 


tt tt 


Daniel T. Gates. 


1861. 


n tt 


tt tt 


Daniel D. Post. 


1862. 


It (t 


tt tt 


Wm. K. Post. 


186.3. 


It It 


tt tt 


Hiram Loomis. 


1864. 


tt It 


tt tt 


Samuel C. Becman 


1865. 


tt tt 


Frederick Curtis. 


Samuel R. Miller. 


1866. 


tt tt 


it a 


0. P. Jennings. 


1867. 


tt tt 


Asa Hollister. 


John P. Roe. 


1868. 


tt It 


AlonzoB. Comstock 


Alexander Abcll. 


1869. 


" 


" 


Samuel R. Miller. 


1870. 


li It 


Walter Bradley. 


Wm. H. Stewart. 


1871. 


It tt 


ti tt 


T. G. Y. Seaman. 


1872. 


It it 


Riley Crippen. 


Lewis C. Harlow. 


1873. 


tt tt 


it tt 


Asa Hollister. 


1874. 


it tt 


" 


John J. Larkin. 


1875. 


it tt 


" 


Edward Leahca, Jr 


1S76. 


" 


Hiram B. Stilhvell. 


Allen S. Glen. 


1S77. 


tt tt 


tt tt 


Alexander Sears. 


1878. 


tt tt 


" " 


Solyman H. Coons. 



JUSTICES OF TlIE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 



1830. 


James McCrea. 


1856. 


Frederick Curtiss. 


1831. 


Bushnell Benedict. 




Wm. Warner. 


1832. 


Wm. H. Satterlee. 


1857. 


AVm. Warner. 


1833. 


Jesse Robertson. 


1858. 


Lewis H. Sears. 


1834. 


James McCrea. 


1859. 


Jeremiah Ilustcd, J 


1835. 


Cornelius Lansing. 


1860. 


Lewis H. Sears. 


1836. 


Wm. H. Satterlee. 


1861. 


Wm. Warner. 


1837. 


Abel Meeker. 


1862. 


Anson Seeley. 




John Holmes. 


1863. 


Herman H. Ferris. 


1838. 


Jonathan McBride. 


1864. 


Lewis H. Sears. 


1839. 


Cornelius Lansing. 


1.S65. 


Wm. Warner. 


1840. 


Wm. H. Satterlee. 


1866. 


Bradford Spier. 


1841. 


Abel Meeker. 


1867. 


Herman H. Ferris. 


1842. 


Anson Seeley. 


1868. 


Lewis II. Sears. 


1843. 


Cornelius Lansing. 


1869. 


Wm. Warner. 


1S44. 


Wm. H. Satterlee. 


1870. 


Bradford Spier. 


1845. 


Thomas G. Young. 


1871. 


Herman H. Ferris. 


1846. 


Anson Seeley. 


1872. 


Lewis H. Sears. 




Silas H. Linley. 


1873. 


Wm. Warner. 


1847. 


Abel Meeker. 


1874. 


Wm. S. Curtiss. 




Ebenezer R. Jones. 




John Brown. 


1848. 


Samuel B. Edwards. 




Ileury P. Curtiss. 


1849. 


Thomas G. Y'oung. 


1875. 


George Higgins, 


1850. 


Anson Seeley. 




John Brown. 


1851. 


James H. Clark. 


1876. 


Lewis Sears. 


1852. 


Samuel B. Edwards. 


1877. 


John Brown. 




Abel Meeker. 




Daniel W. Allen. 


1853. 


Thomas G. Young. 


1S7S. 


W. S. Curtiss. 


1854. 


Anson Seeley. 




Anson G. Larkins. 


1855. 


Abel Meeker. 







v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 
CocRT-HousE HiLL must always be a place of interest 
to citizens of Ballston and residents of the county. Tt is 
situated on the middle line, that old historic road of Rev- 
olutionary times, — a sightly elevation, fitly chosen for its 
convenience of access over the leading roads of the county 
before railroads were opened, and for its reasonably cen- 
tral position. Enos Mann, in his book, " The Bench and 
Bar of Saratoga County," says, — • 

" Around the court-house a thriving village was growing, and 
doubtless the owners of the surrounding farms discussed the probable 
value of corner-lots, and saw, in imagination, their pastures and corn- 
fields bisected with avenues and streets; and, without doubt, there 
were i>thers who saw, with an air of dismay, the ruin of their sylvan 
homes beneath the crushing weight of local taxations for local im- 
provements. Several stores and two hotels were erected, and did a 
Mand-office* business in court terms. Two lawyers — John W. Taj'- 
lor and Samuel Cook — displayed their shingles there, trusting in the 
maxim to secure the worm. But suddenly a blight came over this 
rural Arcadia, and its hopes were forever blasted." 

The court-house and jail burned to the ground on the 
morning of the Sunday preceding March 27, 1816 — closing 
the village prospects of the Hill. George Billings, a pris- 
oner chained to the floor, lost his life. 

When the question came to be argued before the commis- 
sioners appointed to decide the location of the new buildings, 
the advocate of Court-House Hill, Samuel De Forest, made 
an able eflbrt to retain the honors and emoluments of the 
county-seat ; but the eiforts of Judge Cook, of Ballston 
Spa, Thomas C. Taylor and Nicholas Low, of New York, 
aided by the liberal offers of the latter, prevailed, and 
Court-House Hill retained its name secured in the early 
times, — but the name only. The court-house stood on the 
West side of the road, ojiposite the large dwelling-house, for- 
merly a tavern, now owned by David R. Harlow, rented, 
however, to other parties. Mr. Harlow's residence is south 
of the court-house site, on the same side of the road. Abner 
Harlow, father of David R., came to this town from A'er- 
mont, reaching here the day after the court-house burned, 
and settled a half-mile west of the hill, on what is now tlic 
place of James Young. 

The Middle Line Road contains many historic points, 
— the old Gordon homestead, where General Washington 
dined in 1783; the site of Gordon's grist-mill, the re- 
mains of the dam being still visible in the creek south of 
the mansion and near the road ; the points in the Tory raids 
where they seized their prisoners ; and the houses they pil- 
laged, and many others. The traditional stories of olden 
times are full of interest, abounding in " moving accidents 
by field and flood," hair-breadth escapes, thrilling encoun- 
ters and hasty flights. All this has passed away. Peace 
and civil order prevail. In all this now beautiful section 
of country " the desert has blossomed like the rose and the 
wilderness become a fruitful field." 

Academy Hill is the old point at which Rev. Mr. 
Ball settled, and at which the first meeting-house was built, 
in 1780. The place received this name from the fact that 
about the year 180-4 the old red meeting-house, then aban- 
doned for the new one west, was opened as an academy. 
It stood upon the site of the present school-house, and was 
fur many years an excellent school, at which n)any disiiii- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



253 



guished men were educated. A catalo<;ue of its early stu- 
dents would include a large number of citizens, eminent at 
home and abroad. Whoever will dig out from the archives 
of the past a history of that institution — its teachers, schol- 
ars, and officers — will add a contribution of much value to 
the pioneer history of Saratoga County. 

BaIjLston Centre is on the Middle Line road, a short 
distance west of Academy Hill. The new Presbyterian 
church, built there in 1804, the importance of the line of 
travel, the location of the post-office, all tended in early 
times to cause the growth of a small village. Its import- 
ance was diminished very much by the change of the court- 
house, — the change in all the great lines of travel, — but it 
remains, nevertheless, a beautiful spot. 

Burnt Hills is a pleasant rural village in the south 
part of the town. It derives its name from the fact that 
there was a large tract of land at this point burned over, 
either purposely or by accident, about the time the first set- 
tlers were coming in. Traveling up from the Jlohawk 
Flats below and passing these blackened forest elevations, 
they spoke of them as the Burnt Hills. 

This point was settled at an early day by the Hollister 
family, who owned, at one time, a large estate, reaching 
from the hills to the Branch. A descendant, Asa Hollister, 
is still living in the village. The records of the Baptist 
church extend back to 1791. Rev. Bradbury Clay was 
the first minister. The father of Joseph Bettys, the noted 
spy, was an early settler near Burnt Hills. Of Harriet 
McGregor we learn that her stepfather, Wm. Kingsley, 
probably opened the first tavern, in 1805, and that Fox, 
Guernsey, and Cogswell were early settlers. 

There was also a tannery established here at an early day. 
The Branch, as railroad men term it, or South Balls- 
ton, as it appears in the maps of the county, is the rail- 
road station about a mile east of Burnt Hills, and is a 
convenient point for all the south part of this town and 
the north part of Clifton Park. The opening of the road 
caused the growth of whatever there is of this place. Be- 
fore that there were not even the three necessary elements to 
constitute a village, — a tavern, a blacksmith-shop, and a store. 
Spear's Corners is within the town of Milton, but 
derives its name from the families spoken of elsewhere, 
who settled in the northwest part of Ballston, at what is 
still known as Hop City. 

The V Corners, a mile south of Ballston Spa, appeared 
in early times as likely to be a business point, but it lost 
its importance, being outranked by the demands of spnixj 
waters, official business, and manufacturing enterprise at the 
southern bend of the K.iyadrossera. 

E.\ST Line is a name in connection with Ballston, — old 
as the town itself, — spoken of in the history of Malta. It 
is seen, under the head of "settlement," that the beautiful 
slopes east of the lake attracted many of the early settlers. 
For them East Line was a business point, and they also 
drove across the "outlet" to Academy Hill and Ballston 
Centre. 

vr.— 8CU00LS. 
The earlier .settlers were men who valued education and 
religious privileges. Among their first jiuliiic acts were 
the opening of .schools and llie cstablishuiciit of churches. 



The meeting-house and the school-house rose side by side 
in the wilderness. Amid the severity of pioneer life there 
was little opportunity for long school terms. Boys and 
girls were obliged to work, but the brief three months' 
school was well improved. The three R's — Reading, 
Riting, and 'Rithmetic — were well taught, and the very 
brevity of the advantages rendered them all the more 
highly prized and the more promptly attended to. The 
number of learned men that have risen from the ranks of 
the early pioneers of Ballston prove their culture, their 
real refinement, though struggling with all the rudeness of 
the wilderness. 

A very early school was at Ballston Centre, or near there 
at Academy Hill. At Burnt Hills also was a pioneer 
school-house, and among the sturdy Scotch settlers in the 
western part of the town there was another. 

East Ijine, so prominently known in the old times, had 
a good school. 

Lewis Smith, of Mechanicviile, now in his ninety-third 
year, recalls the school and the following incident, though 
the names of teachers and scholars are fading from his 
memory : He was a " little boy." The fat, good-natured 
old teacher was asleep in his chair, and the larger boys 
gave Lewis twenty-five cents (which seemed to his eyes 
an immense fortune) to carefully tie the school-master's 
ankles fast to the chair. He succeeded in doing it. Then 
the " big boys" made a noi.se, and woke him up. Rising 
suddenly, his feet refused to move, and he fell his full 
length upon the floor, at imminent risk of life and limb, 
though, fortunately, he was not much hurt. 

There is no profanity in Mr. Smith's remark when, in 
his quaint way, he said to the writer, " It was a devil of a 
ftill." He gives the older boys credit for standing by him, 
and the school-master was unable to find out who did it. 

The Ballston Academy was probably opened about 1804, 
as it was establLshed in the old pioneer meeting-house, 
which was given up for their new one by the church about 
that time. Many di.stiuguished men received their educa- 
tion here. But little trace of records or catalogues can be 
obtained. With the growth of Ballston Spa that place 
soon became the resort of those seeking a higher education. 

commissioners' apportionment for 1878. 




254 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
THE rRESBTTERIAN CHURCH OF BALLSTON CENTRE. 

This is the pioneer church of the town, and it has a 
record of faith and works worthy of a prominent place in 
history. Study political systems as we may, examine 
judicial tribunals and trace their influence, search for 
early business enterprises and learn their effects, — yet, after 
all, we must turn to these early churches founded by the 
fathers as the true origin of social order and civil pros- 
perity, as the real fountains from whence flowed the streams 
of education, culture, and civilization. 

The church was founded by the Rev. Eliphalct Ball. 
The first meeting for organization seems to have been 
September 22, 1775, when a brief covenant upon the 
basis of the Westminster Catechism was agreed upon, and 
signed by the following persons, constituting the first roll 
of members : 

Zaccheus Scribner, Michael Dunning, Steven White, 
Hezekiah Middlebrook, John Nash, Samuel Nash, Azor 
Nash, John Holmes, Eliakim Nash, David Clark, Thomas 
Brown, Ebenezer Sprague, Solomon Couch, Hezekiah 
Wood, Jonas White, Mary White, Martha Gordon, Eliza- 
beth Ball, Jane Scott, Rhoda Nash, Sarah Nash. Jerusha 
Benedict, Mary Weed, Abigail Collins, Sarah Kellogg. 

The records of the church are very brief in the earliest 
years, and the names of the first officers do not appear. 
There is an entry in 1776 stating that John Young and 
wife, John Cabell and wife, Wm. Belding, Eliphalet Kel- 
logg, Solomon Couch, Uriah Benedict, Grickson Prisby, 
Nathaniel Weed, and Samuel Benedict united with the 
church upon profession of faith. 

In 17S0 another list of members received is given, peculiar 
in the fact that nineteen husbands and the wives of all of 
them united at once, — ^John Cabell, James McCrea, Joseph 
Morehouse, Samuel Wood, Epenetus While, Matthew 
Fairchild, James Gordon, John Young, Wm. Barns, 
Robert Speir, Samuel MeCrea, Jabez Gorham, Nathan 
Raymond, .John Wood, Beriali Palmer, Sunderland Sears, 
Michael Middlebrook, William Bettys, and James Gor- 
don, Jr. 

The church was independent, and no doubt Congrega- 
tional in government for a time, as there seems to have 
been no election of elders at first. 

Rev. Mr. Ball w:is the pastor till 1783. He lived 
among his people, however, after that, dying in 1797. 

He was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Martin, September 
25, 1783, and October 3 a new covenant and declaration 
of principles wei-e drawn up and signed. May 11, 1787, 
the society completed a Presbyterian organization by elect- 
ing Solomon Guernsey, James White, and Isaac How 
elders ; Michael Middlebrook and Eliphalet Kellogg, dea- 
cons. They were ordained June 9 of the same year. 
The church was admitted to presbytery in 1787 or 1788, 
and Rev. Mr. Schenek was installed pastor August 26, 
1788. Sermon by Mr. Young, and charge to both pastor 
and people by Mr. McDonald, of Albany. 

The catalogue of pxstors (some only sUited supplies), from 
the first organization to the present time, is Eliphalet Ball, 
Ebenezer Martin, Wm. Schenek, John 15. Smith, Jonathan 



Edwards, Joel Bradley, Stephen Porter, Reuben Sears, 
Reuben Smith, James V. Henry, Erasmus D. McMaster, 
Samuel S. Davis, David Murdock, George H. Thatcher, 
John B. Steel, Reuben Smith, Charles H. Taylor, E. B. 
Allen, A. B. Morse, and the present pastor, Alexander S. 
Hoyt. 

From this church have gone forth an unusual number of 
candidates for the ministry : Reuben Sears, Henry R. 
Weed, Samuel S. Davis, John K. Davis, James McCrea, 
Charles E. Farman, Theophilus Redfield, Montgomery M. 
Wakeman, David Murdock, Nicholas J. Seeley, Matthew 
H. Calkins. Trained in the Sundaj- -school, but not members 
of the church, were the following ministers : Thomas C. 
Kirkwood, Wm. H. Milham, and W. W. Curtis. 

The first house of worship Wiis the " old red meeting- 
house," that stood whore the present school-house stands, 
erected, according to tradition, in the summer of 1780. 
This was a landmark well remembered yet by many of the 
older people. It became the Ballston Academy after it 
was abandoned by the church. In 1803 a new meeting- 
house was erected where the present one stands. The satis- 
faction at securing a more convenient house was saddened 
by the fatal accident at the raising, Mr. Joseph Warner 
ha\ing been killed by the falling of a stick of timber. 

The present house succeeding this one of 1803 was built 
during the pastorate of Dr. Taylor, extending from 185-t to 
1861. 

CALVARY CHURCH (EPISCOPAL), BURNT HILLS. 

In 18-t8 this village had a new growth, by the establish- 
ment of a paper-mill, which brought into the community 
a lai'ge number of English artisans, and added new life 
and business to the place. For these men, quite a 
number of new dwellings were erected. Many of the 
operatives were members of the Church of England, rev- 
erencing its ancient faith, and loving the forms of wor- 
ship known to their childhood. To provide for these men 
and for the families residing here, who had previously wor- 
shiped at Charlton, a church was established, and incorpo- 
rated May 7, 1849. This was principally due to the labors 
of Rev. Edward Davis, and the cordial co-operation of 
Cady Hollister, the proprietor of the paper-mill. The laud 
for a church edifice was a gift from Mr. Hollister and Isaac 
Woolsey. During the summer of 1849 the building was 
completed, at an expense of §2500, a large proportion of 
which was the gift of Rev. Mr. Davis himself, and the first 
service was held in it on Christmas-day of the same year. 
The church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Wm. R. 
Whittingham, of Maryland, at the direction of the standing 
committee of the diocese, July 11, 1850, being free from 
debt. The edifice was first built with open nave and recess 
chancel, but was enlarged in 1858 by the addition of two 
transepts, making sittings for 250. The church had for- 
merly plain glass windows, but in 1862, Mrs. Belinda 
Davis, wife of the rector, presented the parish with new 
stained windows, which were immediately put in. The 
family of Mr. Davis also presented a beautiful stone font 
at Easter, 1863. The rectory, house, and lot was also a 
gift, in 1856, by the same generous benefactors. This was 
opposite the church. Another house and lot, adjoining the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



255 



cemetery, was also a gift from the same source. The first 
wardens of the parish were Daniel K. Smith, who died 
Oct. 11, 187G, and \Vm. Wheeler, who died April, 1871, 
both of whom were highly esteemed as zealous friends of the 
church. Rev. Edward Davis continued his abundant labors 
both here and in Charlton until failing health compelled 
him to relinquish his work in part, and in 1803 ho was 
called fi-om earth to the hope of a brighter future. On his 
monument, in the cemetery adjoining the church he loved 
so well, is the truthful and merited inscription, " Eminent 
for the gentleness of his spirit and the simplicity and the 
purity of his character, of. vigorous intellect and varied 
acquirements, he was respected and beloved by all who 
knew him for his faithfulness as a minister of the gospel, 
his virtues as a Christian, his worth as a man." The suc- 
cessive rectors of the church have since been Rev. N. J. 
Seeley, Rev. J. H. Betts, Rev. Mr. Wainwright, Rev. J. 
H. Tyng, Rev. E. A. Edgerton. Rev. R. H. Barnes, the 
present rector, took charge, in connection with St. Paul's 
church, Charlton, Aug. 1, 1871. The officers of the 
church at the present time are Calvin S. Wheeler and 
Frederick Curtis, wardens; W. H. Wheeler, L. H. Sears, 
James P. Smith, E. R. Jones, Edward K. Wheeler, Peter 
Bliss, Ammi Van Vorst, and Sheldon D. Smith, vestrymen ; 
Levinus Lansing, treasurer. In connection with theeluirch 
is a flourishing Sunday-school, in which Mr. C. S. Wheeler 
has rendered faithful and efficient service for seventeen 
years as superintendent. 

Mrs. Belinda Davis, wife of the first rector, was the 
daughter of the late James Eniott, of Poughkeepsie. With 
her husband, she was greatly beloved by the people among 
whom they lived nearly forty years. 

One of the founders of this church was Daniel K. Smith. 
He was a frugal farmer, a wise counselor, a faithful friend, 
and an earnest Christian. He was born, lived, and died in 
the parental and centennial homestead. His father, Jesse 
Smith, associated with a brother, Thomas Smith, took up a 
large tract of land before the days of the Revolution, living 
then in a log cabin. During the war they left their home 
and fought for their country's freedom. On their return, 
after peace was declared, finding their cabin burned, the 
main part of the present house was erected of hewn green 
timber, making the building nearly one hundred years old. 

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OP EAST LINE. 

This society was establi.shed about 1858 or '59. They 
erected a meeting-house about that time at an expense of 
$1000, and services were maintained quite regularly for 
ten or fifteen years, but more rarely since, and at the 
present time are discontinued. John Brownell, Rensselaer 
Hall, William Emigh, and Elisha Scidmore prinei[ially man- 
aged and sustained the enterprise. 

The dedication sermon was by Rev. J. G. Holland, now 
of ScriLner's Montlily. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OP EAST LINE. 

The pastor of the Ballston Spa church, Rev. Mr. Dela- 
field, commenced services at this place in the fall of 187C, 
the congregation meeting in the house of worship belonging 
to the Christian church. 



In the spring of 1877, through the energy of the pas- 
tor, assisted by a few active workore, a lot was purchased 
and a chapel erected. It was an unusual case of rapid 
church work. The corner-stone was laid and the finished 
building consecrated within a month. Indeed, the principal 
work is said to have been actually done in eleven days. 
The expense w.is about $1200, and it is a very fine addition 
to the little village of East Line. 

THE CIIRISTl.iX CHURCH OP BURNT HILLS. 

This organization was established about thirty years since, 
and services have been maintained most of the time. From 
this church the society at East Line originated. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OP BURNT HILLS. 

This society was formed at a very early day. The fol- 
lowing members, originally connected with the old first 
church of Stillwater, were set off about 1791 or '92, and 
were the founders of the present Baptist church of Burnt 
Hills. 

Lazarus Hollister, Clement Young, Smith Hollister, 
Wni. Bettys, Nehemiah Seeley, Daniel Thomas, Thomas 
Proctor, John Cloidenwiser, Benjamin Ide, John Luther, 
Gideon Luther. 

For this list of members we are indebted to the courtesy 
of Cluirles Hunt, clerk of the first church of Stillwater, 
who has contributed many other valuable records bearing 
on the history of Baptist churches in this county. 

Early ministers of this church, as shown by the records 
of the Sluiflsbury Association, were Bradbury Clay, Nathan 
N. Whiting, Joiin Harris, E. Tucker, William McCarty, 
J. S. McCollum, J. W. Green, John Goodby, William C. 
Phillips, and Alfred Harvey. This first church seems to have 
become extinct and a new one formed, about 1820, from 
the Clifton Park church. No statistics have been received 
from the officers of the church. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

The earlier burial-places in town were numerous, and 
some of them have been long since obliterated. 

The first settlers, the McDonald family, are buried upon 
the farm where they made their pioneer home in 1703. 
On the Cain place, southwest of the house a few rods, was 
a public burial-place, long since given up and plowed over. 

On the Middle Line road, just beyond Delevan and 
Finney's place, there were burials near a large elm-tree, 
not far from a barn now standing there. 

Opposite the Presbyterian parsonage at Ballston Centre 
were early burials. The bodies were removed. The ceme- 
tery at Burnt Hills is old, having one stone bearing the date 
1795, marking the grave of Samuel Hollister. 

The Scotch Bush burying-ground is very old, and 
takes its name from the nationality of the settlers near. 
Still another burial-place is near the Hiller farm, in the 
southwest part of the town. Another one at Hop City, 
but little used for burials at the present time. The Briggs 
yard, between Ballston Centre and Court-House Hill, is 
very large ; many of the pioneers are buried there. 

Near Ballston Spa is the large main cemetery, with its 
extensive additions of late years. Here may be read the 



256 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



brief story of the life and death of many early settlers 
carved upon the enduring marble, reminding the casual 
visitor how quickly passes the longest life, and how speedily 
senatorial honors, military glory, and the most distinguished 
civic service reach their last repose beside the sweet child 
cut off in its beauty and its innocence. 

IX.— HISTORIC NOTES. 

The Northern Invasion of 1780, in which the British 
forces, under Major Carleton, invaded the settlements in 
Ballston, has been described somewhat at length in the 
general history of the county. In addition to what is 
there set forth, the following historical notes, furnished by 
Judge Scott, are given here as possessing much local in- 
terest. And in this connection it is desired to acknowledge 
the personal assistance rendered by Judge Scott in the prep- 
aration of this work. His printed addresses, manuscripts, 
books, and maps have generously been offered for consulta- 
tion, and his personal reminiscences have furnished valu- 
able material that could not easily have been obtained from 
other sources. 

The following account of an alarm in Ballston, earlier 
than the raids of the Tories, is taken from Judge Scott's 
address, delivered July 4, 1876 : 

" Colonel Robert Van Rensselaer, in a letter to the Provincial 
Congress, dated April 18, 1777, writes that he has received a letter, 
requesting the assistance of the militia to quell an insurrection of 
the Tories in Ballston. 

" Hezekiah Middlebrook, chairman of the Ballston couiinittee of 
safety, writes a letter to the committee of Saratoga, dated Miiy 2, 
1777, stating, in detail, the suspicious movements of a party of 
men who had encamped between Charles Merrick's and Ebcnezer 
Sprague's (now on the road between Factory Village and James 
Thompson's), and adds that the morning previous thirty or forty 
men were discovered marching up the Kiiyadrossera, and returned 
the same way in the evening, and further adds, ' There is reason to 
think there is a large body of them, more thnn we are al)le to cope 
with : and a good many from this settlement have absconded, and it 
is thought have joined them. We look upon ourselves at their 
mercy, if they choose to attack us, which we hope will incite you 
to be as expeditious as you can to assist us.* 

" The e.\planation of this alarm would seem to be this : Several of 
the Tories in this vicinity, having received the offer of bounty lands 
in Canada, marched ofl" in an armed body at about the date of Mid- 
dlebrook's letter to join the British forces at Crown Point. They 
struck the well-known Indian trail leading over the Kayadrossera 
mountain, across the Sacandaga river near Daly's creek, and west of 
Lake George to Crown Point, which I shall hereafter refer to. They 
encamped the first night on the bank of a lake on the summit of 
the mountain, to which (either from its surroundings or their own 
situation, or perhaps both) they gave the name of ' Lake Desola- 
tion,' which it still retains. Colonel James Gordon, with a detach- 
ment of militia (among whom were Edmund Jennings and David 
How), followed in pursuit, and on the 6th of May overtook them, 
thirty-one in number, in the present town of Luzerne, and brought 
them back. They were tried by a court-martial and fined fifteen 
dollars each. 

"On the approach of Burgoyne's army several of the Connecticut 
families returned to that State, and did not come back until the close 
of the war." 

We add the following from unpublished memoranda of 
Judge Scott : 

Very early in the decade from 1770 to 1780, 6on. Gor- 
don purchased and received a deed from Dirck Lefferts, 
Cornelias Clapper, Isaac Low, and Benjamin Kissani wf a 
tract in Ballston, containing four hundred acres. The tract 



was covered with a magnificent white-pine forest. I re- 
member a few of the original gigantic pines which were in 
Mr. Mann's woods some fifty years ago (1825). The tract 
was subdivided into eight fifty-acre lots. The whole was 
bounded, west, by the middle line ; north, by the town line ; 
east, by Ballston street, pa.ssing the cemetery ; and south, 
by the Garrett road and the north line of the Garrett farm ; 
and this was the south lino of Jones' fifty acres. George 
Scott moved on to his fifty acres, and erected a frame house 
on the hill northwest of the present dwelling, in 1774. 
Mr. Carley settled upon the fifty acres next south of George 
Scott ; John Mcllmoire upon the fifty-acre lot afterwards 
James Mann's ; John Carey upon the fifty acres mostly 
now in the village limits ; also James Gordon, upon Amos 
Hewitt's fifty acres. 

As early as 1774 or 1775, Gen. Gordon erected a saw- 
mill for working up the pine timber upon the creek, — east 
side of it, nearly opposite the late residence of Capt. Daniel 
Stone, on the Middle Line road. The dam was between 
the two high banks, where they approach nearest to each 
other. Some of the foundation timbers of the dam yet 
remain in the bed of the brook. This brook was known 
as Gordon's creek, and it is one of the branches of the 
stream flowing through Ballston Spa, and still bears the 
old name derived from the gener,il, who erected the first 
mill upon its banks. The stream has shrunk, certainly, to 
one-third of its former volume. The Middle Line road 
did not cross the creek twice, as it does at present, but fol- 
lowed the east bank along by the saw-mill, and thence 
southerly to Givins' and Cloary's corners. Monro, on his 
raid in 1780, passed that way. John Carey and Mcll- 
moire in the Revolution adhered to Great Britain, and so 
did Francis Hunter, on the Lanehart farm. Mr. Ebcnezer 
Jones, in 1875, while plowing in his field, and upon the 
site of the old road, turned up an Indian tomahawk in a 
good state of preservation. My father informed me that 
his father's brother, John, older than himself, and the only 
brother, was, in his youth, a midshipman under the com- 
mand of Capt. Grass, afterwards Rear- Admiral Grass. 
When George Scott came to America, in 1773, his brother 
gave him the sea-chest which he had used in the service, 
and it was brought to Ballston. 

Before Munro's raid, this chest, containing the most 
valuable effects of the family, was buried on the east side 
of a knoll, towards the ea.st part of the firm, and remained 
hidden for several weeks. Unfortunately, deeming the 
greatest danger over, it was dug up and brought to the 
house just before the raid, and just in time to be rifled 
of its contents. The chest, however, remained, and is in 
possession of Judge Scott, 

COPY OF A PETITION TO THK COMMITTKR OF SAFETY. 

" January 5, 177fi. 
"To THE Committee in Bali.ston: 

" Gentlemen, — We, the subscribers, having heard it hinted in sev- 
eral parts of the town, and in divers ways, that a certain number of 
disorderly persons is expected here under pretense of subduing the 
Tories in this place, we therefore desire that you, the said committee, 
will, with the utmost of your power, repel any such motion if it 
shall come to your knowledge, as we, the subscribers, think it would 
be injurious to this infant settlement. Furthermore, we, the sub- 
scribers, desire the above said committee to warn a meeting, that the 




^RS.TRIPHENA j^ANN. 




/^^^^^-^-t-c^ /^^"VyJ 



g^c^^^.'pn^ 




The Old Home, built by JAMES MANN, laos, BALLSTON ,N.y. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



257 



town may have the opportunity to change two members of said com- 
mittee, in the room of Mr. and Mr. , as they have behaved 

themselves of late in a very indolent and unbecoming manner. Wo 
have reason to Ijclieve, from their own conduct, that they are unfit 
persons to have this trust reposed in them, and in so doing you will 
oblige your friends and humble servants, 

"ElISHA MlLLKIl, 

Eliph.\let Kellogg, 
John Clinton, 
John Clinto.v, Jr., 
D.iviD Clark, 



ZaCCHKUS SCRIBMUR, 
DaSIKL SCRIBNER, 

Samlkl Fitch, 
John Grant, 
Thomas Ar.«strong." 



X.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

Farming is the principal occupation of the people of 
Ballston. The soil in larae portions of the town is fertile, 
and under careful tillajio yields abundant crops. On the 
wholef, the town may be said to pos.sess some of the finest 
and best-cultivated farms in the county west of the fertile 
slopes of the Hudson valley. 

XI.— MILITARY. 

Incidents in the liar of the lievilufioii and names con- 
nected therewith are given at length in the papers of Judge 
Scott, and in the notes upon early settlement, but no full 
list of those who served as soldiers seems to be obtainable. 

With reference to the Wur of 1812, Lieut.-Col. Taylor, 
of Clifton Park, furni.shes from his papers the names of the 
following soldiers from the town of Ballston : Capt. Isaac 
Curtis, Silas Smith, Lewis Miller, S. Curtis, Wm. Evans, 
and Chester Clapp. 

We add the following list for the War of 1861-65, ob- 
tained from the best sources possible, and advertised for 
several weeks for correction by the veterans themselves. 

W.\K OF lSOl-66. 

Edward S. Armstrong, enl. Oct. 1, 18G1, Y7th Regt., Co. B, Corp.; pro. st'rgt.; 

1st lieut. Co. G; (iisch. Jan. 14, 1863. 
Thomas .Andrews, eul. Nov. 22, l.SGl, 4th Art., Co. D. 
Frazer Atkins, enl. Marcli 3, 1862, "7tli Eegt., Co. E. 
Wm. Abbs. 

Andrew J. Armstrong, in Mexican war, and also War of 186l-6.=>. 
Wm. G. Bradshaw, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Ksgt., Co. E; disch. for disaliility, 

Jan. 7, 1862. 
Alexander J. Beach, enl. Jan. 23, 1804, 13th Art., Co. E; died Aug. 10, 1864, at 

Chesapeake hospital. 
Jay Burnhani, eul. Dec. 31, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Uenry W. Burnh.am, enl. Dec. 31, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F. 
George II. Briggs, enl. Dec. 31, 1863, 13lh Art., Co. F. 
Abrani G. Bradt, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th Art., Co. D; 1st sergf; pro. 2d lieut.; 

Ist lieut.; mustered out Dec. 13, 1864. 
WiUiam Bradt, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th Art, Co. D ; 5th sergt. 
George II. Bradt, eol. Nov. 24, 18G1, 4th Art., Co. D. 
John Barnhart. 
George W. Bigelow. 
Wm. G. Ball, enl. 13tll Art. 

Marcus S. Barrows, enl. Nov. 1861, 4th Art., Co. D. 
Frank Clark, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77tb Kogt., Co. C. 
William Davis, eul. Sept. 6, 1862, 153d Kegt., Co. G. 
Thomas II. Dorsey, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 13th Art., Co. E. 
Andrew J. Dubois. 
Josiali Dean. 

Jumoj Dunk, enl. 1151b Regt., Co. C. 

airistopbnr Emperor, enl. Aug. 1, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Warren Earls, eul. Oct. 17, lljbl, 77th Regt., Co. E. 
John Emperor, 18th Kegt.; served his time; re-enl. in 43d Regt.; served 

through the war. 
John S. Fuller, eul. Jan. 4, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 
David FrisLie, enl. 22d Regt. 
James Grooms, enl. Oct. 14,1861, 77th Begt.,Co. C; disch. for disability, Jan. 23, 

1862. 
Patrick Goonan, enl. Jan. 11, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Stephen S. llorton, enl. Sept. 1 i, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. B; 2d lieut; pro. capt., 

July 25, 1862; discb. May 31, 1863. 
George Hughs, enl. Oct. 6, 1S02, 13 id Regt., Co. G. 
Philip M. Hill, eub Sept. 18, 1802, 133d Begt., Co. G. 

33 



Joshua Heritage, enl. Sept. 0, 1862, ]53d Regt., Co. 0. 

Fraidi Harris, enl. Sept. 30, 1861, 77lh R"'gt., Co. G; disch. Hay 24. 1862. 

George Hoyt, enl. April 17, 1801, 18lh Kegt., Co. I; re-eul. 46tb Kegt., Co. K, 
Sept. 7, 1801; disch. 

Edwin 0. Iloyt, II. Art , 13tb Regt., Co. F. 

Thomas Harris, 77tli Regt. 

Joseph F. Jones, enl. Sept. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died Doc. !j, 1862, at 
Bnllston. 

D. K.Smith Joues, enl. Jan. 0,1862, 4th II. Art., Co. D; 2d lieut.; pro. Ist lieut., 
Oct. 30, 1862; capt.. May 27, 1863; killed in action, June 17, 1804. 

Ransom Knight, eul. Aug. 13, 1862, llJth Regt., Co. D. 

Micliael Kildea, enl. Sejit. 20, 1862, 153d Kegt., Co. G. 

Otis King, enl. Sept. 5, 1802, 153d Regt., Co. G. 

John Kihlea, enl. Jan. 11, 1804, 13th Art., Co. F. 

John Kearnes, eid. Sept. 28, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. B. 

Alfred H. Kiiigsley. 

Hugh Kelley, Battery B,7tli N. Y. Art. 

Truman M. Loveland, eul. Aug. 12, 1862, 115th Kegt., Co. I. 

John Lanehart, eid. Oct. 4, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. G. 

Jacob Lansing, enl. Nov. 24, 1801, 4th Art., Co. D. 

Bloses Lewi^, 4th Art. 

Richard Millard, enl. Sept. 28, 1861, 77tli Regt., Co. B; disch. Nov. 17, 1802. 

Frederick Martin, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 115lh Regt., Co. I. 

Wui. II. Mcintosh, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 153d Regt,, Co. G. 

Richai d I,. Mcintosh, enl. Sept. 0, 1862, 153(1 Kegt., Co. G. 

Edward Middletou, eid. Jan. 7, 1804, 13th .\rt., Co. F. 

Patrick McGiirr. 

Jidin Morris, enl. 30th Regt. 

Charles 5Iassey, 4th Art. 

John Moi ris, 3Ulh Kegt. 

Samuel H. Nelson, enl. Oct. 4, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. Nov. 18, 1862. 

Samuel Nelson, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C ; died at Portsmouth Grove 
hospital. 

Beekman Near, enl. Aug. 21, 1862, llStb Regt., Co. I. 

Adam Niles, erd. Sept. 6, 1802, 153il Kegt., C«. G. 

Wm. II. (iuivey, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. C; dig. Feb. 6, 1863. 

Aaron B. Quivey, enl. Oct. 8- 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; trans, to uon-com. staff, 
May, 1862. 

Patrick Reidy, enl. Sept. 23, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B ; died Oct. 30, 1861, at Sara- 
toga Springs. 

Horace L. Stiles, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77tli Regt, Co. B; trans, to 3d Battery. 

George E. Springer, erd. Sept. 21, 1861, 77tli Kegt, Co. C; disch. Dec. 13, 1804. 

Hiram B. Sweet, eid. Seiit. 2, 1862, lo:id Regt, Co. G. 

Wm. Schism, eul. Sept.l2, 1862, 15:id Regt., Co. G. 

John Spicer, enl. July 8, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 

John H.Shivis, enl. Aug. 23, 1862, 77th Kegt, Co. B; trans, to Vet Battalion 77. 

Benjiimin J. Severance. 

James D. Thompson, 115th Begt. 

Alouzo Vandenberg, eul. Oct 16, 1801, 77tb Regt, Co. 11. 

James H. Vandcrwerken. 

W. W. Wonlen, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Begt., Co. B; sergt; trans, to Co. K. 

William Wait, enl. Aug. 1, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. I. 

John J. Wood, enl. Sept. 20, 1862, 153d Kegt., Co. G. 

Gilbert Warren, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 153il Regt., Co. G. 

J.acob Wager, enl. Sept. 3, 1862, 153d Kegt, Co. G. 

Noiman F. Weeks, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 13th Art., Co. P. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



JAMES MANN.* 

Once it was a happy day — 

From tree and wood sweet voices sound — 

When yea was yea and nay was nay. 
A holy influence lingered 'round. 

My beloved father, James Mann, was born in Hebron, 
county of Tolland, Conn., Feb. 24, 1768. His father's 
name was Joseph, who was the son of Nathaniel Mann, 
.son of the Rev. Samuel Mann, of the Congregational 
church, Massachusetts. In December, 1790, he was mar- 
ried to Mi.ss Tryphena Tarbox, of Hebron. The ceremony 
was performed by the Rev. Dr. Bronson in the Episcopal 
church of that place. The wedding-ring differed essentially 
from those of the present day. It was a plain hoop of pure 



* Contributed by Miss Electa Mann, BallstoD, 1S78, aged seventy- 
seven years. 



258 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY", NEW YORK. 



gold, having engraved upon the inner surface the motto, 
" Love and Virtue," suggestive of the unobtrusive gifts 
and graces of mind and heart. The same winter they came 
to Ballston and settled on their farm. They made their 
journey in a large sleigh, covered with domestic linen, drawn 
by a yoke of oxen and a horse. The sleigh was heavily 
laden with household furniture and other necessary articles. 
They were several days on the road. One evening they 
met at the inn some fellow-travelers, who made themselves 
quite at home, brought in their meat and meal, prepared 
and ate their supper, after which they had a dance. Then 
they brought in their straw beds for their night's repose. 

My parents arrived the 4th of March, 1791. They had 
followed the Middle Line road till within less than a mile 
of the place destined to be their life-long home. They soon 
reached the woods on their own premises. The road then 
passed down a side-hill, lined on each side with towering 
pine- and hemlock-trees, while the March wind among their 
branches played a welcome greeting, which was strange 
music to one unaccustomed to a forest home. Then soinn- 
over the causeway of logs, they soon came to a rise of ground 
where their house stood. By the politeness of Mr. Knapp 
my mother had preceded my father by an easier conveyance 
from the hill, afterwards the Court-House hill. That even- 
ing they gratefully accepted his hospitality and took tea 
with the family, — a sumptuous repast of delicious corn-cake, 
fried pork, and a cup of warm tea. The log house contained 
two rooms on the floor, an attic, with a ladder instead of 
stairs for ascent. 

Logs within and logs without; 

Brave hearts would not rrpine, 
Sinee moral worth and calm content 

Brighter than gold or diamonds shine. 

There were two other buildings of the same material on 
the premises, — a niilk-room attached to a shop and a barn. 
There was an out-door cellar, and a stone-oven covered with 
slabs. The snow was then two feet deep. Winter soon 
yielded to the mild influence of spring, the snow melted 
away, and early in April young lettuce, self-sown, graced 
their table. The garden was in front of the house, and 
contained some useful plants. The asparagus was trans- 
ferred to the new garden, where it still remains. There 
were three apple-trees a few rods northeast from the house 
that are still living. 

My ftither brought apple-seed from his eastern home and 
planted a nursery, raised young trees sufficient for two or- 
chards on his own farm, leaving a balance for his neighbors. 
He also planted peach-trees, which bore fruit a number of 
years. Not long after he started some pear-trees from scions 
brought from his native place, one of which is still living 
and bears better pears than it did many years aso. 

Until a well was dug the house was supplied with water 
from a cavity below the garden ; when that failed it was 
brought from over the causeway, where was a little pool of 
water at the corner of a beautiful grove of young pines, 
which, with the green grass beneath, was a delightful spot. 

'Twas there our dear mother, in the warm summer daj', 
Would sit, while we children were close hy her side; 

Look on us, and smile at our innocent ]ilay, 

Whilst nimbly for us the bright needle she plied. 



James Mann, Sr., died March 21, 1856, aged eighty-eight 
years. Tryphena Mann was born Dec. 27, 1765, and died 
Nov. 1, 1850, aged eighty-four years. They had seven 
children : Hervey, who was born and died Sept. 26, 1791 ; 
James, born Aug. 10, 1792, and died Sept. 24, 1873; Pa- 
tience, born Sept. 22, 1795, died April 12, 1816 ; Solomon, 
born Oct. 22, 1797, died Sept. 5, 1807 ; Fanny, born Oct. 
20, 1797, died April 29, 1810 ; Electa, born Oct. 16, 1801 ; 
Joseph, born March 21, 1804. 

The tender bud is withered, 
The blooming flower does fall. 

The golden sheaf is garnered, 
And silence reigns o'er all. 



GEORGE G. OSTRANDER 

was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., Jan. 6, 1830. He went 
with his father to Virginia in 1844, where his father pur- 
chased a farm. George continued to work with his father 
until 1848, when he went to learn the trade of carpenter 




y/' ///„ 



Photo, by T. J. Arnckl, nullston Spa. 





and joiner. In 1850 he was married, at Washington, D. C., 
to Carolina A. Pink, of Rensselaer Co., N. Y. They then 
located, at Sand Lake, and he engaged largely in building, 
employing several men in erecting buildings in that county 
until 1863, when, at the solicitation of Hon. E. C. Dela- 
van (they were personal friends as long as Mr. Delavan 
lived), he came to Ballston, and located at Burnt Hills, to 
work at his trade. Soon after he purchased a farm near 
that place, where he resided until 1876, when he moved to 
South Ballston, leaving his only son, Philip, on the farm. 

Mr. Ostrander has built and owns several buildings at 
South Ballston, carries on a lumber and coal business there, 
and is foremost in any enterprise that tends to advance the 
interest of the villaee. 




Res or HENRV I.CURTISS, Ballston.N Y. 










ReSJOENCE 5r JACOB OSBORNE. SCHUVLERVILLE.N./. 



SARATOGA. 



I. —GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

The tiiwii of Saratoga is nearly central wpuii the eastern 
border of the county. It is bounded north by AViUon and 
Northumberland, east by the county line, south by Still- 
water, and west by Saratoga Springs. It includes lO.iUl 
acres of improved land, 4058 of unimproved, aud of this 
last amount 2338 is woodland. The population in 1875 
was 45(19. 

In the revised statutes of the State, this town is described 
and its boundary lines defined as follows : 

*'Tllo town of Saftifntjii sball contain all that part of said county 
boundcil northerly by North umherlimil and Wilton, easterly by the 
east bounds ol' the county, southerly by StilUvater, aud westerly by 
Saratoga Spring.<> and Malta." 

The territory of this town is a part of the ancient Sara- 
toga patent. It is a curious fact that a copy of the original 
contract of division, with a map attached, executed June 1, 
1752, was found, a few years since, in a bale of/orei^n rags 
opened at the Fort Miller paper-mill. The map is now 
in the po.^.session of Henry Wagman, of Saratoga, in an ex- 
cellent state of preservation. To this document belongs not 
only its historical interest, but the singular story of wan- 
dering as refuse paper back to the very territory of which it 
is an accurate map, — there rescued from oblivion and duly 
preserved. The survey was executed by John 11. Bleeekcr, 
in September and October, 1751. The contract attached 
was witnessed by Pieter Winnc and Jacob Ton Eyck. It 
was recorded July 23, 1762, by Mr. Gan.sevoort, clerk. 
The contracting parties were John Glen, on behalf of the 
heirs of Jan Janse Bleecker, deceased ; Killian l)e Kidder, 
for the representatives of Cornelius Van Dyck ; Gerardus 
Groesbeck, for the representatives of Dirck Wessel Ten 
Broeck ; John Van llenssolaer, for the representatives of 
Peter Schuyler. They met at the house of Edward William 
Ventune, in the city of Albany, and signed this paper on 
the 1st of June, 1752. The Indian title to this territory 
was granted to Peter Schuyler and others, as early as 1684. 
It was confirmed by the colonial government in 1708, and 
the names of the ])atentees are then given as Peter Schuy- 
ler, Ilobert Livingston, Dirck Wessels, John Johnson 
Bleecker, Johannes Schuyler, and Cornelius Van Dyck. 
By comparing the.se names with those on the contract of 
division before given, it will be seen that prior to 1752 the 
original six proprietors had been reduced by the sale or 
inheritance of the property to i'our. 

II.— NATURAL FEATURKS. 

The Hudson river is upon the ea.stern border. A range 
of high rounded and sometimes terraced hills extends north 
and south through the central and western ]iarts. These 
hills rise, some of them, to the height of four luindied arid 



fifty feet, and slope in every direction. Narrow alluvial 
flats, bordered by high clay blufl's, extend along the Hiulson. 

Saratoga lake forms a portion of tlm west boundary. 
Fish creek, the outlet of the lake, flowing through the north 
part of the town, is the ])rincipal stream, and upon it are 
several tine mill-sites. The other streams are small brooks. 
Three mineral springs, known its Quaker springs, issue from 
the Hudson river slate, in a ravine a little southeast of the 
centre of the town. 

They contain lime, magnesia, and iron, with carbonic gas 
and salts of soda. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Around the Sii-rag]i-(o-ga of the long colonial period, 
but now Sehuylerville on the Upper Hudson, there lingers 
a wealth of strange and mystic story. It is at Sd-niyli-to-ga 
that the river hills begin to crowd down to the banks of the 
stream on either side, thus giving ri.se to the significance of 
the name, which means, in the Indian tongue, " the hill-side 
country of the great river." It was at Old Saratoga that 
there was a crossing and divergence of the old Indian 
war-trails, which led through the great nortliern valley. 
That is to say, in coming down the Hudson it was here that 
the lateral trails left the river, and the one on the west ran 
up the Fish creek and around Saratoga lake towards the 
Dutch settlement at Schenectady, and the other on the east 
ran up the Batten Kill and over the eastern mountains 
towards the English settlements in the valley of the Connec- 
ticut. It will quite readily be seen that this crossing of the 
war-trails at old Saratoga, making of it as it W(-re a wilder- 
ness " four corners," is what gave the place its stragetical 
importance in forest warfare, and is the reason why forts 
should have been built there. 

It was at Old Saratoga that, as early as the year 1687, 
Governor Dongan attempted to induce a band of Christian 
InKjiiois, that the French missionaries had led to Cuch-iia- 
oua-ga, on the St. Lawrence, to return and settle under 
English protection, in order that they might form a barrier 
between the then frontier town of Albany and the hostile 
French and Indians of the ever-frowning north. 

It was here, in the month of February, 16'J0, that Lieu- 
tenant Lc Moyne dc St. Ilclene with his band of snow-shoed 
savages left the Hudson, and taking the western trail up the 
Fish creek, over Lake Saratoga, and so on across the frozen 
wilderness, swept down upon the sleeping inhabitants of 
Schenectady with indiscriminate slaughter. 

It was here, in the opening summer of the same year, 
1690, that Major Peter Schuyler, then mayor of Albany, in 
command of some Dutch troops, being the advance corps of 
the first great army of Canadian invasion, halted to await 
the apiiroach of General Fitz John Winthrop with the main 

259 



260 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



body of the troops, and clearing a little spot in tlie mighty 
virgin forest, built a block -house for his military stores, and 
gave this spot the local name Saratoga, after the old hunt- 
ing-ground and patent of which it formed a part. 

It was here that nineteen years later, in 1709, Peter 
Schuyler, now a colonel in the service, and in command of 
the advance-guard of the second great army of northern in- 
vasion, again halted his troops and built a stockaded fort 
on the east side of the river. This old fort, of which .slight 
remains now exist, was situate on the cast side of the river 
on the high bluflf a hundred rods below the mouth of the 
Batten Kill, now forest-crowned, upon which General Fel- 
lows planted his cannon before Burgoyne's surrender. This 
old fort at Saratoga stood for nearly forty years with the 
varying fortunes of the old wilderness warfare, until it was 
finally abandoned and burnt by the retiring English troops, 
in the autumn of 1747. 

In attempting to write the story of pioneer settlement in 
the valley of the Upper Ilud.son, we are confronted at once 
with the necessity and the difficulty of going back in our 
investigations more than a hundred and fifty years to a pe- 
riod of which history has preserved few traces, as far as 
the minor incidents of early settlement are concerned. It 
is true that in entering this valley we stand face to face 
with some of the grandest facts of general history. It is 
the very spot where empires struggled for supremacy. 
Along this line, in part at least, French discovery, sustained 
by French soldiers and French diplomacy, won from the 
Indians a magnificent domain, embracing in its wide sweep 
the valley of the St. Lawrence, the basins of the Great 
Lakes, and the head-waters of the Mississippi. Over this 
same route from Albany to Montreal marched and counter- 
marched the armies in the war of 175G, that transferred all 
this vast territory to the English crown. Nor even yet 
was the historic significance of this valley complete. Again, 
in the War of the Revolution, an empire was lo.st and won, 
not only in this valley and in this county, but, as to the 
crisis of the campaign, within the actual limits of the town 
of Saratoga. In such a town the importance of national 
history overshadows that of the local. It is easier to deter- 
mine the man who commanded here in a great battle than 
it is the man who cleared an opening in the primeval forest 
and erected the first log house ; easier to find the field of a 
fierce contest than the field first sowed with grain. And 
yet when general history seeks to settle the details of its 
own grand work, it is often involved in the same obscurity 
that overhangs pioneer settlement. 

Bartel Vronian seems to have been the pioneer settler of 
Old Saratoga. He was there as early as the year 1689. 
At a convention held at the city of Albany on Sept. 4, 
1689, among others, it was 

" Resohvd, That there be a fort made about the house 
of Bartel Vroman at Sarachlnge, and twelve men raised 
out of the two companies of the city and two companies of 
the county, to lie there upon pay, who are to have twelve- 
pence a day, besides provisions, and some Indians of Skach- 
li-ook to be there with them, to go out as scouts in that 
part of the county." 

Upon the Saratoga patent purchased in 1084 it is prob- 
able there were other settlements made soon after the year 



1700. It is supposed that mills and other buildings were 
erected by the Schuylers on the south side of Fish creek, 
near the present house of George Strover, in 1709 or 1710. 
General Schuyler, of Revolutionary fame, was born in Al- 
bany in 1731, and it is inferred that the Schuyler family 
themselves were not living here before that date but came 
not long after. We have no information that at this early 
period there were any openings in the forest or any pioneers 
in the town back from the river, nor have we the names 
of any at the river. If mills were built in 1709 or 1710, 
somebody must have lived at that point, and there, beyond 
all question, was the place of the first settlement. The 
workmen that built the mills, the men that carried them 
on, whoever they were, were nearly or quite the first 
settlers. 

Old Fort Saratoga was erected on the heights east of 
the river and south of the Batten Kill in 1709. Under its 
protection a few early settlers, no doubt, came about the 
time or soon after the mills were built. In 1745 the his- 
torians speak of a village of thirty I'amilies that were at- 
tacked, and killed, captured, or driven away. This settle- 
ment was called Saratoga, and it is believed that most of 
these thirty families were on the west side of the river, at 
the Schuyler mills, and such dwelling-houses as had gath- 
ered around them. This destruction of the village of 
Saratoga, Nov. 17, 1745, was one of the fearful scenes of 
border warfiire. History gives us no details, but the imag- 
ination easily supplies them. The sudden attack ; the 
struggle for life; the fierce fight; the burning buildings; 
the hasty retreat with the weary captives, Avere all here in 
this now peaceful and pleasant valley. A whole village 
destroyed; thirty dwellings burned; their very sites un- 
known, save that of the Schuyler house; and the names 
of the dead and the captured alike lost. Captain Peter 
Schuyler fought bravely, but was killed in his own house. 

Whether the fort was garrisoned at this time, or whether 
the attack was too sudden and too soon over for relief from 
it, is somewhat uncertain. The history of border warfare 
gives a few subsequent items relating to this vicinity. May 
13, 1740, William Norwood was killed by the Indians while 
fishing in the river near the fort ; whether he was a settler 
or one of the garrison is not stated. December 15, the 
Indians attacked a small party near the Schuyler place, 
killed four and took four prisoners. October 12 of the 
same yeai' a party of Americans guarding some wagons 
south of Fish creek were attacked and sixteen killed. 

The next sjiring, April 7, a skirmish occurred near the 
Schuyler place between a company under Captain Trent 
and Lieutenant Proctor and about two hundred Indians ; 
eight of the Americans were killed. June 15 of that year 
the fort itself was attacked by French and Indians, but 
resisted successfully until relief came from Albany. During 
this perilous period of eighteen years, from 1745 to 1703, 
existing settlements were broken up, and it is not probable 
that any new settlers attempted to face the privations, sick- 
ness, and hardships of a new country, and the dangers of 
war at the same time. The peace of 1763 between France 
and England removed, to a great extent, all fear of further 
trouble from the Indians, and left this town open for set^ 
tlcment. The true pioneer period of Saratoga commences 




RESIDENCE or J. H. DILLINGHAM, ^CHUYLCHVILLE.N.Y 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



261 



at this point ; at least that of which we can gain some tol- 
erably accurate information. The Schuyler house and 
mills were rebuilt soon after peace was declared. The new 
grist-mill was erected on the north side of Fish creek, on 
the site of the present mill of D. A. Bullard & Sons. The 
old Schuyler mansion, which the French and Indians 
burned, stood east of the " <M lilacs." In widening the 
canal a few years ago the cellar was opened, and many 
relics obtained. The new house erected at the close of the 
French war was placed about twelve rods west of the " old 
lilacs," and exactly south of the present Schuyler mansion, 
belonging to George Strover. The lilac-bushes themselves 
are venerable enough to be objects of curiosity. They 
were undoubtedly planted either in the time of the first 
or the second Schuyler house, and must certainly be more 
than one hundred years old, perhaps one hundred and forty. 
They are evidently vigorous enough to last till the second 
centennial of the republic. During a period of twelve 
years, from 1763 to 1765, quite a number of settlers 
appear to have made their homes within the limits of the 
present town of Saratoga. 

Abram Marshall came from York.shire, England, and 
settled on the place now owned by William H. Marshall, 
in the year 1763 or 1764. He was present at the sur- 
render of Burgoyne. He died Nov. 30, 1811, aged eighty- 
one. Mr. Marshall and family, taking the stock owned by 
them, went to Albany for safety on the approach of Bur- 
goyne. He has a large number of descendants living in 
this vicinity. William H. Marshall, a great-grandson, oc- 
cupies the old homestead. Abram Marshall, a grandson, 
lives in Northumberland. The widow of another grand- 
son, Mrs. William Marshall, owns the house, which is a 
famous relic of war times, north of the village of Schuy- 
lerville. 

Thomas Jordan was a son-in-law of Abram IMarshall. 
He was in the American bateau service. His place was 
the present farm of Frank Marshall. From Alonzo Welch, 
of Schuylerville, we learn that his grandfather, Joseph 
Welch, settled, between 1765 and 1770, on the place now 
owned by his grandson, Lorenzo D. Welch. He was a 
lieutenant in the American army, was taken prisoner, and 
detained three years in Canada. 

Thomas Smith moved from Dutchess county to Saratoga 
about the year 1770, and bought the place now owned by 
Stephen Smith. He first built a log house, and afterwards 
a frame house. This last was below the present barn, half- 
way down the hill, near the road, and was used until 1808. 
Mr. Smith died in 1801. He left one son, William T. Smith, 
who built the present house, and was the father of seven 
sons and three daughters, eight of whom are still living. 

Before or about 1770, John Strover purchased the form 
now owned by James Bailey, Jr., but probably did not 
settle here till after the Revolutionary war, in which he 
did valuable service as a scout, going through great perils 
in that dangerous employment. He was an orderly sergeant. 
He died in 1830. His son, George Strover, about 1S3D 
or 1840 bought the old Schuyler place, and is still living 
there at an advanced age. He had heard his father say 
that he was present at the execution of Lovelace the traitor. 
He was hung on the (iravel hill. Hear the Schuyler place, 



and was buried in a standing position by an oak-tree. 
George Strover himself saw the oak stump dug out when 
the Gravel hill was cut away, and the bones were found in 
accordance with the statement of his father. The skull is 
preserved as a relic at Mr. Strover's house. 

Hezekiah Dunham also settled in this same period, ju,st 
before the Revolutionary war, upon the hill where Hiram 
Cramer now lives. He was a man of nerve and daring, 
an active patriot during the war, and one of the captors of 
Lovelace. 

James I. Brisbin was also an early pioneer upon the 
farm now owned by George W. Smith. Of Mr. Brisbin 
and another pioneer, George Davis, the story is related that 
they swapped horses on one occasion, and endeavored to 
be honest and fair in the transaction. But after returning 
home and thinking it over Mr. Brisbin concluded that he 
had the best of the bargain by about five dollars, and that 
he ought to pay over that sum. Mr. Davis, too, was going 
through the same process of conviction, and concluded he 
had the best of the bargain and ought to pay over five 
dollars to Mr. Brisbin. They each concluded to ride to 
the other's house and do this act of justice. They met 
about half-way, but just how they explained the matter 
and how they settled it history leaves no record. This 
transaction was not probably the model after which subse- 
quent horse-trades have generally been made in this town. 
Another pioneer of nearly the same name, James Brisbin, 
settled upon the farm now the residence of his grandson, 
James C. Brisbin. 

The founders of the Friends' monthly meeting are also 
among the first settlers before the Revolution. Gabriel 
Leggett and Isaac Leggett settled within the present limits 
of Stillwater, and were prominent men in the new settle- 
ment, as well as in the society of Friends. Thomas Wil- 
bur and Fones Wilbur settled in the vicinity of the Basin, 
since known by their name, within the limits of the present 
town of Stillwater. David Shepherd's pioneer home was 
upon this place, owned ever since by his descendants, now 
the property of his grandson, David Shepherd. John 
Walker also settled in the southern part of the town, near 
the line of Stillwater. On the authority of Joseph A. 
Sweet, of Moreau, it would seem that the Van Olindas 
were in this town before the Revolution, on the Bennett 
farm, and also the Davenports; but this is not verified by 
in(|uiry sufficient to state their location at the time of their 
settlement. 

Tihbett Soule, from his connection with the society of 
Friends, as related by Andrew Dorland, must also be 
counted an early pioneer before the Revolution. George 
Davis is the one spoken of in the account of Mr. Brisbiu, 
and his place is still known as the Davis farm. He was 
very likely the earliest blacksmith. 

Albert Clemens, who came with his father from Dutchess 
county, in 1789, and was then eight years old, remembers 
Mr. Cross, Mr. Webster, and Daniel Guiles as old residents 
then ; supposed they were here before the war. He heard 
Mrs. Webster relate stories of the war times; that the sol- 
diers came and took meat from their smoke-house. Mr. 
Cro.ss' place was near the present one of Jlr. Shearer; and 
Mr. Guiles lived where Victory village is now situated. 



262 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Mr. Patterson, living south of Victory, states that his 
grandfather, Sherman Patterson, was here before the Rev- 
olution, and settled in the north part of what is now 
Schuylerville, on the place owned by Alonzo Welch. He 
gives a definite statement of the tradition which has always 
existed around Schuylerville, that the British army buried 
some property and even specie just before the surrender. 

This report has never seemed to be sustained by any 
very decisive authority. But Mr. Patterson states it in 
this form : a trench was dug straight up the hill from the 
river on the Patterson farm and somewhat south of the 
present North cemetery ; and after burying whatever they 
designed to, the British drew a rope the whole length, tied 
their horses to it, and fed them theie, that the ground might 
be trampled and the burial of property concealed. Some of 
the stories of buried property have no doubt grown out of 
the fact that the British buried their dead in this place, and 
parties were seen digging, no doubt for that purpose, about 
the time of the surrender. This would be near the position 
held by the Germans, — the left wing of the British army, 
as stated by General Mattoon. This view is corroborated 
by the fact that Alonzo Welch, in opening a trench a few 
years ago, found the remains of six bodies. The " Hessian 
burying-ground," from which General Mattoon attempted 
to recover a gun after the surrender, was very likely at this 
point, though it may have been farther down the river, in 
the vicinity of the principal battle-fields. 

Doubtless there are still other names belonging to this 
period between the French war and the Revolution. In 
1777 a man named Swart is stated to have lived south 
of Coveville, near Van Buren's ferry. Colonel Van Vegh- 
ton, the father of Herman and Cornelius Van Veghten, 
was an early settler at Coveville. His name is prominent 
in tradition as a pioneer before the Revolution, and he was 
extensively connected with public affairs in that part of the 
country. 

Conrad Cramer also settled upon the farm now occupied 
by John Smith, about three miles southwest of Schuyler- 
ville, as early as 1763. 

Conrad Cramer married Margaret Brisbin. Their children 
were Elizabeth, who married Thomas Whiteside ; James, 
who married Sally Payne; George, who married Anna An- 
derson ; Conrad, who married Laura Lawrence ; John, who 
married Hannah Close. The children of James Cramer were 
Margaret, James P., Eunice, Payne, Thomas, Sarah Anne, 
and Hiram. The children of George Cramer were William, 
Philip, Conrad, James, Mary, John (2d), and Sarah. The 
children of Conrad Cramer were George C, James L., and 
John L. (twin brothers). The children of John Cramer 
were Mary, Eliphalet. George H., William, John C., 
Charles, and Harriet. 

Henry Wagman, who has given much attention to the 
early history of this country, and is excellent authority, 
mentions three brothers by the name of Deuney, who came 
to this town as early as 1770, and built three log houses on 
the present farm of John McBride. John Woeman was 
here, al.so, before 1765, and lived near Coveville. William 
Green settled about 1765. His sons were Samuel, John, 
and Henry. 

At this point in the local history we cannot omit to state 



briefly something of the Schuyler families, who.se names 
are so intimately associated with this town, who were 
identified with the pioneer openings in the forest, by their 
mills furnishing supplies to the garrLsons of the fort, and to 
the very earliest settlers. They shared in the Indian wars, 
the French war, and the AVar of the Revolution. If any 
place was ever rightly named in all this broad land, it is 
Schuylerville. 

THE SCHUYLER F.\MILY. 

Philip Pieterson Schuyler came from Amsterdam, Hol- 
land, in 1650. According to Lossing he married the same 
year, December 12, Margaret Van Slechtenhor.st, daughter 
of the agent or director in charge of the Ren.sselaer Manor. 
His sons were Guysebert, Pieter, Brant, Arent Philip, Jo- 
hannes. The daughters were Gertrude, who married Ste- 
phanus Van Cortlandt ; Alida, who married Rev. Nicholas 
Van Rensselaer, and after his death Philip Livingston. 
The pioneer ancestor, Philip Pieter, died March 9, 1684. 
The second son, Pieter, was, for many years, one of the 
most prominent men in the province. He was mayor of 
Albany from 1686 to 1694. John, the youngest of the 
original family, was the grandfather of General Philip 
Schuyler. 

When the French and Indians destroyed Schenectady in 
1690, he asked for a captain's commission, being then 
twenty-two years of age. With a force hastily recruited of 
twenty-nine whites and one hundred and twenty Indians, 
he penetrated Canada by way of Lake Champlain, and re- 
turned in seventeen days, having taken many prisoners and 
destroyed much property. This Captain John Schuyler 
married Elizabeth Staats, widow of John Wendell, in April, 
1695. The captain died in 1747. His eldest son John, 
born in 1697, lived the quiet life of a gentleman of 
leisure, having married Cornelia Van Cortlandt. He left 
five children, dying in 1741, only forty-four years of age. 
He was buried at the " Flats," now Watervliet, in the 
family burying-ground of his cousin. His oldest son, 
Philip, was the general of Revolutionary fame. He was 
born in the family mansion at Albany, November 20, 1733. 

The Schuyler who settled at the mouth of Fish creek, 
built the mills and the first Schuyler mansion, was an uncle 
of the general. He was killed at the destruction of the 
village of Saratoga, Nov. 28, 1745. 

The time when General Philip Schuyler came into the 
possession of the estate at Fish creek, is not given by his 
historians, nor when he commenced residing there. In 1767 
he erected a flax-mill there, the first in the American colo- 
nies. The mansion at Fish creek was his summer residence, 
the winters being mostly passed by the family in Albany. 

William Smith, urging him to be a candidate for the 
Assembly in 1768, writes, "If you will serve one session 
mure, I will promise to leave you in full possession of your 
wolves, foxes, snow, a small sailing-vessel with fish and 
lands at Saratogue, and give you no further disturbance 
while the remaining sands run out.'' 

And this promise of rural quiet was just before the long 
and stormy Revolutionary career in which the name of 
Schuyler was to become illustrious for all time. 

The story of the pioneer .settlement is thus brought down 
to the time of the Revolution. The opening of the war 




RESIDENCE OF JA? C. BRISBIN , SARATOGA , NEW YORK 




RESIDENCE OF HIRAM CRAMER . Saratoga NY 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUiNTY, NEW YORK. 



263 



no doubt put a stop to further emigration. To hold terri- 
tory aheady settled became the necessity of the times rather 
than to secure more. 

The years succeeding the surrender of Burgoyne were 
still troublous times. It was not till the peace of 1783 
that the settlement of the town continued. 

General Schuyler with characteristic energy had his new 
house raised in seventeen days after the declaration of peace. 
This was the one now known as the Schuyler mansion, the 
property and the residence of George Strovcr. 

It is a venerable building, — interesting for its historic 
associations as well as for its antique and curious furniture, 
and the ancient relics carefully preserved and courteously 
shown to visitors by Mr. Strover and his family. During 
the period of seventeen years from the close of the war up 
to 1800, the number of new settlers increased rapidly. 

They came to found for themselves and for their children 
homes in this beautiful valley, and on the fertile slopes of 
the hills that environ it. Remnants of the orchards they 
planted arc seen here and there in the venerable trees still 
bearing fruit in the same fields with those of later years. 
The sites of many early log houses are still visible, — though 
in some cases concealed beneath the fine buildings of the 
present time. 

Jesse Mott was an early settler south of Dean's Corners. 
Of himself he writes for his children in 1844 : '■ I left 
Dutchess county March 14, 1783, sixty-one years ago. I 
was then twenty-four years of age. I first bought one hun- 
dred acres all new. I made a home the first year with a 
family who had got in the year before. I cleared some 
laud, and in the full I built a log cabin and caught a little 
wife. She was in the seventeenth year of her age. 

" We lived together seventeen years. She was the 
mother of thirteen children, and we had collected a good 
property. When I first began I paid $250 towards my 
land. This was one-half of the purchase price. The debt 
of $250 cost me many a sleepless night after a hard day's 
labor. At that time I had no expectation of seeing the 
country appear as it now does. But my days are nearly 
spent, and I must leave others to manage. When I left 
Dutchess my friends thought it very doubtful whether I 
should make out to live, or starve, and return a beggar. 
The latter I felt to despise, and within twenty years would 
not have been billing to have exchanged with them." 

Samuel Bushee came in from Connecticut soon after the 
Revolution, about 1785. He married the daughter of 
Abram Marshall, and bought the farm north of Schuyler- 
ville of the Lansings, who owned it at the time the hou.se 
was occupied by Burgoyne's officers. He sold it to Samuel 
Mar.shall in 1817. Mr. Bushee was in the American army 
during the Revolution, and was at Monmouth in the New 
Jersey campaign. 

Elihu Billings settled south of Dunham's, on the Cramer 
Hill, about the .same time — their log house being built near 
the brow of the hill, and Daniel Morgan, father of Daniel 
Morgan, Jr., afterwards a town officer for so many years, 
was also a resident there as early as 1790. 

Obadiah Knapp and Mr. Jeft'ords were also early pioneers 
southeast of the present site of Victory village — as appears 
from notices in another place. 



John Thorn came from Dutchess county about 1785. 
He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary army. He 
settled on what is still known as the Thorn place. His 
first house was on the site of the present one. He had 
four sons and six daughters. Three of the latter are still 
living. 

In the west part of the town, near Saratoga lake, set- 
tlements were made in 1784 or 1785. An interesting item 
of history is connected with them. On the 7th day of 
August, 1781, seven men, sent from Canada, came to 
Albany and in the evening made an attack upon the house 
of General Schuyler, where he had been residing after the 
destruction of his buildings at Schuylerville. Their object 
was to kill or capture the general, either through deadly 
hate at his past services against the English government, 
or perhaps with the design of holding the person of the 
general as a hostage to secure terms in the future exchange 
of prisoners. There were in the house with the general at 
the time John Ward and John Cokely, two of his life- 
guards, and also John Tubbs, an army-courier in his service. 
These three men made a gallant fight with the seven assas- 
sins, who had effected an entrance into the hall. John 
Tubbs, as his children now relate it, had a personal strug- 
gle with one, and having pressed him down behind an old 
oaken chest, with his hand on his throat, tried to draw a 
knife to finish him, but the knife was gone, and Tubbs was 
obliged to let him up. Meanwhile General Schuyler had, 
from the windows above, aroused the town, and the seven 
men suddenly left, carrying off Tubbs and Cokely with 
them as prisoners, and as proof that they had actually pen- 
etrated to Schuyler's house and made an attempt to execute 
their appointed work. The prisoners were kept nineteen 
months on an island on the St. Lawrence. Returning 
home about the time peace was declared, General Schuyler 
presented the three men with a deed of two hundred and 
seventy acres of land. The deed is now in the possession 
of Simon Tubbs, son of John Tubbs, and recites that " In 
consideration of five shillings, and that John Cokely, John 
Ward, and John Tubbs, did gallantly defend the said Philip 
Schuyler when attacked in his own house, near the city of 
Albany, on the 7th day of August, 1781, by a party of the 
enemy in the late war, sent expressly to kill or make pris- 
oner of the said Philip Schuyler," the party of the first 
part hath granted and sold to the said Ward, Cokely, and 
Tubbs all that tract and parcel of land " In the Saratoga 
patent, known and distinguished as the westernmost farm 
of the south half of lot No. 20 in the grand division of 
Saratoga patent, made by John B. Bleecker, surveyor, in 
1750, containing about two hundred and seventy acres of 
land." 

The land was first divided into three parts, aud the men 
drew for their respective portions, and soon after made their 
homes in this section. John Tubbs' portion was a part of 
the present place of Simon Tubbs, his son ; John Ward's, 
the farm occupied until recently by his son ; and John 
Cokely 's share is also now owned by Simon Tubbs. 

Other early settlers in this section were as follows : 
Joseph Rogers came in during the war, or perhaps before, 
and settled on the Jonas Lasher place. On this farm is an 
old burial-ground having one stone marked " M. I., 1787," 



264 



HISTORY OF SAEATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



supposed to be for Martin Irish, drowned in Saratoga lake. 
Daniel Wood was an early pioneer, probably here before 
the Revolution, as he moved off of the place which Tubbs 
settled in 1784. Silas Deuel was in the same neighbor- 
hood before 1800. Oliver Perkins lived where Thomas 
Sweet now lives. Ephraim Annable lived on the Daniel 
Flinn place. 

Johannes Viele, in the year 1789, settled on the place 
still owned by his descendants, east of Bryant's bridge. 
His brother, Stephen Viele, about the same time also pen- 
etrated this new country, and settled on the present farm 
of Henry Wagman. Another brother, Ludovicus Viele, 
is also spoken of as having accompanied them. Jesse Toll, 
a brother-in-law, also came to Saratoga about the year 
1700. He owned at one time an entire grand division of 
the Saratoga patent, — a tract one mile wide, six miles 
long. It is understood that he built the mills at Granger- 
ville soon after his arrival. 

In the vicinity of Coveville, Walter Van Veghten and 
Herman Van Veghten were prominent citizens. Walter 
Knickerbocker, Refine Geer, and probably some others, 
were also settled there. 

The farm now owned by Esquire Bailey was settled very 
early. The first deed is from Killian De Ridder to John 
Vronian, in 1783; consideration, £150. It was sold by 
Vrunian to John, Henry, and Samuel Green in 1797. It 
may have been settled earlier than the deed indicates. 

Stephen Olney was in the town at a very early date, — 
1770, as stated by some, — and settled where Asa L. Shep- 
herd now lives. 

James Milligan and Robert Milligan were in town as 
early as 1785. 

It is not probable that we have specially mentioned all, 
nor nearly all, the families that settled in Saratoga before 
1800. The town had too large a population by that date 
to be sure of naming all. Many other names will bo found 
in the history of Saratoga County in the church records, in 
the lists of town officers, and in other papers embodied in 
this history, giving a clear view of the early settlement. 

The first tavern in Schuylerville was opened some time 
before the War of 1812, perhaps nearly as early as 1800. 
It was kept by Widow Taylor, and stood on the place now 
owned by Nancy Telfair. The next was built by Daniel 
Patterson, on the site of the present Schuylerville House. 
This was about 1812, and the tavern was called Patterson's 
Inn. Not more than a year later the Mansion House was 
built by Alpheus Bullard, as stated in another place. This 
building is still standing, occupied by Mrs. R. D. Lewis. 
In 1818, Oliver Cleveland built a tavern on the site of the 
present Goldsmith House, and named it the Schuylerville 
House. This was afterwards destroyed by fire. 

In still earlier times there was a tavern at Coveville, and 
Madam Reidesel's letters speak of a tavern kept by Smith 
on the way down the river, evidently just below Schuyler- 
ville. Perhaps this was the same point where Samuel 
Bushee afterwards kept a tavern, now known as the Dilling- 
ham place. 

The first mills in town were of course at Schuylerville, 
as already shown in tracing the early history. The mills 
at Graugerville are also of very early date. They were 



built by Jesse Toll before 1800. At or near the same date 
there was a saw-mill at Victory. 

The first store in town, aside from such supplies as may 
have been sold at Schuylerville, w;is probably kept by John 
Douglass, on the place now owned by Hiram Cramer, 
though it is possible there was one somewhat earlier at 
Coveville, kept by Herman Van Veghten. The Hill at 
Cramer's was once C|uite a business point before the open- 
ing of the canal and the subsequent growth of Schuyler- 
ville. Besides the store, there was an ashery, the old 
Baptist church, a school-house, and one or two mechanics' 
shops. 

The first store in Schuylerville was probably kept by 
Abraham Van Deusen, opened soon after the War of 1812. 
His dwelling-house was the north end of the present Bul- 
lard block. 

George Davis was an early blacksmith. Joseph T. 
Smith remembers being sent when a boy to his shop with 
the points of old wooden mould-board plows to be sharp- 
ened. It was on the present farm of Obadiah Davis. 

Prominent physicians in town were Dr. Bull, Dr. Bryant, 
Dr. Dean, Dr. Smith, Dr. Brisbin, Dr. Pierce, Dr. Copp, 
Dr. Dimmick, and Dr. Billings. They have all been well 
known in the history of the town, and all are dead except 
Dr. Billings, who is still living at an advanced age in 
Northumberland. 

The legal profession was represented in past years by 
Richard M. Livingston, living first at Coveville and after- 
wards at Schuylerville, Joseph Fullerton, and John Lewis, 
at Schuylerville ; also E. L. Fursman, now of Troy. 

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OP ALBERT CLEMENTS, OP 
VICTORY. 

His father, soon after the War of the Revolution, bought 
about 500 acres of land, comprising the present farms of 
Patterson, Clothier, and others. The family moved here 
in the winter of 1788-89, traveling up the Hudson river 
on the ice. Two of the older sons had settled here three 
years before. Albert remembers that the inauguration of 
Washington, as the first President of the new government, 
was talked about in his father's family that spring. Albert 
was then eight years old, and survives now at the age of 
ninety-six, able to relate clearly the memorable events of 
that year. He is an extraordinary instance of longevity, a 
venerable link connecting the present with the past, reach- 
ing beyond the long succession of Presidents, back of the 
very foundations of the Federal Constitution. 

In his boyhood he went to school at a log school-house 
near what is now the Holmes place, — also at another near 
Mr. Finch's, — that he could only reach by a foot-path. 
Daniel Morgan, Jr., was one of his schoolmates. He re- 
members that there was on his father's farm an old log 
school-house, no longer used. He recalls the name of Mr. 
Tucker as his earliest teacher. lie went to meeting in 
those days at the old Dutch church south of Fish creek. 
Mr. Smith was the earliest minister of his recollection. He 
married the daughter of Col. Van Veghten at Coveville, — 
and Mr. Clements thinks fashions " swing around the 
circle" with considerable exactness, as he used to see a 
negro boy carry the train of Mrs. Smith from the carriage 




1 < 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



265 



to the church pew. The first burial he remembers was a 
child of Deacon Billings, also veiy early he was at the funeral 
of a Mrs. Cross buried in Schuylerville. lu his youth 
shoemakers traveled from house to house and made up 
shoes for the families. Mr. St. John was the first who 
could make a pair of Suwarrow boots. Mr. Clements 
found the leather and paid four dollars and fifty cents to 
have a pair made for himself. Being reminded that that 
was as costly as boots are now, Mr. Clements replied, " Oh, 
those boots would l<tst twenti/ years." 

Mr. Clements, like other boys, used to go to town-meet- 
ings. They were held at Stafford's bridge, within the pres- 
ent town of Saratoga Springs. Fishing on the creek, too, 
was a favorite and successful sport. The boys used to get 
a canoe of Mr. Cross, living where Mr. Shearer does now. 
Hunting was also a good business in those times. While 
working in the field one day, having his gun with hipi as 
usual, he saw a flock of ducks gathered on a log in the 
swamp near Mr. Patterson's. He made three shots, bring- 
ing down ten the first time, nine' the second, and eight the 
third, — twenty-seven in all. Sometimes having shot ducks, 
he thought nothing of swimming after them and bringing 
them out. 

Jlr. Clements was drafted in the War of 1812. He hired 
a substitute for sixty dollars, and found the equipments for 
him. His brother, Wm. Clements, went into the army, and 
served on Lake Champlain. Albert Clements helped plow 
down the intrenchments, on the heights where the new ceme- 
tery is. It was on the west slope of the hill, about parallel 
with the present road to Victory, on the west of the cemetery. 
His father was hired, with two yoke of cattle, for the work, 
and Albert went to drive the team. Mr. Clements states 
that the intrenchment still to be seen among the pines on 
the hill south of Victory village, was thrown up the Amer- 
ican army while following the retreating army of Burgoyne. 
From that spot the Yankee boys fired on the British army 
while halting for dinner, and shot the mutton from the offi- 
cers' table. Mr. Clements learned surveying and some knowl- 
edge of civil engineering from the early surveyor of Still- 
water, — George Palmer, — with whom he worked at various 
times. Mr. Clements laid out the first streets in Schuyler- 
ville, and made a plot of the village. The chain was carried 
for him by Philip Schuyler, grandson of the general, and a 
Mr. Bedell. The latter had a store on the site of the present 
jewelry-store of Joseph T. Smith. 

Mr. Clements relates that he has heard Abram Marshall 
say he saw Burgoyne deliver his sword to General Gates, — 
that the place was south of the Gravel hill, near the old 
Dutch church. He says the British troops marched down 
below the Gravel hill to pass Gates' headcjuarters, where 
the sword was surrendered. It is a tradition in the Clem- 
ents family that his grandfather was of the royal family of 
Holland. — the queen's son, — that he came to America as a 
traveler or explorer, and returned after three years, having 
kept a full journal of his travels. He afterwards led over to 
this country a colony of three hundred and sixty families, 
some of the earliest settlers of Dutchess and other river 
counties. 

We cannot well omit from the authentic annals of 
Schuylerville the following dark and supernatural tale of 
34 



early times, as related by Mr. Clements, but not verified by 
his affidavit : Some years after the war a man appeared in 
the place, professing to know where Burgoyne had buried 
his treasure. Having disclo.sed his information to some 
extent, an early resident joined in his plans and the digging 
commenced, as all such diggings must, in the night. While 
lustily excavating, looking for Hessian bones or British gold, 
and just at the point of expected success, suddenly the 
devil appeared within the mystic circle as he should, accord- 
ing to the annals of money-diggers, — horns, hoofs, tail, 
flashing eyes, and sepulchral voice, all proved him the 
genuine Harry himself. The spades fell from the nerve- 
less grasp of the frightened men, and the time they made 
in getting away from that particular spot cannot be stated, 
as stop-watches adapted to Saratoga races were then un- 
known. The next day the stranger from abroad said that 
it was necessary to secure some one of great courage and 
piety. Physical force and religious fervor must be united 
in the same man. So another citizen, one of the heroic 
old captors of the traitor Lovelace, it is said, was secured, 
as possessing the two qualifications required, and once more 
the digging began. The dark shades of night gathered low 
along the valley of the Hudson. It was a night when 
battle-fields are filled with the ghosts of long ago, and the 
battalions of the dead in phantom array sweep in airy lines 
along the hill-sides that once echoed to the thunder of their 
cannon. No voice was uttered as the digging went on. 
In solemn silence each shoveled as for his life. And now, 
with a fearful howl, the devil again sprang upon them, 
flinging shovels and iron bars in a style unusually reckless, 
even for the old Prince of Poker. Dodging these gentle 
weapons all the men fled, except the one secured for this 
special occasion. Standing his ground he managed in the 
confusion to tread on the devil's tail. It immediately came 
off, — the hoofs and horns, — the whole fearful suit fell away, 
and an ordinary mortal was seen running for the woods at 
the top of his speed. And so ended that search for the 
buried sovereigns. 

REMINISCENCES OF MRS. BULLARD. 

Mrs. Bullard was born in the town of Greenfield, in 1787, 
the daughter of Mrs. Fitch, of Connecticut ancestry. With 
her father's family she came into Saratoga in 1799. They 
.settled near Saratoga lake, on what is since known as the 
Edward Fitch farm. In childhood she went to meeting, 
horseback, at the old church south of Schuylerville. Re- 
members Rev. Mr. Duryea as the minister at that time. The 
country was nearly all woods. Wild animals were plenty. 
From her home by the lake, it was quite an undertaking to 
go through the woods alone, horseback, to Saratoga Springs, 
for trade, or to the river at Fort Miller Bridge. She also 
went to mill, horseback, at Grangerville, when a girl at 
home. In 1812 she was married to Alpheus Bullard, who 
had come from Augusta, Maine, the year before. They first 
kept house in the government barracks at Schuylerville, and 
soon afterwards they built the Mansion house. It stood on 
Broad street, on the site of John Cox's place. The build- 
ings in the village at that time (1812) were the Schuyler 
hou.se, the mills, the old Dutch church, a blacksmith-shop 
of Mr. Daggett on the street above the mill, a log house 



266 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



where Captain Welch's house now stands, occupied by Stephen 
Welch. Beyond Stephen Welch a Mr. Peacock lived, also 
Mr. Van Tassel, then the old parsonage, still standing, and 
finally the Bushee house, of military fame. This was about 
all there was of Schuylerville when Mrs. Bullard settled 
there. Mr. Patterson soon after built a house where the 
present Schuylerville Hotel stands. Mrs. Bullard relates 
many incidents of early times. The old log school-house 
in the Fitch neighborhood has long since passed away, but 
she remembers that one spelling-book had to answer for 
several families, that Pike's Arithmetic was in use, and the 
English Reader. She has six children living, twenty-three 
grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She has 
lived to a good old age, — lived to see the forests melt away, 
the wilderness of early times give way to the cultivated farms 
and pleasant homesteads of the present day. She has seen 
prophecy change to history, the desert blossom as the rose, 
and the wilderness become a fruitful field. 

REMINISCENCES OF MRS. ST. JOHN. 

She was born in Wilton in 1797 ; came with her father, 
John Latimer, to the present site of Victory village in 1800. 
Mr. Latimer had charge of the mills at that place. Mr. 
Marshall, Mr. Jordan, and Mr. Bree were their neighbors. 

She first went to school at Grangerville about 1805. The 
teacher's name was Stephens. Birch, Dennison, and Spauld- 
ing were other early teachers. The school-house was a frame 
one. Remembers Sherman Collins as an early physician. 
Her father was a teamster in the American army, and she 
supposes he was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. She 
says her father often went with her to the elm-tree, spoken 
of by others, on Broad street, told her that there was where 
Burgoyne surrendered, and she says there was a spring at 
that place then, now lost or changed in its course by the 
buildings and the working on the road. 

Other personal remini.scenccs of Simon Tubbsand George 
Strover might be given in this form, but the valuable ma- 
terial for which we are indebted to them and others is 
already entered in the general account of the town. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

The present town of Saratoga retains the old name ap- 
plied in early times to a large tract of country on both sides 
of the Hudson. It is explained by some authorities as sig- 
nifying "swift water," and originally designated the rapids 
on the Hudson river above Schuylerville ; while " sfill- 
water" naturally applied to the deep, steady, and quiet 
stream for some miles below. For a full explanation of 
this name, however, see chapter v. of this work. 

The town was organized by act of the Legislature, March 
7, 1788, as one of the towns of Albany county. It had 
had a district organization from 1772, but the records are 
not supposed to be in existence. From an old book of 
audits at Albany, it appears Cornelius Van Veghten was 
supervisor of the district in 1780 and 1781. There is no 
record of a totcn-meetiiicf of 1188, and iJiut of 1789 is par- 
tially lost from the first page of the venerable old town- 
book, — the upper part of the leaf being torn away. In 
1789 it appears that Sidney Berry, William Scott, and 
Hezekiah Dunham were road commissioners; Elihu Bil- 



lings, Asaph Putnam, and William Thomas, constables ; 
Nelson Winner and Hezekiah Willis, poundmasters. 

There were twenty road districts. The following names 
of overseers appear upon the fragment of the leaf: Ben- 
jamin Jenkins, No. 1; Jonathan Pettit, No. 2; James 
McCreedy, No. 3 ; Jubal Tyler and S. Chapman, No. 4 ; 
Joseph Rogers, No. 5 ; William Binner, No. 6 ; Grover 
Buel, No. 7 ; Michael Inman, No. 8 ; Philip G. Viele, 
No. 9 ; Edward Wheeler, No. 10 ; Thomas Rodgers, No. 

11. Marks for cattle are recorded in 1789 by Grover 
Buell, Thomas Thompson, John Craig, Sidney Berry, 
John Berry, Asaph Putnam, Silas Duell, Oliver Perkins. 

The town-meeting of 1790 was held at the house of 
Archibald McNiel April 6, and the following town oflBeers 
chosen : Sidney Berry, town clerk ; John B. Schuyler, 
supervisor ; Jesse Toll, Solomon Wheeler, William Scott, 
John Graham, Hezekiah Dunham, assessors ; Darius Hand 
and Elihu Billings, collectors ; James Brisbin, Archibald 
BIcNiel, and William Scott, road commissioners ; Daniel 
Morgan, Solomon Wheeler, overseers of the poor ; Asaph 
Putnam, Daniel Hand, Elihu Billings, Malcolm Crowfoot, 
constables ; Nelson Winner and John Bitely, fence-viewers. 
The pathmasters were: No. 1, Jesse Toll and Thomas 
Bennett ; No. 2, Thomas demons and Abram Low ; No. 
3, Moses Low ; No. 4, Gilbert Low and Aaron Hill ; No. 
5, Benjamin Iri.sh ; No. 6, Hugh McAdam ; No. 7, Grover 
Buel ; No. 8, Benjamin Guile ; No. 9, William Harris ; 
No. 10, John Berry; No. 11, John Vandewerker ; No. 

12, Joseph Smith; No. 13, John Lang; No. 14, Joseph 
Egglcstone ; No. 15, Joseph Duel; No. 16, Reuben Stiles; 
No. 17, Ebenezer Fitch ; No. 18, Henderson Crawford ; 
No. 19, John Green; No. 20, Benjamin Risley. 

Other names appearing among estray notices and cattle- 
mark records are John Clements, Joseph Clements, Cor- 
nelius Clements, James Reynolds, Benjamin Clements, 
David Carr, Benjamin Phillips, Jonathan Carr, Michael 
Washburn, Aaron Martin, Daniel Prendle, Isaac Vande- 
werker, John McDowell, Tobias Clements, John M. Berry, 
— his entry dated at Snoek Kill Falls, — Richmond Carr, 
George Lewis, Ebenezer Marks, Nehemiah Dunbar, Joseph 
Knapp, Israel Phillips, Eli Mead, Ithamas Clothier, Solo- 
mon Phillips, Dr. Phillips, John Davis, John Brisbin, 
John Serill, Jonathan Newberry, Stafford Carr, Samu el 
Perry, Isaac Perry, Samuel Adkins. These names arc 
from 1790 to 1795. 

Town-meeting of 1791 was held at the house of Archi- 
bald McNiel. Officers chosen : John B. Schuyler, supervi- 
sor; Archibald McNiel, town clerk ; Archibald -McNiel, 
Hezekiah Durham, John Lang, Solomon Wheeler, Jesse 
Toll, Thomas Thompson, Adam Comstock, assessors; John 
Mahawney, John B. Schuyler, Ebenezer King, commis- 
sioners of highways ; James Brisbin, Peter Waldron, over- 
seers of the poor ; Elihu Billings, William Angle, Malcolm 
Crowfoot, Asaph Putnam, Samuel Finch, constables and 
collectors. Next town-meeting to be held at Mr. Slocum's. 
Ebenezer King, Grover Buell, Daniel Weeks, John Bitely, 
fence-viewers. The pathmasters were : No. 1 , Aaron Snow, 
Jonathan Grifiin ; No. 2, John Calvert and Jesse Billings ; 
No. 3, John Thorn ; No. 4, John Grippin ; No. 5, Silas 
Duel ; No. 6, Darius Hand ; No. 7, Grover Buel ; No. 8, 



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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



267 



Joseph Palmer; No. 9, Nicholas Vandenberg; No. 10, 
Sidnc}' Berry, No. 11, Thomas Rogers; No. 12, Joseph 
Smith ; No. 13, Josiah Perry ; No. 14, Daniel Hickok ; No. 
15, Solomon Phillips; No. 16, Thomas Titus; No. 17, 
John Taylor; No. 18, Joel Reynolds; No. 19, Thomas 
Barber; No. 20, Benjamin Risley ; No. 21, James Ben- 
jamin ; No. 22, Abraham Ludlow ; No. 23, Matthew 
Ketchum. £2 voted for each wolf killed in town, and 
they calculated for six by voting the sum of £12. Hogs to 
be yoked ; and any person driving cattle into this town to 
feed, to be fined £10, provided the cattle amount to £5. 

Among the town officers and records of 1792 the following 
new names appear: Daniel Boardnian, Amos Stafford, 
Samuel Chalmers, Ezra Abbott, Abraham Marshall, Jacob 
Deyoe, Johi^ Miers, Ebenezer Dakin, Martin Vandewerker, 
Elijah Reynolds, Thomas Barnuni, Joseph Herrington, 
Stephen King, Ralph Cox, James Johnson, Lsaac Brewster, 
John Blood, Dan. Conkrite, Jotham Holmes, David Mosier, 
Daniel Ketcham, Samuel Bailey, Jesse Irish, Thomas D. 
Chandler, Israel Stiles, Joseph Wright. In 1793 we find 
others, William Force, Thomas Burnham, Giles Fitch, 
David Kau, Jesse Mott, Samuel Chapman, Thomas Wil- 
liams, Asa Newell, Thomas Gurdon, William Force, Pres- 
ton Denton, John Ward, Captain Gile, William Harris, 
Samuel Scovil, Daniel Parks, Joseph Herton, Stephen King, 
p]zra Abbot, Abijali Peck, Wolcott Adsit, Walter E. Pat- 
chen, John Deming, Richard Somes, Isaac Ostrom, Na- 
thaniel Saxton, David Chapman, Charles Kyle, Andrew 
McCutcheon, George Allen, Preserved Gardner, Kilson 
Winney. In 1793 Adam Comstock, Sidney Berry, Jesse 
Toll, Daniel Bull, and Jonathan Liiurence, were appointed 
a committee to settle with town officers for moneys from 
1789 to 1792, and " to settle with Easttown and Stillwater 
concerning the poor in the division of the town." Other 
names at this time (1793-94), Jacob Deyoe, Joshua Ma- 
comber, Joseph Cole, Thomas Salisbury, Samuel Boyan, 
James Brigley, Aaron Hill, Justus Knapp, Henry Knapp, 
Richard Bullock, Asaph Brown, Benjamin Tripp, William 
Orton, Daniel Boardman. 

Town-meetiiKj of 1794. — Other new names appear : 
Robert Getty, Ebenezer Darkney, John Davison, James 0. 
Bail, Jonah Fish, Nathan Shearfield, Abijah Lee, Jacob 
Miller, Asel Norghton, Parks Putnam, Clenian Blaikley, 
Jotham Beams, Robert Grey, David Mather, John Scrib- 
ner, Joel Parks, Benjamin French, Reuben Clark, Elisha 
Shearman, Ithamar Clothier, Dalton Crampton, Caleb 
Burch, Peter Johnson. 

Town-meeting o/'1795. — Other names are Joseph Palmer, 
Thomas Thompson, Warren Cady, Isaac B. Payne, John 
Beamas, Eber Lewis, Silas Howland, Stephen Olney, Chris- 
topher Abeel, Thomas Smith, Cornelius Isman, David 
Shepherd, Nathan Sheffield, William Barker, Peter Du- 
mont, John Aldridge, Richard Burt, John Hamilton, Cum- 
min Salisbury, Gideon Putnam, Gad Merrils, William 
Kingsford, John Filkins, Gabriel Veil, William Brosbry, 
Jeremiah Cady, David Adams, Ebenezer Newell, Reuben 
Cross, Sylvanus Madison. The next town-meeting was 
voted to meet at Giles Slocum's. Jacob Hicks was ap- 
pointed as a proper person to take the census. 

Among caltle-mark records, 1795, wc find Enoch Phil- 



lips, David Ackerman, Augustus Green, Matthew Van 
Amburgh, Jonathan Foster, William Smith, Christopher 
Perkins. 

Town-meeting of 1790, we find the names of Thomas 
Jeffords, Ebenezer Cheever, Tunis Swart, John Tubbs, 
Walsingham Collins, David Linsey, Ebenezer Burley, 
Richard Holmes, Zebulon Aulger, John Weed, Cornelius 
McLean, William Steel, Gershom Saxton, Samuel Page, 
William King, Robert Washburn, Charles Riley, Joseph 
Harrington, Stephen King, sixteen pounds bounty for each 
wolf killed voted. Other names, Hubbard Pendleton, 
Thomas Maginnis, Jacob Dennis, Jonathan Pendell, Nellie 
Swart, Jarcd Reynolds, Thomas Jordan, Ebenezer Curton, 
Ebenezer Wallin. 

Town-meeting of 1707. — New names: Amos Ilawley, 
William Dudley, Gamaliel Vail. As this is the last year 
that the town of Saratog.i included so large a territory, we 
add the pathmasters in full, though some of the names 
may have already been mentioned : No. 1, Jacob Toll ; No. 
2, Thomas Bennett ; No. 3, John Dillingham ; No. 4, 
John Brisbin and David Reynolds ; No. 5, Ebenezer Smith ; 
No. 6,' Samuel Bushee ; No. 7, Jethro Bennett ; No. 8, 
Jacob Ferguson and Zopher Scidmore ; No. 9, Jesse Mott; 
No. 10, Lemuel Shepherd; No. 11, John Fish; No. 12, 
Robert Parks ; No. 13, Grover Buel and John Shadow ; 
No. 14, Daniel Lindsey; No. 15, George McCutcheon; 
No. 16, Asaph Putnam; No. 17, John M. Berry; No. 18, 
George R. Lewis and James Beard; No. 19, Richard 
Searing; No. 20, Elijah Powers; No. 21, Parks Putnam; 
No. 22, Peter Johnson ; No. 23, Seth Perry ; No. 24, Enoch 
Kellogg and Richard Holmes ; No. 25, William Water- 
bury; No. 20, Ebenezer Andrews ; No. 27, Nathaniel Wal- 
lis and Abraham Havens ; No. 28, Caleb Fish ; No. 29, 
John Scribner ; No. 30, Benjamin Tripp; No. 31, Isaac 
Vandewerker ; No. 32, Edy Baker ; No. 33, Thomas 
Ostrander; No. 34, Benjamin French; No. 35, Andrew 
McCutcheon ; No. 36, Caleb Burrows ; No. 37, Henry 
Shaft and John Whitford ; No. 38, Malachi Cox ; No. 39, 
Stafford Carr ; No. 40, Levi Lamphir ; No. 41, George 
Cramer ; No. 42, Robert Ellis ; No. 43, William Thomas ; 
No. 44, William King; No. 45, Robert Wash m an ; No. 
46, William Toll ; No. 47, Giles Slocum ; No. 48, John 
Perry ; No. 49, Joseph Smith ; No. 50, Jacob Halley ; 
No. 51, Charles Granger; No. 52, Ira Stafford. 

The names thus given show a very large number of the 
actual residents, from 1788 to 1798, upon the territory now 
comprised in the towns of Saratoga, Saratoga. Springs, 
Northumberland, Moreau, and Wilton. Here are found 
the Parks from Baker's Falls, the Perrys from Wilton, the 
Putnams from Saratoga Springs, and names from all the 
intervening territory between them and the line of the 
Hudson. The town officers of Saratoga were not in posses- 
sion of these records, and they were only discovered by ac- 
cident, just as the manuscripts were being revised for the 
press. Neither time nor space remained to state the home- 
steads of the additional flimilies here discovered. Our 
volume is already so complete in early family history, and 
the location of as many others now given can be determined 
by the numbering of the road districts and the general 
knowledge of citizens at the present time; wc have hastily 



268 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



transcribed these most interesting pages, and leave them 
without further note or comment: 


1855. 
185G. 


Supervisors. 
John Lewis. 
Peter J. Cook. 


Town Clerks. Collectors. 
George L. Ames. Thomas Losee. 
Chauncey Curtis. " *' 










1857. 


Ralph Brisbin. 


" 


" 


Jerem'h McKinstry. 




TOWN OFFICERS. 




1858. 


Peter J. Cook. 


" 


" 


Thomas V. Losee. 


1788. 


Supervisors. 


Town Cleiks. 


Collectors. 


1859. 
1860. 


it it 
Geo. W. Wilcox. 


Jonath 
Joseph 


n Howland. " " 

W. Hill. Dunham St. John. 


1789. 


John B. Schuyler.® 


Sidney Berry. 


Elihu Billings. 


1861. 


Samuel J. Mott. 


Albert L. Ferg 


uson. Nich. T. Howland. 


1790. 


« « 


« 


Dai ius Hand. 


1862. 


Wm. P. Ostrander. 


Martin 


B. Per 


kins. Sheldon B. Gates. 


1791. 


It It 


Archibald McNeil. 


Malcomb Crowfoot. 


1863. 


" " 


R. M. Carring 


ton. Jonathan Howland. 


1792. 


Alexander Bryan. 


Benjamin Phillips. 


James Creamer. 


1864. 


it it 


Robert 


Hermance. " " 


1793. 


tt it 


Jonathan Lawrence 


. Josiah St. John. 


1865. 


tt it 


" 


" 


Robert Hermance. 


1794. 


" 


Benjamin Phillips. 


Jacob Hicks. 


1866. 


it tt 


it 


ti 


Philip Reynolds. 


1795. 


John B. Schuyler. 


Daniel Bull. 


Wm. Thomas. 


1867. 


Thomas Sweet. 


Benj. J 


. Potter. C. H. McNaughton. 


1796. 


Daniel Bull. 


Herm. Van Veghten 


. .Tames Brisbin, Jr. 


1868. 


Edmond Raymond. 


Chauncey Curtis. " " 


1797. 


tt tt 


James Brisbin, Jr. 


Ebenezer Bacon. 


1869. 


" " 


•' 


" 


Barney McMahon. 


1798. 


it tt 


Wm. Wait. 


Jacob Hicks. 


1870. 


Geo. F. Watson. 


Seth R. 


Lawrence. " " 


1799. 


H tl 


Elisha Miles. 


.. 


1871. 


Henry C. Holmes. 


ii 


it 


Emery Doolittle. 


1800. 


" " 


James Brisbin, Jr. 


Jacob S. Viele. 


1872. 


tt it 


it 


" 


Daniel Meader. 


1801. 


Jesse Mott. 


Wm. Wait. 


it it 


1873. 


Douw F. Winney. 


" 


" 


Myron J. Clements. 


1802. 


tt it 


Jacob Dennis. 


it it 


1874. 


" 


a 


tt 


Ralph Russell. 


1803. 


tt tt 


Wm. Wait. 


it tt 


1875. 


" 


u 


tt 


Chas. A. Baker. 


1804. 


tt it 


James Brisbin. Jr. 


it tt 


1876. 


John H. De Rider. 


(( 


•' 


John Denton. 


1805. 


James Brisbin, Jr. 


Wm. Wait. 


it tt 


1877. 


Wm. H. Smith. 


'' 


" 


James Barker. 


1806. 


Thomas Ostrander. 


Jacob Dennis. 


Henry Greene. 


1878. 


Daniel A. Bulbard. 


J. 0. H 


mnum 


Thos. Hannahan. 


1807. 


George Cramer. 


Wm. AVait. 


(( .( 












ISOS. 


" " 


Reuben Perry. 


Richard Esmond. 


JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 


ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 


1809. 
ISIO. 
1S11. 


tt tt 

Wm. Wait. 


Wm. Wait. 
John R. Mott. 
David Everts. 


Silas Finch. 
Reuben Scidmore. 
Nathan Hill. 


The law authorizing such election took effect in 1828 ; 
but the town records do not show any election until 1830. 


1812. 


tt it 


Hezekiah Dunham. 


Robert Bryan. 


Prob 


ably there were enout;h 


Still holdin.o; office under the 


1813. 
1814. 


tt tt 
George Cramer. 


E. W. Abbott. 
James Green, Jr. 


Samuel Green. 


appointment of the governor. 






1815. 


Jon.TS Olrastead. 


John R. Mott. 


tt ti 


1830. 


Daniel Morgan, Jr. 




1855. 


Benjamin Taber. 


1816. 


Wni. Wait. 


tt it 


it tt 


1831. 


Wm. B. Van Benthuysen. 


1856. 


Amos M. Greene. 


1817. 


., 


it tt 


tt ti 


1832. 


Gilbert Purdy. 




1857. 


M. JIcNaughton. 


1818. 


Jesse Mott. 


a 


it it 


183.3. 


Harvey Granger. 




1858. 


G. H. Jones. 


1819. 


tt it 


Wm. L. F. Wiirren. 


tt tt 


1834. 


Daniel Morgan, Jr. 




1858. 


Thomas Sweet. 


1820. 


Harvey Granger. 


Philip Cramer. 


Wm. Bennett (2d). 


1835. 


Samuel J. Mott. 




1859. 


Phineas Richardson. 


1821. 


George Cramer. 


AVm. C. Brisbin. 


Amos Freeman. 


1836. 


Walter Van VeghteE 


. 


1860. 


Charles Shearer. 


1822. 


Philip Schuyler. 


it tt 


Wm. Bennett (2d). 


1837. 


Francis Iv. Winney. 




1861. 


Hervey Losee. 


182:i. 


Daniel Morgan, Jr. 


Edward Fitch. 


Abner Smith. 


1838. 


Henry Holmes. 




1862. 


Malcom McNaughton. 


1824. 


George Cramer. 


Henry Wagmnn. 


Thomas Milligan. 


1839. 


Wm. B. Caldwell. 




1863. 


Wm. C. Brisbin. 


1825. 


Daniel Morgan, Jr. 


David Brisbin. 


Daniel Williams. 


18.39. 


Daniel W. Belding. 




1864. 


Charles Shearer. 


1826. 


" 


Ste. H. Dillingham. 


„ 


1840. 


Stephen H. Dillingh 


am. 


1865. 


Samuel Wells. 


1827. 


tt it 


" 


Thomas Milligan. 


1841. 


Francis K. Winney. 




1866. 


George F. Watson. 


1828. 


tt it 


it it 


it tt 


1842. 


Henry Holmes. 




1867. 


Nicholas T. Howland. 


1829. 


tt tt 


Orvillo B. Dibble. 


« 


1843. 


John B. Wright. 




1867. 


Hervey Losee. 


isao. 


it it 


James Strang. 


Benjamin Leggett. 


1844. 


Malcom McNaughton. 


1868. 


Moses H. Colby. 


IS.-il. 


W^altcr Van Veghten 


Wm. R. Slocum. 


Thomas Milligan. 


1845. 


John R. Mott. 




1869. 


Samuel Wells. 


1832. 


" 


« 


John B. Holmes. 


1846. 


Embree Maxwell. 




1870. 


Hervey Losee. 


1833. 


James Mott. 


Alfred Sootield. 


Thomas Milligan. 


1847. 


Isaac Freeman. 




1871. 


Nicholas T. Howland. 


1834. 


Henry D. Chapman 


Herm. Van Veghten 


. John C. Jeffords. 


1848. 


Gilbert Purdy. 




1872. 


James B. Bailey. 


1835. 


Daniel Morgan, Jr. 


(. it 


Stephen E. Duel. 


1849. 


Daniel W. Belding. 




1873. 


Joseph T. .Smith. 


1836. 


" 


ti it 


John Taylor. 


1849. 


Henry W. Dennis. 




1874. 


Darwin Dean. 


1837. 


Wm. Wilco.v. 


Darius Peck. 


Anthony L.Maxwell. 


1850. 


Cornelius A. Russell 




1S75. 


Nicholas T. Howland. 


1838. 


John B. Wright. 


Joseph T. Smith. 


Thomas V. Losce. 


1850. 


David R. Oakley. 




1876. 


James B. Bailey. 


1839. 


Daniel Morgan. 


it 


John L. Robertson. 


1851. 


Gilbert Purdy. 




1877. 


Edward G. Cochrane. 


1840. 


Samuel J. Mott. 


Abram Cox. 


Clark Perkins. 


1852. 


Cornelius A. Russell 




1877. 


S. Fort Brott. 


1841. 


Henry D. Chapman 


Rich'd S. Sheldon. 


Chauncey Bennett. 


1853. 


Chas. H. Van Benth 


aysen. 


1878. 


Darwin Dean. 


1842. 


Wm. Wilco.x. 


Joseph T. Smith. 


Walter Barker. 


1854. 


E. H. Wilbur. 








1843. 
1844. 


it tt 
Mayo Pond. 


Daniel W. Belding. 
Rich'd S. Sheldon. 


Samuel Travis. 
Samuel N. Pettis. 


The following document is 


really a fragment of district 


1845. 


Dauiel Morgan. 


it it 


Daniel H. Potter. 


records preceding town orgai 


ization, and covering what is 


1846. 
1847. 
1S4S. 


Phineas Richardson 
Geo. W. Lester. 
Henry Holmes. 


Wm.Cox. 

Rich'd S. Sheldon. 


Killian F. Winney. 
Jarvis Cooper. 
Gabriel L. Leggett. 


now Saratoga, Saratoga Sprin 
umberland, Moreau, Wilton, a 


gs, Stillwater, Milton, North- 
nd part of Greenfield : 


1849. 


tt it 


Jacob Osborne. 


Robert Schinner. 












1850. 


Ste. H. Dillingham. 


it a 


Abner Howland. 


"A 


DESCRIPTIOS OF THE PUBLIC H 


IGHWAYS LAID OUT FOB THE DIS- 


1851. 


" 


tt it 


James Davis. 


TRICT OF SAliATOGA BV THE CC 


)M.«ISSIONERS OF ROADS, 1784. 


1852. 


Henry Holmes. 


tt tt 


tt 


"R 


Olid No. 1. — Begins by the ho 


use of Widow Fuller ; thence west- 


1853. 


Samuel J. Mott. 


Cyrus F. Rich. 


Stephen H. Winney. 


erly to a maple stump marked No. 


T. C. ; thence a west course between 


1854. 


Phineas Richardson 


" " 


Ira D. Esmond. 


the farms of Robert Ripley and Wi 
of the Widow Gamble and Willia 


lliaiu 1 
ra Mar 


OSS, and between the farms 
SOD, where he now lives: 














» Probably. 




thence to a large oak-tree marke 


d J. C 


: thence southwest to the 




,..^!^ 




%^' 



\ 



■^ \s x; 




V^3x 



JOSEPH WILBUR. 



Photos, by Bakor & Record, Saratoga Springs. 



MRS. JOSEPH WILBUR. 



JOSEPH WILBUE. 



The subject of this sketcli was born in the town of Old 
Saratoga, Feb. 2, 1807. He was the .sixth cliild in the 
family of William and Priscilla (Mead) Wilbur, which 
consisted of eleven. The elder Wilbur was a native of 
Rhode Island, and emigrated to Easton, Washington county, 
about the year 1780. Shortly after he removed to Saratoga, 
and when Joseph was two years of age he again returned to 
Easton, where he remained until his death, which occurred 
in the year 1820. He was a man of ability, and possessed 
of many of the virtues and but few of the failings of human 
kind. He early taught his children those lessons of economy, 
sobriety, industry, and integrity which did much to enable 
them to attain and hold the respect and esteem of all those 
with whom they came in contact. Joseph remained with 
his father until he was married to Miss Ellen Woodruff, in 
1829. Her father, Ithamar Woodruff, was one of the early 
settlers of Schaghticoke. He was a farmer, and in ISl-t he 
removed to the town of Easton, where he lived until his 
death. Mrs. Wilbur was born in Connecticut, Dec. 25, 1807. 
After their marriage they commenced life by purchasing a 
farm in the town of Easton, upon which they resided until 



1 852 ; then he sold and came to Saratoga, and purchased 
the farm upon which he now resides. The farm was first 
settled by one Joseph Dillingham, and the first house was 
erected in 179G. Mr. Wilbur is emphatically a self-made 
man. Commencing life with only his natural resources for 
his capital, and the limited education afforded by the ordinary 
district school of early days, he has conquered success and 
secured a competence which is the result of a long life of 
industry, economy, and honorable dealing. His beautiful 
home (a view of which we present on the following page) 
attests his thrift and energy. The elder Wilbur was a 
member of the Society of Friends, and our subject holds to 
the same belief, although not a member of " The Meeting." 
Mr. Wilbur's aim in life has been to be a worthy member 
of society and a successful farmer, and well has he accom- 
plished his purpose. Two children have been born to him, 
— James H. and Seth E., the former in 1830, and the latter 
in 1832; both are deceased. Seth was married in 1857 
to Miss Matilda Kenyon ; one child wa.s born to them, 
James E., who is the sole prop of his grandparents' declin- 
ing years. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



269 



place where John W. Dole now lives: thence in the most convenient 
place near where the road now goes to the place where Peter Johnson 
lives: thence in the most convenient place to the house where Reuben 
Perry now lives: thence northwesterly over the mountain in the 
most convenient phice near where the path now goes to the place 
where Joseph Egleston lives; thence northerly in the most conve- 
nient place near where the path now goes to the North river, at the 
phicc commonly called Jessup's Landing : thence northerly along 
the west bank of the river to the jilace where Mills now lives; also, 
from a large white-pine tree, marked II, standing on the highway 
aforesaid, about a quarter of a mile from Reuben Perry's aforesaid; 
thence running south along the east line of Reuben Perry's farm to a 
white-pine tree marked H, near a small creek, or brook; thence 
southerly in the most convenient place to a division line between 
Treebout's and Leflferts' lands, continuing saiil line to the south side 
of a stony hill near John Stiles'; thence westerly in the most con- 
venient place to Goodwin's mill; also, easterly from the aforesaid hill 
till it intersects the north line of John Stiles* farm; thence contin- 
uing said line to the northeast corner of Stiles' farm ; thence easterly 
in the most convenient place until it intersects the road leading from 
the Widow Fuller's to Reuben Perry's; the above-menrioncd road to 
be three rods wide, and where lines of lots arc mentioned they are to 
be the centre of the road. 

" Road No. 2. — Begins on the south side the bridge by Colonel Van 
Veghtcn's mill; thence westerly in the most convenient place near 
where the path now goes to where the path parts, the one to go 
to John Davis, Jr/s, and the others to Jesse Billings'; thence 
northwesterly in the most convenient place until it passes a bridge 
and causeway about a quarter of a mile southeasterly from Jesse 
Billings' to an oak-tree on the west side of the old path marked H : 
thence bearing away to the left in the most convenient place to a 
white-oak tree marked H; thenco continuing much the same direc- 
tion up the hill to a pitch pine tree marked H ; thenae by a straight 
line to the east side of a gate now used by Jesse Billings west of his 
barn (the above-mentioned trees are to bound the right-hand side of 
the road) ; thence northerly to a white-oak tree on the side of the hill 
marked H; thence northerly in the most convenient place near 
where the path now goes to the line between lots Nos. 26 and 25; 
thence westerly along said line about Ihree-qunrters of a mile to 
a tree marked H ; thence northerly to James Brisbin's house; thenco 

westerly near where the path now goes to Stephen ; thence 

northwesterly in the most convenient place near where the path now 
goes until it intersects a line between lots Nos, 25 and 26; thence 
northwesterly in the most convenient place across lot No. 26 on to 
lot No, 27; thence westerly on said lot until it comes near where the 
Hemlock creek intersects the line between lots Nos. 26 and 27 ; thence 
crossing said line and creek on to lot No. 26 ; thence westerly on said 

lot in the moi't convenient place near ; thence southerly in 

the most convenient place to W. Velie's ; thence in the most conve- 
nient place to Michael Mead's; from thence in the most convenient 
place to the place where Jonathan Fish now lives; thence in the 
most convenient direction to the house of John Irish ; thence south- 
westerly up the hill, leaving the house of John Irish on the right hand; 
thence continuing in much the same direction in the most convenient 
place to the northeast corner of Zopher Scidmore's field, where he 
has corn this summer ; thence quartering across the said field by 
consent of the said Scidmore in the most convenient direction to 
Abner Scidmore's house; thence southwesterly up the hill in Abncr 
Scidmore's field by his consent until it intersects what is commonly 

called the old six-mile line ~ Saratoga patent ; thence southerly 

in the most convenient place near said line to the easternmost corner 
of Samuel Conklin's house; thence nearly in the same direction until 
it intersects the road that leads by James Ackerman's to Saratoga lake 
from near the corner of Christojiher Shefiicld's field; thence southerly 
as near straight as the nature of the ground will admit to Francis 
West's; thence southerly in the most convenient place near where 
the path now goes until it intersects the path that goes by Samuel 
Cooper's; thence easterly along said path a little east of Samuel 
Cooper's house; thence southerly across the field of said Cooper to 
the bouse of Mordecai Sayles ; thence southerly by Philip Rogers*; 
thenco southerly in the most convenient place near where the path 
now goes to Alexander McCrcas* old place. 

" lioad No. 3. — Begins at the great road near Genera! Schuyler's 
grist-mill; thence westerly round the fi'eld of General Schuyler in 
the most convenient place ne.ir where the path now goes round the 



breastworks; thence southerly in the most convenient place near 
where the path now goes across the Fish creek at the old bridge by 
Joseph Plumer's; thence westerly to the school-house : thence in the 
most convenient place to Elihu Webster's; thence southerly to Cap- 
tain Dunham's; thence southerly in the most convenient place until 
it intersects road No. 2 between Captain Dunham's and Jesse Bil- 
lings', on the line between lots Nos. 24 and 2o. 

" lioad No, 4. — Begins on the north side of the road that leads by 
James Ackerman's towards Saratoga lake opposite James Ackerman's 
house; thence northerly as straight as the nature of the ground will 
admit to Shubael Tyler's; thence northerly on the side of the hill by 
the house of Wm. Wicks, until it leads on the ridge north of Wicks' ; 
thence northerly on said ridge until it comes into the old road lead- 
ing from John Vroman's; thence bearing a little easterly near where 
the old path now goes until it intersects the line between lots Nos. 
24and2o; thence easterly in the most convenient place near said 
line until it comes to the lino near William Potter's and James 
Young's farm ; thence uortlierly along said line as near as the nature 
of the ground will admit until it intersects road No. 2. 

" lioad No. 5. — Begins at a red-oak tree marked II on road No. 2, 
near to Wm. Viele's ; thenco running southwesterly as near straight 
as the nature of the ground will admit to a large oak-tree marked 
H, a little over the first hollow; thence nearly the same course to a 
white-oak tree marked H; thence westerly str.iight to a white-oak 
tree marked H, near to Jonathan Lawrence's; thence southerly in the 
most convenient place near where the path now goes to Pardon 
Fish's; thence in the same direction, near the foot of the hill, in the 
most convenient place, and through the field of John Grippen, by 
his consent; thence across the farm now in possession of Samuel 
Chapman, considerably west of his house, in the most convenient 
place, to the bars on the north side the farm of William GitTord ; 
thence southerly in a straight course to the top of the hill by the old 
house; thence west to the lake side, a little north of the house where 
William GitTord now lives; thence southerly along the bank of the 
lake in the most c:)nvenient place to the south side of Augustus 
Green's improvement. 

" lioad No. 6. — Begins at the corner of the field a little west of the 
house where Israel Taylor now lives; thence northerly in the most 
convenient place, as straight as the nature of the ground will admit, 
to the Baptist meeting-house where Mr. Kelly preaches. 

"lioad No. 7. — Begins at the bend of the road a little northerly 
from the house of Jonas Titus; thence northerly as straight as the 
nature of the ground will admit to Joel Ketchum's; thence northerly 
as straight as the situation of the ground will admit to Benjamin 
Irish's; thence taking the line between Joseph Potter's and David 
Irish's farms; thence northerly along said line to a chestnut stump 
marked H, a little west of the same; thence northwesterly across the 
swamp straight to an elm-tree marked H, said stump and tree to 
bound the left-hand side of the road; thence northeasterly straight 
to a white-oak tree marked H ; thence northerly straight to a red- 
oak tree marked H; thence northerly to a chestnut-tree marked II ; 
thence to a white-oak tree marked 11 at the corner of Wilbur's fallow ; 
thence northerly in the most couvenient place to Henry Parsons'; 
thence northerly in the most convenient place near where the path 
now goes across lot No. 22 to the Hemlock creek; thence north- 
westerly' until it intersects road No. 2 at a tree marked II on two 
sides ; thence continuing nearly the same direction as straight as the 
nature of the ground will admit through the farm of Jonathan Fisk, 
Jr., to a large white-oak tree marked H, near the line between the 
farms of Jonathan Fisk, Jr., and Jacob Ferguson ; thence westerly 
until it intersects road No. 5 at a tree marked H near the northwest 
corner of Jacob Ferguson's field. 

" lioad No. 8. — Was laid by the commissioners of BalUton and 
Saratoga districts jointly, and begins at the southeasterninost corner 
of the district of Ballston ; thence northerly along the line between 
the districts of Saratoga and Ballston to the southeasterumost corner 
of lot No. 9, in the Grand Division of Ballston, the line between the 
districts to be the centre of the road, which is three rods wide. 

"Road No. 9. — Begins on the south side of Anthony's Kill, at 
what is commonly called Ellsworth's; thence northwesterly across 
the kill to a beech-tree marked II ; thence westerly along the kill to a 
white-oak tree marked II; thence in an oblique direction to the foot 
of the hill; thence along the foot of the hill to an elm-tree marked 
II; thence ascending the side of (he hill and along upon the side of 
the hill to a red-oak tree marked 11 ; thenco obliquely down the hill 



270 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



to a white-oak tree marked H : thenae along the foot of the hill to a 
red-oak tree marked H; thence up on the side of the hill along the 
east side of John Ostrander's field to a white-oak tree marked H, 
near the northeast corner of said field; thence northwesterly in an 
oblique direction down the hill to a white-oak tree marked H; thence 
northwesterly as straight as the nature of the ground will admit to 
a tree marked H, near Robert AVilliams' improvements: thence con- 
tinuing along the same course auross the field by constant to a red-oak 
tree marked U: tlicnce northwesterly in the most conveniens place to 
a white-oak tree marked H. near the house where Jerry Peck lives ; 
thence continuing near the same direction in the most convenient 
place to a white-pine tree marked II, near George Hunter's; thence 
southwesterly to Schoonhovon's grist-mill; thence across the mill- 
dam ; thence northwesterly in the most convenient place to a pitch- 
pine tree marked H, at the top of the hill, northwesterly from the 
house where Ephraim Stewart lives; thence by a straight line to a 
pitch-pine tree marked H, near the road that leads from Stillwater 
to Ballston, about forty rods east of Captain Michael Dunniug's field; 
thence northerly by a straight line to a pitch-pine tree marked H, a 
little east of Wni. Dunning's house; thence to a pitch-pine tree 
marked H, by the bridge a little east of Michael Dunning. Jr.'s ; 
thence northerly as near struight as circumstances will admit to 
what is called the dug-way on the njrth side the plain ; thence north- 
erly in the most convenient place along by the east side of the house 
where Wm. Rhodes lives, until it intersects the old path leading from 
the south end of Saratoga lake to Merrick's mills; thence westerly 
in the most convenient course near where the old path now goes to- 
wards Merrick's mills until it intersects the line between the districts 
of Saratoga and Ballston. 

" Road Xo. 10. — Begins at the north line of lot No. 9, near Eddy 
Millard's house, at a maple stump; thence southwesterly down the 
hill the east side of the brook; thence across the brook to the old 
bridge crossing the outlet of the lake in Ballston; thence up the hill 
to the corner of Mr. Middlebrook's field, a little west of his house; 
thence southerly as near straight as the nature of the ground will 
admit until it intersects the north line of Samuel Clark's land, a 
little west of the corners of lots Nos. 2 and 3 of said Clark's 
land; thence southeasterly until it intersects the line between the 
aforesaid lots No. 2 and No. 3; thence continuing said line to the 
south side of said lots; thence southerly in the most convenient 
place across the la'nd in possession of John White and Samuel In- 
gliss to the north line of Stephen Benedict's farm : thence southerly 
across said farm ; thence continuing the same direction to the north- 
west corner of Stephen Hooper's farm. 

" Road No. 11. — Begins where road No. 11 intersects the south 
line of Stephen Benedict's farm; thence due west to road No. 8. 

"Road iVo. 12. — Begins on road No. 9, where the same intersects a 
line through the middle of lot No. 11, between the farm of Michael 
Dunning, Jr., and William Dunning; thence easterly along the said 
line to a pitch-pine tree marked U, continuing much the same 
direction to a pitch-pine on the top of the hill marked 11 ; thence 
down the hill to a pitch-pine tree marked H; continuing much the 
same direction to a pitch-pine tree marked II ; thence northeasterly to 
a dry pitch-pine marked II ; thence easterly across the swamp to a red- 
oak tree marked H ; thence to a white-oak tree marked H ; thence 
up the hill to a pitch-pine tree marked H ; thence continuing much 
the same direction to a pitch-pine tree marked H on the edge of the 
hill; thence down the hill in the most convenient direction to a pitch- 
pine tree marked H ; thence ascending the hill to a pitch-pine tree 
marked H ; thence northeasterly to a pitch-pine tree near the edge 
of the hill marked H ; thence obliquely down the hill in the most 
convenient direction to a tree marked H ; thence easterly across the 
swamp to a red-oak tree marked H ; thence along the foot of the hill, 
between the wet land and the dry, in the most convenient place, 
through the field of Randall Hewitt, to a little swamp that cornea in 
between the hills; thence across said swamp to the foot of the oppo- 
site hill ; thence up the hill as the path now goes to a white-pine 
tree marked U; thence southerly to a ]ntch-pine tree marked II; 
thence to a piteh-pine tree marked H at the head of a little hollow; 
thence straight as the ground will admit to a chestnut-tree marked 
II ; thence to a pitch-pine marked H. near the foot of the hill ; thence 
easterly as near the foot of the hill as the nature of the ground will 
admit to a pitch-pine marked 11, near the old path ; then as the path 
now goes till it joins road No. 2 at Alexan ler McCroa's old place. 

" Road N't. 13. — Begins on ro:id No. S, opposite the house of Sam- 



uel Wood; thence easterly where the path now goes straight to the 
east line of Samuel Evans' farm ; thence northerly along the Hue be- 
tween said Evans' and Samuel Finch's farm to the northwest corner 
of said Finch's farm ; thence to the southwest corner of Stephen 
Hooper's farm; thence along the west line of said Hooper's farm to 
the northwest corner thereof; thence easterly in the most convenient 
place near the north line of Stephen Hooper's farm down the hill, 
and continuing the most convenient direction to the southeast corner 
of Stephen Benedict's farm; thence east to the line of Saratoga 
Patent. 

" Rnndu Nos, 14, 15, and IG were east of the river, now in Wash- 
ington county. 

*' Ritad No. 17. — Begins on what is called the Lake road, opposite 
to Captain Woodworth's; thence northerly as the road now goes 
within two feet of the southwest corner of John Neilson's house ; 
thence northeasterly to a stump marked H ; thence northerly straight 
to a white-oak tree marked H, the road to be the width of it westerly 
of the aforesaid boundaries; thence northerly and westerly as the 
old path now goes to a tree marked H, about ten rods northerly of 
the lane that turns to Joshua Barber's; thence northeasterly through 
the field on the most convenient ground, passing the house where 
Timothy Shipman now lives, about ten rods south thereof, continuing 
much the same direction until it comes into the old path at a tree 
marked II ; thence coniinuing much the same direction on or near as 
the old path goes to a tree marked H, near to Captain Mead's field ; 
thence northerly to a tree marked H, near the line between the farms 
of Captain Mead and that which Timothy Shipman now occupies; 
thence northeasterly in the most convenient place to a tree marked 
H, on the old road ihat goes from John Carthy's westward. 

" Road No. 18. — Begins at a white-oak tree marked H, on the Lake 
road a little west of Captain Taylor's; thence obliquely up the hill 
into the old path; thcnee as straight as the ground will admit be- 
tween the house and barn of Samuel Stevens: thence along the west 
side of Joseph Stevens' house; thence southwesterly to a white-oak 
tree on the northeast corner of Samuel Bushee's farm; thence along 
the east side of said Bushee's house to the northeast corner of Joseph 
Williams' farm ; thence along the east line of said farm to the south- 
east corner thereof: thence straight to the northeast corner of the 
farm that Stephen Toms has taken up ; thence along the east line of 
said farm to the southeast corner thereof; thence as near straight as 
the ground will admit a little west of the house where Jacob Patrick 
now lives; thence straight to the road that leads from Stillwater to 
Ballston, a few rods west of the house where Daniel Campbell now 
lives. 

" Road No. 19. — East side of the river, now Washington county. 

" R'md No. 20. — Begins at the river west side of lot No. 10, at the 
south line of Charles Mone's farm (perhaps Mann, perhaps not); 
thence westerly in the most convenient place on the south half of 
said lot until it comes out to the main road." 

Under date of Monday, March 28, 1785, the commis- 
sioners divided the territory of Saratoga into twenty-two 
road districts. They met at Mr. Ensign's and first made 
an imaginary division for the«purpose of more easily de- 
scribing the districts, — this was as follows : " A supposed 
division-line shall be drawn from Anthony's Kill, at the 
place where the brook that David Bidwell's mill stands 
upon falls into said kill ; thence northerly along said brook, 
upon tlie easterly side thereof, to the public road leading 
from Stillwater to Ballston ; thence northerly to the south- 
west corner of the farm that Samuel Stevens now occupies, 
still northerly to the beginning of road No. 18 ; thence 
easterly to the beginning of road No. 6 ; thence northerly 
upon said road, along the east side thereof, as far as said 
road continues ; thence northerly by a straight line to the 
place where road No. 4 begins, on the Lake road, near 
James Ackerman's ; thence northerly along said road No. 
4, upon the east side thereof, as far as said road extends; 
then by a straight line to James Miiligan's on Fish creek. 
Also another imaginary hue, beginning at the west six-mile 






( PMOnifi.SV BAKEt « }^£COt^D.SAKAT0OA SplfiHOS.) 



W H.MARSHALL 



/VIRS.WM H.jMARSHALL. 



^V-Jj-WUJ^S-fJ^--. 




HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



271 



line of Saratoga patent, where the same strikes Fish creek ; 
thence northerly by a straight line to the North river, at a 
place called Wing's Falls." Then beginning at the south, 
they took the districts off in sections each side of the said di- 
vision-lines, fifteen in number. The document is signed by 
the road commissioners, — Joseph Row, Stanton Tefft, Philip 
Rogers, and John Mahawney, — and it was received for 
record by Samuel Bacon, clerk. 

Two years later — 1787 — some additional districts were 
made, and the commissioners were Joseph Row, Wm. Cofiin, 
Thomas Smith, George Hunter, Jonathan Lawrence. 

These descriptions we have copied at considerable length, 
because of the light they throw upon the early settlement 
in 1784, — the year next after the close of the Revolutionary 
war, — the year when General Schuyler cut the road from 
Schuylerville to Saratoga Springs. It brings out clearly 
so many family names and their exact location in 1784, 
that the old document is worthy of a place in history. 

v.— VILLAGES. 

The various villages and hamlets in the town of Saratoga 
have received their names as follows : 

Grangerville is named from Harvey Granger, who, though 
not the founder of the first mills, yet owned them for a 
long time, until his name became common to the place. 

Dean's Corners is named from Dr. Dean, who lived at 
that point and practiced for many years. He was not the 
first settler, however. 

Quaker Springs derives its name from the fact that valu- 
able springs exist there, and it is near the meeting-house 
where the Friends have met for more than a hundred years. 
It is claimed that the mineral spring was known to the 
early French and English voyageurs many years before 
those at Saratoga Springs. The water is of excellent qual- 
ity, and the property is now owned by Isaac W. Meader. 
There is also near it a valuable white sulphur spring. 

Schuylerville, of course, receives its name as the early 
and long-continued residence of the Schuyler family. It 
was incorporated April 1(3, 1831, under a special act of the 
Legislature. The first election of officers, June 7, 1831, 
resulted as follows : Trustees, Gilbert Purdy, Richard W. 
Livingston, James Strang, Cornelius Letcher, John Fonda; 
Treasurer, Ira Lawrence; Collector, David Williams. The 
board elected Gilbert Purdy president and James Strang 
clerk. The village is noted for i:s public spirit, shown in 
its streets, better graded and paved than perhaps any other 
in this part of the State of equal population. Much of 
this was done under the management of D. A. Bullard, 
president, in 1873. The village had a rapid growth under 
the impulse given to it by the opening of the Champlain 
canal. It became at once a place of considerable trade, as 
well as a pleasant village for a permanent home. It is 
somewhat noted for the number of business men born in or 
near the village and still living there. Saratoga men are 
wont to cling to their own town and grow up with it. The 
energy and public spirit of its citizens are recently shown 
in the splendid school building, second to none of its grade 
in the State, erected at an expense of 815,000. The village 
now contains five churches, an excellent union school, under 
the charge of Prof Doty, lodges of Good Templars, Odd-Bel- 



lows, and Masons, and a Hygeian Home or Rest Cure, under 
the chaige of John Bullard and a resident lady physician, 
Mrs. Brisbin. 

VICTORY. 

The enterprise of the Victory Manufacturing Company 
has built up this thriving village. It derives its name 
wholly from the fancy of the company, who inserted it in 
the title of their organization in allusion to the victory of 
General Gates, won in their immediate vicinity. A neat 
chapel for religious worship has been erected upon ground 
donated by the company, and built largely by their contribu- 
tion. Preaching is usually maintained, as well as a Sunday- 
school, throughout the year. The village was incorporated 
under the general law in 1849. The first meeting of the 
board of trustees was held April 16 of that year. The first 
officers were William E. Miner, Patrick Cooney, George 
McCreedy, Russell Carr, Benjamin Kelsey. William E. 
Miner was president, and James Cavanaugh clerk. The 
latter removed to the west, and has since been a member of 
Congress. 

The present trustees are William E. Ingerson, IMichael 
E. Barrett, Charles W. Law, Peter Flanegan, James 
O'Reilly. William E. Ingerson is president; John M. 
Connors, collector ; John Carlin, clerk ; Sheldon B. Gates, 
treasurer. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

Early schools and school-houses are already mentioned 
among the items of early settlement, and in the several 
reminiscences given. The first action of the town re- 
corded was in 1796, simply the appointment of school 
commissioners under the then existing law,^ — Sidney Berry, 
Herman Van Veghten, Joseph Palmer, Thomas Jeffijrds, 
Benjamin Phillips. In 1797 the commissioners were Sid- 
ney Berry, Daniel Bull, Joseph Palmer, Thomas Jeffords, 
Solomon Wheeler. In 1798, Thomas Jeffords, William 
Force, George Cramer. None appointed in 1799. In 
1800, Thomas Jeffords, Elihu Billings, Daniel Bull, and 
William Wait. The law was changed at that time, and no 
further action was taken by the town until 1813, Avhen 
they evidently accepted the conditions of the new school 
act, providing that the towns by raising an equal amount of 
money could receive from the public funds for the support 
of schools. That year commissioners were elected, — Wal- 
lace Crawford, Harvey Granger, John R. Mott, and Inspec- 
tors Philip Duryea, Martin L. Bryan, Reuben Perry, Esek 
Cowen, David Evarts, Zeno Remington. The town was 
then divided into eighteen school districts. 

In the following years other persons served as commis- 
sioners, one or more years each, down to 1844, — James 
Green, Jr., Jonas Olmstead, James Mott, Harvey Granger, 
Esek Cowen, William Davis, Eli Granger, James W. Smith, 
Edward Fitch, Henry D. Chapman, Francis R. Winney, 
James Annibal, Oliver Cleveland, Henry Wagman, James 
Place, Ira Lawrence, William Wilcox, KInathan Patterson, 
Wm. B. Caldwell, Henry F. Sherman (2d), Richard M. Liv- 
ingston, Joseph Soule, Orville B. Dibble, Stephen H. Dil- 
lingham, Henry T. Sherman, Abram B. Barker, James P. 
Cramer, Thomas Smith, Alfred Scofield, John R. Mott, 
Ephraim Hill, John G. Mulford, John B. Wright, Chaun- 



HISTOEY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



cey D. Bull, Benajah Barker, Thomas J. Marshall, Cornelius 
Letcher, Gabriel Robbins, James C. Milligan, Dr. John R. 
Preston, Eliakim H. Moslier, Wm. C. Bri.sbin, Wm. Barnes, 
Gilbert Wright, Jr., Fones NV'ilbur, Isaac Freeman, Zina 
Clements. 

The following also served as inspectors, one or more 
years each, in the period from 1814 to 1844: John II. 
Steel, John R. Mott, Richard M. Livingston, William L. 
F. Warren, Dudley Farlin, James Green, Henry D. Chap- 
man, Elnathan Spinner, James W. Smith, Aaron Blake, 
Wm. B. Caldwell, Abram Van Duzen, Rockwell Putnam, 
Harmon J. Betts, Philip Schuyler, Daniel Morgan, Jr., 
Oliver Brisbin, Joseph Welch, James C. Milligan, Wm. 
Bennett (2d), Ashcr Smith, John P. Winney, Conrad Cra- 
mer, James Randall, Oliver Cleveland, Edward Fitch, 
Robert Y. Milligan, David Brisbin, Henry Holmes, Walter 
Van Veghten, Reuben Perry, Ephraim Hill, John G. 
Mulford, Nicholas J. Green, Thomas Smith, James Strang, 
Ephraim Hill, Reuben Perry, Alfred Scofield, Henry M. 
Dennis, Josiah Dean, James C. Milligan, Franklin Ruy, 
Paul P. Atwell, Daniel W. Belding, Wm. C. Brisbin, 
Wm. Barns, Fones Wilbur, Dr. John R. Preston, Henry 
Holmes, Richard S. Sheldon, Samuel W. Belding, Clark 
Perkins, James McNeil, Amos Reynolds, and Samuel 
Randall. 

Town Superintendents of Common Schooh. — 18 11 1 5, 
Daniel W. Belding; 1846, John R. Preston; 1847-48, 
Amos Reynolds; 1850-51, John R. Preston: 1852-53, 
Chauncey W. Allen; 1854, Nathaniel M. Wright; 1855- 
56, Chauncey W. Allen. 

COJIMIS.SIONERS' APPORTIONMENT, S.\RATOGA, MARCH, 

1878. 





^Is 


.J3 


is 


is 


























= i = 




c 




District. 




§a 


U^ 


S «> o 


i 


.H 




IP 

m 


Equal Q 
Public 


Public M 
ing to 
of Ch 


8o| 

1.11 

£ 
$338.69 


$14.34 


"a 


No. 1 


430 


S364.98 


$295.74 


5;li)i:i.75 




' 2 


38 


52.14 


26.14 


28.24 


1.27 


107.79 




• 3 


13 


52.14 


8.94 


17.35 


43 


78.86 




' 4 


433 


156.14 


297.81 


341.67 


14.44 


810.34 




' 5 


80 


52.14 


55.02 


40.14 


2.67 


149.97 




' 6 


68 


52.14 


46.77 


40.30 


2.27 


141.48 




' 1 


105 


52.14 


72.22 


73.91 


3.50 


201.77 




' 8 


55 


52.14 


37.83 


31.. 39 


1.83 


123.19 




' 9 


58 


52.14 


39.89 


28.65 


1.94 


122.62 




■ in 


68 


52.14 


46.77 


31.98 


2.27 


13:J.16 




' H 


44 


52.14 


30.26 


32.83 


1.47 


116.70 


" 12 


80 


52.14 
.$1042.80 


55.02 
$1012.41 


57.94 
«I063.09 


2.67 
$49.10 


167.77 




1472 


$3167.40 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
THE REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH OF SARATOGA. 

This church was organized before the Revolutionary 
war, certainly as early as 1772, and, no doubt, many years 
previous to that date. No record remains of the society in 
those earliest years. Even the name of the pastor is not 
recorded, and it is supposed that the services of the church 
were maintained only at intervals by minutes from Albany 



and Schenectady. That the society had strength, deter- 
mination, and some financial ability is shown from the fiict 
that they erected a house of worship, a building that 
became historic from its occupancy by the British troops, 
and its location near the very spot where the great surren- 
der of 1777 took place. It was used as a hospital, and 
George Strover relates the incident that a young lady 
seated by a north window and eating an apple was in- 
stantly killed by a rifle-shot from the American camp on 
the hill, the ball cutting her throat. She was buried within 
the church under the spot where she was killed. 3Ir. 
Strover himself saw the blood-stains on the window, and 
the bones when they were removed at the taking down of 
the building. During the war the society it.self was vir- 
tually dissolved, and a reorganization took place in 1789. 
July 10 of that year a meeting was held, in which twenty 
male members took part, and elected Cornelius Van Veghten 
and Peter Becker elders, Jesse Tall and James Abel 
deacons. They also resolved that the services of the church 
be conducted in the English language, and extended a call 
to Rev. Samuel Smith, who accepted it, came to this place 
the 9th of December, and was ordained in the month of 
January, 1790. Mr. Smith remained as pastor of the 
church until the year 1800, when he accepted a call from 
Connecticut Farms, New Jersey, and soon after removed to 
that place. He married one hundred and fifty couples in 
the ten years. 

In 1792 fifty acres of land were purchased by the so- 
ciety north of the present village of Schuylerville, and a 
par.sonage erected. This building is still standing, and 
belongs to the farm of Mrs. William JIarshall. In later 
years, the property having been sold by the society many 
years since, a neat and pleasant home for the minister has 
been secured by the society on the corner of Ferry and 
Pearl streets. After the resignation of Mr. Smith, the 
pulpit was vacant for two years, when a call was voted to 
the Rev. Philip Duryee. He accepted it December, 1802, 
and on the 18th of April, 1803, was ordained and in- 
stalled. He was pastor of the church for twenty-five years, 
and is referred to by the older residents of the town as the 
first minister they remember, and the old building as the 
first meeting-house they entered in the days of their child- 
hood. Feb. 7, 1821, tlie following record is made: "The 
consistory of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church of 
Saratoga, fully aware of their present situation, are per- 
suaded tliat the congregation have seen that the house 
which their fathers built must soon foil to pieces, and they 
and their children must be left destitute. It must have 
also occurred to the congregation that, situated as they are, 
one temple will not answer their wants, the people being 
so scattered." The society then resolved to build two 
churches, — the one to be located at Schuylerville ; the 
other west, wherever that portion of the congregation may 
direct. This led to the founding of the church at Bacon 
Hill, Northumbei-land. At last, in 1822, the old meeting- 
house of historic memory was taken down, and considerable 
of the material used in the erection of a new house on the 
present site in Schuylerville. This house was destroyed 
by fire in 1831, and was replaced by a stone edifice that 
stood until 1856, when it was demolished, and the present 




UNION FREE SCHOOL, SCHUYLERVILLE, NEW YORK. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



273 



brick structure was erected. The house stands upon a 
large and convenient lot, a broad and handsome site. The 
church lias had ten pastors since it.s reorganization in ITSil, 
and its present membership is one hundred and ninety. It 
has a consistory of ten merabei'S ; one of whom, Mr. Natlian 
Corliss, has been an officer for twenty-eight years. The 
present pastor is Rev. D. K. Van Doren. 

A few additional items are taken from the venerable 
book in possession of the church. At the meeting of 1789 
the following members took part in the election of officers: 
Peter Becker, Abram Low, John Mahawney, Simon De- 
ridder, Corruth Brisbin, Jesse Toll, Julian Winne, Hen- 
driek Van Beuren, Jacobus Abeel, John Smith, John B. 
Schuyler, Nicholas V. D. Bai'ch, Cornelius McLain, Jacob 
Dannals, Abrara Marshall, Solomon Wheeler, George Mc- 
Hutchin, James Brisbin, Stephen Viele, James Milligan. 
The officers chosen were ordained July 2G, 1789, by Rev. 
E. Westerlo, of Albany. The same day James Brisbin 
was also elected an elder, and Corruth Brisbin a deacon. 
The ordination services of Pastor Smith were conducted 
by Rev. Mr. Westerlo, of Albany, with the pastors of 
Lansingburg and Waterford. Rev. Mr. Duryea, the nest 
pastor, was ordained by Revs. Win.slow, Paige, and John 
L. Zabriskie, May 1, 1803. He was dismissed to take 
charge of a church in New Jersey, October, 1828. He 
died there in 1850. The pastors since then have been as 
follows: Rev. Hugh M. Boyd, 1829 to 1834; Rev. Ed- 
ward May, 1836 to 1839; Rev. David Jones, 1839 to 
1844; Rev. C. H. Chester, Oct. 30, 1844, to Feb. 19, 
1850 ; Rev. F. S. Searle, 1850 to 1857 ; Rev. Franklin 
Merrill, 1850 to 18G1. He died of consumption. Rev. 
A. G. Lansing followed ; he was succeeded by Rev. Isaac 
H. Collier. The present pastor. Rev. D. K. Van Doren, 
began his labors here, Aug. 1, 1874. The present Elders 
are, Nathan Corliss, George T. Watson, Samuel Sheldon, 
L. B. Viele, Samuel Wells ; Deacons, J. H. De Bidder, Z. 
French, D. Sample, J. Ingorsoll, R. Sutfin ; Clerk, S. Weils; 
Superintendent of Sunday-school, J. H. De Ridder. Schol- 
ars, two hundred ; four hundred volumes in the library. 
The first marriage recorded was Feb. 7, 1790, — Nehemiah 
Billings to Elizabeth Francis. The first baptisms, George 
and Anne, children of Jacob Dunnals, Jan. 24, 1790. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 
The Baptist church of Sehuylerville, known until 1836 
as the First Baptist church of Saratoga, was constituted in 
1790, and was received as a member of the old Shaftsbury 
Association in 1791. It united with the Saratoga Asso- 
ciation in 1805. The following remark from " Benedict's 
History of the Baptist Churches," written in 1812, taken lite- 
rally, would apply to this church, and carry the date of its 
organization back to 1772. He says, " There was a church 
founded near where Burgoyne surrendered more than forty 
years ago, which was broken up and scattered by the devas- 
tations of war." This claim is not sustained by the records 
of the Shaftsbury Association, and though the tradition 
among the people of Sehuylerville assigns a very early 
period to the eflx)rts of Baptist ministers, yet in the absence 
of all written records at home the books of the Shaftsbury 
Association must be regarded as correct. Besides, the re- 
35 



mark in Benedict's history is applied by the compiler of 
the Shaftsbury records, in 1852, to the church in Stillwater, 
and, if true at all, perhaps properly belongs there. 

The Sehuylerville church was represented in the associa- 
tion of 1791 by Rev. S. Rogers, pastor, and S. Mungcr, 
messenger. They reported forty-seven members. In 1800 
no delegates were present, and the membership is stated at 
twenty-eight. The successive Baptist ministers preaching 
for this church have been Samuel Rogers, Joseph Craw, 
Azariah Hanks, John Colby, J. Finch, S. S. Parr, Charles 
B. Keycs, Joseph W. Sawyer, P. D. Gillette, J. Murphy, 
B. F. Garfield, William Hutchinson, T. S. Rogers, William 
Bowen, Elder Coburn, Eider Dubois, William J. Loouiis, 
J. H. Bullard, William Garnet. 

The loss of the written records earlier than 1832 pre- 
vents giving the name of the first officers, with facts of 
general interest which may usually be selected from such 
records. The earlier preaching, as in the case of other so- 
cieties, was in school-houses, barns, and private houses. 

Mrs. St. John, still living in Sehuylerville, states that 
Jordan's bridge was an old place of baptism. She herself 
was baptized there in 1825. At that time, and for several 
vears after, the old meeting-hou.se was in use. This was prob- 
ably built in 1807 or 1808. It stood near the present resi- 
dence of Morgan Moe, about three miles from Sehuylerville. 
It is still standing, moved back from the road, and used as 
a hay-barn. Stafford's bridge was another place of bap- 
tism. The new house in Sehuylerville was built about the 
year 1833. Prominent members and deacons in early 
years were Reuben Perry, James Lewis, Elihu Billings, and 
William T. Smith. 

Rev. Samuel Rogers, the first minister of this church, 
had been in the military service during the Revolutionary 
war. He was a teamster attached to the army of Gates at 
the time of the battles of Saratoga. One night he was 
carrying a load of specie northward, and was so closely fol- 
lowed by the British, and the muddy roads so delayed his 
progress, he was obliged to cut his team loose, — allow them 
to go, — while he carried the kegs of specie into the woods 
and kept guard over them all night. The nest day he 
succeeded in getting them safely to their destination. He 
died in Stillwater, Feb. 6, 1823. At the time of build- 
ing the house in Sehuylerville Joshua Finch was clerk, 
and Richard M. Livingston was a very active leader in 
securing the erection of the new hou.se. The church cost 
about .$1600. Since Joshua Finch there have been only 
two clerks,— R. S. Sheldon and Jacob Osborne, the latter 
serving for more than twenty years. 

Deacons at the present time are 0. J. Bates, Benjamin 
Tabor, and Charles Devoe. Trustees are James Dilling- 
ham, Jacob Osborne, and Nathaniel M. Bennett. 

Jacob Osborne, in furnishing these statistics, adds, that 
religious services was conducted by Elder Gillette when 
the remains were removed from the old Broad street burial- 
ground to the North cemetery in 1840. 

Mr. Osborne was present and saw the ground dug over 
carefully, and the remains of about seventy bodies removed. 
It is not believed that any were left. 

The society have recently settled Rev. Irving C. Forte, 
formerly of the editorial staff of the Clyde Times, western 



274 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



New York. He enters upon his new field of labor with 
excellent prospects of usefulness, and the venerable society 
of other days is renewing the vigor of its youth in the 
activities of Christian work. 

From the records of the First Baptist church of Still- 
water, it appears the following luembers were set off some time 
before ISOO to form the church at Fish creek : Jonathan 
Kendall, Seth Crowell, Henry Knapp, Alpheus Davis, Hez- 
ekiah Dunham, Joseph Coon, Timothy Carrier, Jonathan 
Sweet, Mr. Petit, Rufus Ballard, Zaecheus Taylor, Niles 
Taylor, Solomon Carrier, Benjamin Taylor, Thomas Gordon, 
Daniel Miller, George Coon, David Cross, Hezokiah Belts, 
Sampson Davis. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

The subscription to build the house, an old time-stained 
document, bears date Jan. 30, 1827. The paper has this 
preface, " From Lansingburg along the valley of the 
Hudson for fifty miles, with a breadth of from eight to 
ten miles, the Episcopal IMethodists have not one house 
dedicated to the worship of God. Private dwellings, school- 
houses, and barns have hitherto afforded to their classes a 
precarious yet acceptable resort. Perhaps there is not a 
spot in that rich and populous district of country where 
so many of this denomination of Christians would meet, as 
at Schuylerville, if a suitable edifice could be erected." 

The effort was successful, and a hou.se costing 81600 was 
built in the summer of 1827, and dedicated in the fall. The 
same house is still standing, kept in good repair, a neat and 
appropriate chapel, better after fifty years' use than if it had 
that modern attachment — a mortgage — resting upon it. 
The trustees at the time of building were John Cox, Jede- 
diah Beckwith, Oliver Cleveland, John Seeley, and George 
Strover. The class-leaders were John Cox, Asa Welch, 
and John Seeley. John Cox was also steward, clerk, and 
sexton. Of these names, John Seeley is still living in 
Rochester, of this State, and George Strover in this place. 
Earlier than the building of the house, there were many 
years of pioneer work by the Methodist ministers in this 
town. 

Peter Gallett, to whose industry in gathering and keeping 
the old records we are indebted for these facts, in his 
youth heard the Rev. Mr. Campbell give an account of his 
early labors here, far back nearly or quite to the year 1 800. 
In those times he traveled a circuit three hundred miles or 
more in extent, taking six weeks to fill the circuit appoint- 
ments, endured all the difficulties of pioneer work, fording 
streams, staying in the woods, preaching from stumps, hold- 
ing service in school-houses and in barns. 

Milligan's hill school-house was an old-time place of 
Methodist preaching ; also the place known now as Hem- 
lock. At Schuylerville, quarterly meetings were first held 
in the barn on the Schuyler place. In connection with the 
church a female missionary society was organized in 1832, 
with Mary Ross, president ; Sarah Ward, vice-president ; 
Sarah Cox, treasurer ; Elizabeth Cox, secretary. 

The first Sabbath-school was established by an organized 
society, of which Rev. Robert Washburn was president ; 
John Seeley, secretary ; John Cox, superintendent. Philip 
Schuyler's name appears as a subscriber to the funds of the 
school. The roll of members in 1827 includes about thirty- 



five. Services have always been continued without inter- 
ruption. The present number of members is about three 
hundred, and there is an attendance at the Sunday-school 
of nearly one hundred and fifty. Present officers are A. 
F. Bailey, preacher; Isaac Whitman, superintendent of 
Sunday-school; trustees, Edwin Root, Isaac Whitman, 
Peter Gallett, James McAchron, David Graw, William 
Marshall, and John Chapman. John Cox, whose name 
appears so often in the early records, served the church 
faithfully in various positions for more than thirty years. 
The successive preachers appointed to this charge from 
1825 to the present time have been B. Griffin, W. P. Lake, 
W. H. Norris, G. Lyons, C. P. Clark, D. Ensign, J. Bea- 
man, J. D. INIoriaty, N. Rice, S. Stevens, J. Lucky, P. 
Newman, D. Braylore, T. Newman, P. P. Atwell, 0. Pier, 
E. Goss, J. Harwood, H. Burton, C. Meeker, J. Quinlin, 
D. Stephens, H. Chase, S. Coleman, C. Pomeroy, J. B. 
Houghtaling, C. R. Norris, S. Stiles, P. M. Hitchcock, 0. 
Emerson, J. Sage, J. Quinlin, P. S. Williams, C. L. Wager, 
J. W. Belknap, P. P. Harrower, R. Fox, S. Meredith, W. 
Bedell, W. J. Heaih, L. Marshall, J. B. Sylvester, W. H. 
L. Starke, S. M. Williams, A. S. Bailey. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The movement that led to the establishment of the 
Episcopal church in Schuylerville commenced just north, 
in the town of Northumberland. Rev. Reuben Hubbard, 
traveling through here in 1838, and stopping at the house 
of Mr. Jesse Finne, and becoming known as a member of 
the Episcopal church, to which Mr. Finne had been at- 
tached in his youth, was cordially invited by him to preach, 
and did .so in his house, March 19. Services were held in 
this manner for several years. The first baptisms were 
three children of Mr. John Finne, duly recorded in the 
books of St. John's church, Stillwater. 

The first service in the village of Schuylerville was held 
in the old academy, Feb. 25, 1844, by Rev. Reuben Hub- 
bard. The first formal organization was made at the house 
of Mr. Finne, March 2, 1846. Rev. Reuben Hubbard 
presided, and John Metcalf was .secretary. They deter- 
mined upon the name of St. Stephen's church, and elected 
the following officers : Jesse Finne and James Pickering, 
wardens; John Finne, Joseph Finne, Benjamin Losee, 
James Pickering, George U. Gates, James E. Stebbins, 
John R. Preston, and Henry W. Merrill, vestrymen. 

The delegates to the diocesan convention of 1846 were 
Thomas Ball, James Pickering, and James G. Stebbins. 
At the meeting of Sept. 12, 1846, a lot gratuitously 
offered by the Victory Manufacturing Company was duly 
and gratefully accepted ; but the society did not build at 
that time, and services were not maintained regularly for 
some years after 1850. 

The church was finally built and presented to the society 
by Dr. Payne, to whom great credit is due for this munifi- 
cent and graceful gift. It occupies a most beautiful and 
picturesque spot, and is itself a model of church architecture 
at once neat and classical. 

The services of the first clergyman, Rev. Reuben Hub- 
bard, were continued down to 1850, when the congregation, 
in accepting his resignation, placed upon th^ir records a 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



275 



strons; expression of tlieir love and esteem. The corner- 
stone of the church was hilJ June 2, 18GS, Rev. P. B. 
Gibson officiatiiiLC, and the church was opened for service on 
Christmas-day of the same year. A font, presented by Dr. 
Payne, was first u.sed on Good Friday, 1869, five persons 
being then baptized. The rectorsiiip of the church lias 
subsequently been filled by Rev. George Forbes, Rev. John 
H. Babcock, Rev. George Walker, and the present incum- 
bent, Rev. Dr. Dean, who commenced his labors here Oct. 
17, 1875. The present ofticers are Dr. C. H. Payne, 
John R. Preston, wardens ; George Strover, S. R. Law- 
rence, Peter Davison, H. P. Shaw, J. H. Smith, John 
Knapton, Richard Rastall, Fred. JIcNau;j:hton, vestrymen. 
The last named is clerk, and the facts for this sketch are 
obtained from the carefully-written records in bis office. 

friends' meetings. 

These were established in this town very early, — from 
1765 to 1770. A log meeting-house was erected before 
the War of the Revolution, at or near the site of the 
present one, south of Quaker Springs. Tiie founders 
of the organization were Gabriel Leggett, Isaac Leggett, 
Tibbett Soule, Thomas Wilbur, Fones Wilbur, George 
Davis, David Shepherd, John Walker, and a number of 
others whose names it is difficult to obtain, as the records 
now in possession of the society do not extend back earlier 
than 1793. The deed for the site of the meeting-house 
bears date Oct. 16, 1793, and conveys the title from John 
R. Bleecker to William Barker and Isaac Leggett, as trus- 
tees. Isaac Leggett was the first minister, and continued 
in that capacity for many years. He was a man of eminent 
worth, and withal possessing a decided turn for the pleasant 
and even humorous side of life. Taken prisoner by the 
Indians in the early times, he conducted himself with such 
hilarity, and played such pranks with the young Indians, 
tripping them up and pushing them into the water, that 
he escaped all severe treatment, and was not long after re- 
leased. Meetings have been continued through all the 
years with unwavering regularity. After the death of Isaac 
Leggett, several ministers for a few years spoke in the 
meetings until about 1820, when Andrew Dorland was 
generally recognized as the minister of the society. From 
that time for more than fifty years he has walked before 
the people in that faith and love which characterize true 
Friends everywhere; and he yet lives in a hale and happy 
old age, neither his mental powers nor his eye waxed dim. 

The records show that at a meeting held the 21st of 
7th month, 1794, John Davis and Jemima Arnold were 
clerks. 

On the 28th of 1st month, 1795, George Davis was 
married to Nancy Mead, and we give the names of the 
witnesses, as showing many of the early settlers before 1800, 
and the principal membership of the meeting; Isaac Leg- 
gett, Jonathan Griffin, Gideon 3Iead, John Davis, Joshua 
McOmber, John Dillingham, Thomas Bennett, Gabriel 
Leggett, William Barker, David Dillingham, Nathan 
Mosher, Charles Leggett, David Mosher, John Dillingham, 
Thomas Shepherd, James Covil, James Cooper, Martha 
Mead, Ruth Dillingham, Bridget Leggett, Fanny Mead, 
Hannah Mosher, Mary Covil. 



Another early marriage recorded is that of David Mosher 
to P^sther Ackerraan, 1st of 4th month, 1795. The pi-esent 
officers are David Griffen, clerk ; Andrew Dorland, minis- 
ter. The society constitutes the Saratoga monthly meet- 
ing, and is attached to the Saratoga ijuarterly meeting, 
which has its regular place of meeting at this point, but 
does sometimes adjourn to meet in other places, and this 
latter body belongs to the New York yearly meeting. 

CHURCH OF THE VISIT.\TION (C.-VTHOLIC). 

Previous to 1847 there were no regular or permanent 
services of the Catholic church in this town, but there 
were many Catholic families already settled here. John 
Lynch, 3Iichael and John Kelley, Patrick, James, and 
Lawrence Cooney, Wm. Carroll, Charles and Andrew Far- 
ley, Hugh and John Quinn, Hugh T. White, Hugh Tem- 
ple, John Cavanaugh, James and Thomas Mulvihill, 
Patrick Lennon, Peter Garrihan, Patrick Airn, Patrick, 
James, and Mathew Gearatty, Wm. Fitzsimmons, Hugh 
Geary and Peter Bannon. 

The only churches of their faith within a circuit of 
thirty miles were at Lansingburg, Whitehall, and Sandy 
Hill. It required much earnest self-sacrifice and a strong 
love for their faith to go to these distant places, oftentimes 
on foot, to attend service. It is said that in order to be 
present at early mass on Christmas morning, many would 
set out together on foot the previous night. The first 
meetings in this place wore held at the houses of different 
members, conducted at irregular intervals by visiting priests. 
Sunday-school was generally held at the house of William 
Carroll. Catholic services were also held in the old Schuy- 
lerville Academy, and in the school-house east of the well- 
known " Mansion House." Ground was broken for a 
church in 1845. This was on a lot nearly opposite the 
present Reformed Protestant church. A plain wooden 
structure was erected at an expense of about $700, and 
consecrated in 1847 by Bishop McCloskey. This work 
was executed under the labors of Rev. Father Daly. He 
was succeeded by Rev. Father Cull in the missionary 
work, who, under the rapid increase of the congregation, 
was obliged to make additions to the church. The first 
resident priest was Rev. Father Roach, who was succeeded 
in a short time by the present pastor. Rev. H. B. Finue- 
gan. 

The church was burned to the ground on Sunday morn- 
ing, June 22, 1871. The society then worshiped for a 
time in the public hall at Victory Mills. The corner- 
stone of the new church was laid by Bi.shop Conroy, of 
Albany. The work was pushed through with great energy 
to completion, and the church dedicated by Bishop McNier- 
ney, Oct. 21, 1873. It is a fine structure, second to none 
in the valley of the upper Hudson. To build it required 
energy, determination, perseverance, and heavy financial 
sacrifices by various individuals. Its cost was §40,000. 
It occupies a commanding po.sition, convenient for the two 
villages and overlooking the surrounding country for many 
miles. The Catholic population included within the parish 
of this church, extending somewhat beyond the borders of 
this town, is twelve hundred. It has a Sunday-school of 
two hundred pupils, superintended by Mr. John Carlin. 



276 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Tin.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

The old burial-grounds in town are places of much in- 
terest and contain some stones of very early date. At 
Coveville, on the farm now owned by Charles Searles, 
there is an inclosure containing the remains of many of 
the first settlers. There are recorded " Abram Marshall, 
who departed this life April 30, 1811, aged eighty years 
and ten months ;" " His wife Susannah, died in 1822, aged 
eighty-eight;" " Elizabeth, daughter of Refine and Mary 
Geer, died July 7, 1800;" "Stephen, son of Richard 
Davis, died April 3, 1801, aged eleven." Children of Her- 
man Van Veghten and of Walter Van Veghten are also 
recorded as having died in 1795, 1797, 1802, and 1806. 
Besides these there are the unmaiked aTid unnamed graves 
of many others. Over them still blooms the annual tribute 
of roses planted by loving hands, surviving the neglect of 
years, and struggling successfully with the briers and 
shrubs that have in later years intruded upon the sacred 
place. 

The old burial-ground on the Elihu Billings farm, with 
the old pines crowning the hill, and waving beautifully over 
the dead, forms a picturesque spot. Here are found several 
inscriptions dating earlier than 1800. " Rev. Elisha Tup- 
per, died Jan. 19, 1787, aged eighty." "Rebecca, wife of 
Christopher Peikins, died March 18, 1795." "John, son 
of Thomas Smith, died June 2, 1792." " Naomi, daughter 
of Thomas Smith, died March 11, 1796." " Nathan Davis, 
died Sept. 17, 1792, aged twenty-seven." 

We give a few later ones : " Sarah, wife of Stephen 01- 
ney, died Sept. 3, 1808." " Stephen Olney, Jr., died Aug. 
28, 1807." " Stephen Olney, died March 20, 1833, aged 
seventy-six." " Thomas Smith, ditd March 22, 1801, aged 
sixty-seven." " Hezekiah Dunham, died April 27, 1810, 
aged sixty-five." " Captain Jesse Billings, died Feb. 12, 
1820, aged eighty-three." 

On the Esquire Bailey farm is a burial-ground, full, going 
back to Vroman's time. The only early stone is to the 
memory of Henry Green, died in 1809. 

There are private burial-places also of the Brisbin fam- 
ilies and of some others. The ancient Friends' burial- 
ground, not far from the meeting-house, contains in its 
long, close rows of graves the buried dust of many an early 
settler. There, in the solemn silence of calm, trusting faith, 
the dead have for years been laid to rest, and they sleep as 
peacefully under the buttercups and the daisies as those 
who slumber beneath the monumental marble of other more 
showy, but not more sacred grounds. 

Early burials at Schuylerville were on the corner of 
Broad and Burgoyne streets. From this ground the dead 
were all carefully removed, in 1840, to the cemetery north 
of the village. This is now but little used, and its successor 
is the beautifully-located Prospect Hill cemetery, on the 
heights of Saratoga, as they are described in the histories 
of the olden times. 



IX.— SOCIETIES AND BANKS. 

A Masonic lodge existed in Schuylerville in early times. 
It ceased to work about the time so many other lodges in 
the State were closed, and it is not now easy to ascertain its 



charter members, first ofiicers, or other items of history 
concerning it. 

Sons of Temperance. — Battle Ground Division, No. 247, 
was organized April 19, 1847. The charter members were 
George Strover, Walter Mott, Joseph T. Smith, Richard 
S. Sheldon, John A. Clapp, James G. Stebbins, Joseph 
Darby, John B. Brisbin, Wm. Bement. 

George Strover was the first P. W. P. ; Walter Mott, 
W. P. ; Richard S. Sheldon, R. S. ; Joseph Smith, C. It 
continued its work only three years, but its meetings were 
interesting, and the old members still recollect them with 
pleasure. 

Odd-Fellows. — A lodge existed here dui'ing the first 
growth of the order, but was finally discontinued. It has, 
however, been revived in later years, and has again a good 
membership in working condition. 

Banks. — The first bank in Schuylerville was a private 
institution, by Wm. Wilcox, with a capital of $50,000. 
This enterprise was begun in 1853. In 1856 it was merged 
into an organized bank, under the name of the " Bank of 
Old Saratoga." It had a capital of $100,000, and was 
managed by a board of sixteen directors. Wm. Wilcox 
was president, and Giles S. Brisbin cashier. This bank 
was regularly closed in 1865, and was succeeded by " The 
National Bank of Schuylerville." The capital of the bank 
is $100,000, and it has at the present time a board of seven 
directors, — C. W. Mayhew, president ; G. F. Watson, 
cashier; J. H. De Ridder, teller; Samuel Sheldon, W. P. 
Ostrander, R. English, H. C. Holmes. 

X.— HISTORIC EVENTS AND LOCALITIES. 

No history of the town of Saratoga or the village of Schuy- 
lerville can be complete without giving briefly the events of 
the Burgoyne campaign of 1777. The British army, under 
Burgoyne, left Montreal in June. The American army, 
under General Schuyler, was then at Fort Ticonderoga. On 
the 4th of July, the first anniversary of the Declaration of 
Independence, General Burgoyne having seized the heights 
of Mount Defiance, compelled the Americans to abandon 
the fort and retreat. July 13, the American army was at 
Fort Edward, and the British army at Whitehall. 

Burgoyne pressed closely upon the retreating forces of 
the Americans. On the 28th of July, Schuyler's army was 
at Moses Kill, eight miles above Schuylerville, and two days 
later it had reached what is now Schuylerville itself On 
the 2d day of August the army of Schuyler moved yet 
farther down the valley, and encamped in the present town 
of Stillwater. Meanwhile the British army arrived at the 
high grounds, less than two miles above the village of 
Schuylerville, on the east side of the Hudson, and north of 
the mouth of Batten Kill. 

On the 10th of September he continued the forward 
movement. His army crossed to the west side of the Hudson 
river, north of Schuylerville, and just below the present 
State dam. The point where the army reached the west 
shore is upon the farm now owned by D. A. BuUard, and 
the excavation through the bank of the river is yet plainly 
visible. The army halted lor a time on the actual site of 
Schuylerville, its encampment supposed to have been along 
a line north and south from the present Reformed church. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



277 



Meanwhile, before the stirring news from Bennington had 
aroused the whole people, in fact five days before the battle 
of Bennington was fought. General Schuyler left Stillwater, 
and by the 18th, two days after the battle of Bennington, 
had intrenched his army on an island at the mouth of the 
Mohawk river. 

In the mean time Schuyler was removed and General 
Gates assigned to the command while as yet the result at 
Bennington was unknown, for General Gates reached the 
army Aug. 19, only three days later than the battle of Ben- 
nington. He came at an auspicious hour for his own fame 
as well as for the safety of the army. 

Soon the American army returned northward, selected 
Bemus Heights, fortified them, and awaited events. Bur- 
goyne, though feeling seriously the defeat at Bennington, 
was nevertheless obliged to attempt the execution of the 
original plan. Like the brave general he was, at the head 
of brave men, he faced the danger, led his forces into action, 
and gave the American army ample opportunity for exert- 
ing all their skill and bravery. The decisive battles of 
Sept. 19 and Oct. 7 left the British army with no resource 
but retreat or surrender. The former was attempted, 
though after considerable delay. They reached Schuylerville 
Oct. 10, and for a short time were on the south side of Fish 
creek, and General Burgoyne occupied the Schuyler man- 
sion as his headquarters. The American army, following, 
compelled them to cross Fish creek and enter old Fort 
Hardy. They threw up a breastwork, inclosing the fort 
and an encampment about fifty rods square in the angle be- 
tween the river and the creek. They also held the range 
of hills to the west, along the heights of the present new 
cemetery, and northward to the house of the late Wm. B. 
Marshall. General Gates was soon encamped on the range 
of hills south of Fish creek, and anticipating the course of 
events, he had some days before sent a force northward on 
the east side of the river. The positions occupied were at 
Fort Edwards, also on the north side of the Batten Kill, 
and on the present Simon Sheldon farm, nearly opposite 
Schuylerville. This last is clearly seen at the present time 
as a projecting spur of the hill north of Sheldon's house, 
and leveled at the top. 

Burgoyne was hopelessly surrounded : artillery to the 
north, guarding the fords; the main army of General 
Gates on the southern bills over the creek, and riflemen in 
the woods to the west, rendering Burgoyne's outer lines 
scarcely tenable. The environment was completed by the 
13th. A brief armistice took place, and the absolute sur- 
render of the entire army quickly followed. The main 
features of the surrender are well settled by the numerous 
histories of the campaign. They are substantially affirmed 
by the tradition of the older inhabitants of Schuylerville. 
The British soldiers piled their arms (not stacked them) 
in a diagonal line from the mouth of Fish creek northwest 
towards the Wm. B. Marshall house. General Gates' tent 
was pitched " on level ground, one hundred and thirty-nine 
to one hundred and fifty rods" south of Fish creek, accord- 
ing to General Mattoon, an eye-witness, then lieutenant in 
an artillery company. About noon of the 17th, General 
Burgoyne, with his staff, approached the tent and was in- 
troduced to General Gates. The American army were 



drawn up along the heights to the south and west, and 
after the British officers were received and seated at dinner, 
the unarmed prisoners filed past, the Americans receiving 
them to the music of "Yankee Doodle," and the new flag 
just adopted — the stars and stripes — waving above the 
general's tent. 

If the exact position of the headquarters may not be 
positively decided, yet the site of the Dutch church (well 
known), the ground required to bo level, and the distance 
south of Fish creek given at " one hundred and thirty-nine 
to one hundred and fifty rods," together settle the location 
very nearly. General Mattoon's recently republished letter, 
in describing the roaiJ, speaks of it as near the bank of the 
river above Fish creek. If this was the case south of the 
creek, then the measurement for the " one hundred and 
thirty-nine to one hundred and fifty rods" should begin 
near the mouth of the creek, or near what is considered an 
old fording-place, rather than at the present crossing of the 
main road. 

Albert Clemons, ninety-six years of age, says Abram 
Marshall, who was present at the surrender, told him often 
that it was " near the old Dutch church." Several other 
citizens of Schuylerville report the same statement from 
other eye-witnesses. 

There has been a tradition in Schuylerville that the sur- 
render took place on the north side of the creek, and near 
an elm-tree on the east of Broad street. If this tradition 
related to the formal delivery of the sword, it cannot be 
correct from the statements already given. But the agree- 
ment to surrender, and the conference for drawing up the 
necessary papers, may have occurred at that place. 

As Fish creek was the dividing line between the two 
armies, the two generals or their representatives no doubt 
met somewhere near the creek, either one side or the other, 
and the tradition is pretty well sustained that it was under 
this elm-tree. 

It is very certain, however, that the formal surrender of 
the sword took place south of Fish creek, " near the old 
Dutch church." 

For a fine view of all these points at once, the tourist 
should climb the hill on the Simon Sheldon farm, ca.st of 
the river, and stand where the American cannon were 
placed during those eventful days. 

The ground even then was already historic. Along the 
banks of the Hudson, flowing now as it flowed past Bur- 
goyne's last encampment, the French and Indians had 
marched a hundred years before, to desolate the villages of 
the Mohawk and the pioneer homes of New England. A 
little to the north the Batten Kill flows into the Hudson. 
From the high lands north of it Burgoyne descended to the 
river, and the fording-place is just in sight where he crossed 
to attempt the march upon Albany. South of the Batten 
Kill is the spot where old Fort Saratoga was erected in 
1709. Its exact site is unknown, but it was very probably 
upon a beautifully rounded knoll (marked now by a single 
small pine), part of the second hill south of the Batten 
Kill. 

Opposite the mouth of the Batten Kill across the river 
is the Marshall house, before described as the place where 
the ladies aiid wounded officers of Burgoyne's army were 



278 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



placed, and which, mistaken for the British headquarters, 
was fired upon by Lieutenant Mattoon's artillery, from the 
heights north of Batten Kill. 

In front of Simon Sheldon's lie the long, even, and beau- 
tiful ranges of hills, rising gently from the river, at the foot 
and on the slopes of which is now situated the village of 
Schuylerville. A little to the south Fish creek joins the 
Hudson, and its course is marked by the trees clustering 
along its banks, between the cultivated hills on either side. 
North of the mouth of the creek, and next the river, is the 
level field, the site of Fort Hardy. South of the creek is 
the Schuyler mansion, hidden in its own beautiful grove. 
Just south of this stood the one burned by order of Bur- 
goyne. And a little southeast, back of the ancient lilacs, 
the older one in which Captain Peter Schuyler was shot by 
the Indian in 1745, and which was burned over his bleed- 
ing remains. Beyond is the site of the old Dutch church, 
where the voice of prayer and praise had risen amid those 
dark forests for many years before. West and south rise 
the hills where the army of General Gates was entamped, 
flushed with exultation at the bravely-won triumph. 
Between the hills and the river, or on a slightly terraced 
plateau south from the church, lies the "level grouud" 
where was the marquee of General Gates. 

The auspicious morning dawned at last. The papers had 
been signed, the details of the surrender settled, and all this 
vast amphitheatre was alive with the stir of one of the most 
decisive events of history. 

The circling hills, the flowing rivers, the far-reaching 
valleys and the grand old forests, added beauty and splen- 
dor to the scene, while the brighest of the autumn colors 
were mingled with the dark hues of the waving pines. 

Slowly the English soldiers perform their unwonted task. 
Their arms left in Fort Hardy, they march as prisoners 
over the stream and past the American army. General 
Burgoyne surrenders his sword in sight of the ruins of 
the Schuyler mansion, burned by his orders, and the old 
church desecrated by his army. 

The surrender at Schuylerville made the final surrender 
at Yorktown possible. Defeat here would have made final 
defeat probable, if not certain. 

Well may a monument rise from one of the most beau- 
tiful hills encircling this valley, and these thrilling events 
be written upon the imperishable granite, that all future 
ages may read the story of Saratoga, and the surrender at 
Schuylerville. 

The town of Saratoga is thus shown to be rich in his- 
toric associations. In and around Schuylerville the spots 
of peculiar interest are : 1st, the site of old Fort Hardy, 
where the British army stacked their arms ; 2d, the old 
Marshall house, north of the village, where were the 
wounded ofiicers and the ladies of the ofiicers' families ; 
3d, the Schuyler mansion and grounds ; 4th, the old elm- 
tree on Broad street, quite well authenticated as the place 
of the preliminary meeting with reference to the surrender ; 
5th, the place of the formal delivery of Burgoyne's sword, 
not precisely located, but " near the old Dutch church ;" 
Gth, the site of the church itself, which stood in the corner 
between the river-road and the one leading from the coal 
depot of the Victory company to their mills, in Victory 



village ; 7th, the remains of intrenchments on the hills south 
of the Victory, and also north ; 8th, Prospect Hill cemetery, 
the site of extensive fortifications ; 9th, the plateau where 
the cannon were placed, on the other side of the river, on 
the Sheldon fariu ; lOtli, the place where Burgoyne's army 
crossed the river above Schuylerville; and 11th, we venture 
to add the Alonzo Welch place as the probable site of Brit- 
ish burials, and where many relics have been found. To 
erect a monument on Prospect hill, and to mark with 
granite posts and flags the other spots to be seen from the 
monument, is a patriotic work in which the State, and even 
the national government itself, might well share. 

Through the courtesy of Dr. Harris and Mr. Atwill, we 
are permitted to add the following afiidavit with reference 
to the events of 1777. Its special interest is its full de- 
scription of the old intrenchments, and it is made by a 
gentleman very clear in his recollection and careful in his 
statements : 

" John C. Jeffords, being duly sworn, deposes and says : I am 
eighty-five years old, past: was born in the town and county of Sara- 
toga on the I'tth day of September, A.n. 1791. Until I was about 
seven years of age I lived in the house where I was born, viz., a log 
house about three-fourths of a mile southeast of the village of Victory 
Mills, N. Y., and, with the exception of about ten years, I have con- 
tinued to reside in said town and county, and twenty-one years of 
the time I acted as constable. I am acquainted with sites where I 
have seen breastworks said to have been thrown up by or under the 
direction of Burgoyne for shelter to his army from the enemy, Gen- 
eral Gates. The greatest piece of breastwork that I have seen was 
on the hill where the new cemetery now is. which were from five to 
seven feet high. I saw also another line of breastworks on the land 
now owned by Alanson Welch, which were not so high. There were 
about twelve or fourteen large buildings made of hewn timber in aline, 
extending from the present residence of said A. AVelch, south and west 
along the highway, which I have heard said were built and occupied 
by General Burgoyne as barracks. My grandfather on my mother's 
side, John Calvert, said that when Burgoyne's army retreated from 
Bemus Heights, they stopped a while by the old Dutch church, which 
was just south of Fish creek. I have seen breastworks and rifle-pits 
said to have been thrown up and used by General Gates' jirray, in the 
village of Victory Mills, between Michael Welch and Henry Mar- 
shall's lands, and on James Whaley's farm. My grandfather, who 
was fighting under General Gates, also s.aid th.it at the time of the 
surrender of Burgoyne, General Gates' headquarters were a little south 
of the old Dutch church, on a high bluff. Also, that General Bur- 
goyne's headquarters were a little southwest of the place where now 
is Prospect Hill cemetery. When I was twenty-two years old, two 
Englishmen gave me one dollar to pilot them to a certain pine-tree 
near where the headquarters of Burgoyne were. And afterwards I 
heard that they dug up and carried off in the night a large cannon 
said to have been buried by some of the British army. The old Dutch 
church stood south of the first road south of Fish creek, but north of 
a road that has since been discontinued. I can go to within twenty 
feet of where the said church once stood. 

" John C. jEPFORns. 
''Sworn and subscribed before me, this 7th day of July, 1877, 

"S. Wells, yutavy Public." 

XI.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 
MANUFACTURES. 

The Saratoga Victory manufacturing company estab- 
lished their mills at Victory in 1846. The original capital 
invested was about 8425,000. Large amounts of money 
have been expended upon the works since. They are 
doubling their power this year by putting in steam-engines, 
at an expense of $40,000. In connection with the facto- 
ries there are dyeing and finishing works. They manufac- 




RE5/DtNC£ or MRS.WILLIAM B. MARSHALL , ScHuruffviuE.S/tWTOGA Co, fl r „, „„, ^„, .,„^„„,„,„r 

Above is a view of Gen. BuffooVNES /^mosuarters in 1777, maoame Riedesel takino refuge in the cellar Bu/^m& the Cannonao/no. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



279 



ture silesias and cambrics. The amount for the year closing 
July 1, 1877, is 819,988 pounds, or, expressed in yards, 
4,487,190. The company employs about 700 hands. The 
capacity of their works is 26,000 spindles. The mills 
have been run to their full capacity during the depressed 
times of the last four years. The same company pur- 
chased about twenty years since the cotton - factory at 
Schuylerville. This runs 6000 spindles and employs about 
80 hands. This is the original factory built by Philip 
Schuyler in 1828, and is the oldest but one in the State. 
The prist-mill and saw-mill at Grangerville are also owned 
by this company, thus giving them the full control of this 
valuable water-power. They have owned there about 
eighteen years. The present officers of the company are 
E. L. Mudge, Lowell Lincoln, and C. W. Mayhew, trus- 
tees ; E. L. Mudge, president; C. H. Joy, treasurer; C. 
W. Mayhew, agent. 

The paper-mills of Schuylerville, now owned by D. A. 
BuUard & Sons, was established in 18G3 by D. A. Bullard 
& Co. The buildings arc on Main street. The grist-mill 
also owned by them, near their paper-mill, is situated on 
the site of the old mill burned by order of Burgoyne. 
The capital invested in the paper-mill and business is over 
8150,000. They employ 70 hands, and manufacture about 
four tons of book- and news-paper a day. D. A. Bullard, 
the senior partner in this firm, also owns one-third interest 
in the paper-mills at Fort Miller, five miles above. Their 
works at Schuylerville were destroyed by an explosion in 
1864. Their own buildings, as well as several others, were 
piled in one iu)men.se heap of ruins. In 1870, a portion 
of the works were again destroyed by a similar explosion. 

The head of this firm has been identified with the busi- 
ness interests of Schuylerville for many years. He is the 
oldest resident of Schuylerville who was born within its 
limits, and is now sixty-three years of age. His father, the 
late Alpheus Bullard, came from Maine, and settled in 
Schuylerville about 1810. He died in 18G5, aged eighty. 
There are five sons living : D. A. Bullard and John Bul- 
lard, of Schuylerville, General E. F. Bullard, of Saratoga 
Springs, David H. Bullard, of Glen's Falls, and William 
Bullard, of Batavia, Genesee Co. One daughter became 
the wife of John McBride, and the other of Mr. Raynor, 
of New York. The wife of the latter is dead ; and one son, 
Thomas J. Bullard, died in 1874. He was a merchant 
in Schuylerville. 

Clothing-tcorks. — A fulling-mill was established by the 
Schuylers very early. The date is uncertain, but the neces- 
sities of the country and the convenience of the water- 
power must have led to it perhaps by 1800, if not before. 
In 1819, when Mr. Lawrence, father of Seth A. Lawrence 
of Schuylerville, took possession, it was already an old mill, 
and stood just below the dam above the present sash-fac- 
tory. Mr. Lawrence continued this till about the year 
1830, when, Mr. Schuyler having a few years before fitted 
up a part of the old distillery for a woolen-factory, Mr. 
Lawrence took charge of this, and the business was con- 
tinued by him until 1840. He left it for a time, return- 
ing again in 1845, and the works were continued either by 
him or others with some interruptions until the building 
was destroyed by fire. 



FoHndnj.—ln the foil of 1 832 David B. French, of 
Argyle, Washington county, came to Schuylerville looking 
for a place to establish a foundry, — as there was then 
scarcely any such establishment in the valley north of 
Troy. He made a contract for the old distillery and for 
the basement of the woolen-factory, and commenced opera- 
tions immediately. David Craw (now one of the proprietors, 
then a boy) was with Mr. French when he came to the 
place. During a long series of years Mr. French remained 
in connection with the works, having various partners, — 
Messrs. Pond, Strang, Richardson, Conrad Cramer, James 
Cramer, and Benjamin Losee. Mr. French finally retired 
in 1865, when the firm was changed to David Craw & Co., 
and remains so at the present time. Through all this 
long period the works have never been suspended. The 
capital invested is about $30,000. The number of hands 
employed is ten. The line of work consists of agricultural 
implements, paper-mill machinery, and general repair. 

Obadiah Knapp, grandfather of David Craw, was an 
early settler here before the Revolution. Mr. Craw has 
heard him relate the story of the surrender. The last 
time he was here he showed the place of Lovelaces execu- 
tion. It was an apple-tree ; the stump of which could 
then be seen on the Gravel hill above where it is now cut 
away. He pointed out the place of burial as near as the 
fact that the hill has been removed would permit. His 
account of the burial agrees with Mr. Stover's account of 
the finding of the remains. The surrender of the sword, 
according to Mr. Knapp's account, must have been, as 
already shown, south of the Dutch church, and not far 
from what was, probably, a small level spot before the 
canal was dug, near the small ravine, and north of the hill 
on which the flag-staff has been recently placed. 

XII.— MILIT.'\RY. 

The War of 1812 was watched with intense interest in 
this section, and considerable apprehension was felt that the 
old Burgoyne campaign of thirty-five years before might be 
repeated. The town furnished its quota for the army. For 
the names of the men who went into the service we are 
dependent mostly upon the memory of citizens. The fol- 
lowing are all we have obtained. Wm. Clements, George 
Strover, Henry D. Chapman, Nathaniel Somes, Jilisha 
Phillips, substitute for James Serviss, Justus Fuller, Jlartin 
Rogers, and Isaac Ackerman. The latter was wounded at 
Sacket's Harbor in both shoulders by one shot. Also we 
add, on the authority of Werter Somes (to whom we are 
indebted for many other items of early times), the names of 
Archibald Fuller, Wm. Ward, Samuel Eldredge, Nicholas 
Viele, John Rogers, James Rogers, Captain James Mott. 

The citizens of this town bore their full share in the War 
of 1861-65, for the defense of the free institutions won in 
1777 upon their own soil. This patriotism is abundantly 
shown in the list of those who entered the army from this 
town, and the dead who died that the Union might live. 

" cherisb them in memory bright 
Who .sleep beneath the sacred sod! 
They died for freedom and for right, 
For home, for country, and for God." 

And the sacrifices were not made alone by those who 



280 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



actually went into the service. The citizens and business 
men, who freely voted and freely paid for the support of 
soldiers' families and for heavy bounties to volunteers, 
honored themselves and the town by their patriotic efforts. 
The wives, mothers, and sisters who, with the old Spartan 
firmness, sent their loved ones to the camp and the battle- 
field, and toiled to furnish their comforts, may be unnamed 
in history, but their memory should ever live entwined with 
the flag that waved alike over the surrender of Burgoyne 
to Gates and that of Lee to Grant. 

At the close of the war the town officers made to the 
State the following honorable report of bounties paid. 

1862 S9,191„34; average per man, $77.27. 

1863 4,838.81; •' 98.75. 

1864 53,607.41; '• 454.30. 

The following list has been advertised and left for cor- 
rection by the veterans for several months : 

WAR OF 1801-65. 

Dennis Avery, enl. Oct. 20, 1801, 77th Regl., Co. G ; discll. M.iy 5, 1802. 
Riissel Avery, enl. Oct. 20, 1801, 77th Eegt., Co. G ; tranB. to Invalid Corps. 
Dennis Alcy, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 77th Rogt., Co. K, sergt. ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Kegt. 
Jacob H. Aley, enl. Ang. 8, 1802, 77th Eegt., Co. K; trans, t.) Vet. Biit., 77th 

Regt. . 
Madison Aley, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 77lh Regt., Co. K; tMns. to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Wm. Armstrong, enl. Ang. 9, 1802, 77tli Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Dudley Avery, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. for disaliility, Jan. 

29, 186.). 
Calvin B. Allen, enl. Sept. 28, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. K; disch. July 9, 1862. 
Harlow Ahbott, enl. Feb. 23, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K; tians. to Co. F, Oct. 30, 

1802. 
Alexander Annable, enl. Dec. 4, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. II ; died, of diphtheria, 

Feb. 12, 1862. 
Solomon Ageter, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. for disability, Feb. 

12, 1863. 
David Avery, Doubleday's Art. 
William Armstrong. 
Charles Barbour. 
John Bnrdick. 

Charles H. Bartletl, enl. Oct. 20, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G; discharged. 
James Bourne, enl. Nov. 20, 1801,77th Regt., Co. I; died, of fever, at Yorktown, 

March 13, 1862. 
Abraham Brewer, enl. Ang. 9, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K; trans, to Invalid Corps, 

Aug. 3, 1863. 
Alonzo D. Bump, enl. Aug. 14, 1802,77th Eegt., Co. K; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. K 

Edward Baker, 30th Eegt., Co. F; died of wounds at second Bull Run. 
Cbai-le^ D. Brown, enl. Nov. 28, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
David Borst, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; died July 18, 1862. 
Benjamin A. Briggs, enl. Aug. 4, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A ; trans, to Vet. Bat. A. 
George M. Boise, enl. March 18, 1S02, 77th Regt., Co. G ; died, May 30, 1802, at 

Annapolis. 
Cornelius 1". Brewer, enl. Feb. 4, 1862, 77th Eegt,, Co. G ; died, at Washington, 

April 13, 1863. 
John Brainard, enl. Aug. 13, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Frederick Bnrdick, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 77 Ih Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77 Ih Eegt. 
Lorin Brown, enl. Aug. 6, 1862, 77tll Eegt., Co. K ; tr.ms. tu Vet. Bat., 77th 

Eegt.; served through. 
William Brewer, enl. Ang. 19, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Nelson Boutier, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K. 
George W'. Brazier, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. F; musician; disch. for 

disaliility, July 17, 1862. 
Robert B.irber, enl. Aug. l.i, 186.3, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. A; 1st lieut.; pro. adjt., 

Dec. 7, 1864 ; disch. Nov. 8, I860. 
Wm. H. Brewer, enl. Aug. l.i, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C ; trans, to Co. F ; disch. 

with regiment in 1865. 
Francis Brewer, enl. Aug. 4, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Edwin W. Burrage, enl. Aug. 30, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., (Jo. C. 
Charles H. Bordn ell, enl. Sept. 26, 1861,77th Begt.Co. G; disch. with regiment, 

Dec. 13, 1864. ' 

Seymour Burch, enl. Nov. 23, 1861, 77tli Regt., Co. G; disch. in Feb. 1863. 
Henry Baker, enl. Feb. 18, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. G; disch. April 10. 1862. 
Levi Clappei, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. B; musician ; pro. major, June 

5, 1862. 



Henry Cmndall, enl. Sept. 27, 1861. 77th Regt., Co. E; taken sick; never mus- 
tered in. 
Joseph Cartright, enl. Oct. l.'i, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G. 
Louis Colburn, enl. Oi;t. 10, 1801, 77tli Eegt, Co. I. 
Alonzi) B. C irpcnier, enl. .\ug. 14, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. K ; corporal ; trans, to 

Invalid. Corps, April l.">, 1864. 
Alonzo B. Clark, enl. Ang. 8, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. K ; corporal ; disch. for dis- 
ability, Dec. 31, 1803. 
Albert H. Clements, enl. Aug. 14, 1801, 77lh Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet B.it., 

77th Regt. 
Edward Conners, enl. Aug. 19, 1S61, 77th Regt, Co. K; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Volney Craw, enl. .\ug. 15, 1801, 77th Rogt., Co. K ; trans, to 3d Battery, April 

26, 1S03. 
John Chapman, enl. Aug. 11, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 7;th 

Eegt 
John J. Clements. 

Daniel A. Cole, enl. Sept. 30, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Co. F, Oct. 30, '02. 
McKendrick Curtis, enl. March 3, 186.5, 192d Regt., Oo. G; disch. Sept. 3, 1805. 
James Clark, enl. M.irch 3, 1805, 192d Regt., Co. G ; disch. Sept. 3, 186,i. 
James Curtis, enl. in 44lh Eegt. ; supposed killed at Malvern Hill. 
Asa J. Clothier, enl. .luly 6, 1802, U.jth Regt, Co. F; corporal. 
Norman Casler, enl. Sept. 12, 1802, 77tli Eegt, Co. I; deserteil at Harper's Ferry. 
Enos Crowiiingsliirbl, enl. Oct 15, 1801, 77tli Eegt., Co I; died of fever at 

Washington, Jan. 21,1802. 
Francis Cooney, enl. Aug. 14, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th 

Regt. 
Thomas Cooney, enl. Sept. 15, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K ; disch. Dec. 27, 1802, for 

disability. 
John Conners, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, 77tli Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Eegt. 
John Cooney, enl. Sept. 15, 1802, 77lli Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th 

Regt. 
Philander A. Cobb, enl. Ang. 27, 1801, 77th Eegt, Co. K ; disch. May 11, 1S02. 
Charles Chcdell, enl. Sept. 30, 1801, 77th Eegt, Co. K ; Corp. : trans, to Co. F, 

Oct. 30, 1802. 
Win. Cooney, enl. Oct. 0, 1802, 77tb Regt, Co. K; trans, to Vet Bat, 771h Regt. 
Nelson W. Cadin.an, enl. July 21, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Ephraim P. Cooper, enl. Aug. in, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. C. 
Henry Culver, enl. Aug. 6, 180'., 2d Vet. Cav., Co.C. 

Patrick Cooney, enl. 3Iay, 180I,31)Ih Regt, Co. F; Corp.; disch. with regiment. 
Charles Davis, enl. Jan. 2, 1862. 77tli Regt., Co. C; disch. May 29, 1802. 
Robert Dixon, enl. Oct 10, 1861, 77lh Regt, Co. G. 
James Dawenson, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. I. 
Dennison Dodge, enl. Nov. 11, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. I. 
Chauncey Dudley, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. I; died of f.ver at Yoik- 

town, April '28, 1862. 
Pliny F. Dunn, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. I. 
Andrew Duval, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. I. 
Harri-son Davenport, enl. Aug. 14, 1862. 77th Eegt, Co. K. 
Charles S Dudley, eid. Aug. IS, 1862, 7:th Regt, Co. K. 
Emery Doolittle, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 77th Eegt, Co. K. 
John Davenport, enl. Aug. 14, 1802, 77lh Eegt, Co. K. 
Martin Davis. 
Charles S. Dudley. 

George Davenport, enl. Aug. 14, 1801, 77lh Regt, Co. K. 
David Davenport, enl. Sept 15, 1801, 771h Regt , Co. K. 
Andrew B. Deuel, enl. Oct. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. K ; disch. July 8, 1862. 
Edward Dunston, enl. Oct. 8, 1801, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; sergt ; trans, to Co. A, 

Oct. 30, 1802. 
John Dance, enl. Sept. 2S, 1801, 77lh Rc'gt, Co. K ; Corp. ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt 
George Delavarge, enl. Sept. 10, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Eegt 
William Diamond, enl. Sept 12, 1802, 77lh Regt, Co. I; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt; wounded, lost an arm. 
Jonathan Dean, Jr., enl. Nov. 1, 1861. 77lli Eegt, Co. F; died at Annapolis. 
Edward Dwyer, enl. May, 1801, 30th Kegt., Co. F; not mustered in; re-enlisted 

Oct II, l>^01,77th Kegt, Co. K; disch. July, 1805; re-enlisted Nov. 13, 

1866, 17tli U. S. Cav., Co. H, regular army; served throe years; disch. Nov. 

13, 1869. 
Joseph A. Eastman, enl. Nov. 1, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. F; corporal ; disch. Aug. 

17, 1863. 
Thomas Elems, enl. 77th Eegt. 
Ellery Elems, enl. 44th Eegt. 
IsaJicK. Finch, enl. Oct '22, 1801, 77th Eegt, Co. I; 1st Corp. ; died at Yorktown, 

April 21, 1802. 
John Flanders, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. I; died of fever at Newport, 

April 28, 1862. 
Wm. H. Fursman, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77th Eegt, Co. K ; 1st lieut ; pro. adjutant, 

June 6, 1863 ; disch. Feb. 13, 1864. 
James O. Fairchilds, enl. Aug, 11, 1802, 77th Eegt, Co. K. 
John II. Forester, enl. Sept. 20, 1861,77th Regt., Co. K; trans, to Invalid Corps, 

Sept. 12, 1803. 
Michael Falon, enl. Oct 12, 1801, 77th Eegt., Co. F ; disch. June 5, 1862. 
Slichael Fitzgibbons. 
Thomas Fox. 



/■'. 




ANDREW DOELAND. 



The family from wliich Mr. Borland is descended came 
originally from Holland. His grandfather, Samuel Borland, 
settled on Long Island in 1754. He was a farmer and 
merchant. Andrew's parents, Samuel and Rebecca Borland, 
were natives of Beekman, Butchess county, N. Y., at which 
place Andrew was born, July 2, 1794, and was reared on 
his father's farm, with very limited advantages for education. 
In 1819 he married Rebecca, daughter of Isaac and Re- 
becca Leggett, who were members of the Society of Friends, 
and among the first settlers at Bemus' Heights. The bat- 
tle at this place, previous to the surrender of Burgoyne, 
was fought on his farm. He was notified to leave, and did 
so previous to the battle, retiring with his fimily to the 
opposite side of the lake. He came very near being scalped 
by an Indian, but was liberated by a British officer, and 
after the battle returned to his farm, where he lived many 



years, and finally died in Westchester county. In 1823, 
Mr. Borland came to Saratoga County with his family, con- 
sisting of his wife and two daughters. He was in limited 
circumstances, and for five years worked the farm upon 
which he now lives, wliieh belonged to Thomas Leggett, an 
uncle of his wife. At the expiration of that time he 
purchased the property, and has resided upon it ever since. 
In 1828 he first commenced his " offerings" in connection 
with the religious society of which he is a member, and in 
which he is extensively known, having traveled widely in 
all parts of the country during the past forty years. Since 
the age of seventeen he has missed but five yearly meetings 
of the Friends. Of his large family of seven children, 
the four sons are living, but the three daughters have 
all passed on to the " other shore." Mrs. Borland died in 
1857. 





HOSEA BAKER. 



riiotos. by Bakor & Record, Saratoga Springs. 



HOSEA BAKER. 



MRS. UOSEA BAKER. 



Hosoa Baker was born March 23, 1817, in the town of 
Half Moon, Saratoga County, N. Y. He was brought up 
in Malta, where, as a boy, he followed various occupations, 
struggling against poverty, his chief employment being 
that of a farmer until the age of twenty-four years. Mean- 
time he attended the common schools, and by self-applica- 
tion acquired the rudiments of an education. His natural 
energy of character, and ambition to improve both his 
mind and his circumstances, led him to employ diligently 
his time and means, and, as a result, he has achieved a 
success in life which worthily contrasts with the humble 
beginning of his career. As a farmer he has managed 
prudently, labored industriously, and planned wisc^ly, and 
has obtained a competence which places him among the 
independent men of the county. 

At twenty-four years of age be settled in the town of 
Northumberland, where he purchased and improved the 
farm now owned by William J. Cook. In 1849 he bought 
the Ostrander place, on Cold Brook, where ho resided until 



1853, in the mean time marrying, in 1851, Miss Marilla 
Baker, daughter of William Baker, Esq., of Northumber- 
land. She died in 1853, about sixteen months after mar- 
riage, and Mr. Baker sold his farm and purchased a place 
in Michigan, to which, however, he never removed, but 
traded the place with Lewis Van Vechten for a farm on 
Cold Brook. In 1856 he married Mrs. Mary Ann Golden, 
daughter of Ezra Talmage, of Owego, and settled on his 
farm. In 1858 he traded this farm for the Vandewerkcr 
farm, where Sidney Thompson now resides, and lived there 
until 1863, when he sold out and purchased the two 
hundred acres where he now resides in the town of Sara- 
toga ; he lias also another small farm near Stafford's Bridge, 
in the town of Saratoga Springs. 

In the office of constable, when a young man, Mr. Baker 
had all the experience in politics he desired, and has 
never since sought any political preferment. He became 
a Republican in 1856, and has since steadily voted that 
ticket. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



281 



Daniel Flanagan, 

Stephen Frost, enl. lSli2, 77th Eegt., Co. K. 

Jonah D. Grocabeck, enl. Oct. Ul, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G ; disch. nt Albany. 

\Vm. Greon, enl. Nov. 211, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. I; trans, to Co. F, Oct. 30, 1802; 

supposed to have died in Texas. 
Albert S, Green, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. K; .^ergt. ; trans, to Vet. 

Bat., 77th Regt. 
Joseph A. Green, enl. .^ng. 9, 1802, 77th Kegt, Co. K; Corp.; died at Washing- 
ton, March 25, 1802. 
Earl Green, enl. Sept. 11, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. K; missed after battle of Spott- 

sylvania; never heard from. 
Wells Green, enl. Sept. 15, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Kegt. 
Patrick L. Gilroy, enl. Slay 3, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I, lost in action May 10, 

18G4 ; never heard from. 
Patrick Galvin, enl. Feb. 15, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. F; trans, to Vot. Bat., 77lh 

Regt. 
Morgan L. Holmes, enl. Oct. 15, 1801,77th Regt., Co. C; wagoner; disch. for 

ilisability April IS, 1802. 
George R. Holmes, enl. Oct. 15, 1801,77tli Regt., Co. C; disch. April 18, 1S02. 
Newton C. Harris, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Cai. E; not mustered into the 

regiment, but attached to the hosjiital service. 
James H. Hazard, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E ; disili. for disability Dec. 

6, 1802. 
Henry Hass, enl. Sept. 27,1801, 77tli Regt., Co. E: killed iit Antietam, Sept. 17, 

1802. 
Jerome Hudson, enl. Oct. 20, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. Oct. 17, 1862. 
Erebus Hullrnrt, eid. Oct. 15, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. G. 
Jacob F. Haywood, enl. Oct 4, 1801, 77tli Regt, Co. I; Istlieut. ; pro. to q.-m. 

Jan. 23, 180:i; disch. Dec. 13, 1804. 
Joseph Ilazeltine, enl. Oct. 13, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. I ; sergeant; dropped from 

the roll March 15, 1803. 
Edwar.l llickok, enl. Oct. 22, 1861, 77tU Regt, Co. I ; disch. Dec. 10, 1802. 
William II. Harrington, enl. Nov. 6, ISOl, 77th Eegt, Co. I ; did not join the 

regiment in tiie iield. 
Charles Halt, enl. 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K ; lost at the battle of Spottsylvania, 

May 10, 1804. 
Warren M. Ilaight. 
Tlioni.as Iloyt. 
Griffln Haight. 
Richard Hays. 

George Hes-i, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; died at Alexanilria. 
Eugene Hopkins, enl. May 12, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. I; discli. Dec. 0, 1802. 
Frank Hall, enl. Feb. 10, 1804, 77th Regt, Co. G ; killed at Cedar Creek, Oct 

19, 1804. 
John H. Hilkey, enl. Feb. 12, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G ; died June 28, 1802. 
David R. Hosted, enl. Nov. 15, 1861, 77tli Regt, Co. K. 
Manslielii M. Harrington, enl. Oct 14, 1862, 77lh Regt, Co. K , sergt. ; trans, to 

Vet Bat, 77th Regt. 
Sylvester S. Haight, enl. Sept. 15, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. K. 

George H. Hjimmon.l, enl. Sept. 11, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. K ; disch. July 8, 1804. 
Joseph H. Hays, enl. Sept 22, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. K; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt. 
Jonathan II.>pkins, enl. Nov. 26, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
Alonzo Hammond, enl. Nov. 20, ISOl, 77th Regt., Co. F; di.sch. for disability, 

Oct. 30, 1802. 
John W. Hines, enl. Oct 7, 1801, 77th R-gt., Co. K ; disch. July 10, 1802^ 
Thomas Ilallagan, enl. Sept. 10, 1802, 77lh Regt., Co. K ; disch. May 18, 1803. 
William H. Hamilton, enl. Sept 6, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K; disch. March 18, 

1803. 
Thomas Harb.w, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Co. F, Oct. 30, 1862. 
Corwin Holmes, enl. May, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. F. 

Jerome Huet, enl. Nov. 23, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G ; disch. for previous disa- 
bility. 
Alvin S. Hemstreet, enl. Oct. 4, 1801, 44th Regt, Co. K ; disch. for disability, 

Feb. 5, 1802. 
Wm. Ingham, enl. Sept. 14, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. K; trans, to Vet Bat, 77tli 

Regt. 
John Jones, enl. Oct. 29, 1801,77th Regt., Co. B; musician; disch. Dec. 3, 1802. 
Phibp .Johnson, enl. Sept. 24. 1801, 77tli Regt, Co. C. 
James Jeffords, enl. Oct U, 1861, 77lh Eegt., Co. C; trans, to Ist Battery, Dec. 

10, 1803. 
Frnncis I. Jeffords, enl. Oct. 30, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. C; |lisch. for wounds, June 

7, 1802. 
Ebenezer Jadiueth, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet Bat, 

77th Regt 
Oliver Jones, enl. Oct 29,1801,77th Regt, Co. K ; musici.an; trans, to Co. F, 

Oct. 30, 1802. 
Lyman Jones, enl. Oct. 27, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. for disability, March 

5, 1802. 
Samtiel D. Jeffords, enl. Nov. 1801, 77th Regt., Co.C; wife lives in Northumber- 
land; re-enl. in Washington county. 
Jiimes Knowlton, enl. Oct. 23, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. F; trans, to Invalid Corps* 

Sept. 3, 1803. 
William Kelley, enl. Sept 8, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. K; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt.; had been a member of old .'lOth. 
Naphlhali W. Kenyon, enl. May, ISOl, 30th Regt, Co. D. 
John Kern, enl. May, ISOl, 30th Kegt., Co. F. 

36 



John Kritley, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. F; trans, to Vet Reserve Corps, 

Oct. 1, 1803. 
Elisha Lohiies, enl. Oct 30, 1801, 77lh Eegt, Co. C; disch. Feb. 17, 1803. 
Andrew V. Leonard, enl. Sept 1, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. K; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt. 
James Lynch, enl. Aug. 19, 1812, 77th Regt, Co. K; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th 

Regt. 
John Lee, enl. Sept. 28, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. K; disch. May 28, 1862. 
Adelbert Lucas, enl. Nov. 23, 1803, 2d Vet Cav., Co. L. 
Joseph Laport. 
George D. Lovejoy. 
Nathan alunn. 
James H. Myei-s. 

Edwin A. Merchant, 41tli Regt.; killed in action. 
John McMurray, 44tU Regt. 
George 11. Myers. 
Michael Mnnster. 
John McClell m. 
John Moon. 

Michael McGnire, enl. Oct 1, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. C. 

Warren E. Miller, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. C; disch. Dec. 13, 1804. 
Patrick McDaniel, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. B; corporal; disch. June 

21,1802, for disability. 
Joseph Meurer, enl. Sept. 27, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. E; corporal; killed Sept. 17, 

1802, at Antietam. 
William McGovern, enl. Oct. 10, l.soi, 77th Regt., Co. E. 
William McCall, enl. Oct 14, 1801, 77tli Regt,, Co. F. 

Henry Mi , enl. Oct 17, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. F. 

Edwin McCiillongh, enl. Nov. 20, 1801, 77th Re.gt, Co. F. 

Lewis Martin, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. G. 

William II. Marsh, enl. Oct 15, 1801, 77th Kegt, Co. I; died near Yorktown 

about May 4, 1862. 
Alexander .Maltby, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. I ; disch. April 28, 1862. 
Edward Murray, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. I; died of fever at Wash- 
ington, Jan. 1, 1802. 
Willard McCreedy, 30th Regt. ; disch. for disability. 
Melvin McCreedy, disch. for disability, and died soon after. 
George McCreedy, enl. Sept. 1861, 44tli Regt, Co. C; disch. with regiment. 
Henry JlcCreedy, enl. Sept. 1801, 44th Kegt, Co. C; served through; disch. 

with regiment. 
Robert McPlierson, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Eegt, Co. F ; died Sept. 10, 1862, at 

Fortress Monroe. 
Hugh McMahon,enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77tli Regt., Co. G. 
James Mason, enl. May, 1801, 30th Regt, Co. F. 

Samuel McCreedy, enl. Sept. 1801, 44tli Regt., Co. K; taken prisoner in the 
Wilderness; in service eighteen months; disch.; re-enl. ; prisoner six 
months at Andersonville; 97th Regt., Co. G. 
John W. McGregor, enl. Sept 27, 1801, 77tli Regt, Co. K ; 1st lieut. ; disch. Feb. 

10, 1802. 
Edward P. Marshall, enl. Oct. 17, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. F; corporal; disch. for 

disability, Aug. 21, 1S03. 
.lames A. Monroe, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. F ; sergeant 
Wm. McNiilty, enl. Nov. 12, 1801,77th Kegt, Co. I ; disch. .Ian. 5, 1863. 
Thomas Musligrove, enl. Nov. 20, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. I ; died at llagerstown, 

Oct. 21, 1802. 
Edwin Marshall, enl. Oct 16, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. I; disch. Fob. 14, 1303. 
James McLane, enl. Aug. 20, 1802. 77th Regt., Co. K ; musician. 
Nathan Miinn, enl. Aug. 12, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Vet Bat, 77th 

Regt. 
Chas. H. McNanghton, enl. Aug. 0, 1S02, 77th Regt., Co. K ; disch. July 30, 1803, 

for wounds ; lost an arm. 
James H. Myers, enl. Aug. 13, 1802, 77lh Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vot. Bat., 77th 

Kegt. 
John Moore, enl. Aug. 11, 1S02, 77th Kegt, Co. K; trans, to Vet Bat, 77th 

Regt. 
John A. Myers, enl. Aug. 18. 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K. 
John McLarnoU, eiil. Aug. 15, 1802, 77tll Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Vet Bat., 77th 

Regt 
Prosper Morrison, enl. Aug. 8, 1802, 77tli Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th 

Regt. 
Michael Minister, enl. Sept. 2, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. K ; trans, to 3d Battery. 
Wesley Slolt, enl. Aug. 27, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. K. 
George McGovern, enl. Nov. 21, 1801, 77lli Kegt , Co. D. 
Albert Ogden, enl. Sept 24, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. C; disch. July 25, 1862. 
Charles M. Osborn, enl. Aug. 23, 1802, 77th Eegt, Co. K; 1st sergt; died in Al- 
bany, Dec. 27, 1802. 
James O'Brien, enl. Oct. 18, 1861, 77tll Regt., Co. K ; disch. June 27, 1862. 
Henry Owen, enl. Oct. 27, 1801, 77tli Regt, Co. I; disch.: date unknown. 
Sumner Oakley, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 77tli Regt., Co. K; pro. 2d lient. Aug. 25, 

1804 ; capt. Jan. 20, 1805 ; killed Mar. 25, 1805, at Petersburg. 
Benjamin Orton, enl. Aug. 14, 1802, 77 th Kegt., Co. K. 
John S. Osborne. 
William H. Osborne. 
Aaron Osborne. 

James Palmer, enl. Nov. 8, 1801, 77tli Regt, Co. C ; disch. Oct. 28, 1802. 
Henry Plant, enl. Oct 15, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. I; died of lever, at Annapolis,. 
June 3, 1802. 



282 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



William Pike, enl. Aug 16, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. K ; discli. for disability, April 

16, 1863. 
Lordnzo PhillipB, enl. Mar. 8, 1SG2, 77lh Eegt., Co. K ; disch. July 18, 1862. 
David A. Pennock, enl. Sept. 1861, 47tli Kegt., Co. C; wounded ; diacli. Dec. 1862. 
Fletcher B. I'ennnck, enl. .luly 18,1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F; serjit., brevet lieut. 

on detached service ; caplnr ed by guerrillas ; prisoner ten months; disch. 
Philip Purdy, enl. Sept. ISCl, 44th Kegt., Co. C. 
Jerouie Purdy, enl. April 21, 1861, 30lh Kegt., Co. F ; disch. 1863. 
Henry Pratt, enl. Mar. 3, 1865, 102d Kegt., Co. G ; disch. Sept. 3, 1S65. 
I'atrick liuigley, enl. Aug. 18, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K. 
James Robertson, enl. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Kegt., Co.C; pro. Corp., sergt. ; disch. 

for wounds, April 16, 1863. 
Thomas Ryan. 

George Rice, enl. Oct 15, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. I ; disch. Dec. 8, 1862. 
Henry Kobertson, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77lh Eegt., Co.I; disch. Dec. 15, 1862. 
John E. Kocliwcll, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77lh Kegt., Co. K, capt. ; disch. fur disa- 
bility, Oct. 2, 1863. 
Patrick Uyan, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, "7th Eegt., Co. K. 
John H. Itiulley, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Eegt. 
Wm. Eichards, enl. Sept. 11, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; died, Jan. 17, 186.3, at 

Washington. 
Joseph Rested, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; trans, to Co. F, Oct. 30, 1862. 
John Kowley, Jr., enl. Aug. 20, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. H ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Eegt. 
Jonathan I. Rhodes, enl. Feb. 14, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. I. 
John A. Renchler, enl. Kov. 1, 1861, 77th Rcgt., Co. F; killed at Antietam, 

Sept. 17, 1862. 
Cyrus F. Rich, enl. Aug. 1.1, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K , 2d lieut. ; disch. Nov. 30, '62. 
George Root. 
E. H. Saint. 
William Siocum. 
James Strong. 

Morris Sullivan, 2d Vet. Car., Co. F. 
Franklin Short. 
George E. Smith. 
Henry B. Sbreeves, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. C; trans, to Vet. Bat, 

77tli Eegt. ; supposed died in rebel prison. 
Edward Smack, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77lh Eegt., Co. F; absent after April 20,1862. 
John Stone, enl. Nov. 1,1801, 77tli Kegt , Co. G; disch. Nov. 4, 1862. 
Pierpont Stickney, enl. Oct. 22, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. I ; discb. April 25, 1802. 
Jerome Snow, enl. Nov. 6, 1S61, 77th Kegt., Co. I ; disch. Nov. 13. 1862. 
Eli W. Smith, enl. Oct. 25, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. I ; trans, to Co. F, Oct. 30, 1862. 
Seneca Smith, enl. Oct. 25, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; trans, to Co. F, Oct. 30, 1862. 
Murty Sullivan, enl. Nov. 18, 1801, 77th Kegt., Co. K. 
John Sanborn, enl. Nov. 10, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. K; died June 15, 1802, in 

Virginia. 
Wm. H. Smith, enl. Ang. 9, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K, corp.; discli. Feb. 20, 1863. 
John G. Strang, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K, corp. ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Eegt. 
Samuel S. Squires, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, 77lh Eegt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77tli Kegt. 
Henry Simpson, enl. Aug. 25, 1802, 77tli Regt , Co. K. 
Adolph Schmidt, enl. Aug. 30, 1862.77th Kegt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Kegt. 
Wni. M. Searing, col. 30th Regt. 
B. II. Searing, Co. D, 30tli Regt. 

Matthew Simonds, enl. Sept. 1861, 44th Eegt., Co. E ; served out his lime, 
t'harles Stahr. 

Rensselaer Stafford, 53d Regt. ; discli. with regt. 
George Sutfiii, 44th Regt. ; supposed killed in the Wilderness, or died at Ander- 

sonville. 
George T. Stevens, enl. Oct. 8, 1801, 77th Eegt. ; assist, surg. 
Lucius E. Shurtleff, enl. Nov. 22, 1861, 77th Regt.; 2d lieut., and pro. q.-m., 

Nov. 23, 1861 ; resigned June 21, 1862. 
Arthur Scott, enl. Oct. 17, 1861, 77tli Eegt., Co. K ; trans, to Co. F.Oct. 30,1862; 

drowned off Cape Hatteras. 
Franklin Stay, enl. Oct. 27, ISO!, 77th Regt., Co. I; di-ch. April 25,1862. 
Daniel C. Simonds, enl. Aug. 26, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77th 

Eegt. 
James A. Stearns, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. I ; died of diarrhtca, at 

Washington, Aug. 3, 1863. 
Hiram Stori-s, enl. Oct. 27, 1801,77th Eegt., Co. I. 

Ernest Schmidt, enl. Nov. 1, 1861, 761h Kegt., Co. F; disch. Nov. 18, 1863. 
I'rederick Stranclicr, enl. Nov. 1, 1S61, 77tli Regt., Co. F; disch. Feb. 1, 1863. 
Joseph Swarts, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. for disability Jan. 18, 

1SC4. 
Edward L. Smith, enl. Feb. 28, 1802, 77th Eegt., Co. F; disch., date unknown. 
George Smith, enl. Oct. 25, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. March 31, 1863. 
Frank Thomai, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. C ; sei gt. ; pro. 1st sergt., and 

trans, to Co. K. 
Gilbert F. Thomas, enl. .Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; coi-p.; pro. sergt, 

sergt-maj., 2d lieut.; killed Oct. 9, 1864. 
Frederick Tombs, cnl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Kegt, Co. I ; died of fever at White 

House, Va., June 15, 1862. 
Kcnyon Teflft, enl. Sept. 1, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K ; disch. for disability Feb. 28, 

1863. 



Israel F. Tanner, enl. Aug. 2, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; disch. Oct. 22, 1864. 

Samuel W. Tanner, enl. 44lh Regt, Co. A, Sept. 1861. 

James Tjghe, enl. Sept. 24, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. K ; trans, to N. Y. 1st Ind. 

Battery. 
Henry Tovce, enl. Aug. 26, 1862, 77th Eegt, Co. H ; trans, to Vet Bat, 77tb 

Eegt. 
Eeuben K. Thompson, enl. Ang. 30,1862, 77lh Kegt, Co. G; disch. June 14, 

1863. 
Loren M. Toms, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Eegt, Co. G ; died March 20, 1863, at 

White Oak Cliurch, Va. 
George Thompson, enl. Aug. 28, 1863, 2d Vet Cav., Co. F. 
Levi Van Schaick, enl. Aug. 27, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. K ; trans, to Invalid Corps, 

Se]>t.l7. 1863. 
Eohert Van Slyke, enl. March 4, 1S62, 77th Eegt, Co. K ; discli., date unknown. 
Warner Van Valkenhurgh, eul. 30th Eegt, Co. F; lost in Seven Oaks. 
Gordon Van Valkenhurgh. 
Richard Van Antwerp. 
Benjamin Viele. 
Samuel Van Order. 
Seneca Vaness, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; trans, to Co. C, Oct. SO, 

1862. 
Lewis Wood, enl. Sept 27, 1861, 77lh Eegt, Co. E; capt; dismissed for absence 

Oct 4, 1862. 
John Williams, enl. Oct 10, 1801, 77th Kegt., Co. H; trans, to cavalry Dec. 16, 

1863. 
Hiram K. Wilcox, enl. Nov. 19, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. I; sergt.; disch. Dec. 8, 

1862. 
John Wright, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77lh Regt, Co. I ; disch. at Philadeli>Uia, date 

unknown. 
Thos. Whitman, cnl. Aug. 27, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th 

Eegt. 
Jas. H. Whaley, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet Bat, 771h 

Rcgt. 
Wni. Wibley, enl. Aug. 23, 1862, 77th Eegt, Co. K ; disch. with regiment. 
Geo. H. Welch, enl. Aug. 8, 1262, 77th Regt, Co. K; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt 
Iliriim Weaver, cnl. Aug. 25, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th 

Regt. 
John B. Welch, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 77th Rcgt, Co. K ; trans, to Invalid Corps, 

Jan. 31, 1864. 
Joseph Welch, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Co. F, Oct 30, 

1802. 
Stephen Welch. 
Tlionias Whitman. 

Andrew J. Weed, enl. Aug. 6, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. F. 
Charles H. Welch, enl. Aug. 16, 1863, 2d Vet Cav., Co. C. 
De Witt C. Winney,* enl. Ang. 1863, 25th Cav.; entered regular service; killed, 

June 25, 1876, at the Custer massacre. 
Gardner Winney,* enl. 251h Cav.; disch. 1865. 
Bruce Winney,* enl. Aug. 20, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. F; re-enl. regular army, 

7th U. S. Cav. 
Francis K. Winney,* enl. Aug. 13, 1864, 47th Regt, Co. I ; disch. Sept. 11, 1864. 
John C. Winney,* 1151h Eegt, Co. F. 

Washington H. Wood, enl. Ang. 14, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. K. 
Leroy Wliitinan, enl. Oct 17, 1861,77th Eegt, Co. F;corp. ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 

77th Regt. 
Hiimilton White, enl. Oct. 14, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 77lh 

Regt. 
John A. Walroth, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. K ; Corp. ; trans, to Co. F, 

Oct 30, 1862. 
H. W. Wriglit, enl. Sept 28, 1861, 77th Eegt, Co. K ; Corp. ; trans, to Co. F, 

Oct. 30, 1862. 
Lucius E. Wilson, enl. June 23, 1803, 2d Vet Cav , Co. A ; 1st lieut. 
Titus C. Wliitc, enl. May, 1861, 3(llh Regt, Co. D. 

Silas S. White, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Eegt, Co. G ; disch. Oct. 2, 1862. 
Henry Wilbur, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Eegt, Co. G; trans, to Vet Bat., 77th 

Regt 
Clifford Weston, enl. Nov. 28, 1861, 77th Eegt, Co. I; killed at Mechauiesville, 

Va., May 2t, 1802. 
diaries Wilsey, enl. Nov. 27, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. F. 
Thomas White, 30th Eegt, Co. F. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



DANIEL A. BULLARD 

was born at Schuylerville, in tliis county, July, 6, 1814. He 
was the second son of Alphous Bullaid and Hannah Fitch 
Billiard. Alpheus Bullard was born at Sturbridge, Mas.s., 
May 31, 1775, and was the sixth generation from Benjamin 

■*' Four of these were brothers. 



^m^ 




^^z^' 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



283 



Bullard, who settled in Wutertown, Mass., about 1630, 
before Boston was known. 

Benjamin, of the second generation, pushed fiirlher into 
the wilderness and settled on the north side of Bogistow 
pond, in Medway, Mass., about 1650. The following is a 
quotation from their early liistory : " Here they prepared 
to live, as all of them virtually did, the rest of their lives 
in a state of warfare. They built for a garrison-house a 
spacious and regular fortress. It was superior to any simi- 
hir structure on the then frontier. It was sixty-five or 
seventy feet long, two stories high, all of faced stone, 
brought over from a quarry one mile distant at the north- 
west, and laid in a workmanlike manner, in clay-mortar. 
It had a double row of port-holes on all sides, lined with 
white-oak plank, and flaring inward, so as to require no one 
to expose himself before them, while the besieged, by taking 
cross-aims, could direct their fire to every point of the 
compass. 

" This fortress was lighted and entered at the south end, 
overlooking the pond, where the bank was so low that as- 
sailants from that quarter, in leveling at the high windows, 
would only lodge bullets in a plank chamber floor, or among 
the furniture of the garret. The upper story was appro- 
priated to the women and children, and had a room parti- 
tioned off for the sick. To this place of security our 
ancestors, for more than two generations, were accustomed 
to flee in times of alarm, and here no small number of their 
children were born. In tliis fort they were once besieged 
by a host of Philip's warriors, who, in despair of all other 
means, attempted to fire the building by running down the 
declivity above it a cart of burning flax. Arrested in its 
descent by a rock still to be seen, and an Indian who had 
run down to start it having been killed, a retreat was 
sounded, and the lives of our ancestors saved." 

If that lueky stone had been elsewhere it appears proba- 
ble that this sketch of the descendant would never have 
been called for. The mother of Alpheus Bullard was 
Hopstill Tafi't, daughter of Daniel Taftt, and was born June 
4, 1749, at Mendon, Mass., and died at Old Saratoga in the 
year 1840, aged ninety-one years. Her grandmother was 
a daughter of Captain Josiah Chapiu, of Worcester Co., 
Mass., celebrated in the wars with King Philip, two 
centuries ago. 

Alpheus Bullard settled at Schuylerville, N. Y., in the 
year 1810, as a merchant, and married Hannah Fitch, 
Jan. 5, 1812. He was extensively engaged in mercantile 
and lumbering business for several years, but in 1823 re- 
moved to Northumberland, in this county, where he died, 
Jan. 25, 1855, in the eightieth year of his age. 

He was a man of great physical and intellectual strength, 
and his integrity was never questioned, but he lived a quiet, 
unostentatious life upon his farm until his death. 

Daniel A. at the age of sixteen left the farm and became 
a clerk in the store of James P. Cramer, at Grangerville, 
where he remained for several years, when he embarked in 
mercantile business on his own account, — -first at Troy and 
next at Schuylerville,— but was not suceessful in his efibrts. 

Between 1843 and 1845 be took a contract for con- 
structing difi'erent sections of the Vermont Central railroad 
through the Green mountains, and in so doinsr chanared the 



channel of the river near Waterbury. While engaged in 
that business he showed great executive ability as a con- 
structor, which has ever since been manifest. He also con- 
structed the mason-work on the Rutland and Washington 
railroad and at Eagle Bridge. Over twenty years since he 
superintended the opening of the Bald Mountain lime- 
works, in Greenwich, Washington county, for the Rev. 
Eliphalet Nott, D.D., and R. W. Lowler. 

In the year 1863 he started the Schuylerville paper-mill, 
which has been one of the most successful in the country. 
He also owns the flouring-mill standing upon the same 
site where General Schuyler's mill stood, until it was 
burned by Burgoyne, in October, 1777. His great energy 
and good judgment as a business man have done probably 
more than any other person to develop the business interests 
of his native village, and he yet hopes to procure a railroad 
to be constructed to that place. He married Harriet, 
daughter of Jacob Snyder, by whom he has two sons and 
one daughter, the latter being the wife of Oliver Brisbin, 
all of whom are settled in the same village with him. Ed- 
ward Chesseldcn and Charles Mayhew, his two sons, are 
associated with him in the manufacture of paper at the 
same place. 

In addition to that business, he carries on three farms, 
buys grain and produce, is the largest tax-payer in the town, 
and is never happy unless in active business. He has been 
several times president of the village, and is noted for the 
public improvements he has made, and is now supervisor of 
his native town, having been elected by a large majority 
against an adverse political majority. He is one of the 
directors of the Bank of Old Saratoga, and is yet in active 
business and expects to be for many years to come. He 
has properly been described as a man of indomitable per- 
severance, invincible energy, and superior business traits ; 
judicious yet firm; outspoken and independent; liberal- 
hearted, and free in thought ; possessing excellent mechani- 
cal abilities ; of great physical endurance, and likely to 
enjoy a long lease of life. 



SAMUEL SHELDON 

was born in Easton, Washington county, in the State of 
New York, Feb. 2, 1829. He is the oldest son of Major 
John Sheldon, the sixth in the lineal descent of the Shel- 
don family in this country. John Sheldon was born in 
Washington county, on the farm on which he died in 1865 
at the age of seventy-seven. He was married to Jane De 
Bidder, daughter of General Simon De Bidder, in 1825. 
Five children were born to them, — three sons and two 
daughters. The first .settlers in this country of the Sheldon 
ftimily were Spanish knights, who came from England in 
the year 1665. Their coat-of-arms was a shield and duck, 
with the motto " Sheldon." Of the three brothers who 
first came over, one settled in Connecticut, one in Vermont 
and the other in what was then called the west, probably 
in one of the middle States. The immediate ancestors of 
that branch of the Sheldons who settled in Washington 
county came from Connecticut, and were the descendants of 
John, who is said to have been the elder of the three brothers. 



284 



HISTOEY OF SAKATOGA COUNTY, NEW YOKK. 



John and Samuel seem to have been favorite names with 
tlie family, as they were handed down with each generation. 
Some twenty-five years ago Henry 0., son of another 
branch of the family, conceived the idea of compiling the 
names of all the Sheldons then in this country in a maga- 
zine, to be published monthly, giving a general synopsis of 
each family, and a more extended sketch of those who 
had obtained any considerable notoriety. Although he 
expended a large amount of money and devoted much 
time in procuring statistics from all parts of the country, 
it only survived its second issue for want of patronage. 
John, great-grandfather of the present family, married 
Susan Clarmont, — he at the age of forty, she at sixteen, — 
and came from Connecticut about the year 1729. Their 
oldest son, Samuel, was born in 1742. He married Tabitha 








Photo, liy W. n. Sipperly, Sanitoga. 
SAMUEL SHELDON. 

Rogers, daughter of John Rogers, who came from Rhode 
Island about the year 1720. He procured, either by grant 
or purchase, six hundred acres of land, which includes the 
present site of the village of Greenwich and its surrounding 
lands. After Samuel married he purchased of Dr. Wicker 
the old Sheldon homestead, where he remained until his 
death in 1824, at the advanced age of ninety-two. He had 
three sons and three daughters. Caleb married a Tefft and 
settled just south of Greenwich, where they raised a family 
of seven children, — three boys and four girls. 

The second son was John, father of the subject of 
this sketch ; he succeeded his fatjier on the homestead. 
The youngest .son, Samuel, died unmarried, at the age of 
twenty-four. The oldest daughter married Isaac Tice, who 
removed to Poughkcepsie in 1830, where he died three 
years since, at the age of eighty-six. Susan married Dr. 
Hiram Corliss, of Greenwich, and Elizabeth married Moses 
Cowen. It will be ob,served that the older branches of the 
family reached a good old age. 

In the war of 1812 John, having arrived at his majority, 
■was ordered out with the militia of this part of the State 
to intercept General Izard, who was coming from Canada 
with an army of regulars by land and a navy up Lake 



Champlain. Limited facilities for transportation, and the 
scarcity of arms and ammunition, rendered the organizing 
of a regiment at that time a task which required much 
more labor than at any time during our late Rebellion. 
They received marching orders after much delay, but, as 
the roads at that time were difficult to travel, their trans- 
ports down the lake went at a very slow pace, so that they 
only reached Plattsburg the next day after the battle. 
Having no further need of their services, they returned 
home and were soon mustered out. 

This did not satisfy the active spirit of young John. 
He soon raised a company of artillery, being unanimously 
chosen their commander, serving for twenty years, much 
longer than the law required, but finally resigned after 
having been promoted to the rank of major. He used to 
say he could ride on horseback eighty miles a day with ease. 
Samuel Sheldon, whose portrait is here given, is in the 
prime of an active business life. He was educated at the 
common schools and the Schuylerville Academy. In early 
life he was engaged in farming as his main business, but 
taught school for several terms in the winter seasons. He 
was married in 1858 to Blary De Ridder, daughter of 
Henry De Ridder. In 1865 he was one of the organizers 
of the National Bank of Schuylerville, and since that con- 
tinuously a director, and now, and for the last few years, 
the vice-president. Ho is now engaged in business as a 
lumber-dealer, and also in insurance. He resides in the 
village of Schuylerville, and has three children. 



JAMES H. DILLINGHAM 

was born Nov. 3, 1840, in Schuylerville, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y. He is the son of Stephen H. Dillingham, and his 
mother's maiden name was Arvilla St. John. His great- 
grandfather was Major Dunham, of Revolutionary fame. 
Stephen Dillingham settled in this county about 1816, and 
was a successful merchant, a man of energy and superior 
business abilities. He had three children, of whom the 
subject of this notice is the only son, and who inherits in a 
large degree the qualities and characteristics of his father. 
He has been extensively identified with the business inter- 
ests of his village and county, and is now a resident of his 
village. He married Lizzie M. Dennis, daughter of H. W. 
Dennis, one of the prominent business men of Schuyler- 
ville. The fruit of this union was one son, George C, 
who at present resides with his parents. 



WILLIAM H. MARSHALL. 

Abraham Marshall, the grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, resided in Yorkshire, England, and emigrated to 
this country in 1763. He married in England a Miss Cal- 
vert, and by her had a number of children, of whom James 
Marshall, the father of William H. Marshall, was one. He 
settled in the town of Old Saratoga and pursued farming. 

Abraham Marshall and his firmily were at times com- 
pelled to leave their residence and flee to the woods from 
fear of Indians during the Revolutionary war, and were 
among those who were driven from their homes by the ap- 




'-"»'i^.i:„wj-»-i»« '"^*'' 



Jio IBT o ID)lDL'lL)r BTg-IBIAM ., 




-a 




PROPERTY OF W. P. FINCH, SARATOGA, titwYoKx. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



285 



proach of Burgoyne's aruiy. He was present at the sur- 
render of Burgoyne. 

On Dec. 29, 1783, Abraham Marshall leased of Philip 
Schuyler the form now occupied by William H. Marshall, 
at Old Saratoga. The lease was for the lives of Abraham, 
James, and Samuel Marshall, and the terms were three 
pounds lawful money of the State of New York, payable 
on the 1st day of January of each year. 

James Marshall was born March 25, 1768, in England, 
and came to this country with his father. He grew up as 
a former with his father, and continued the business after 
the death of the latter. In 1791 he married Hannah 
Clements. He had twelve children, viz. : Elizabeth, born 
Feb. 1, 1794; Susannah, Aug. 19, 1796; Polly B., March 
16, 1798; Sally, Jan. 26, 1800; Nancy, Feb. 12, 1802; 
James, March 7, 1804; Ruth, April 17, 1806; Cornelia, 
Aug. 22, 1808; Phebe, Feb. 3, 1811 ; Samuel J., Jan. 3, 
1814 ; Laura, Nov. 24, 1815 ; and William H., born May 
11, 1818. Of these, James died Oct. 5, 1805, aged one 
year, six months, and twenty-nine days ; Elizabeth, Nov. 
23, 1822, twenty-nine years old; Ruth, Jan. 12, 1823, 
seventeen years old; Laura, Oct. 20, 1833, in her eighteenth 
year; Susannah, Nov. 7, 1842, aged forty-six years, two 
months, and twenty-three days ; Polly B., July 9, 1844, 
aged forty-six years, three months, and twenty-three days ; 
Samuel J., Sept. 21, 1847, aged thirty-three years, eight 
months, and eighteen days ; Nancy, Feb. 18, 1855, aged 
fifty-three years and three days. James Marshall died Oct. 
1, 1849, aged eighty-one years, six months, and four days; 
Hannah, his wife, died June 3, 1858, aged eighty-one 
years, nine months, and seventeen days. 

William H. Marshall was born on the farm where he 
now resides. May 11, 1818. He was raised and continued 
a former. On April 17, 1845, he married Jane E. Calkins, 
daughter of Daniel Calkins, of Schaghticoke. He had four 
children: George, born Dec. 19, 1846, died April 20, 
1847 ; Harriet, born June 24, 1848, died July 25, 1864; 
James D., born Nov. 22, 1854 ; Emma, born April 26, 
1860. 

His wife died on Jan. 3, 1875, aged fifty-three years, 
ten months, and eight days. 

He was formerly a member of the old Whig party, but 
now acta with the Republican party. He never asked for 
office and never received any. He is a member and regu- 
lar attendant of the Methodist church at Schuylerville, 
having been one of the trustees for many years. He was 
formerly steward. He was at one time a trustee of the 
Methodist church of Victory Mills. He joined the Meth- 
odist church when seventeen years of age. He is regular 
in his habits, honest and industrious, and lives a life of 
usefulness and honor. He is much respected by his friends. 



WILLIAM B. MARSHALL 

was born in the town of Saratoga, in February, 1823. His 
father, Samuel Marshall, was also a native of the town, and 
a descendant of English ancestors. William lived with his 
father till the latter died, in January, 1806, when he came 
into possession of the homestead. He was the youngest of 
eight children, well educated, and an enterprising, inde- 
pendent farmer. His character was above reproach, and 
he was justly held in high esteem by all who knew him. 
On May 1, 1848, he married Jane M. Griswold, of Wilton, 
Saratoga County, who was born in that town July 10, 
1822. The fruit of their marriage was four children, two 
of whom are living, viz., Jennie M. and Fannie M., wife of 
George W. Smith, Esq. 

Mr. Marshall died June 22, 1870. 



WM. P. FINCH. 

Jeremiah Pinch, the grandfather of Wm. P. Finch, came 
from Nine Partners, Amenia, Dutchess county, to Saratoga 
town soon after the clo.se of the Revolutionary war. He 
settled on a form leased of the old Schuyler estate, near 
Schuylerville, where he passed the remainder of his life. 
Previous to his death, by industry and frugality, he acquired 
other land in that section. On one of his farms Joseph, his 
oldest son, settled, and Daniel, the father of Wm. P., on 
another. Jeremiah Finch had eleven children, — nine boys 
and two girls. His descendants are very numerous, and are 
represented in diiferent sections of the United States. Many 
of them are prominent and successful men of bu.siness, 
haviTig acquired large wealth, and been identified with the 
material growth and welfare of their several localities. 

Daniel Finch, son of Jeremiah Finch, was a farmer all 
his life, and died, at the age of eighty-five, on the farm 
now occupied by his son, Wm. P. Finch. He married 
Sarah Peifer, and had three children, to wit., Wm. P., 
Eliza, and Mary Ann. Eliza is unmarried, and resides 
with Wm. P. Finch. Mary Ann married J. P. Clements, 
and resides near Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Wm. P. Finch was born on Oct. 13, 1815. He passed 
his early life in assisting his father in his farming enter- 
prises. He afterwards visited difi"erent points in the west, 
engaging in business ; but returning, took up a permanent 
abode on the farm which he now occupies, near Schuyler 
ville. In connection with his farming enterprises he has 
been engaged, since 1857, in the lumber and plaster busi- 
ness at Schuylerville. 

He is a man of genial spirit, liberal mind, true in his 
words, of moral life, industrious and energetic in business, 
and by these traits has acquired a comfortable competency 
in life through his own exertions. 



STILLWATER 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

Stillwater is one of the eastern towns of the county, 
bordering upon the Hudson river. It is bounded north 
by Saratoga, east by the county line, south by Half-Moon, 
west by Malta. It contains 21,693 acres of improved land, 
2747 acres of unimproved, and of this last amount 2542 
are woodland. The population in 1875 was 3434. This 
town is mostly within the Saratoga patent, but contains 
near the lake two narrow strips of the Kayadrossera 
patent. 

For the purpose of convenient reference we add from the 
Revised Statutes of the State the legal description of this 
town, and the definition of its boundary lines: 

"The town of Stitbcnter shall contain all that part of said county 
bounded southerly by Half-Moon, easterly by the east bounds of the 
county, westerly by Malta, and northerly by the north bounds of lot 
number seventeen in Saratoga Patent, continued in the same direc- 
tion west to the town of Malta." 

The town of Stillwater, like Old Saratoga, is rich in his- 
toric memories. Its name runs back into the closing years 
of the seventeenth century, when AVilliam and Mary sat 
together on the throne of England. The old chronicler, 
who wrote some account of General Fitz John Winthrop's 
northern expedition up the Hudson, of the year 1G90, says : 

"Stillwater was so named because the water passes so slowly as 
not to be discovered, while above and below it is disturbed, and 
rageth as in a great sea, occasioned by rocks and falls therein." 

At Stillwater, in June, 1709, Col. Peter Philip Schuyler, 
in command of the advance-guard of General Nicholson's 
army, halted and built a small stockaded fort, which he 
named Fort Ingoldsby, in honor of Lieutenant-Governor 
Major Richard Ingold.sby. 

Again, in the summer of 175(5, General Winslow, while 
on his northern expedition, halted at Stillwater, and build- 
ing a new fort on the decaying remains of the old one 
erected in 1709, called it Fort Winslow. 

Again, in September, 1777, General Gates, in passing up 
the Hudson, on his way to Remus Heights, first made his 
stand at the old military station of Stillwater. Rut after re- 
maining there a day or two he changed his plan, and going 
up the river about two mile.? farther, took his memorable 
stand at Remus Heights. 

This was the last military occupation of Stillwater. 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The surface is uneven and moderately hilly. The 
highest summit is about two hundred and fifty feet 
above the Hudson. In the north part, the series of hills 
known as Bemus Heights form a beautiful and diversi- 
fied landscape. The crowning eminence, at the Neilson 
homestead, commands an extensive view. The flats along 
286 



the Hudson are bordered by a range of bluffs from sixty 
to one hundred feet high. Similar blufis are found along 
Anthony's Kill. There are no streams of any impor- 
tance for water-power, but there are several brooks of small 
size, and these flow through deep gullies that are worn in 
the drift deposits. Upon some of these there are beautiful 
cascades. The northwest corner borders upon Saratoga 
lake. The soil upon the river-flats is alluvial, and abun- 
dant in production. West of the bluffs is a wide belt of 
heavy clay, now divided into farms of great value. In the 
southwest part of the town is a sandy tract interspersed 
with swamps. In the northwest part of the town, on the 
shore of Lake Saratoga, there is an excellent white sulphur 
spring. The falls in the Hudson river furnish valuable 
water-power. The river above the falls at Stillwater village 
is a beautiful stream, full of attractions to the lover of 
nature. Its gentle current, flowing between cultivated fields 
or forest-fringed banks, invites the modern boatman, as it 
did the ancient Indian warrior, to glide over its surface. 
No wonder the struggle for the possession of this valley 
convulsed States and empires. It is a land worthy to be 
loved, and worthy of being defended, as it was, by early 
heroic pioneers. 

IIL— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Aside from the mills of the Sohuylers, at the mouth of 
Fish creek, in Saratoga, and the village destroyed there in 
1745, Stillwater was the first settlement on the we.st side 
of the river north of Half-Moon Point, or Waterford, as it 
is now known. 

Who erected the first house within the present limits of 
Stillwater is vincertain. That there was quite a population 
here before the Revolutionary war is clear from the num- 
ber of men enlisted, from the citizens' names appearing in 
history connected with the battle-grounds of 1777, and from 
various other sources. The ^^andenburg house, so called, 
bears the date 1732 ; located on the east side of the river, 
above the falls. It is only a reasonable conclusion that there 
was a beginning on the western side of the river nearly as 
eai-ly. It is also known that George Palmer bought in 
1764 ; that mills were then already built and owned by 
Isaac Mann, of whom George Palmer made the purchase. 
Thus the weight of evidence points back nearly to 1750 as 
the date of the first settlement, and Isaac Mann as the 
pioneer. 

The early settlement, too, was more rapidly effected, and 
a greater number of families actually located here at an 
earlier date, than at some other points, from the fact that a 
whole church, numbering one hundred and one members, 
in Canaan, Connecticut, voted to remove in a body to Still- 
water, and did so remove, or a majority of them. This, as 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



287 



shown in another place, was in 1762, though it may have 
been a year or two hiter than that. So far as the names of 
this Connecticut colony can be obtained, they appear in the 
account of the Congregational church of Stillwater. 

In attempting to mention particularly the pioneer families 
who settled here from one hundred to one hundred and ten 
years ago, it is not probable that, even with the careful in- 
vestigation given to the work, the list can be perfect or the 
dates in every case accurate. 

Of the Palmer family, the following copy of an old cer- 
tificate gives information in a brief space. It was finely 
executed by a school-master of the olden time, and is in the 
possession of Ashbel Palmer : 

" George Palmer, son of George Palmer, born in Connecticut colony, 
county of New London, and town of Stoningtun, in New England, 
September 22, 1719. 

'* Hannah Marsh, daughter of James Marsh, who was born in the 
township of Plainfield, county of Windham, and colony aforesaid, 
July 10, 1721. Said George Palmer and Hannah Marsh were mar- 
ried April 13, 173S. 

** Mary Palmer, their first daughter, was born in Windham county, 
township of Coventry, colony aforesaid, on Tuesday, April 9, 1739. 

" Lydia Palmer, their second daughter, was born in Canaan, in 
Hartford county, and colony aforesaid, on Sunday, June S, 1742. 

"James Palmer, their first son, was born in Canaan, Hartford 
county, and colony aforesaid, March 26, 1745, and died August 22 of 
the same year. 

" Isaac Palmer, their second son, was born in Norfolk, county and 
colony aforesaid, 26th August, 1751. Died 25th August, 1757. 

*• Elias Palmer, their third son, was born in Norfolk, county and 
colony aforesaid, Wednesday, September 29, 1756. 

"Hannah Palmer, their third daughter, was born in Norfolk, in 
the county and colony aforesaid, on Friday, September 13, 1760. 

" W. Gills, Scripsit. 

"Stillwater, 2d May, 1774." 

Hannah Palmer became the wife of Wm. Mead, who kept 
a very early tavern at Stillwater, in a hou.se now owned by 
John Patrick. 

Lydia became the wife of Mr. Roe, settling a little west 
of the village of Stillwater, on the Lake road. She died 
Dec. 4, 1784. 

Mary became the wife of Colonel Daniel Dickinson. He 
was a pioneer before the Revolution. His homestead was 
the place where Gilbert Lansing now lives. She died Feb. 
14, 1806. 

Elias, the only son who lived to manhood, settled just west 
of the compact part of the village, on a rise of land. 
During his life he was married three times. He had a 
family of five daughters and four sons, — all born before 
1800. Ashbel, the sole survivor, is living at Stillwater 
village, at the age of eighty-five. His mind is well stored 
with valuable information, and he is able to give it intelli- 
gently and accurately. To him we are largely indebted for 
many important items of pioneer record, and for the use of 
many valuable manuscripts. 

George Palmer died Dec. 15, 1809, aged ninety years. 

Elias Palmer died Nov. 4, 1833, aged eighty-two years. 

George Palmer purchased in 1773 three hundred and 
five acres of Isaac Mann's estate, struck off at public sale 
for £900. Thi.s included the mills already erected. Earlier 
than this — in 1764 — he had bought two hundred acres of 
Isaac Mann, supposing this included the mills. He had to 
buy the three hundred and five acres to get the mills, as in 
running the boundary lines according to the first deed the 



mills were excluded, very much to the surprise of Mr. 
Palmer. 

The three hundred and five acres covered the present 
site of Stillwater village. 

George Palmer's pioneer house was a frame building, 
standing on the rise of ground a little west of Weitzel's 
present store. The house now standing is partly the same 
building, — called the " mill house." 

George Palmer had probably learned something of this 
country before 1762, as he had been in the employ of the 
British crown cutting masts for the naval service, and 
had traversed these northern woods for that purpose. 

Isaac Mann, of whom and of his assignees the Palmer 
tract was bought, must have been a still earlier pioneer, 
but of him we have no account. 

It is probable that he caused the ditch to be cut through 
the rocky point at the falls, now in the rear of Ensign's Hotel. 
The tradition is that the cost of this, and its failure to render 
the water-power available to the extent expected, produced 
the embarrassment that caused the assignees' sale of 1774. 

John Neilson was born in New Jersey, March 23, 1753. 
He was the son of Samuel Neilson. The latter died in 
1763. John Neilson, at the age of nineteen, left New 
Jersey with no capital but the axe upon his shoulders, his 
strong, robust frame, and his manly determination to carve 
out for himself a home in the newer lands of the upper 
Hudson. He obtained employment, near Bemus Heights, 
of a Mr. Quitterfield, and signalized his first day's work by 
splitting a tough black-oak log into rails. In 1775 he had 
accumulated enough to partly pay for a farm, married the 
eldest daughter of his employer, and bought the fiirm that 
has ever since been in the family, — a farm that crowns the 
summit of the river-hills in Stillwater, commands a wide and 
extensive view, and has become historic from its connection 
with the great battles of the Burgoyne campaign. Just 
settled and a little place cleared, the Revolutionary war 
opened, and John Neilson, with his neighbors, as .shown in 
Palmer's affidavit, gave up much of his time to the public 
service. He lived to see those troubles pass by and the 
new government established. He left four sons, — John, 
Samuel, Charles, and Henry. John settled north of the 
old place, Samuel in Saratoga, Henry in East Line, and 
Charles on the old homestead. Daughters became the 
wives of Martin Vandenburg, Richard Dunning, and A. 
H. Rudd. 

Charles Neilson was the author of a work upon the bat- 
tles of the Burgoyne campaign. For this work he had the 
advantage of a liberal education, as well as that of birth 
and residence on tlie actual field of cotjflict. 

The sons of Charles Neilson are Charles C, of Stillwater, 
George W., member of Assembly, 1877 and 1878, Wil- 
liam Henry, of Saratoga Springs, and Sanford. 

Fayette Neilson, a son of Samuel, relates that his grand- 
father kept one old post-and-rail fence on the farm staked 
up carefully for many years, because it showed the bullet- 
marks of the great battle. 

Among the early settlers of Stillwater was Harnianus 
Schuyler. He settled there about the year 1770, owned 
a large farm, and built mills a short distance liclow the vil- 
lage on the river. He died on his farm at Stillwater, Sep- 



288 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



tember 1, 1796, after holding many positions of trust and 
honor. A biographical sketch of him is given in the gen- 
eral history. 

John Bemus was an early pioneer. The campaign of 
1777 found him keeping a tavern at the southern extremity 
of the alluvial flats that formed the strategic points — near 
the river — in the battles of September 19 and October 7. 
His house was General Gates' headquarters during the first 
battle, and from him the hills to the west had already 
acquired the name of Bemus Heights. It was reserved for 
this humble pioneer landlord to give his name to the battle- 
fields where Burgoyne met his fate. 

Of his previous history we have no account, but from 
the journal of Jeffrey Cowper, the first settler of Queens- 
bury, according to Holden's History, it is shown that John 
Bemus was keeping the tavern mentioned above as early as 
1762, for Cowper ate breakfast there on the morning of 
August 27 of that year. How much earlier than that John 
Bemus actually came we have no means of ascertaining, but 
not more than two or three years before, because few or 
none could settle in this section safely until after the fall of 
Quebec in 1759, except under the immediate protection of 
the forts, and this was three or four miles from old Fort In- 
goldsby, at Stillwater. 

Ezra Buell was here before the Revolution. His name 
is frequent in the early records and early history. He was 
in the battles of Bemus Heights, and was the old guide who 
went over the battle-ground with visitors for many years. 
He was the first crier of the county court. He was a 
bachelor. His home was with the Bacon family. He was 
buried at Bemus Heights, in the old burial-ground. Upon 
the fallen stone lying upon the grave may be read, " Major 
Ezra Buell. Died October 23, 1838, aged ninety. He was 
a noted Whig in the time of the Revolution, guide to the 
army." Charles Ensign, of the present hotel in Stillwater, 
well remembers being sent from his father's tavern up the 
river, when a little boy, to bring Major Buell to assist visitors 
in studying up the battle-ground. The grave-yard where the 
old major sleeps deserves a better destiny than to be turned 
into a hog pasture, as it now is. The patriotism that would 
crown these summits with a monument to the memory of 
the great conflict, may well devote a portion of its strength 
to marking the last resting-place of the individuals who 
fought and won in this decisive battle. 

Ezekiel Enssign came into this country some time before 
the Revolutionary war, and settled above the Wilbur Basin 
creek, at the place now owned by his grandson, George En^ 
sign, on the river-road. His first house stood on or near 
the site of the present one. His original purchase was six 
hundred and forty acres. At the approach of Burgoyne, in 
the summer of 1777, Mr. Ensign removed his family to A1-- 
bany, and himself returned to find his farm occupied by the 
British army, and his house, which he was unable to reach, 
turned into a hospital. It Ls reported that twelve ofiicers died 
there and were buried in the rear. The hospital, a historic 
building, is a part of the present farm-house of George En- 
sign. When the family left for Albany they buried their 
household utensils, but could never find them again. In 
after-years strangers came and obtained permission to dig 
for money, but it is not thought they ever obtained any. 



After the war Mr. Ensign opened a public-house, and it 
was continued for many years by his son, Charles Ensign, 
while this was the great through route for travel from 
Albany to Whitehall. 

i\Ir. Ensign left nine sons, — Ezekiel, who settled in 
Washington county ; Allen, a captain, and George, a mate, 
both lost at sea ; John, who settled in Corinth ; David, who 
went to Warsaw ; Charles, who first settled in Easton, but 
returning, lived and died upon the old homestead ; Dan, 
who settled in Stillwater on a part of the original tract ; 
Robert, who went to Corinth ; and Henry, his twin-brother, 
who settled in Easton, — and two daughters, — Sallie, who 
became the wife of Dr. Patrick, of Stillwater, and Rebecca, 
who married Mr. Toll, son of Jesse Toll, one of the early 
settlers of Saratoga. A nephew of Ezekiel Ensign, — Otis 
J]nsign, — whose father was killed at the massacre of Wy- 
oming, in July, 1778, after his father's death came to live 
with his uncle in Stillwater; but soon after, though only 
sixteen years of age, be enlisted in the patriot army, and 
served five years until the close of the war. He then re- 
turned to Stillwater, married Mary Patrick, a sister of Dr. 
Patrick, subsequently removing to Delaware county, thence 
to Chautauqua, where he died, at the advanced age of ninety- 
four, beingone of the last surviving soldiers of the Revolution. 
He suffered the dangers of the battle-field, was with Wash- 
ington at the crossing of the Delawai'e and at Valley Forge, 
and, though young, appears to have been promoted, as he 
was in command of the guard at the execution of Major 
Andre. D. W. Ensign, of the publishing firm, is a grand- 
son of Otis. 

Amos Hodgman came from Weston, Mass., to Stillwater 
about the year 1788. His first home was the present place 
of Ephraim Ford. He left four sons, two of whom mar- 
ried and settled in Stillwater, — Isaac and Leonard. The 
latter is still living. 

John McCarty was one of the very earliest settlers. He 
purchased many years before the Revolutionary war a large 
tract of land at Wilbur's basin. His daughter, born in this 
country, became the wife of the pioneer Wilbur, who settled 
here soon after the war closed ; and of her children two are 
living, — Mr. Wilbur, the father of Edward Wilbur, and 
Mrs. Catherine Barker. Here is actual proof of early set- 
tlement, — Mrs. Barker's rnother, born in this very place. 
Mrs. Barker states that her maternal grandfather, John 
McCarty, left Ireland under circumstances to create all the 
elements of a first-class novel. He had brilliant prospects, 
an excellent estate selected for him, and, in the good old 
times of courtly intrigue, a lady was also, without any 
particular eflbrt of his, designated for his wife. Suddenly 
awaking from the dreams of home and family so easily ar- 
ranged for him by others, he discovered to his horror that 
his future wife had red hair. His resolution was immedi- 
ately taken. Sooner than marry those " sweet auburn 
curls" — as they might now be called — he left home and 
friends, bride and farm, and buried himself in the forests 
of Stillwater. Novelists will easily finish the other chap- 
ters, and tell us what became of the Irish lady abroad, and 
describe the one John McCarty did marry, but ivc can only 
relate authentic history. 

Evert Vandeuburg was here before the Revolutionary 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



289 



war, and had a fine farm on tlie alluvial flats, at the upper 
and lower extremities of which the British and American 
forces were encamped in 1777. Durini^ the first day's 
battle the left wing of the British army advanced along 
the river-road, and finding the American position too 
strong to be attacked, retreated ; but, in their disappoint- 
ment, they burned the Vandenburg buildings to the ground. 

Jeremiah Hart came from Rhode Island, it is supposed, 
in 1775 or 1776, in the midst of the Revolutionary war, 
and settled in Stillwater, east side of the lake, on tlie 
present farm of Charles Arjiold. The first log house was 
down by the bank of the lake. There he spent his hfe, 
and died on the old farm. His sons were Jeremiah, who 
settled on the old place, but afterwards removed to Sara- 
toga Springs; John settled near the old homestead. He 
was the fiuher of James D. Hart, now of Mechanicville. 
Stephen and Philip moved away. After arriving here, 
Jeremiah, Sr., was engaged to some extent in the scouting 
service of the American army in 1777. John Hart was 
drafted in the War of 1812, and hired a substitute for forty 
dollars and equipments. 

John Taylor lived in Albany, but owned a place here 
at the time of the Burgoyno campaign. It is often sup- 
posed that his house was the " Sword hou.se" mentioned 
in the histories; but Charles Neilson, who knew every foot 
of ground, and the location of every house on and near the 
battle-fields, corrects this statement. It was not the " Sword 
house." The tenant upon the place in 1777 was one 
McGee, and the house itself, moved on to the river-road, 
became the Smith tavern of after-years. 

George Coulter was living in Stillwater at the time of the 
Burgoyne battles. His house, occupied by Isaac Freeman 
in after-years, was not the " Freeman's Cottage" so con- 
spicuous in the battles, and within half a mile of which so 
much fighting occurred. Yet it was near the real " Free- 
man's Cottage," and the battle raged fiercely over both 
farms. We have no account of Coulter's emigration to 
Stillwater, nor have we obtained anything concerning the 
Freeman who did live on the present place of A. S. Bright- 
man, and whose log house writers have designated "I^ree- 
man's Cottage." 

Joel Ketcham was a very early settler, probably about 
the close of the Revolutionary war ; his name appears on 
.the assessment-roll of 1789. His old homestead was the 
present place of R. H. Barber. He had two sons, Richard 
and Nathaniel. Richard was a long time merchant at the 
corners bearing yet the family name ; Nathaniel was sheriff 
of the county in 1811, and died in 1813 at the age of 
thirty-five. Joel Ketcham died in 1822, eighty-five years 
of age. 

Asa Chatfield was in Stillwater before the Burgoyne 
campaign of 1777. We have nothing of his history, either 
before or after. His house was on the present Benjamin 
Sarle's place, and General Gates' aids made a reconnais- 
sance of the British lines from that point on the morning of 
October 7. 

Philip Munger, grandfather of Ezra Muuger, was a 

resident before the Revolution on the present Sherman 

farm. The first house was a little south of the present one. 

His children were Samuel, Timothy, Solomon, Calvin, and 

37 



Thomas. Timothy was the father of Ezra, and settled 
where the latter now lives; Solomon, in Saratoga Springs; 
Samuel, in Stillwater ; Thomas, also ; Calvin died young. 

The Joseph Munger whoso house is marked on the war 
maps was a distant relative. Benjamin JIunger, an early 
resident, may have also been connected. His homestead was 
the present place of Charles G. Bishop. 

Thomas Hunt was another pioneer. His place was a 
half-mile east, where his son Ephraim and his grandson 
Charles Hunt now live. 

Captain Ephraim Woodworth's house was about one 
hundred rods south of the Neilson barn that was turned 
into a fort. At this house General Gates had his head- 
quarters during the battle of October 7. He either came 
from Dutchess county or from Connecticut. His sons were 
Ephraim, Isaac, and Reuben. Isaac, soon after the war, 
built a house a little west of Gates' headquarters, nearly 
south of the present Denison barn. Ephraim and Reuben 
settled farther west in the same neighborhood. A grand- 
daughter of Ephraim Woodworth, Sr., and daughter of 
Ephraim, Jr., is still living at Ketchum's Corners, widow 
of the late Dr. Hart. Ephraim Woodworth's business was 
that of a weaver, and the hospital of the battle maps was 
probably his shop. 

John Hunter came to Stillwater as one of the Connecti- 
cut colony, in 1762-64. He seems to have first settled 
near Round lake, in the present town of Malta ; but about 
the close of the war came east, and located on what is now 
the farm of Miss Julia Hunter. His house and black- 
smith-shop were near the corners of the road now leading 
northeast of the present Hunter place. He was a sur- 
veyor, and several maps drawn by him are now in possession 
of Miss Hunter. He owned at one time a large part or all 
of lot No. 5 in the Saratoga patent. Some of it was pur- 
chased of Eben Patrick, and some from Jonathan Frisbey. 
One map shows the property-owners on lot 5 in regular 
order from the river westward. It lacks a date, but must 
have been very early, — some time before 1800, — as John 
Hunter died in 1805. The proprietors, commencing at the 
river, were Cyprian Watson, John Hunter, D. Andrews, 
Reynolds, Joel Seymour, Deliverance Andrews, John Fel- 
lows, Obadiah Powell, David Bidwell, Abraham Hodges, 
Thomas Salisbury, David Bidwell, and Samuel Olmsted. 

John Fellows was one of the Connecticut colony, his 
emigration dating back with the rest of them to 1762-64. 
His early home was about a mile west of the " Y^ellow 
meeting-house." During the most dangerous period of the 
war the family, like others, returned to Connecticut for 
safety. John Fellows was active in holding religious 
meetings. He had a hearty hatred of all shams, and was 
opposed to gaudy and pretentious show, and often abruptly 
expressed his views ; but he was a man of great usefulness, 
and tradition among the people pronounces him " a good 
man," — a verdict meaning far more than many high-sound- 
ing words of praise. He left three sons, William, Ezra, 
and Thomas. William settled in Stillwater, and was the 
I father of Abiram Fellows, now of Mechanicville. Ezra 
settled in Stillwater. Thomas was a son-in-law of William 
Seymour, and went west with the Seymour family. Eldula, 
a daughter of John Fellows, married Joel Seymour ; an- 



290 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



other daughter became Mrs. Depew ; and still another, 
Mrs. Dr. Day. 

Rev. Robert Campbell, the early minister who came with 
the Congregational church to Stillwater, preached for them, 
lived with them, endured pioneer labors with them, died in 
their midst, and his remains rest in the old burial-ground 
by the church. His son, Robert Campbell, Jr., following 
his father's profession, took up the work his father laid 
down, and preached for eight years to this congregation, 
making a pastorate by father and son of nearly forty years. 
A grandson is the well-known Dr. Campbell, of the Central 
Presbyterian church of Rochester. 

Jonathan Moroy was one of the Connecticut colony. 
His wife was a daughter of Rev. Robert Campbell, Sr. 
His son, Thomas Morey, was a deacon of the church for 
many years and a prominent town officer. Jonathan Morey 
died March 31, 1790. 

Cyprian Watson, another of the Connecticut men, set- 
tled on the present Landon farm. He too was a deacon of 
the church. He had a son, Cyprian, well known in later 
years, and one daughter, who became Mrs. Dunham. 

Deacon William Seymour, another Connecticut man, set- 
tled in the same neighborhood, on the present Hart farm. 
He was a blacksmith. His sons were William, Jesse, John, 
and Eben. John and William went to Chautauqua county. 
Ebon became a minister. Jesse settled across the river and 
died there. 

The Patricks were a prominent name in the pioneer set- 
tlement, as they were also in after-years. The homestead 
was the present Wetzel farm, and the house was perhaps 
half a mile west of the present one. 

Amariah Plumb seems to have been one of the Connec- 
ticut colony, but he probably settled westward, in the 
present town of Malta, and Plumb brook is no doubt 
named for him. 

John Thompson's place was a mile and a half .south of 
Stillwater village. He was a prominent, public-.spirited 
man, was elected a Representative to Congress, and held 
many other important positions. His homestead was the 
present farm of John Lansing. 

Simeon Barber was an early settler. His homestead was 
the present Rogers place, and is marked upon the battle 
maps of 1777. Near his house, a little south. General 
Fraser was mortally wounded. Mr. Barber was a great- 
uncle of Mrs. Catherine Barker before spoken of, whose 
maiden name was Wilbur, — .so that, perhaps, the romantic 
John McCarty, who fled from the ruby-haired Irish maiden, 
may have married a Barber. 

Jeremiah Taylor lived where William P. Curtiss does 
now, — below Wilbur's basin. 

Gabriel Leggett and Isaac Leggett were brothere, and 
were pioneers before the Revolutionary war. Gabriel's 
homestead was the present place of George Weston and 
Isaac, in the same neighborhood. It is understood that the 
old Salisbury place, north of Wilbur's ravine, was the origi- 
nal property of Thomas Leggett, whose name appears upon 
the assessment-roll of 1789, marked " York," — meaning, it 
is supposed, resident in New York. That home is a venera- 
ble relic of old times. 

Reuben Wright lived near Wilbur's batin. The ferry 



near his homestead was called Wright's ferry for many 
years. 

Anthony Collamer came from Boston to Stillwater just 
after the Revolution, and settled near Saratoga lake ; 
afterwards moved to Malta. His son, Thomas Collamer, 
was born the very day of the battle of Bunker Hill. Col- 
lins, a grandson, now lives in Stillwater. Anthony Collamer 
and two brothers were in the actions at Bemus Heights, and 
doubtless learned enough of the county to induce subsequent 
settlement. 

Elisha Andrews was among the early settlers in 1765-70. 
There were also several others of the same family name, — 
Dennison, Deliverance, and Ephraim. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Lossing Gleason, underetood to be a rela- 
tive of the historian Lossing, is still living in Stillwater, at 
the advanced age of ninety-seven. Born in Cambridge, 
her father removed when she was yet a child of two years 
to Usher's Mills in Half-Moon. He had been a scout in 
the Burgoyne campaign. She was married in 1S06, and 
Gleason's Hollow takes its name from her husband, who 
built a mill there. She is now a venerable relic of antiq- 
uity, having brought up a family of eight sons and four 
daughters. Four grandchildren also have been personally 
cared for by her. 

Cornelius Vandenburg lived in Stillwater village, and 
was prominent in the legal profession. 

Henry Metcalf, too, was an early lawyer of unusual 
abilities. A career of great brilliance was terminated by 
his early death. 

James Baker, though not a pioneer, deserves a place in 
h'story. He is said to have had eighteen sons. He settled 
about 1800, at the foot of the hill north of Mechanicville, 
but soon after built where his son, Bloom Baker, now lives. 
His descendants, to the number of nearly two hundred, are 
accustomed to have a grand family reunion once a year. 

The further early settlement of Stillwater is clearly 
shown in the affidavit of Elias Palmer, applying for a pen- 
sion ; in the partial assessment-roll of 1789, which contains 
one hundred and twelve names of property-holders ; in the 
extracts from the town records ; in the lists of town officers ; 
in the names contained in the records of churches ; and in 
many other allusions in this work. To individualize these 
notices any further is impossible, in a town as old as this, 
and in a volume embracing the whole county. The assess^ 
ment-rnll of 1799 shows yiue hundred property-holders. 

The first tavern may have been opened by William Mead, 
a son-in-law of the first George Palmer, at Stillwater vil- 
lage, very probably before the Revolutionary war. The 
house of Ezekiel Ensign, on the river-road, was the earliest 
tavern in the north part of the town, beyond the one at 
Bemus Heights. This was opened not long after the war 
closed, and was continued for many years by his son, 
Charles Ensign. 

John Bemus opened a public-house about 1760, and 
General Gates had his headquarters there for a time in 
1777. The tavern of William Patrick on the hill in Still- 
water village seems to have been quite noted as early as 
1800, tradition among old people frequently alluding to it. 
Eli Stone, brother-in-law of Amos Hodgman, also kept 
another tavern a little farther down. William Gleason 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



291 



also kr.pt a tavern before 1800 on the site of the present 
brick hotel. A very early public-house was also at; the 
forks of the road west of Bemus Heights, the present 
Smith place. There was one kept by William Strang at 
the present MeCarty tavern, known as Stillwater Centre. 
That is the vlUnge which often contended successfully with 
Palmer's Falls for the honor of the town-meetings. Po- 
litical caucuses are even yet held there occasionally. Still 
another tavern was on Dunning street, in what is now 
Malta ; and we must not omit to state that the " Yellow 
Meeting-house" Corners was once a place of business or 
travel sufficient to have a tavern kept by Hezekiah Reyn- 
olds. At Ketcliam's Corners Noah Chapman probably 
kept the first tavern, on the site of the present Woodworth 
House. 

In the First Baptist church neighborhood the old brick 
house of the Sayles homestead is a venerable building over 
one hundred years old. The very old buildings in Still- 
water village are the Swart House, the " Mill House," and 
the Catholic church. The house opposite the Swart House, 
too, was built by General Schuyler for workmen while the 
old canal was being dug in 1790, or about that time. 

The hill in Stillwater village was probably fortified at the 
same time of the hill a mile southwest, elsewhere men- 
tioned. The iutrenchments, as remembered by Ashbel 
Palmer, were in the form of a crescent around the north 
brow of the hill, inclosing the ground where the present 
Presbyterian and Catholic churches stand. Within the 
curve was a mound, as if erected for cannon. This was a 
little east of the present school-house. There was a long 
building for barracks standing, within the memory of some 
now living, on the south brow of the hill. The headquar- 
ters at Dirck Swart's would be just in the rear of these 
works. 

It is understood that the first store in town was opened 
by Palmer & Levins, nearly opposite JMrs. Eddy's resi- 
dence. An early firm in the same building were the 
brothers Reuben and Warren Smith. Two prominent mer- 
chants for many years were Jesse Patrick and Seth Eddy. 

Ford & Hale are supposed to have been in business on 
the hill as early as 1790, nearly opposite the house of Dirck 
Swart. The store was afterwards burned. O'Donnell's 
store, too, was near the tavern of Eli Stone. 

At Ketchum's Corners, Abram Q. Wright, it is thought, 
opened the first store, and afterwards Richard Ketohum 
was associated with him. Their place was the site of the 
present brick store. 

Jesse Patrick's store was near the hay-scales at the paper- 
mill in Stillwater village. Robert Patrick opened a store 
in early times at Bemus Heights. 

Daniel Hale was a very early surveyor. 

John Hunter, a pioneer in the south part of the town, 
was also a surveyor. Maps drawn by him, of great value 
and in excellent preservation, are in possession of Miss Julia 
Hunter, a granddaughter, residing east of the yellow meet- 
ing-house. 

An early physician in town was Robert Patrick. Ephraim 
Otis, of Quaker Springs, practiced extensively in Stillwater. 
Old residents all speak of William Patrick as a physician, 
and his son, William Patrick, Jr. 



Very little can be said of first viiHs. It has been shown 
that probably Isaac Mann built a mill between 1750 and 
1760. The mill stood, whoever may have built it, just 
below the end of the channel cut through the rock. It had 
two or three successors on the same spot. The present 
grist-mill was built by John Newland in 1846. There Wiis 
a saw-mill very early in the Gleason Hollow. It is prob- 
able from the name that some kind of a mill was located 
in early years upon Mill creek. Very few know anything 
about it. There is a tradition, however, in the Hewitt 
family that such a mill did stand up the ravine on one of 
the branches. Ezekiel Ensign built mills very early on 
Wilbur Basin creek. 

The lumber-yard now owned by Stephen Wood dates 
back about fifty years, having been opened by William 
Seymour soon after the canal was finished. 

Some enthusiasm arose a few years since over a supposed 
finding of coal, caused from the discovery of specimens of 
slate burning freely. A derrick was erected, which may 
still be seen west of the village. No valuable result was 
reached. The undertaking was abandoned, and it is re- 
lated that the men engaged in the work soon after lost their 
lives by accident in the mines of Pennsylvania. 

For about twenty-five years past many cannon-balls and 
shells have from time to time been found in the river at 
Stillwater village. They were numerous at one point not 
far above the bridge. John C. Force, at the bridge, esti- 
mates those found at several hundred. The explanation 
given by some for this is that, in the preparation of Gates 
to meet Burgoyne, a large quantity of shot was piled on 
the bank in readiness to be taken to the battle-field if 
needed ; that they were left so far back from the camp for 
safety against capture, or reserved for use if obliged to re- 
treat to this point ; that after ^he battles were over they 
were carelessly or purposely left ; that in a few years they 
were gradually rolled into the river, in sport, or even to get 
them out of the way; that fifty years afterwards everybody 
had forgotten this, if they ever knew it, and hence it was 
quite a discovery to find them in the river. This explana- 
tion may be correct, and certainly is good enough until 
some one finds a better. Another theory of this matter is 
that a barge loaded with war material was overturned at 
that point. 

Of course, in this town there are many collections of 
relics of the great struggle. The families living on and 
near the actual field of battle all have more or less of them, 
— balls, pieces of bone, fragments of clothing taken from 
skeletons, bayonets, buttons, coins, and many other things. 
Mrs. Eddy, of Stillwater village, has a large collection, 
made with much care through several years. 

Genuine relics are so abundant here that some may 
doubt the story which an old resident tells, that in his 
youth he knew boys to mould balls, strike them with a 
hammer to make them show hard usage, bury them for a 
year or so, until they were thoroughly rusted, and then dig 
them up and sell them to visitors from Saratoga Springs at 
twenty-five cents apiece. 

The following paper is inserted as throwing light on the 
early .settlement, and also furnishing much valuable informa- 
tion as to the times of the Revolutionary war in Stillwater: 



292 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



APPLICATION OF ELIAS PALMER FOR A PKNSION — PAPP:RS DRAWN 
IN 1S33. 

He deposes as follows : " That he is seventy-seven 3'cars old, and 
has resided in the town of Stillwater since the year 1761, which place 
was then called Saratoga district; that early in the year 1775, at the 
said place, he enlisted as a volunteer militia-niiin, in a company then 
and there raised by voluntary agreement, composed, among others, 
of the following-named persons : Ebenezer Marvin, Simeon Barber, 
Ezekiel Kuborts, John Wibert, Prestus Denton (who are dead), and 
of John Neilson, Elisha Andrews, and Ezra Buell. then living at that 
place, and who have ever since remained his neighbors and the only 
survivors of the company that ho remembars. That the said Marvin 
and Barber were chosen by the company, — the first named, captain, 
and the last, lieutenant ; and the ensign's name is nut recollected. 
That about the Ist day of May, 1775, the company marched from said 
place to Ticonderoga, by the way of Lake George, to assist the east- 
ern ti'oops in taking that post from the British, which a few days 
before their arrival had surrendered to Colonel Allen. That the 
company in their march furnished their own supplies, and were the 
first troops that went from this frontier of New York to fight the 
enemy at the north at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. 
That they remained at Ticonderoga doing duty about two weeks, 
when General Arnold arrived there from the north with prisoners 
taken at St. John's, which deponent's company guarded from that 
place into the country south toward Albany, but deponent remained. 
That a few days after deponent returned to Stillwater; that after 
being at home about a week he went again to the north with several 
of his neighbors, voluntarily and promiscuously armed, and did duty 
as a soldier in the militia under General Arnold ; marched by land 
from Ticonderoga to Crown Point, where he embarked aboard of a 
sloop which Arnold had taken from the enemy and commanded, and 
deponent was employed in going to and from Ticonderoga to Crown 
Point transporting stores. The principal direction of affairs was 
under a committee of safety, of which deponent's father, George Pal- 
mer, was chairman. Besides Arnold, Colonel Henman, Colonel Em- 
ner, Captain John Watson, and Lieutenant Titus Watson, of the 
Connecticut troops, were then at Ticonderoga. Deponent thinks 
he was absent on this tour of duty for about three months, for he re- 
members that on his return home the farmers had about finished their 
harvesting, which operation was generally over by the middle of 
August. He signed no written agreement and received no written 
discharge. That in the month of January, 1776, a company of mi- 
litia was formed in Stillwater, and Alexander Baldwin was chosen 
captain, Samuel Bacon lieut:?nant, and this deponent ensign, but 
had no commission. It was a volunteer company, organized for the 
purpose of going to Johnstown (now in Montgomery county, N. Y.) 
and capturing or dispersing the Indians and Tories which Sir John 
Johnson was collecting in that quarter. The company marched from 
Stillwater to Albany, and all the militia and volunteers they assem- 
bled were under the command of General Schuyler. The troops 
marched from Albany to Schenectady, thence to Tribes' Hill, thence 
to Johnstown. Was present when Johnson and his white adherents 
surrendered to General Schuyler. Rememljcrs that Johnson broke 
his parole of honor. From the distance traveled and the services 
performed, deponent supposes and believes he was out at this time 
about two weeks. Deponent's company and the Albany volunteers, 
who were dressed in uniform, were sent to collect and receive the 
arms which the enemy had given up. Was in no batlles. Recollects 
that John Neilson was on this expedition. Deponent says that shortly 
after his return home he was appointeil ensign in a company of which 
Job Wright was captain and Holton Dunham lieutenant, both of 
whom are dead, and commenced the recruiting service in the month 
of March, 1776. This company belonged to Colonel Van Schaick's 
regiment, and were enlisted to serve nine months. Recollects he en- 
listed Michael Dunning, now living at Serapronius, Cayuga Co., 
whom he believes is now on the pension roll, and Jesse Dunning, 
David Hull, Joseph Corp, and others to the number of thirteen, but 
who are now dead. That the recruits were marched by deponent to 
Albany, and inspected by Colonel Van Schaick, and there he re- 
ceived orders to march them to Fort George, which he did. There 
they were consolidated into Van Schaick's regiment, commanded by 
Peter Gansevoort, major of the regiment. Ho never saw the colonel 
there. Job Wright, the captain, and Holton Dunham, the lieuten- 
ant, were there. Remembers of his company, who were at Fort 
George doing duty, those above mentioned, and Simeon Rockwell 



Combs and Cornelius Baldwin, both corporals; Peter B. Tierce, the 
adjutant of the regiment; and remembers, besides the officers above 
named, Captains Fish and Martin and Ensign Brown. Remembers 
Colonel Ten Eyck was at the fort doing duty. Deponent says that 
he remained at Fort George doing duty in his said regiment till late 
in the fall of the year 1776, when his company was marched to Sara- 
toga barracks and discharged. Deponent verily believes he served 
his full term of nine months. He received his commission from Ma- 
jor Gansevoort at Fort George, but by whom it was signed does not 
remember. It was burned in his father's house in 1777. And depo- 
nent further says, that when the news of Burgoyne's invasion, in 
1777, had reached the inhabitants in this section of country, it was 
thought advisable to remove to Connecticut, a place of greater safety. 
He assisted not only his father's family, but the neighbors generally, 
in their removal, and returned to Stillwater. That deponent fought 
in each of the battles between the American and British armies in 
1777, besides being in several intermediate skirmishes, and was 
present at the surrender of Burgoyne. This service was performed 
as a volunteer, and deponent was attached to no particular com- 
pany," 

An interesting event in the early history of this town is 
tlie fact that in August, 1764, the Scotch-Irish colony, 
under Dr. Thomas Clark, that afterwards became so promi- 
nent in the settlement of Salem. Washington county, came 
from New York to Stillwater, and actually remained here 
(some two hundred of them) for two and a half years ; for 
this colony did not actually move to Salem imtil May, 1767, 
although the men were perhaps over there largely in the 
summer of 1766, making preparations for the removal. 
What this colony did during this long period in Stillwater, 
just where they lived, — whether in temporary cabins or 
otherwise, — would doubtless form a matter of interesting 
inquiry. It is the opinion of Dr. Fitch, of Salem, that they 
were scattered around among the inhabitants of Stillwater 
during their stay, and also through Schaghticoke, the 
men, women, and larger children working wherever they 
could find employment, taking for pay whatever clothing, 
cooking utensils, furniture, or other articles they were 
going to need in their new home, — many of them thus 
obtaining a cow and a pig. And for years after they were 
settled in S.ilem, many of the men were accustomed to go 
back there to work during haying and harvesting, to obtain 
things they needed. 

The following are the names of some of the inhabitants 
of Stillwater, with their occupations added, written out 
from the recollections and searches of Ashbel Palmer : 

From 1764 to 1800 : Dirck Swart, county clerk ; George 
Palmer, Sr., purchaser of mills and land ; Colonel Daniel 
Dickinson, tanner and farmer; Isaac Mann, original owner 
of property sold Greorge Palmer; Joseph Leavens, black- 
smith ; W. Gill; Ashbel Palmer, now living at the age of 
eighty-six, merchant; Elias Palmer, merchant and farmer; 
Elias Willard, doctor; Christian Sackrider, lawyer; Cor- 
nelius Vandenburg, lawyer; Ebenezer Patrick , innkeeper; 
Daniel Hale, Jr., merchant and surveyor; Increase Child, 
surveyor, laid out the village lots; Amos Hodgman, far- 
mer, also had a scythe-factory ; William jNIead, innkeeper ; 
Joseph Rowe, farmer; William T. Gleason, innkeeper, first 
at that stand ; Ashbel Meacham, carpenter ; Seth Turpen, 
shoemaker; Morton Carrington, saddler and harness-shop; 
Gilbert Hooker, Alpheus Eaton, Warren Smith, merchant 
and druggist; Reuben Smith, merchant ; William Parsons, 
carpenter ; Abin Parsons, carpenter ; Frederick Stewart, 
shoe-store; James Hillson, shoemaker; Perez Ripley, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



293 



brick-maker ; Heman Whitney, carpenter ; Eli Stone, inn- 
keeper ; Hezekiah Lord, farmer ; James Bijri^les, Jonathan 
Reed, Hugh Harsha, farmer ; Peter Olds ; William Patrick, 
Jr., doctor ; Isaac Dickinson ; Jesse Patrick, merchant ; Dr. 
Jesse Se^'mour, drngtrist ; Henry Davis, town clerk, 1796; 
Henry Metcalf, lawyer ; Terrence O'Donnell, merchant. 

Since 1800, but many of them pretty early : Peter Shoe- 
maker, a cabinet-maker ; Nathan D. Sherwood, hatter ; 
John Albro, merchant ; Cornelius Eloomingdale, Sr., tav- 
ern-keeper and farmer ; Cornelius Eloomingdale, Jr., mer- 
chant ; Tappan March, bridge-tender ; John C. Force, 
shoemaker and store; Daniel Bradt, the same; Alfred 
Benedict, tailor ; Anson Benedict, the same ; Samuel F. 
Pruyn, merchant ; Henry Ensign, watch- and clock-shop ; 
Erastus Seymour, hatter ; John E. Darby, blacksmith ; 
Jared P. Brocket, merchant ; Minor Montgomery, carpen- 
ter and store-house ; James Laugworthy, doctor ; Jeremiah 
Colics, wagon-maker ; Captain Daniel Dickinson, black- 
smith ; G. V. Lansing, real-estate dealer; William Williams, 
manufacturer; William Caldeeott, rope-walk; Almon Clark, 
cloth-dresser ; John Sullivan, clothing-works ; Dr. Schuy- 
ler, not practicing ; Erastus Benton, blacksmith, then a 
merchant; John Wright, canal-grocery; Alfred White, 
tavern ; Nicholas Depew, tavern ; Garret Bell, tavern ; 
Walter Boughton, tavern, stone-cutter, and teacher ; Newell 
Miller and Jesse Warren, blacksmiths ; Peter Houghton, 
shoemaker ; Medad Cande, shoe-store, formerly tanner ; 
Samuel Low, shoemaker ; Samuel B. Malcolm, gentleman, 
and his wife, a daughter and secretary of General Schuy- 
ler ; Seth Eddy, merchant. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

The significance of the name has been already given. 
As the first inhabitants probably located at the water-power . 
where the still water ended and the rapids began, the peo- 
ple below would speak of going up to still water, and this, 
no doubt, developed into a nnine for the primeval settle- 
ment, afterwards applied to the country at large, and finally 
to the organized town. The settlement at the falls also 
had another name attached to it in a similar way for a time. 

The settlers lower down spoke of this new place as Up- 
town, and that was shortened into Upton. Early deeds are 
still in existence describing lands at Upton, and a petition 
drawn as late as 1808, to the council of appointment, in 
fiivor of Cyrus Goodrich as a candidate for the office of 
justice of the peace, is dated at " Upton, in the town of 
Stillwater." 

TOWN EECORDS. 
It is a public calamity for any town to lose its records. 
One great feature of American civil life diflering from the 
nations of the old world is the local government by towns. 
Indeed, this is regarded by many writers as not only the 
foundation, but the defense of free government. The early 
New England town-meeting system is believed to have not 
only trained their own people to habits of independent 
thought and independent action, but to have manifestly led 
the whole people of the colonies onward to firmly demand, 
and bravely win, their independence. In view of this 
fundamental principle, and in view of the intrinsic value 
of town records themselves, affecting so many matters of 



home administration, it might be expected the people would 
be williTig to pay for having a town clerk's office centrally 
and permanently located, well supplied with cases, desks, 
and safes, for the proper filing and preservation of their 
records. Unfortunately, this condition of town papers is 
nowhere to be found. Documents venerable with age, 
and growing more valuable with the lapse of time, are 
mixed up with last year's pathmasters' reports ; stowed 
into some dry-goods box, subject to all the chances of fire ; 
no committee ever looking to see whether or not one town 
clerk delivers all the papers to the next. It is only a ques- 
tion of chance whether the papers are full and complete. 
They may happen to be, but there is more than an even 
chance that they are not. It is difficult to write history 
unless one can find it. 

This may be an mihlstorical way of arriving at the state- 
ment that the old book of town records is not to be found 
in Stillwater; that such names of town -officers as we have 
obtained, earlier than 1842, have only been secured at the 
county clerk's office, and from various loose papers in the 
town-office. The account of the first town-meeting, in 
1788, cannot be given. The names of the first town 
officers probably are not obtainable in any way. 

The place of that first meeting, when the people assem- 
bled to organize their home government, cannot be stated 
accurately, and the many other items found in a well-kept 
town book must be omitted. Dropping these negative state- 
ments, we proceed as far as possible with the affirmative. 

The town of Stillwater is one of the four original towns 
of the county organized at the same time, — 1788. Before 
this there were three districts, so called, — Saratoga, Balls- 
ton, and Half-Moon. The first town-meeting was probably 
held in the spring of 1788, as the legal formation of the town 
bears date March 7, — early enough for a town-meeting 
that year. From the fragment of an assessment-roll given 
elsewhere, and from other information, it is inferred that a 
full sot of town officers was elected ; that the usual by-laws 
were adopted, and the full town machinery was set in oper- 
tion. Among the names of early town officers incidentally 
ascertained will be noticed many whose descendants are still 
prominent in town matters. 

In early times these town-meetings were quite often held 
in the western part of the town, known as Stillwater Cen- 
tre, and considerable strife existed as to what place should 
.secure the adjournment. For many years past, however, 
they have been held without opposition at Stillwater vil- 
lage. Many of the early town officers afterwards became 
prominent in public aS'airs. 

There seem to have been seventeen road districts in the 
town in 1796. The following is a partial list of overseers 
of the highways for that year : Jesse Gage, No. 1 ; Amos 
Millikeu, No. 2 ; Thomas Peterson, No. 3 ; John Neilson, 
No. 4; Timothy Shipman, No. 7 ; Robert Hunter, No. 8; 
Abraham Valentine, No. 9 ; Joseph Stephens, No. 10 ; 
William Strong, No. 11 ; William Cooper, No. 12 ; Ben- 
jamin Cole, No. 14; John Wiggins, No. 17. 

Still earlier, in 1790, we find a few names of overseers, 
— Foster Whitford, Isaac Leggett, Joseph Rockwell, Wil- 
liam Dunning, and Robert Hunter. 

The town book of estrays opens, in 1790, with Timothy 



294 



HISTORY OF SAKATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Kellogg's advertisement, " that a yoke of two-year old steers 
had broken into his inclosure, — one of them black, with 
white on his back, the other a brindle one, witli white on 
his face." 

Isaac Fonda's road-list of 1789 — No. 10 — has upon it 
thirty-two names. 

In 181.5 the town bought a farm to keep the poor upon, 
paying therefor the sum of $425. Benjamin Denton and 
Rial Moore seem to have been the parties who sold, and the 
representatives of the town who bought were Benjamin 
Denton and Daniel Carthy. 

The following list is given as showing the names of many 
property-holders in 1789. If complete for what was then 
the territory of Stillwater, it would indeed be a valuable 
record ; but it is evidently the work of a single assessor, pre- 
liminary to the formation of a complete assessment-roll. It 
probably applies to the northern and western portions of the 
town, and does not include the territory along the river be- 
low Bemus Heights. It will be seen that the tax was at the 
rate of twopence per pound, and the highest three tax- 
payers upon the roll are James Verner, Evert Vandenburg, 
and Ezekiel Ensign. The number of names is one hundred 
and twelve, — for, it is supposed, one-third of the town. 
This list, if the above explanation is correct, furnishes the 
names of some who were early settlers of Malta. 

A list of the inhuhitnnts of StiUwaler, fogcther with the valuation of 
the real and personal estate of each person^ taken the 20th of Man. 
1789. 



Propprtv. 

B. P. 

f f i 

JohnBleecker 30 20 

Wm. Patiick.Jr 10 3 

Jfhuida Millard, Jr 20 4 

Josiah Mni;ird 

Isiiac Miers & Sons 15 4 

George Taj'lor 2 

Daniel Ashley 3 4 

.Tolin Tnttlp 12 4 

ThaddeiisHisted 15 5 

.lolm R.'ubottom 50 20 

K[)!iraim Woodworth.. 40 10 

Keubeii Wright 20 25 

Simeon P.dor 25 10 



s. d. 

8 9 

2 3 
4 



7 

8 

10 

7 11 

6 2 



Sanuiel Rogers 10 4 

Reuben Moore 18 6 

Zebnlon Mott 10 5 

Gabriel Strang 16 5 

Peter Clemens 20 5 

Andrew Sprague 2 

David Auble 20 12 

James Dickinson & 

Sons - 13 6 

Isaiah Keeler l(i 4 

Ezekiel Ensign 50 25 

Lewis Williams 40 14 

John Carty 25 4 

Eplir.iim Woodworrh, 

Jr 25 10 

Samuel Bacon 18 6 

E/.ralSuell 18 4 

Thorn IS Hunt 17 8 

James Green 7 6 

Widow Green 13 

Gibriel Leggett 30 12 

Thomas Lcggett, York 15 

Jolin Bennis 6 2 

Daniel Brooks 6 2 

C.iruolius Van Tassel. 5 2 

William Cooper 20 6 

John McBride 15 5 

Stephen Sayles 12 4 

John Carpenter 10 2 

S.vlvanus Sayles 16 5 

Joel Ketcham 40 10 

William Anderson Ifi G 

Noah Chapman 10 1 

Samuel Cooper 20 12 

Solomon Scidmore 10 4 

John Scidmore 10 

ThomisWest 6 1 

Frances West 14 

Wui. West 6 1 

\Vm. Morris 8 2 

Wni. Bell 6 1 

Foiies West G 2 

Philip Rogers 16 2 

Jacob Rogers 16 6 3 11 

Mordecai Sayles 30 10 7 1 



4 5 

4 

6 8 

3 4 

3 G 
13 6 

9 7 

6 1 

G 4 

4 3 

3 11 

4 6 
2 3 
2 3 

7 6 
2 8 
1 5 
1 
1 
4 
3 



3 
2 
7 
6 

2 10 

3 2 
3 9 
8 10 
3 11 
1 11 
5 8 

G 
9 
3 

3 
9 
3 
6 
2 



Robert Ellis 

Jonas Titus 

Wm. Robbina 

Nichol.asCole 

Win, Strang 

Benjamin Rogers 

Jacobus Swartout 

Daniel Thompson 

Killian Deridder 

Killian Vandenburg... 
Hubbard Pemberton... 

Ebenezer Bacon 

Epiiraim Cook 

.lethro Bennet 

Arthur Caldwell 

Richard Davis 

Israel Newland 

Nathaniel Higgins 

Isaac Leggett 

Edwards it Benson 

James Verner 

John Verner 

Evert Vandenburg 

Holton Dunham 

John Neilson 

Francis Wilcox 

John Wilcox 

Philip Munger 

Abraham Wilcox 

Archibald Walker 

Rowland Emery 

Widow McBrid" 

James McBride 

John Mcliride, Jr 

Daniel McBride 

Nicholas Gordinier 

Nathaniel Clapp 

Joshua Barber 

Joseph Newland 

John Rowley 

Thomas and William 

Black 

Royal Newland 

Abraham Webster 

Lemuel Powers 

Reuben Woodworth... 

Aliab Sayles 

Enoch IJiggins 

James Crowell 

Thomas Higgins 

Simeon Marshal 

Nathaniel Cooper 

Jonathan Bassett 

Timotliy Munger 

Setli Hurgess 

Kendrick Brewer 

Jonathan Morev 



Property. 
R. P. 



25 10 
3 
5 2 
20 
5 
2 
2 

2 

3 

4 

8 10 

2 

2 3 

35 13 

25 6 

100 25 ] 

10 

70 20 

10 3 

30 15 



Tax. 

.£ s. d. 

3 9 

1 11 

5 6 
1 7 
6 

6 2 



G 2 
25 12 
20 B 
18 4 
IS 8 
10 2 





6 


1 


3 


3 


f. 




10 




4 




4 




4 




6 




R 


3 


1 




4 




10 


9 


4 


5 


6 


2 


a 


3 


2 


15 11 


2 


4 


7 11 


1 


9 


1 


9 


3 





2 


1 


1 


1 


1 


7 


4 


1 


1 


9 


1 


7 


4 


9 


1 


11 


4 


7 


1 


11 


1 


I 


1 


3 


1 


5 


6 


7 


4 


7 


3 


11 


4 


7 


2 


2 




10 


2 


8 


1 


5 


1 


9 


1 


6 


1 


1 


2 


4 


2 


4 


1 


5 


3 


10 



We add the following list of town officers, complete in 
later years, but defective in the earlier dates for the reasons 
already given. It will be seen that some officers were re- 
elected for a long series of years. It is said of George 
Palmer that he held eve)y town office from pathmaster to 
supervisor. Thomas Morey was supervisor for fourteen 
years, and Isaac Wing must have been regarded as a care- 
ful and an honest man, for he was intrusted with the col- 
lection of the taxes for nearly or quite twenty-five years : 



LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS.* 



17S8. 

1789. 

1790. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1796. 

1797. 

179S. 

1799. 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1810. 

18U. 

1812. 

1813. 

1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

1818. 

1819. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823. 

1824. 

1825. 

1826. 

1827. 

1828. 

1829. 

1830. 

1831. 

1832. 

1833. 

1834. 

1835. 

1836. 

1837. 

1838. 

1839. 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

1845. 



Supervisors. 



Elias Palmer. 

Samuel Bacon. 

John Bieecker. 

it ti 

Reuben Wright. 
C. Vandenburg. 



John Hunter. 



Town Clerks. 
Record lost. 



Henry Davis. 
Record lost. 



Thomas Morey. 



Baniel Rogers. 

it a 

George Palmer. 
It ti 

Richard Ketcham. 
Daniel Rogers. 
George Palmer. 



AVilliara Seymour. 
Record lost. 
tt ti 

William Seymour. 

Record lost. 
George Palmer. 
Record lost. 
tt It 

George Palmer. 
Record lost. 

(( tt 
tt tt 
it tt 



Charles Nelson. 
William Seymour. 



Record lost. 
William Seymour. 
Record lost. 



Richard Ketcham. Henry E. Barrett. 



Abraham Leggett. 
Henry E. Barrett. 



Samuel F. Pruyn. 
Ashbel Palmer. 



Morgan Munger. 



Collectors. 
Record lost. 



Jehial Parker. 
Record lost. 



Elijah Watson. 
Record lost. 



Peleg Spencer. 
Daniel Cole. 
Record lost. 
Daniel Cole. 
Record lost. 



Isaac Wing. 



» The town formed by law March 7, 1788. 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW TORK. 



295 



Supervisora. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1S46. William Baker. 


Morgan Munger. 


John Van Woert. 


lSi7. 


John Patrick. 


" " 


1848. 


Archibald C. Tcarsc 


Henry C. Moore. 


1849. Abr'Tii Y. L.insing. 


Jehu Hatfield. 


It a 


ISaO. Abrnhiim LcKgett. 


Morgan Munger. 


Lyman Smith. 


1851. Tyler Dunham. 


{I it 


Ale.x. II. Badgley. 


1852. George W. Neilson. 


it ti 


it a 


1853. Charles Moore. 


It it 


Henry C. Moore. 


1834. William Baker. 


Ashbel Palmer. 


it it 


1855. William Denison. 


Lyman Smith. 


a tt 


1856. Philip J. Powell. 


H tl 


tt ti 


1857. Edward Moore. 


Jared W. Haight. 


Dorman K. Haight. 


1858. Andrew Hunter. 


Joseph Wood. 


Henry C. Moore. 


1859. " " 


Jared W. Haight. 


" 


1S60. Jno. W. Buffington. 


Sylvenis Arnold. 


it it 


1861. Henry W. Arnold. 


George W. Flagler. 


tt it 


1862. " " 


Ashbel Palmer. 


ti a 


1863. " " 


It If 


Samuel Tompkins. 


1864. " 


tt it 


it tt 


1865. " " 


It It 


Charles C. Neilson. 


1866. John T. Baker. 


It tt 


Duncan Van Wie. 


1867. " 


it tt 


Samuel Hewitt. 


1868. Henry A. Van Wie 


It It 


Charles C. Neilson. 


1869. " 


Charles C. Neilson 


George H. Flagler. 


1870. 


tt tt 


Samuel Overocker. 


1871. John T. Baker. 


it tt 


Lewis Barber. 


1872. " 


it tt 


David Tangburn. 


1873. George A. Ensign. 


tt it 


Gabriel Strang. 


1874. " " 


Joseph Wood. 


Charles C. Neilson. 


1875. " " 


Morey G. Hewitt. 


Tyler D. Badgley. 


1876. George W. Neilson 


" " 


Henry C. Moore. 


1877. Lyman Smith. 


tt It 


Albert S. Baker. 


1878. Peter A. Van Wie. 


tt ti 


George Lockwood. 


JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED 


BY THE PEOPLE. 


1832. Ashbcl Palmer. 




1855. Reuben H. Barber. 


1834. Cramer Vcrnam. 




1856. Charles Moore. 


1835. David Benedict. 




James Lee. 


1836. Ashbel Palmer. 




1857. Alexander W. Davis. 


1837. Richard Ketcham. 




1858. Job 


n Elmer. 


1838. Cramer Veruam. ■ 




1859. Reuben II. Barber. | 


1839. David Benedict. 




1860. Da 


liel Bradt. 


1840. Ashbel Palmer. 




1861. Theophilus Cook. 


1841. Charles Ensign. 




1862. John Elmer. 


1842. James Bradshaw. 




1863. Reuben H. Barber. 


1843. Hiram A. Ferguson. 


1864. Jos 


eph Wood. 


George S. Finch. 




1865. Th 


^ophilus Cook. 


1844. Ashbel Palmer. 




1866. John Elmer. 


Alfred Elms. 




1867. Reuben II. Barber. 


1845. Samuel Cheever. 




1868. Th 


eodore Baker. 


1846. John Elmer. 




1869. Duncan Van Wie. 


1847. George W. Neilson 




1870. John Elmer. 


1848. Daniel Bradt. 




1871. Reuben II. Barber. 


Thomas S. Gleason. 


1872. Th 


codore Baker. 


1849. William Dcnison. 




1873. Duncan Van Wie. | 


1850. John Elmer. 




1874. E. 


Corning Chase. 


1851. Samuel B. Hicks. 




1875. Reuben H. Barber. 


1852. Daniel Bradt. 




1876. David A. Van Wie. 


Alfred Elms. 




Ch 


arles Hunt. 


1853. Alexander Flanney. 


1877. Wm. Snyder Miller. 


1854. Nathan Tabcr. 




1878. Eugene E. Curtis. 


The election canvass of May 2, 1799, shows that for 


the office of assemb 


vman A 


dam Oor 


istoek received 102 



votes; Samuel Clark, 68; Daniel Bull, 98; James Warren, 
50; Edward A. Watrous, 31 ; Hugh Robles, 129; Elias 
Palmer, 148; John Taylor, 79; James Taylor, 3; Epcnetus 
White, 48; Sidney Berry, 13; Elisha Powell, 55; Stephen 
Wait, 25 ; Seth C. Baldwin, 2 ; Epenetus Warren, 1 ; Eb- 
enezer Russell, 1 ; Robert Campbell, 1 ; John Bull, 1 ; 
George Hunter, 2 ; Zina Hitchcock, 1 ; Moses Vail, 1 ; 
Robert Yates, 1 ; Beriah Palmer, 1. This document pos- 



sesses its chief interest in the large number of candidates 
voted for to fill the office of assemblyman from this county. 
May 2, 1800, there is recorded the following canvass for 
representative to Congress: John Williams, 123 votes; 
David Thomas, 79 ; Stephen Lush, 1 ; James Gordon, 1 ; 
John Thompson, 1 ; Robert Yates, 1. 

v.— VILLAGES. 

Stillwater village, named for the same reason as the 
town ; Mcchanicville, so named by those who first estab- 
lished manufactories there and employed many mechiinics; 
Bemiis Eeiffhts, horn John Bemus; Wilbur's Basin, trom 
the Wilburs, who settled there soon after the Revolution- 
ary war; Jobville, from Job, not of the land of Uz, but the 
land of Stillwater; " Yclloic Meetimj- House' neighborhood, 
from the venerable building of that color ; Stilhoater Centre, 
from its geographical position ; Ketcham s Corner, from 
the pioneer Ketcham family ; " White Sulphur Sprint/,'' 
whoever tastes will need no further explanation. 

With reference to Stillwater village, the following mem- 
orandum is furnished by Ashbel Palmer, who has also ren- 
dered other valuable assistance in the preparation of this 
work. The memorandum includes some items with refer- 
ence to other parts of the town. 

MEMORANDUM BY ASHBEL PALMER. 

The settlement at this village is of early date. It grew 
up near the fidls of the Hudson river, around the Palmer 
grist- and saw-mills. The village was called Upton, short- 
ened from Up-town, as it was then the first and only set- 
tlement north of Half-Moon, or Waterford. There were 
only a few dwellings at first between Stillwater and Water- 
ford. The country was most all woods. Before 1791 this 
was in Albany county, which extended to Canada, after 
which it was in " Saraghtoga," — the old name. The earliest 
date of a conveyance now to be found was a deed of land, grist- 
and saw-mill, from Isaac IMann to George Palmer, dated 
1764. Still there must have been older conveyances than 
this. 

Many years before 1800, perhaps before the Revolution, 
there was an ashery and brewery a few rods north of where 
Stillwater brook joins the Hudson. The settlement in- 
crea.?ed slowly, both in population and dwellings. 

A Presbyterian meeting-house and an Episcopal church 
were erected on the hill before 1800. About 1791, and a 
few years later, several substantial buildings were erected, 
which gave the hill a fine appearance over the lower part 
of the vilhtge; and very early, too, about 1800, a school- 
house and a Masonic lodge were also established on the 
hill, — the latter then said to be the best in the State. The 
lodge probably first met in the tavern of Mr. Patrick. 

Business became more active after Ren.sselaer Schuyler 
purchased a tract of land, as he came in with capital. This 
was in the year 1812. 

After Ephraira Newland purchased, improvements went 
on more rapidly. An academy, a Baptist church, and other 
buildings went up ; but previous to his day business was 
advancing, owing in part to the opening of the Champlain 
canal in 1825. 

Soon after the Newland purchase, mills were established 



296 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



for the manufacture of flannel, — also for knitting goods. 
A second Iviiitting-mill and a mill for making wall-paper; 
also a straw-board mill. The purcha.se by Mr. Schuyler was 
the cause of the future prosperity of the place, or contributed 
materially to it. 

Long prior to these improvements, and before the meet- 
ing-houses were built, there was the old barn on the Palmer 
farm remembered by some now living, and the path leading 
to Mr. Osgood's, and to a spring across the meadow from the 
barn. In this barn meetings were held by ministers that 
could be obtained. It was taken down by Ashbel Palmer 
about 1812, and the timber is now in a wagon-house on the 
Patrick place. Among the additions to the place was the 
erection of a bridge in 1832. It was burned in 1875, and 
with it the hotel and stores. The bridge was replaced the 
year after by an iron structure, and the hotel by the present 
large brick building. The first bridge-tender was Daniel 
Bradt, remaining about three years. He wus followed by 
Tappan March, who stayed about the same time. Mr. John 
C. Force then took the place, and has now been at his post 
thirty-eight years. The new bridge above the piers cost 
about $3000, and the property is estimated at $15,000. 

Some may like to hoar that there was in the days of 
General Schuyler a canal commenced, intended for a com- 
munication for boats from Waterford to the Hudson river 
just above the Palmer falls, from thence in the river to the 
Saratoga falls. But the canal was never finished, — was dug 
only in parts, and abandoned. Some may remember hav- 
ing seen the remains of a lock where the canal-boats were 
to pass in and out, situated on the margin of the lot known 
in late years as the Hathaway lot. The canal was a State 
affair, and the management of it was under General Philip 
Schuyler. This was as early as 17!)4. as deeds of that date 
are in e.xistence describing land bounded on this canal. 

Stillwater was incorporated as a village in 1816, and the 
bounds were from the Stillwater brook half a mile up, and 
on the north included the Bartlett farm. Afterwards the 
bounds were extended south. In 1875 the census of the 
village showed 797 inhabitants, and 123 votej-s. 

Surveys, and a map of " Upton in the town of Stillwater," 
were made before 18U0. It was on land belonging to Elias 
Palmer. The lots were disposed of by durable leases. 
The lots on the hill were not included. Those were pur- 
chased of Campbell & Montgomery, twelve in number. 

Colonel Daniel Dickinson, son-iu-law of George Palmer, 
erected a tannery by the river, probably as early as 1770. 
His house was near the river. The house now owned by 
G. V. Lansing, just south of the creek, was the residence 
of Rensselaer Schuyler. Before that, it was Dickinson's, 
and had been that of Amos Hodgman. 

The influence of G. V. Lansing was excellent in inducing 
citizens to paint their dwellings and adorn their grounds. 

Colonel Dickinson had an orchard of the best of fruit on 
the lot of his first residence, started from trees brought 
from Connecticut, and set out before 1790. This orchard is 
now laid out into lots with a few trees left, occupied with 
houses to some extent ; among them an Episcopal chapel 
and the unfinished Methodist church. 

Schuyler's mills and all additions were burned in 1817. 
The mills, etc., afterwards came into the hands of Philip J. 



Schuyler, who erected a new grist-mill, in which was con- 
ducted clothing works. The frame of this mill was re- 
moved by Ephraim Newland down near the Stillwater 
brook. A new saw-mill was built by T. J. Schuyler. 

In 1838, Ephraim Newland and John F. Wet.sell pur- 
chased the Schuyler property, — east side of the road for 
$9000 ; west side, $2025. 

There was a brick-kiln at one time east of the canal- 
bridge. The clay for the brick was taken from that thrown 
out from the canal. 

In early years the Waterford and Whitehall turnpike 
company was incorporated, but failed in a short time. 

Stillwater was of much public importance in the olden 
time, as the county clerk's ofiice was in this village, and 
Dirck Swart was county clerk. The first meeting of the 
board of supervisors of the new county of Saratoga was 
held, in 1791, at his house. Didn't need a very large 
room for four of them, — J. B. Schuyler, of Saratoga ; Elias 
Palmer, of Stillwater ; Benjamin Rosekrans, of Half-Moon ; 
and Beriah Palmer, of Ballston. 

The earliest town-meetings were held in the tavern kept 
by Wm. Mead, a son-in-law of George Palmer. After- 
wards the house became the property of Elias Palmer, and 
his residence for many years ; it is now owned by John 
Patrick, son of Jesse Patrick. The latter was a merchant 
here for a long time, and afterwards removed to Troy. 

John Thompson, of this town, was a member of Congress. 
He was the father of Judge James Thompson, of Saratoga 
County court. 

A hand fire-engine was bought in 1875, and a fire-com- 
pany formed. The engine and incidentals cost $1200. 

The Congregational church, that came to this town in an 
organized form, brought lumber with them from Connecti- 
cut to build their house of worship. They first built about 
opposite the mouth of the Hoosie, on the road to Ballston, 
near the Thompson place, and half a mile from the Hudson 
river. This building was afterwards taken down and 
erected over again where it now stands, two miles farther 
from the river. It was painted yellow, and thus became 
known all through the county as the " Yellow meeting- 
house," and to this day it is better known by this name 
than by the name of the denomination that founded it. 
When it was repaired in 1850 it was painted white, but it 
was so contrary to its old name and associations that it was 
again painted yellow to correspond with its past history. 

The gallery in the Presbyterian church was unfinished 
until Rev. Dirck C. Lansing came. He had the gallery 
contracted some, and had slips put in for singers and other 
seats put up. This was in Rensselaer Schuyler's time, who 
took great interest in improving the meeting-house. 

Crow Hill is in the southwest part of Stillwater, rising to 
quite an elevation from the valley of Anthony's Kil. It is 
said to derive the name from the fiict that one or more set- 
tlers used to go over to Schaghticoke and work out as day 
laborers in the hard times of pioneer life. They were said 
to be obliged to go abroad to earn something, as the crows 
fly to a distant corn-field to get something to eat ; so their 
home was called Crow Hill. 

The southern extension of this range was known for 
many years as Tory Hill, because there was a tall old pine 





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FJtS.or PHILIP MOSHER, SiiLLWATLff.S;iKAroGA Co., ^f.y. 




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fewv^ .ij-cSU^St' 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



297 



which the loyalists used as a post of observation and a sig- 
nal-station. This is very probable, as there was at least one 
well-known Tory headquarters in Mechanicville, on the 
site of the present Methodist parsonage. It is said that 
the proprietor of that house was once nearly caught, being 
chased far down towards Watcrford, but escaped by .swim- 
ming his horse across the Hudson. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

The first schools were supported by subscription, and held 
in private houses. A school-house was built before 1800 
on the hill in Stillwater village. Walter Broughton was an 
early teacher ; he also taught singing schools. Afterwards 
kept the Patrick tavern, and added to his other various 
occupations that of stone-cutter, being probably the grave- 
stone dealer in this section of the country. An early school- 
house was in the Ilodgman neighborhood. It stood on the 
bank of the Stillwater creek. This was so early as not to 
be remembered by Leonard Hodgman, who is now eighty- 
six years old, but he has heard it spoken of by good au- 
thority. 

Another early school-house was in the Thompson neigh- 
borhood, near where the colony from Connecticut first 
erected their meeting-house. Mrs. Catharine Barker speaks 
of Matthew Simpson, Asa Tiffany, and John Horton as 
early teachers. There was a school-house on the bank of 
the Wilbur Basin creek as early as 1799. 

At Stillwater village an academy was erected many years 
ago. After it failed it was succeeded by the two district 
schools, now employing five teachers. 

The town records being lost we can only infer that the 
town accepted the conditions of the school act of 1812, — 
either that year or the following, — and elected commission- 
ers and inspectors annually thereafter. We can only give 
the names of the last, who were chosen in 1843 : Tylee 
Dunham, Abraham Y. Lansing, and Reuben Hart, commis- 
sioners ; Stephen W. Hart and Rensselaer Barber, inspec- 
tors. The town superintendents following this eai'lier sys- 
tem were : 

Elected Annually. — 1814-45, Abraham Y. Lansing; 
184G, Edward Moore ; 1847-18, Abraham Y. Lansing. 

Elected Biennially. — 1850, omitted from town records ; 
1852-54, Edward Moore. 

Town supervision ceased in 1856, at which time the 
schools were placed in charge of the assembly district com- 
missioners. 

The school report for 1843 was as follows : 

Districts. No. of Cliildren. Piililic Money. 

No. 2 47 $37.66 

" 4 54 42.12 

" b 35 27.30 

" 89 67.42 

" 7 63 49.14 

" 8 62 48.36 

" 9 64 49.92 

" 12 32 24.10 

" 15 54 42.12 

Part No. 1 49 3S.22 

" 3 149 116.22 

" 10 13 10.14 

" 13 15 11.70 

" 14 14 10.92 

" 3 30 23.40 

" 7 5 3.90 

Total 775 $602.64 

38 



COMMISSIONEKS' APPORTIONMENT FOR 1878. 





ar2 
|g 


<0 

o . 


11 


5f 


^ 


§ 


District. 


° = ? 


o o 
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si 

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a 
o 
S 


3 




s5P 


«3 


S»3 




g 

X) 

s 


"3 


No. 1.... 


34 


$52.14 


$23.38 


$21.63 


$1.14 


$98.29 


" 2.... 


62 


52.14 


42.64 


37.67 


2.07 


134.52 


" 3.... 


56 


52.14 


38.51 


37.11 


1.87 


129.03 


" 4.... 


42 


52.14 


28.S9 


32.72 


1.40 


115.15 


" 5.... 


36 


260.70 


24.76 


33.39 


1.20 


111.49 


" 6.... 


421 


52.14 


289.55 


272.73 


14.04 


837.02 


" 7.... 


48 


52.14 


33.01 


34.50 


1.60 


121.25 


" 8.... 


79 


52.14 


54.33 


44.32 


2.64 


153.43 


" 9.... 


34 


52.14 


23.39 


17.70 


1.13 


94.36 


" 10 ... 


168 


104.28 


115.55 


97.83 


5.00 


323.36 


" 11.... 


24 


52.14 


16.51 


23.21 


80 


92.06 


" 12.... 


45 


52.14 


30.95 


29.18 


1.50 


113.77 


" 13.... 


74 


52.14 


50.90 


63.68 


2.47 


109.09 




1123 


$938.52 


$773.37 


$745.57 


$37.46 


$2493.92 



STILLWATER ACADEMY. 

This institution was founded about the year 1847, and 
was for a time under the care of the regents of the univer- 
sity. It liad a small but convenient school building, built 
of brick, still standing near the Baptist church. The ear- 
lier books of record were lost. Almon Richards was a 
noted principal for some years. He afterwards became the 
well-known educational leader and school superintendent in 
the District of Columbia. 

Some of the conditions necessary to the continuance of 
the academy not being complied with, it became a private 
seminary for a few years. This finally declined. Select 
schools were kept for a time in the academic building, but 
finally there was nothing left but the ordinary district 
schools of the village. This state of things led to a union 
school organization. It was formed at a meeting held May 
2, 1873. Trustees were then elected, and tiie organization 
of the board was as follows : Tru.stees, William H. Daven- 
port, president ; Edward J. Wood, clerk ; Egbert Gardner, 
Peter V. Wetsel, Matthew Pack ; James Rundle, treasurer ; 
John H. St. John, collector. 

There are two school-houses, — one in the upper and the 
other in the lower part of the village, — each worth, pcr- 
hap.s, $2000. There are five departments, constituting 
three grades, — one higher, two intermediate, and two pri- 
mary. Chauncey Deyoe was the first principal, and re- 
mained over four years. The present teachers (May, 
1878) are William M. Whitney, principal; Miss Sarah 
J. Hewitt, Miss Cora Davenport, Miss Emma St. John, 
and Bliss Mary Tubor. 

The present officers of the district (May, 1878) are. 
Trustees, Lawrence Vandemark, president ; Theodore 
Baker, clerk ; Peter V. Wetsel, Henry Newland, Ira L. 
Moore; William L. Dennison, treasurer; Collins Collaraer, 
collector. 

VII.— CHURCHES. 

THE CHURCn AT TIIE " YELLOW MEETING-HOUSE." 

The Congregational church of Stillwater was organized 
at Canaan, Litchfield Co., Conn., June 20, 1752. From 



298 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



the records, as published by Lebbeus Armstrong, in 1850, 
it appears tliat there were present at the first meeting John 
Palmer, pastor of Scotland church, and Abraham Payn, 
pastor of the Church of Christ, in Nine Partners, Dutchess 
Co., N. Y. After examination and consultation. Rev. Mr. 
Palmer agreed to administer the sacrament on the following 
Sabbath to Jedediah Stephens and Henry Stephens, of 
Stoningtou : Samuel How and Gideon Lawrence, of Plain- 
field ; Asa Douglass aad Benjamin Green, of Canterbury, 
who now live in Canaan, but who were in full communion 
in the churches of their respective towns. 

Sunday, June 28, 1752, John Palmer preached. A 
number were received on profession of faith, the sacrament 
was administered, a revival commenced, and the church 
met the next day, June 29, 1752, signed the covenant, and 
chose a clerk. Mr. Armstrong gives tlie list of subscribers, 
which contains the following names of male members : 
Henry Stephens, Gideon Lawrence, Zebulon Stevens, Uriah 
Stevens, Robert Campbell, George Palmer, Lemuel Taylor, 
Eber Andrews, Benjamin Green, Ephraim Andrews, Eb- 
enezer Wolcott, Ephraim Andrews, Jr., William Frisby, 
Solomon Campbell, Robert Campbell, Jr., Jonathan Morey, 
Titus Andrews, John Fellows, William Patrick, Daniel 
Campbell, Cyprian Watson, P]dward Firel, Joel Frisby, 
Reuben Wright, Israel Rose, Isaiah Keeler, Amariah 
Plumb, Phineas Stephens, Jesse Howard, Robert Patrick, 
Joseph Stephens, Ebenezer Andrus, Benjamin Munger. In 
the ten years following other members were added, so that the 
number amounted to one hundred and one. Oct. 20, 17G1, 
Mr. Robert Campbell was ordained and installed over them 
as their pastor. In April, 17G2, a fast was appointed to 
know their " duty with respect to moving to Stillwater." 
It was then fully agreed this church should remove from 
Canaan to Stillwater ; and it adds, under the same date, 
" Pursuant to said agreement, the greater part of said 
church-members have removed to Stillwater." This 
would seem to decide the date of the removal of this Con- 
necticut colony at 17G2. Whether aJl the persons whose 
names are given above came to Stillwater, is not decided by 
the record. Probably not ; some must have died in the 
ten years, and others declined to move. 

This date thus fixed at 17(52, makes this church truly 
the pioneer religious society in all this valley north of Al- 
bany, — at least of that faith and order, — and it is not be- 
lieved any other church can claim an earlier organization. 
The Reformed Dutch church, of Schuylerville, may have 
been organized nearly or quite as early, but no records are 
obtainable earlier than 1789. 

" The Congregational church of Stillwater," writes iNIr. 
Armstrong, in 1850, " has never disbanded nor changed its 
doctrines nor form of church government to the present day. 
Before the War of the Revolution they erected a commodi- 
ous house of worship near the west bank of the Hudson 
river, opposite the mouth of the Iloosic, which was subse- 
quently removed about two miles west of the river, where 
they established their cemetery by its side, in which their 
first pastor. Rev. Robert Campbell, and the principal part of 
his congregation sleep in the dust." This house became 
known as the " yellow meeting-hou.se of Stillwater." About 
the year 1800 a revival took place in connection with this 



church under the labors of the Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, 
and his successor. Rev. Daniel Marsh. Fourteen yeare 
later the church was nearly extinct ; but after a meeting, in 
which there was intense feeling and much prayer, it was 
resolved to make one effort to revive the church. Deacon 
Thomas Morey was sent as a messenger to seek ministerial 
aid. Rev. Samuel Cheever was obtained from Vermont. 
He died in the midst of his valuable work, six months 
after his entrance upon his labors. His funeral sermon 
was preached by Rev. Lebbeus Arm.strong. The church 
enjoyed much spiritual prosperity for ten years or more, re- 
ceiving new niembere at nearly every communion. Moan- 
while, under the Rev. Slark Tucker, iu 1818, the Presby- 
terian church of Stillwater village was organized, and both 
churches were under his care as pastor. This united state 
of operation continued for many years, but, owing to vari- 
ous reasons, — the convenience of the location, and other 
causes, — most of the new members united at the village 
with the Presbyterian church. ^Vbout 1842 the latter, de- 
siring the full service of their minister, gave formal notice to 
that effect, and the union work closed. The influence upon 
the Congregational church in its location away from the vil- 
lage was disastrous. Some members took letters to the Pres- 
byterian church ; others, declining to do this, still gave their 
pecuniary support in the same direction. But the Congrega- 
tional church, nevertheless, lived. In 1850 the old meeting- 
house was thoroughly repaired and rededicated, the sermon 
being preached by Rev. Mark Tucker, of Weathersfield, 
Conn. Whatever of weakness in numbers or influence 
may have been the fate of this church in later years, never- 
theless many early and precious memories cluster about it. 
It is a specimen of how earnestly the men of New England 
loved the religion of their fathers, and how they would only 
remove their flimilies into the wilderness when they could 
carry with them the ark of the covenant. Such men were 
worthy to be the pioneers of towns, the founders of States, 
the defenders of civil and religious liberty, the men '' to 
trust in God and keep their powder dry." ' 

The after-history since the repair of the house is briefly 
this: In February, 1852, at a church-meeting, it was re- 
solved to change the form of church government to Pres- 
byterian, and thus effect a union with the families of 
Presbyterian sentiments residing at Mechanicville. This 
was consummated in May of the same year, and the corpo- 
rate name became " the Presbyterian church of Stillwater 
and Mechanicville," but in the resolution it was expressly 
agi'ecd that the covenant and confession of faith of the Con- 
gregational church should be retained, and the records shoidd 
be held in perpetuity by the organization at the " yellow 
meeting-house." This union continued until 1871, when 
the Mechanicville Presbyterian church became a separate 
body, and the church at the " yellow meeting-house" again 
became a distinct society, — the lineal successor of the old 
Connecticut colony. As such it exists to-day ; but the form 
of government is Presbyterian, and it supports preaching 
by co-operative efforts with neighboring churches. The 
successive ministers of this church for one hundred and 
fifteen years have been Rev. Robert Campbell, Rev. Robert 
Campbell, Jr., Daniel Marsh, Luther Gleason, Samuel 
Cheever, Dirck Lansing, Mark Tucker, John Blatchford, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



299 



Ebenezcr Cheever, Henry Smith, Villeroid Reetl. This 
was down to about 1842. Tiien there was no minister 
steadily until Rev. Mr. Barber was employed, under whom 
the church became Presbyterian. After that followed Rev. 
Messrs. Campbell, Hancock, Davies, Buman, to 1S71. 

The present clder.s are Gardner Edniotids, ^Vm. Van- 
dewerker, Charles Earing, A. Fellows. Charles Cooper, 
clerk. 

An excellent state of Christian unity exi.stcd between this 
pioneer Congregational churcli and the first Baptist of Still- 
water. Their pastors and delegates joined in the same coun- 
cils, and a letter in possession of Abiram Fellows from the 
Baptist church to the Congregational, in 1791, with refer- 
ence to the reception of a member, breathes a truly Christian 
and fraternal spirit. 

In 1815, under the ministry of Dirck Lansing, a Sunday- 
school was gathered ; if not of the modern character, yet 
children were invited to learn verses, and come together 
and recite them once a week. Three or four j'ears later, 
too, there was a Sunday-school and Bible-class, under the 
management of Deacons Andrews, Seymour, and Moody. 

Besides the above account, we add that the earliest book 
of records belonging to this church has been obtained, just 
before we go to press, by the efforts of Abiram Fellows, 
from Rev. E. Seymour, of Bloomfield, N. J., and it is 
intrusted to Mrs. William B. Fuller, a daughter of the late 
Deacon Jesse Seymour, residing near Stillwater village. 

It is a valuable relic of the past, and a special history of 
the church that might be prepared from it at length would 
contain a large amount of personal and family history, as 
it includes records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and church 
admissions, with dates that can scarcely be acquired any- 
where else. 

Surely the friends of this venerable church, now one 
hundred and twenty-five years old, can well afford to pay 
for a work that would be so rich in historic interest. A 
single paragraph discovered settles it beyond question that 
a portion of this churcli came to Stillwater in 1762. 

We give it verbatim : 

"Sept. 5, 1762. — Then Brother Lemuel Taylor and Barshaba, his 
wife, had their son Lemuel baptized by Brother Campbell, pastor of 
Christ chureh in Canaan, but it watt done in Stillwater " 

Perhaps all that finally came may not have reached this 
town until some months or years later, but a portion were 
certainly here in 1762, and their minister was here and 
preached for them. 

The names of those who came to Stillwater are perhaps 
correctly shown by the following signers to the covenant. 
Unfortunately, amid so many otlier dates, this covenant 
Las none. It is evidently later than the first covenant of 
1752, and it seems earlier than the renewed covenant of 
1789, and it is The Church of Slillicater. The names 
may have been attached, too, at different times. If it does 
not show the membership of the church when it reached 
Stillwater, it is nevertheless old enough to be valuable as 
showing early settlement. (The names in italics are those 
of the renewed covenant, 1789.) 

Robert Cumphell, William Patrick, Joiintluiu Morct/, 
David Barnes, Robert Campbell, Ddivcrance Andrews, 
James Jlontgomery, Dituicl CidiijiLi//, Ilanuah Campbell, 



,Siir<ih Norloii, Elizahetli Root, Elizabeth Andrews, Sarah 
Toms, Elizabeth Patrick, Rebecca Hunter, Solomon Camp- 
hell, Noah Stevens, Joseph Stevens, T'itits Andreivs, Joseph 
Teuny, John Toms, Robert Patrick, Phineas Stevens, 
Simeon Leonard, Ephraim Andrews, Ebenozer Tenny, 
Joseph Spaulding, Michael Dunning, John Thursting, Ebe- 
nezcr Dunning, Anthony Paul, Jesse Howard, Cyprian 
Watson, William Watson, William Seymour, Thomas 
3Iorey, Peter Andrews, David Morris, Daniel Montgomery, 
Thankftil Hewitt, Lydta Morey, Avery Andrews, Philo- 
mela Ives, Sarah Campbell, Johannah Stevens, Emmii . 
Andrews, Chloe Watson, Martha Brunson, Hannah Stevens, 
Marah Gilmore, Sarah Parks, Ahithopel Seymour, Rosan- 
nah Finch, Huldah Leonard, Esther Campbell, Hannah An- 
drews. Desire Stevens, Sarah Kelloyg, Sarah Stevens, Sarah 
Barrett, Elizabeth Patrick, Huldah Spaulding, Hannah 
Dunning, Eleazer Gilbert, Philip Rogers, Jeremiah Able, 
Jesse Denton, Sarah Seymour, Mary Ann Dickinson, Lois 
Andrews, Judah Southard. Molly Patrick, Sally Rowell, 
Auleha Able, Susannali Hunter, ^lary Buck, Rhoda bloody, 
Sarah Denton, Jennet Carrington, Mehitable Milliken, 
Miriam Conkling, Lydia Stone, Mary Rogers, Eunice 
Comstock, Betsey Andrews, Rebecca Hooker, Abigail 
Kellogg, Lucy Burgis, Sarah Stone, Ruth Morehouse, 
Sybil Watson, Philomela Andrews, Abby E. Watson. 

Besides those marked above as having renewed covenant 
in 1789, there are also the following: George Palmer, 
Sarah Andrews, Robert Patrick, Gideon Lawrence, Mary 
Hunter, Sybil Andrews, Irena Andrews. 

As a specimen to show the value of the book for family 
memorials, we add these items : 

" Lucy Stevens, daughter of Henry and Sarah Stevens, 
was born Sept. 4, 1752." 

" Azina Stevens, daughter of Jedcdiah Stevens and 
Mary Stevens, was born March 19, 1753." 

" Robert Campbell and ye widow, Hannah Spalding, 
were lawfully joined in marriage March 29, 1764." 

" Robert Campbell and Esther Perce were married Jan. 
20, 1767." [Perhaps this was the junior.] 

The house of William B. Fuller, near Stillwater, is re- 
garded in tradition as one hundred and twenty years old. 
Take off ten years and it is very likely true. It is known 
as the " Harsha homestead." The Harsh;is were a part 
of Dr. Clark's Scotch-Irish church, which settled Salem, 
Washington county, but first came to Stillwater in August, 
1764, and stayed until May, 1767. The fiimily history in 
Salem shows that John Harsha, an elder in the chureh, died 
in Stillwater, and further, one of that name did remain 
here. This house, then, may very likely have been built 
1764 to 1770, — making it the oldest existing house in town, 
perhaps, except that of George Palmer, in Stillwater village. 
This Harsha homestead passed to the Hewitts, then to the 
Fergu.sons, then to the Bartletts, though they did not live 
here, and then to William B. Fuller, the present owner, in 
1829. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF STILLWATER. 

For the following facts connected with this pioneer organ- 
ization we arc indebted to a report prepared for the Saratoga 
Association b}' a committee, — Charles Hunt, Deacon Simeon 
Rowley, and Elder Park, — June, 1877. 



300 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The First Baptist cliurch of Stillwater is the origin of 
some of the most important churches in this county, as will 
be seen in this narrative. It stands in a section made 
sacred by tlje blood of the fathers, shed to secure not only 
civil but religious liberty. It is especially fit that in this 
centennial of the battle of Stillwater the history of this 
old mother of churches should be written. It.s early his- 
tory is somewhat obscure. In Benedict's " History of the 
Baptists," Vol. I., page 553, we find the following statement : 

"At Stillwater, near the pince where Burgojne was taken in the 
American war, a church arose in 1762, which became unusually large 
and ])rosperous and branched ont in many directions; but, on accouut 
of certain dilEcuUies, it sutfcrcd a great calamity and became nearly 
extinct." 

In connection with this it is related that when the Rev. 
Samuel Lcland came to preach among them, in an efibrt to 
reorganize, he took for his text, " And they all escaped 
safe to land." 

This date given by Benedict is considered correct by 
those having this tradition of the fathers of the old 
church. If it is accurate, it makes this church just about 
contemporary with the Congregational church, which came 
here in a body under Rev. Robert Campbell. That the 
church certainly had a very early organization appears fur- 
ther frimi the fact that in 1779, only two years after the 
Burgoyne battles, this home church had eighty-six members 
in fellowship, that colonies were already existing at Fish 
creek, Nipmouse, near the Hoosick, Newtown, Ballston, 
Kayadrossera, Milton, and Hemlock Brook. 

This is a worthy record for a time of war and general 
disorganization, — a church with eighty-six members and 
eight branches. 

In 1781, Bcriah Kelly commenced preaching for this 
body, and in July he was ordained at a council regularly 
called. His labors terminated in 1788 or 1789. Mean- 
while, in 1785 or 1786, an unfortunate divi.sion occurred. 
One section worshiped in a frame meeting-house about a 
mile east of the present house, with Lemuel Powers as 
their minister. The others met in a log meeting-house 
about a mile west of the present meeting-house, with Beriah 
Kelly pastor. In 1790 a reunion took place under the 
united pastorate of Rev. Lemuel Powers and Rev. David 
Irish. This continued until 1793, when the latter retired 
from the work. 

In 1791 thirty-eight members were dismissed from this 
church to form the church at Saratoga. This was the 
foundation of the Baptist church at Schuylerville. The 
very same year, the members residing in Ballstown were 
dismissed to form a church there. It is further noticed 
that fifty-nine members residing in Newtown are not men- 
tioned in connection with the old church after this date, 
and it is inferred that they were also dismissed to organize 
for themselves in 1791 or 1792. This is three colonies 
sent out to organize for themselves in a single year. 

Two years later, in 1793, forty-eight members were dis- 
missed to organize a church at Jlilton ; and it is also sup- 
posed that thirty members, living at Hemlock Brook, were 
that year organized into the old Greenfield cluirch. In 
1793 also, the nineteen members west of the lake, called 
the Kayadrossera brethren, were dismissed to form a sepa- 



rate church, and this was the germ of the First Baptist 
church of Saratoga Springs. It is also inferred, because 
they are no longer mentioned in the records, that forty-six 
members, living at Nipmouse, were organized into the west 
Hoosick church in 1793. During this very period, while 
this parent church was thus establishing its children in 
their own homes, there was also a growth at home of an 
excellent and substantial character. There were larae num- 
bers added to the church yearly, thus verifying the old 
precept of the Scriptures, " There is that scattereth and 
yet increaseth." 

In 1800, Lemuel Powers was gathered to his fathers. 
His remains rest in the private burying-ground near Ezra 
Munger's, marked only by a common stone; but his record 
is on high. 

The successive pastors of the church since 1800 have 
been as follows : Rev. John Lathrop, Samuel Rogers, David 
Bernard, Eluathan Finch, Heman H. Half, Isaac Wcstcot, 
Israel Keach, E. B. Crandall, C. O. Kimball, B. F. Gar- 
field, E. W. Browne, H. J. S. Lewis, T. S. Morley, J. L. 
Barlow, R. A. Clapp, L. P. Judson, J. L. Barlow, and F. 
L. Park, the present pastor. There have been some years 
when the pulpit was vacant between several of the pastor- 
ates, but services have been maintained with great regu- 
larity through all this period of one hundred to one hun- 
dred and fift,een years. 

During the labors of Rev. Isaac Westcot he led the 
movement for the organization of the Second church, in 
1839, taking not only eighty members, but even carrying 
ofi" the constituent name, that was older than the constitu- 
tion of the national government, and equally freighted 
with the precious memories of " the times that tried men's 
souls." This was, however, recovered in 1844, and the 
church in Stillwater village became the Second. 

Rev. Samuel Rogers, pastor from 1811 to 1823, — the 
date of his death, — was of English ancestry, and came to 
this country as a teamster in the British army, at the age 
of nineteen. Becoming satisfied the Americans were right, 
he came over to them about the time of the battles of Still- 
water, or somewhat earlier. He afterwards joined the Bap- 
tist church, was licensed to preach, and did good service. 
He was a strong preacher of the old Baptist faith. Accor- 
ding to the record, twenty-five members were set oS in 
1825 to form the Baptist church of Northumberland. 
This is not very clear, as the church of Saratoga (Schu3'ler- 
ville) set off in 1791 naturally included Northumberland. 

A new parsonage was built in 1849, and the venerable 
meeting-house was rebuilt in 1850. The first successful 
Sunday-school was organized in 1859. 

This rural congregation, clinging to the sacred shrine 
their fjithers loved, preferring simple, plain, unostentatious 
buildings, out of debt, may well rejoice in their ancient 
history, glad to worship where their fathers worshiped, 
ready to die where their fathers died, and sleep in the old 
burial-ground with the same sure and certain hope of 
eternal life. 

PRESBYTERIAN CllURCH OF KETCIIAM"s CORNERS. 

Meetings by Presbyterians were held in this neighbor- 
hood for some years before a church was organized. The 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



301 



first preaching by ministers from Stillwater was by Mark 
Tucker, in 1818 or 1819, in a house where R. H. Barber 
now lives. The church was organized in 18G6. The legal 
certificate is dated January 22, and was acknowledged be- 
fore R. H. Barber, justice of the peace. The certificate is 
signed by Tylee Dunham and Edward Moore. These two, 
with William Flagler, were the first elders. John H. 
Brightman was the first deacon. The house of worship 
was erected in ISGG, at an expense of about $oC00, and 
dedicated December 12 of that year by Rev. A. M. Bev- 
eridge, of Lansingburg. The present ciders are Henry 
D. Rogers, Hamlin Caldwell, and R. H. Barber. The 
last named is clerk of the session, and Deacon Bright- 
man clerk of society. The present trustees are Abram 
Post, Thomas Losee, Henry D. Rogers, R. H. Barber, and 
John H. Brightman. The church formerly united with 
the church at Stillwater in support of the same pastor ; now 
with the church at JIalta. The services are held in the 
afternoon, and one Sunday-school for the place is held at 
the Methodist church. The ministers have been William 
M. Johnson, S. L. Gamble, and A. G. Cochrane. The 
membership is about forty. 

METIIOniST CHURCn OP KETCnAll's CORNERS. 

Methodist history in this vicinity goes back nearly, or 
quite, to 1800. A careful search would, it is believed, 
show that this was about the earliest point in Saratoga 
County of preaching by that denomination. Unfortu- 
nately, as in so many other cases, written records are almost 
entirely wanting, there being little or nothing to be found 
with the present church ofEccrs earlier than 1832, when 
Simon Tubbs was class-leader; but it is known that this is 
the third house of worship erected in this neighborhood, 
and this was built in 1853 or 1854. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STILLWATER. 
The history of this body in its earlier years is compli- 
cated and mingled with that of the Congregational church. 
Presbyterians and Congregationalists are so nearly alike in 
doctrinal views, and also in modes of worship, differing only 
in slight particulars as to church government, that it was very 
easy to work together, and yet even the slight differences 
between them were sure to ultimately develop into different 
organizations. Accordingly, we find that from 1764 to 
1791 no Presbyterian church was erected. The large 
emigration from Connecticut settled the type and form of 
church organization for many years in favor of Congrega- 
tionalism ; but in 1791 it appeared to some that the time 
had come for Presbyterians to have an organization of their 
own, and the old book of records commences with the fol- 
lowing entry : 

" Tho Presbyterian inbahitants of Stillwater incorporateil them- 
selves into a religious society, in tbe name and style of tbe First 
Presbyterian congregation of Stilhvater, on tbe 12tb day of Septem- 
ber, 17D1. In this capacity they put themselves nnder the care of 
the Albany presbytery, and presented a call to Mr. Aaron Condit, a 
candidate under the care of that presbytery, to settle among Ihoni in 
tbe gospel ministry. This call was accc|)tcd, and Mr. Condit installed 
Jan. 15, 1793. Mr. Condit Labored only two years after his installa- 
tion, his services closing in 1795." 

And it appears from tho records that the Presbyterian 
organization was dropped at that time. 



In this society, Feb. 13, 1794, Samuel Bacon was elected 
elder and Charles Moore deacon. They were ordained on 
March 2, 1794; and the sacrament was administered, for 
the first time in this church, March 9, 1794. Twenty-one 
persons were admitted to communion, but the book does 
not furnish their names. Aug. 6, 1794, Matthew Harrison 
was chosen elder. Sept. 29, 1795, Samuel Cooper was re- 
ceived as a member. There is no evidence that the church 
existed between 1795 and 1816. In the latter year a 
united body was formed bearing the ponderous but ex- 
pressive name, "The First Presbyterian Congregational 
Church of Stillwater." It adopted a confession of faith 
and covenant to which all could subscribe, and provided 
that candidates should be admitted, as they themselves 
might elect, either by the board of Presbyterian elders that 
was to esi.st in the body, or by a vote of the entire mem- 
bership, as Congregationalists would require; they also 
jirnposed that every one summoned for discipline should 
elect to be tried cither by the elders in Presbyterian style, or 
by a committee of the congregation in Congregational style. 
As these points are about all in which the two churches 
differ, it was thought the arrangement would prove satis- 
factory. In this body Denison Andrews, John W. Patrick, 
Samuel Low, and John SulUvan were chosen elders, and 
Thomas Morey, William Seymour, and Peter Andrews 
deacons. 

This united body was not a success, and though no 
special difficulty had occurred, yet some began to feel that 
the union would be a source of weakness instead of strength. 
The advice of Dr. Nott, of Schenectady, was sought, and, 
after due consideration, the body was dissolved and the 
Presbyterian church reorganized March 11, 1818; Rev. 
Dirck C. Lansing meanwhile having been called and settled 
as a minister, probably by the united body. 

In the newly-organized church the following elders were 
chosen : John W. Patrick, Jesse Warren, Alfred Benedict, 
and, not long after, Medad Candee, Seth Eddy, Richard 
Ketcham, and Jesse Seymour ; Amos Hodgman was elected 
deacon. 

It appears that Rev. Mr. Lansing's services were termi- 
nated by the dissolution, and that Rev. Mark Tucker became 
the first pastor over the newly-formed church; he remained 
until 1824. The successive ministers since have been John 
Blatchford, installed 5Iay 18, 1825 ; Ebenezer Cheever, 
Feb. 21, 1832; William Tobey, Jan. 1, 1834; Samuel 
Robinson, Aug. 15, 1834; Henry Benedict, Dec. 7, 1837; 
Villeroi D. Reed, Dec. 18, 1839; Edward E. Seeley, June, 
1844; David King, June 30, 1852 (he died May 15, 
1853) ; Franklin Merrill, July 15, 1853 ; Melville Roberts ; 
William M. Johnson, May 1, 1861 ; Samuel S. Gamble, 
Feb. 9, 1867; C. C. Morn, Feb. 1, 1871; and Hugh 
Brown, March 4, 1874. 

The present officers (1877) are Rev. B. Alex. William- 
son, pastor; Dr. D. C. Bull, William M. Bartlett, William 
H. Davenport, James Bundle, Ebenezer Leggett, Isaac 
Hodgman, elders; C. T. Bostwick, Peter Wetzel, Peter 
Van Vechten, deacons; William JL Bartlett, William H. 
Davenport, Isaac Hodgman, Peter Van Vechten, John N. 
Wetzel, and Philip C. Cotton, trustees. The .superintendent 
of the Sunday-school is W. L. Green ; clerk of society. 



302 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Peter Van Vecliten ; clerk of session, Williaui H. Daven- 
port; clerk of trustees, Peter Van Vccliteu. Services 
have been maintained in this church steadily since 1818. 
The same pastor officiated both for this church and that 
of the Congregationalists until about the year 1842, when, 
this church desiring the full services of their minister, the 
union under one pastor was terminated. 

The first house of worship was erected in 1791, on the 
hill, upon one of two lots donated to the society by Camp- 
bell and Montgomery, proprietors. A bell was purchased 
in 1832 at an expense of $238. The old house was taken 
down in 1842, and the present brick edifice erected. 

The old burial-place across the canal is often called the 
Presbyterian ground. In it are buried many of the early 
settlers. There they were laid to rest with the same solemn 
services, and the same tender words of Christian hope, as 
are now spoken over the graves of their descendants. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF STILLWATER. 

At a covenant-meeting of the First Baptist cburtli, lukl 
July 30, 1836, it was voted to build a meetinghouse at 
Stillwater Village (now called Second church). 

The following brethren were appointed a building com- 
mittee: Rev. Isaac Wcstcot, Stephen W. Hart, David 
Newland, Volney Newland, Ephraim Newland, David Mun- 
ger, and Daniel Rodgers. Ou tlie 23d of February following 
the house was dedicated. Rev. Dr. Wealth, of Albany, 
preached the sermon. 

The following is a list of the con.stituent members; David 
Newland, Mary Newland, Daniel Rodgers, Anna Rodgers, 
Ephraim Newland, Sarah Newland, Harriet Newland, 
Cyntlia Downey, Abraham Rundle, Electa Rundle, Matilda 
Hart, Huldah Eaton, Harriet Hart, Nehemiah Hopkins, 
Joanna Hopkins, Morgan Munger, Kennett N. Smith, Eliza- 
beth R. Olin, Edwin Furguson, Sarah Newland, Daniel 
Rowley, Almira Newland Bird, Elisabeth Newland, Allia 
Abel, Volney Newland, Jane Rundle Walker, James New- 
land, Sarah Ann Newland, ]Mati!da S. Risdin, Peter Lent, 
Dorcas Bishop, Mary Valentine, Almira Worden, Rev. 
Isaac Westcot, INIariah Westcot, Peleg Wing, Mahala Wing 
Cornell, Mary Wilcox Wordworth, Rosette Wilcox Neiison, 
Jlrs. Peleg Wing, Mary Ballard, George W. Meeder, Caro- 
line Bryan, Henry C. Moore, Laura Hewett, Nancy Meeder, 
William Valentine, Mrs. William Valentine, William Row- 
ley, Caleb Adams, Phebe Allen, Jane Billingham. 

The following is a list of the pastors: Revs. Isaac West- 
cot, from organization to Jan. 12, 1851; M. G. Hodge 
from June 7, 1851, to March 25, 1854 ; A. A. Sawin, from 
May 2G, 1855, to Feb. 1, 185G; J. I. Fulton, from April 
26, 185G, to March 1, 1859; J. O. Mason, from July 
31, 1859, to August 1, 1860; J. C. Stevens, from Nov. 3, 
1860, to IMay 1, 1865; Charles J. Shrimpton, from June 
24, 18G5, to Oct. 30, 1869; Thomas Cull, from Nov. 5, 
1870, to May 10, 1874; Dr. Thomas MacClymont, from 
Sept. 20, 1874, to Oct. 1, 1877. 

The following is a list of the deacons of the Second Bap- 
tist church of Stillwater : David Newlin, from organization ; 
May 30, 1839, — — Ellis, Morgan Munger, Guisbert Van- 
denburg; April 26, 1840, Otis Robinson; Nov. 3, 1840, 
C. Thomp.^ou ; April 7, 18-19, Moses Powell, Gilbert B. 



Smith; April 28, 1849, James M. Hammond; March 9, 
1867, Albert Denison, Stephen Wood; Dec. 14, 1876, 
Horace W. Osgood; Dec. 28, 1876, Bernard W. Osgood. 

The following are the church clerks to date: March 21, 
1840, Zalmon Richards; Jan. 19, 1849, Moses Powell; 
May 27, 1854, Reuben Merchant; June 11, 1871, Edward 
I. Wood. 

This church licensed the following brethren to preach 
the gospel: Oct. 11, 1845, C. C. Moore; Aug. 28, 1852 
John N. Whidden. The present pastor. Rev. I). Thomas 
MacClymont, was ordained to the work of the gospel min- 
istry by this church, and a council called by it, Oct. 1, 1874. 
The present house of wor.ship was erected during the 
pastorate of Rev. Thomas Cull, and was dedicated Sept. 3, 
1873. It cost, with furniture, about $16,000. The fol- 
lowing brethren were the building committee : Lyman 
Smith, Stephen AVood, Samuel Tompkins, and Theodore 
Baker. 

At the dedicatory services of the new church the follow- 
ing was (he order of exercises: prayer by former pastor, 
C. J. Shrimpton; reading of Scriptures, by Dr. J. O. 
Slason ; prayer, by Dr. C. P. Sheldon ; sermon. Rev. John 
Peddle, text. Judo v. 4 ; prayer. Rev. Mr. Warren ; dedi- 
catory prayer in the evening by Rev. C. J. Shrimpton. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OP STILLWATER. 

We are indebted to the Rev. Reuben Westcot, of Still- 
water village, for the following .sketch of this church : 

Methodism was introduced into the western part of the 
town of Stillwater many years before it was planted in this 
village. Rev. Datus Ensign, a man full of faith and the 
Holy Ghost, was the pioneer of Methodism at this place. 

In the year 1828 he held his first meeting in the school- 
house in the northern part of the village. God owned and 
blessed the word spoken, poured out his Spirit on the people, 
and several were soundly converted, and found peace in be- 
lieving in the Lord Jesus Christ. A small class was formed, 
which God favored with his smiles and fatherly protection. 
As there were but few Methodist pireachers in those days, 
and their calls many, this little class had only occasional 
preaching until the autumn of 1835, when it was regularly 
united to Stillwater circuit, and Rev. E. Goss made it a 
fixed appointment for preaching once in two weeks. 

In process of time tliis place was attached to the church 
at Mechanicville, under one pastor. This connection con- 
tinued until the spring of 1857, when the Methodist Epis- 
copal church of Stillwater was duly organized. This was 
under the labors of Rev. Reuben Westcot, who held the 
pastorate two yeai's. 

The church then numbered forty-eight members, but 
during the first two years fifty-six were added, some of whom 
are now the pillars of the church. At the time of its or- 
ganization the officers were Samuel Chase, John C. Force, 
T. March, H. Northrop, Rufus Herrick, A. W. Gray, W. 
Gallup, H. A. Van Wie, and Ambrose Herrick. The first 
church edifice built by the society was erected in 1846, eleven 
yeais before the church was organized. It cost $800. Rev. 
Allen Steele conducted the dedication services. 

At that time this little flock were few in numbers and 
feeble in strength, but the erection of this comfortable 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



303 



chapel foriuod an important era in tlio liistory of tlie cause 
of Christ in this place. The Methodists now have in process 
of erection a large and commodious brick church, which, 
when finished, will be spacious and convenient. The cost 
of this new edifice has been estimated at SI 0,000. The 
first Sunday-school was organized in 1846. Samuel Chase 
was the superintendent, and Horace Northrup the secretary. 
The church now numbers 150 members. The following are 
the names of the present officers: J. W. Ilaight, John C. 
Force, Philip Mosher, Daniel Pemble, William Pemble, C. 
H. Kipp, H. A. Van Wie, G. H. Newton, Wyatt Gallup, 
A. W. Gray, Rufus Herrick, and John Collamer. The 
trustees of the society are Philip Blosher, Daniel Pemble, 
J. W. Haight, John C. Force, William Pemdle, Nelson 
N. Williams, H. A. Van Wie, Alfred W. Gray, and C. H. 
Kipp. 

The following are the names of the successive pastors 
from the formation of the church to the present time : Reu- 
ben Westcot, A.M., William J. Heath, H. L. Grant, Manley 
Wetherill, Reuben Westeot, R. W. Jones, S. W. Brown, H. 
H. Smith, Abel Ford, G. C. Thomas, A. C. Rose, and Will- 
ard Hitchcock, the present pastor. The church is now in a 
living state of spirituality. 

John C. Force states that Mr. Hines was a class-leader 
when the first work began, in 1828 ; that once or twice, in 
the early times, the class or church was reduced, by removals 
and other causes, to one or two families. 

When they decided to build a small class-room for meet- 
ings they circulated a paper, and found so many friends in 
the community, and so much generous help, that the move- 
ment developed into the chapel of 1846, costing $800, a 
much greater sum than they had any hope of raising when 
they commenced. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH OP STILLWATER. 

The Catholics in Stillwater village and vicinity were ac- 
customed to attend church at Mechanicville, and did .so 
down to the year 1874. It became burdensome either to 
walk or drive so fir, and finally a few earnest men deter- 
mined to make an efibrt for services here, especially, too, that 
the children might have the. benefit of a Catholic Sunday- 
school near by. The Episcopal church, with its ample 
grounds, being for sale, the Catholics purchiised the same 
at an expense of $1500, and added repairs, making the ex- 
pense in all $3000. The church is a fully-organized, sep- 
arate society, but is under the care of Rev. T. A. Field, 
pastor of the Catholic church of Mechanicville. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

Like most other towns along the river, the places of 
early burial are numerous, and many of them simply on 
private grounds, subject, unfortunately, to all the changes 
of ownership, likely at times to fall into the hands of men 
with no sensibility or feeling on the subject, perhaps .sooner 
or later to be lost to view. The nameless and unnumbered 
dead of the battle-fields rest everywhere without order or 
system over several scjuare miles, extending from George 
Ensign's to Henry Newland's, and from Ebenezer Leggett's 
to Remus Heights tavern. No monunient.s mark their 
myriad burial-places, and no memorial-stones tell cither 



name or deeds or date. Whigs and royalists, Englishmen 
and Americans mingled, " in one red burial blent." No 
thunder of cannon disturbs their deep repose, no bugle- 
blast wakens them from their long sleep. The ages shall 
come and go, wars shall desolate other lands, battles shall 
redden other fields, but the heroes of Bemus Heights long 
ago fought their last fight. They were buried upon the 
field of their valor, and their fame has passed into the 
keeping of the world's imperishable records. 

The following is a list, perhaps imperfect, of burial-places 
in town : 

The new and beautiful cemetery above Stillwater vil- 
lage ; the burial-ground over the canal ; one near the 
Methodist chapel ; the ancient j'ard at the Yellow meeting- 
house ; the burial-place at the old Baptist church ; the 
Ketcham family ground, at the corners of that name ; the 
one near Ezra Munger's ; the Ensign burial-lot, on one of 
the finest bluffs of the river hills, overlooking the valley 
for many miles ; the Ruebottom and Vandenburg family lot, 
on the farm of Mr. Hill; and the one at Bemus Heights, 
the most fearfully neglected of all. 

IX.— SOCIETIES. 

There was a Ma.sonic lodge at Stillwater, chartered Oct. 
22, 1791, said to have been one of the largest and best 
lodges in the State. Its first officers and similar items 
are not now to be obtained, as the books have been scat- 
tered or passed into unauthorized hands for many years. 
It was known as " Montgomery Lodge." The " Montgom- 
ery Chapter" of Stillwater is also known to have been in 
existence before 1798. The Grand Chapter of the State 
of New York was organized March 14, 1798, at Albany, 
by representatives from five subordinate chapters, of which 
that at Stillwater was one. The representatives from Still- 
water were Daniel Hale, Jr., H. P., and Ashbel Meaeham, 
K. Daniel Hale was appointed one of the committee on 
by-laws. At this meeting De Witt Clinton was elected as 
the first presiding officer of the Grand Chapter. In 1799, 
Jan. 30, a warrant was granted to hold a Mark Master 
Masons' lodge at Stillwater. 

These three Masonic bodies existed down to the diffi- 
culties in 1830. 

The modern organization under the name of " Montgom- 
ery Lodge, 504, F. and A. M.," w:is formed June 27, 1860, 
by a dispensation from the Grand Lodge. The first officers 
were Rev. W. J. Heath, M. ; P. Mosher, S. W. ; D. F. 
Wetzel, J. W. ; John A. Quaekonbush, Treas. ; H. H. 
Montgomery, Sec; John V. W. Vandenburg, S. D. ; H. 
Badgley, J. D. ; Nathan Tabor and George K. Doming, 
Masters of Ceremonies ; J. W. Buffington, Tyler. The 
lodge has a membership of one hundred and seven. 

A new chapter, also named in honor of the ancient one, 
— "Montgomery," — was established in 1870. The peti- 
tion for a charter was drawn up April 11 of that year. 
Dispen.sation granted Nov. 28. The charter iS dated Feb. 
8, 1871. 

The first officers were D. Van AVie, H. P.; P. Van 
Veghten, K. ; C. S. Ensign, Scribe; J. G. Lansing, Treas.; 
L. Vandemark, Sec. The chapter has a membership of 
sixty-three. 



304 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The officers of Montgomery Lodge, 504, the present year 
are, in part, Eugene Wood, M. ; J. L. Moore, Sec. In 
the absence of the Master, L. Vandemark is acting presi- 
ding officer. He has occupied the chair for seven years, 
since 1860. These bodies meet in a finely-appointed lodge- 
room, containing furniture and fixtures to the amount of 
$2000. In the room are three choice relics of old times, 
— the gavel of the ancient lodge, presented by Ashbel Pal- 
mer ; a venerable picture, known as the " old Masonic car- 
pet," owned by L. Vandemark ; and, finally, a stone taken 
from the corner of the old Episcopal church. It was laid, 
with the ceremonies of the order, in 1798. Capitular Ma- 
sonic emblems are engraved upon it, together with a circle 
of curiously-arranged characters which even Masons far 
advanced in the mysteries of the order find it difficult to 
translate. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

In this respect the town equals any other in the county. 
Within its limits culminated the great events of the Bur- 
goyne campaign. Here were fought the battles that com- 
pelled the surrender at Schuylerville. Strategic points in 
the march of armies, and their various positions and en- 
campments, are found in abundance through all this valley. 
The sites of skirmishes, of single midnight attacks, of 
heroic defenses, are everywhere to be found in the county 
from " Half-Moon Point" to Baker's Falls, and from the 
Hudson on the east to the hills that border the west. But 
in Stillwater there are battle-fields that have challenged the 
attention of the world ; battle-fields where men perished in 
masses; where the autumnal sun of 1777 shone on hills 
and plains red with the fearful slaughter of a hotly-contested 
struggle. A noted writer has counted the battle of Oct. 7 
as one of the "fifteen decisive battles of the world." 
Sweeping down through the sixty centuries of human his- 
tory, and concentrating its decisive epochs into fifteen, 
Oct. 7, 1777, is named as one. Unrolling the map of the 
globe, and looking for the sites of these fifteen memorable 
contests, Stillwater gathers to itself the glory of one. The 
time may come in distant ages when the minor events of 
history shall be lost ; when the connecting links shall dis- 
appear in the dim past ; when the details of campaigns shall 
grow briefer and still briefer under the effacing hand of 
receding years ; but even then, when the battle history of 
the world shall be reduced to a few brief points, then 
Stillwater will remain on the record, its glorious deeds 
secure from the destroying touch of time. 

Just above the present bridge at Stillwater village was 
the ancient ferry. Its history no doubt reaches back to the 
middle of the last century, if not even to the date 1732, 
which is upon the house of Alfred Gray, on the east side 
of the river. Over this ferry the first settlers passed from 
the earlier settled portions of Rensselaer county, and from 
the New England States to their homes west of the Hud- 
son. And here the army of Burgoyne is said to have 
crossed on rafts, after the surrender, and from this point 
took up their line of march through the eastern States for 
Boston. 

About a mile northwest of Stillwater village, on a wooded 
hill, are remains of intrenchments. The origin of these 
is not certain. Local tradition assigns them to the French 



and Indian war of 1756, or to some still earlier period. 
They may, however, be the works commenced by General 
Gates, in 1777, on the return of the army from Van 
Schaick's island, and before it was decided to fortify Bemus 
Heights. 

In the village of Stillwater, the Dirck Swart house was 
deemed worthy of being engraved for Lossing's " Field-Book 
of the Revolution." It was erected before the Revolutionary 
war, and no doubt appears now as it did in the olden time, 
except that it has been kept painted, and perhaps been 
newly sided. 

When the northern army in the campaign of 1777 was 
on the retreat southward, it encamped for a time on the hill 
where now the Presbyterian and Catholic churches are 
situated. Just below, on the southeast. General Schuyler 
had his headquarters at the house of Dirck Swart. It was 
here that Lieutenant Stockwelland Colonel Willett, escaping 
from Fort Stanwix and getting through the wilderness, 
found General Schuyler and asked for help. In this same 
house was held the council of war, at which Schuyler 
favored sending reinforcements and his officers opposed. 
It was here that he overheard an officer remark, " He means 
to weaken the army," and unconsciously bit his pipe iu 
several pieces in the height of his indignation. It was this 
council that he abruptly ended by personally assuming the 
responsibility and accepting Arnold's offer to head a relief- 
party. 

It might be noticed that the second term of the circuit 
court for the new county of Saratoga was held at the 
Presbyterian church in Stillwater, June 4, 1792. 

Tracing the river northward, we enter upon the grand 
historic points of the battle-grounds of Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, 
1777. The tavern of John Bemus, whose name was ap- 
plied to the near uplands west and north, stood on the river- 
road, as it now runs near the canal, not on the site of the 
present hotel of Elias Hewitt, but farther north, on a 
rounded knoll, in the corner between the river-road and the 
one leading westeily, and just south of the present Duns- 
comb place. Here may still be seen the old well of the 
tavern, two or three fruit-trees ancient enough in appear- 
ance to have been growing when General Gates was here, 
and a venerable lilac-bush by the roadside. From near the 
spot occupied by the house a breastwork extended to the 
river, reaching the bank just north of the west end of 
the old float-bridge, marked at the present time by a single 
buttonwood-tree, formed of two widely-diverging trunks. 
There was a battery placed here, the remains of which are 
still to be seen. Here, too, in the vicinity of this same old 
tavern site, must we commence looking for the line of in- 
trenchments, " three-quarters of a mile in length," thrown 
up by the army of General Gates on the brow of the river- 
hill. This line had three batteries; one at each extremity, 
the other near the centre. The one at the southern end 
was on the ground occupied by the present school-house or 
a little southeast of it. The shooting practiced in that old 
battery was not exactly the same as the present school- 
ma'ams inculcate when " teaching young ideas how to shoot." 
To find the site of the second battery, cross the ravine 
just north of the Dunscomb House, and on the summit of 
this hill, nearly opposite the canal-bridge, let the best mili- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



305 



tary man in the party choose the ground, for the broad sum- 
mit has so often been plowed in the hundred years now clos- 
iug that anj' attempt at precise location will be difficult, 
and have quite an element of uncertainty about it. But 
that this was the summit crowned by the central battery is 
certain, from the maps of all the authors who have written 
of the great struggle. 

Traveling farther north along the line, the position of 
the battery at the northern extremity will be found on a 
projecting spur of the hills near the corner of an orchard, 
and a little northeast of the grave-stones which mark the 
burial-place of the Vandenburg and Reubottom families. 
This is on the farm of Mr. Hill, who lives just east, at the 
foot of the range across the canal. That that was the site 
of the battery is proved not only by the maps, but by the 
statement of Mr. Hill that he himself plowed down the 
intrenehments at that point. This place, too, is described 
by some writers as the " northeastern angle" of the first 
intrenehments, at which the east and west line was begun 
after the battle of the 19th. From this point may be ob- 
tained a splendid view of the "alluvial flats" lying between 
the hills and the river, narrowed down to a few rods in 
width at Bemus Heights, where General Gates had fortified 
the southern extremity, and also narrowed in the same way 
at Wilbur's basin, where General Burgoyne soon after held 
the northern pass. The line of the hills is nearly straight, 
and the river makes a grand curve. It is plain, even to 
unmilitary eyes, how superior this place is to that at Still- 
water village for the purpose of resisting the march of an 
invading army down the valley. The plain common .sense 
of the Stillwater farmers in the camp, united with the 
trained engineering skill of Kosciusko, made no mistake 
when, together, they decided to fortify this pass. The hills 
near Stillwater village were too distant from the river and 
from the main road along its banks. 

Besides the one line from the hills to the river at Bemus' 
tavern, with its battery by the float-bridge, there was an 
independent work — not connected to the line of the hills — 
on the south side of what is sometimes called Mill creek, 
though just why it has this name old residents find it diffi- 
cult to explain. The work consisted of a battery at the 
bank of the river, and a line of intrenehments extending 
a few rods northwesterly nearly parallel to the creek. 
Whatever there was of this creek being in late years 
diverted to the canal, it Ls only the dry bed of the little 
stream that is to be seen east of the canal during the sum- 
mer. The mouth of this creek may easily be found, how- 
ever, on the farm of Mr. Hill, — before spoken of, — by 
going to the river on a line bearing a little northeast from 
his house. South of the creek are very clearly seen the re- 
mains of the embankment. These batteries and intreneh- 
ments thus described constituted the principal American 
works at or before the first battle. 

Traveling now through the northern neck of the alluvial 
flats (Wilbur's basin), and looking for the historical posi- 
tions of the British army, we commence northward, just 
within the town of Saratoga. The " Sword Jwitse," sup- 
posed to be so called because occupied by a man of that 
name, may be in some dispute among writers, but local 
tradition, universal and precise in this case, together with 
39 



much written historical authority, sustains the following 
description. The " Sword house" was situated on the pres- 
ent farm of Tunis Flamburg, a little northwest of Robert 
Searles' residence, across the canal, and just southwest of 
the farm-bridge. It was a large, gambrel-roofed house, with 
a wide, old-fashioned hall, through which a yoke of cattle 
might be driven. Benjamin Searles, father of Robert, 
took the building down in after-years, and the timber was 
put into the family residence on the river-road, where Mr. 
Searles now lives. That house was burned in 1861. 

Next southward was the house of Ezekiel Ensign, a 
pioneer tavern for some years before the Revolution. His 
house was turned into a hospital by the British army while 
they were encamped there. The building so used is a part 
of the present house of George A. Ensign, the property 
having remained in the Ensign family from the first settle- 
ment to the present time. 

The "John Taylor house" bears a prominent place in all 
the minute histories of the Burgoyne campaign. John 
Taylor was the owner, living in Albany. It was occupied 
in 1777 by one McGee, a tenant. The house stood near 
the foot of the hills west of the present canal, on the farm 
now owned by Calvin and Hiram Cotton, at a point in the 
open field where a depression in the ground clearly shows 
the position of the old cellar, and broken brick, glass, and 
crockery most certainly identify the spot. This is one of 
the places to kindle intense feeling in the mind of the vis- 
itor. Here was gathered much of the glory and the sor- 
row of war. No one can read the letters of Madam Reidesel 
and then visit this place without emotion. The dinner- 
party planned for the afternoon of the 7th, at which she 
was to entertain Generals Burgoyne, Fraser, and Phillips ; 
the uncertainty of the day ; the terror of the great battle ; 
Fraser brought in wounded at four o'clock ; the whispered 
report of her husband that all was lost and they must be 
ready for retreat ; the long, fearful night ; the hushing her 
children to sleep, lest they should disturb the dying man ; 
Eraser's exclamations of sorrow for his poor wife,- — never 
again to meet him in the far-ofi" English home ; his death 
at sunrise ; the day with the dead ; the retreating army ; 
the pursuing Americans, — all these things together make 
up a picture of surpassing sorrow. Then the granting of 
Eraser's dying request by Burgoyne, even at the risk of 
himself and army ; the sad procession of distinguished 
ofiicers, bearing the body of Fraser, at sunset, up the hill, 
where he wished to lie beneath the moaning pines ; the 
reading of the burial service amid the falling shot from the 
victorious Americans beyond the first ravine, — all together 
complete a scene unequaled even in war's dread gallery of 
paintings. 

Burgoyne had guarded this place with much care. There 
was the "great redoubt" on the hill, where Fraser desired 
to be buried, marked now by two solitary pines ; a line of 
intrenehments from this to the sharp hill just west of the 
canal grocery and overlooking Wilbur creek ravine; and on 
that hill another battery. From the foot of the hills below 
the " great redoubt" a line was thrown up to the river, with 
a battery on the bank. 

The magazine of the British army was on the bank of 
the river, protected by this intrenchment. It stood on a 



306 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



little rise of ground a few rods below the Cotton farm-build- 
ings, and just south of the slight ravine or depression in 
the road at that point. 

Burgojne's first works were commenced after the battle 
of Sept. ]9, by taking pos.?ession of the hills south of the 
stream now constituting Wilbur's basin, and connecting 
them by a line of intrenchments perhaps eighty rods long, 
and erecting a battery at each end. As the actual site of 
these batteries would depend somewhat on the question 
whether they were erected for offensive operations against 
the Americans southwest, or simply to secure the magazine 
and stores of the army against a possible attempt by General 
Gates to move northward along the alluvial flats, it may not 
be easy to decide their exact location. Assuming, however, 
that Burgoyne's main object was to guard his camp and 
stores, it may fairly be concluded that the north battery was 
on the extreme eastern point of the hill next to Wilbur's 
basin, and the south one on the second hill, and probably 
on a small plateau a little below the highest summit. The 
curve on the maps from this place westward agrees with 
the actual curve of the hills from this lower plateau. If 
the other view was taken, it might be concluded the bat- 
teries were a few rods farther west, connected by a line on 
the level ground passing near the present residence of Wm. 
Larrington. It is said that there are remains of a battery 
in the woods skirting the east side of Wilbur's ravine and 
nearly west of Larrington's house. If this is correct, then 
the second view of these positions may be the best. These 
lines and batteries were undoubtedly the principal works of 
the armies at the first. That besides these each army had 
certain extra works for the temporary safety of picket-guards 
or other purposes is very probable. The remains of these, 
found at difi"erent points, may have tended to confuse sub- 
sequent accounts of the battle-field. 

The battle of the 19th having been fought, and the result 
not having decided the great question whether Burgoyne's 
army was to march through Stillwater to the capture of 
Albany or not, it became necessary for both armies to pro- 
vide for the exigencies of the future. General Gates, com- 
mencing at the " northeastern angle," — that is, the battery of 
the orchard, near the grave-stones before mentioned, — built a 
line of intrenchments westward along the north bank of the 
ravine, crossing one of its branches, through to the Neilson 
hill. There, the old log barn, standing about on the site of 
the present frame barn, was strongly fortified, and named 
Fort Neilson. This was so arranged, projecting to the 
north, as to thoroughly conmiand every point of approach. 
From the barn, the line of intrenchments was extended 
southwesterly and south, winding somewhat along a ridge, 
and skirting the western edge of the present orchard till it 
reached the "great ravine." There it terminated on the 
brow of a hill, a little south of some old apple-trees standing 
there at the present time. The outlet of this " great 
ravine" passes to the river just by the school-house, where 
the south battery of the first line was built. Besides the 
strong fort at the northwestern angle, on the Neilson hill, 
there was a battery on the north line of the intrenchments 
considerably left of the centre, — that is, nearer to the Neil- 
son hill than to the east end, at the Reubottom burial-place. 
This battery was evidently on a rouudtd knoll, just down 



the slope from the Neilson barn, at the termination of the 
ravine, and on its north .side. It is fair to state, however, 
that a slightly different site may have considerable argument 
in its favor. 

Another battery was erected on the southern extension 
beyond the fort, near the line of the present orchard, and 
not far from where the old Neilson house stood in the years 
before the battle. The magazine of the American army 
was placed back from the lines, on the lower ground south- 
east of the Neilson house, at a point now marked by a 
clump of low bushes sixty or seventy rods distant from the 
house. Here then was a grand quadrangle constituting the 
American position, bounded south by the " great ravine," 
or, as it is otherwise called, the " Great Falls creek," east 
by the first and strong line of intrenchments on the river 
hills, and inclosed north and west by the new line just 
described. 

It is obvious that it had elements of strength and secu- 
rity suiEcient to render it wellnigh impregnable if defended 
by brave men under skillful command. Within this quad- 
rangle General Gates now established his headquarters at 
the house of Ephraim Woodworth. This was on the pres- 
ent farm of William L. Dennison, on the south side of the 
road passing westerly at that point, near a willow-tree in 
the open lot southeast of the barns, and eight or ten rods 
from the road. A building used as a hospital stood a little 
east of the Woodworth house. This, in after-years, was 
moved to the present Searles place, by Aaron Knight, and 
used as a dwelling-house. It was in still later times taken 
down, sold, and the timber is to some extent in the present 
wagon-house on the place of Van Buren Searles. Another 
building used as a hospital stood on the other side of the 
road west of the present Dennison house. This was also 
taken down, and the frame removed to erect a barn now 
standing on the farm of Clarence Curtiss, near Wilbur's 
basin, on the hill, separate from other buildings and west 
towards the woods. 

The kitchen part of the present Neilson mansion was the 
A'ci/son house of olden times. It stood then on its present 
site, though the first Neilson house was forty rods southeast 
of the present one, in what is now the new orchard with a 
few old trees in it. This had been taken down, and the 
kitchen where it now stands was the headquarters of Gen- 
eral Poor. The British General Ackland when severely 
wounded was also brought to this house, and there his 
wife joined him a day or two after the battle, bearing a 
letter from General Burgoyne commending her to the pro- 
tection of General Gates. 

Besides the works of the American army now described, 
a redoubt, ready for the emergency of flanking or being 
flanked, was erected on the present farm of Rial and Henry 
Ncwlaud. The hill where it stood is clearly defined, being 
a little west from the southern extension of the intrench- 
ments, and the place of the redoubt was north of the well 
still there and near a few very old apple-trees. From this 
point, looking northwest, may be seen two elevations. The 
nearer one was occupied by the troops of Morgan, ready at 
this advanced position to resist any attempt to flank the 
left wing of the American army, or himself to push for- 
ward to flank the right wing of the British forces. The 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



307 



elevation still farther northwest became the place of strategic 
movements in the various attempts to flank by either force. 
At the northern end of it was the house of J. Munuer, 
where Gen. Fraser was stationed with a thousand men on 
the morning of October 7. This house was near the old 
barn now standing there on the farm of Simeon Rowley. 
The house of A. Chatfield was on the hill where the resi- 
dence of Benjamin Searles now stands. The Chatfield 
house was a little south of the pre.sent one, near a small 
tamarack now growing there. 

It was on the Chatfield hill that General Gates' aids 
efieeted a reconnaissance on the morning of October 7, and 
discovered the British soldiers foraging on a field below, 
while the British officers were making a like observation 
from the house of J. Hunger. 

Now returning to the river-hills, near Wilbur's basin, 
the works of General Burgoyne are to be more fully 
mentioned. 

Commencing at the southern battery of his fir.'^t lino already 
described, on the second hill south of Wilbur's basin, a line 
of intrenchnients was thrown up in a general westerly 
direction, passing near the present barns of William Lar- 
rington and in his fields north of the road, then through the 
woods farther west and along the brow of a hill from which 
the timber has been recently cut (after crossing a spur of 
the ravine), and reaching the southwestern angle a little 
south of the orchard upon the present farm of A. S. Bright- 
man. This intrenchment is laid down upon the older and 
the newer maps as substantially a straight line, and doubt- 
less this is nearly correct ; still it is now difficult to find it 
such by an actual examination, the known points, or at 
any rate the supposed points, rather obstinately refusing to 
fall into line. Its general course, however, is clear. On 
this east and west line there were two batteries. The 
northerly one was on the farm of William Larrington, per- 
haps eighty rods from his buildings, a little north of west, 
near the present woods. Mr. Larrington himself cleared 
the land at that point in the year 1864, and leveled the 
works, and the present state of the ground indicates that 
there was a work of some kind at that point. The battery 
farther west was probably on the edge of the ravine where 
the timber has been recently cut, and embankments at that 
point seem to sustain this view. 

At the southeastern angle, near Brightman's present 
orchard, a strong redoubt was built, and from this the 
intrenchments were thrown up in a straight line northerly, 
passing a few yards west of Brightman's house, and reach- 
ing nearly to the road. At the north end was a battery, 
and this must have been twenty-five or thirty rods from 
the house, perhaps near a single hickory-tree, now .standing 
there. 

An independent battery was located a little west of this 
line, and northwest of the southeastern angle by this 
orchard. A sharp slate ridge, rising abruptly from the 
plain, seems to be the point where this battery was located. 

These outlines show the camp of General Burgoyne in- 
closed and fortified during the interval between the two 
battles. It Was protected on the north by the ravine, 
in the rear and on the other three sides by intrenchments 
and batteries. The elevation occupied by the Ile.ssian troops 



is a low, irregular hill, now partially covered with small 
timber, lying northwest of the house of A. S. Brightman, 
and beyond the road. A little east of this there are shown 
on maps one or two hou.ses where none are now found. 
Besides these British intrenchments thus described, there 
is also a point on the Wilbur farm where William L. Stone 
locates Burgoyne's headquarters, on the authority of the 
Brunswick Journal, sustained by the recollection of Mr. 
Wilbur as to wine-bottles and other things found at that 
point. There is also evidence of a redoubt in the woods, 
on the Carrington farm, farther west than the one already 
described. 

In taking positions for the battle of Oct. 7, the British 
army also occupied a hill southwest from the " Freeman's 
cottage." This hill, somewhat blufiF at the northeastern 
extremity, slopes gi-adually to the southwest, towards the 
foot of the elevation where the Munger house stood. This 
hill is on the farm now owned by the widow of Isaac 
Freeman, deceased, and also by Patrick Welch. 

'' Freeman's cottage," so often named in the histories of 
the battles of Sapt. 19 and Oct. 7, stood on the place now 
owned by A. S. Brightman. The cottage was not on the 
site of the present dwelling, but a little southwest of the 
barn. The statement of Ebenezer Leggett, who owned that 
farm for many years, is very clear as to the site of the 
cottage. He built the present barns, and Charles Ensign, 
of the hotel at Stillwater village, was the contractor. They 
both state that the grading west of the barn uncovered 
very clearly the remains of a house, a fire-place, and many 
relics. A quantity of balls was taken from the place, as if 
they had been stored there. 

The name " Freeman's farm" has been used in something 
of a confused manner in relation to these battles. This 
results from the fact that there is a present " Freeman's 
farm," not the same as the Freeman farm of the battle, and 
yet the two adjoin each other and the heavy fighting ex- 
tended over both. The '• Freeman's cottage" of the battle 
account is the Brightman place, while the place marked 
George Coulter on the war-maps of old times is the present 
farm of the widow Freeman. 

Having named as far as possible the location of intrench- 
ments, batteries, magazines, hospitals, and dwellings, it 
remains to mention the places of the severest fighting, not 
entering, however, upon a description of the battles. It 
should also be mentioned that involved in the account of 
the battles and the description of the works there are four 
ravines, which it is necessary to note, — first, at the north 
is the ravine breaking through the hills at Wilbur's basin ; 
second, the ravine through which the little stream. Mill 
creek, flows, reaching the alluvial flats near the canal-bridge 
in the vicinity of a barn standing on the main road, and 
belonging to Isaac W. Valance ; third, a ravine sometimes 
called South Mill creek, which breaks through the hills just 
north of the Dunscomb house; and thu fourth, the " Great 
ravine," so called, at which General Gates' line terminated on 
the .southeast, and which ravine pa.sses just south of the 
school-house at Bemus Heights village. 

Nature did not, however, draw the courses of these 
ravines in straight lines, and their various branches, deflec- 
tions, and curves need considerable study in attempting to 



308 



HISTOEY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



understand the disposition of the various troops, the diffi- 
culties they met with, and the minute details of the engage- 
ments. 

Recalling now the fact that the battle of the 19th of 
September was fought before any of these works were con- 
structed by either army, except a portion of the American 
defenses on the river-hills and the alluvial flats, the his- 
tory of that battle must be read with that understanding. 
The extensive works upon the upper plains and hill-sides 
were not there, or at least only commenced by General 
Gates, as some writers indicate. There was nothing except 
the temporary protection which an army can make for itself 
in a few hours, and history records little or nothing of that. 
It was sheer open-field fighting without defenses, and the 
battle-ground was in the vicinity of " Freeman's cottage." 

The struggle of the 19th was principally fought out at a 
few points mentioned in history, as follows : " liiyh ground 
about one hundred and fifty rods west of Freeman's cot- 
tage." This must have been the hill now on the farm of 
Widow Freeman and Patrick Welch. " A point about sixty 
rods west of the cottage." This must have been on the level 
ground, not far from, or else at, the slate ridge spoken of. 

" About midway between the cottage and the ravine." 
This was south beyond the present orchard of A. S. Briglit- 
man. " On a charing in- front of Freeman s cottage ten or 
fifteen acres in extent, and sloping east and south." This 
could only be the now beautiful field commencing at the 
orchard and declining south and east. " An open wood in 
the rear of the cottage." This was probably where the 
present dwelling-house of Brightman stands, and farther 
north along the present road. History also states that 
" Learned's brigade, and probably Marshall's, were princi- 
pally engaged on a rise of ground west of the cottage." 
This probably refers to the next height northwest of the 
Welch and Freeman hill. And so " Freeman's cottage" 
and its vicinity was the battle-ground of the 19th of Sep- 
tember, 1777. East, west, north, and south, within a radius 
of half a mile, the attack and the defense, the charge and 
the repulse, all took place. Hour after hour the fearful 
conflict went on, and night closed upon a scene hard to 
realize, even when standing on the very spot where a hun- 
dred years ago was the carnage of battle. 

During the day, while the battle was raging around the 
" cottage," the British attempted to penetrate the American 
lines by moving along a road at the foot of the hills, nearly 
the course of the canal at the present time. They were 
met by the Americans and repulsed in a sharp skirmish. 
This occurred where Mill creek flows through the hills and 
makes a small basin by the canal, not for from the barn of 
Mr. Valance, already mentioned. To reach the battle-field 
at " Freeman's cottage," one division, to form the left wing 
of the British army, moved from the camp at " the Sword 
house," nearly westerly to the road from Quaker Springs, 
and then turned south, coming in near the place of George 
Coulter or in that vicinity. Another division, composing 
the centre, moved up Wilbur's ravine, and then struck 
across southwesterly to " Freeman's cottage," while the por- 
tion forming the British left moved directly to the alluvial 
flats south of Wilbur's basin. 

The battle of Oct. 7 was foujjht on nearly the same 



ground as that of Sept. 19, and the usual descriptions of it 
will be readily understood in connection with this statement 
of places, lines, and batteries. The space between Free- 
man's cottage and the hill at Patrick Welch's was the 
scene of a most fearful slaughter. Between the slate ridge 
and Brightman's orchard the dead lay in mingled masses, 
friend and foe in wild confusion. And the battle raged far 
to the southwest, along the hill where Patrick Welch now 
lives, and beyond, as the hill declines to the low grounds, 
near the foot of the Munger place. Here were made the 
desperate attempts by each party to flank the other. Here 
the impetuous charges of the Americans drove the three 
divisions of the British army on this hill into an irregular and 
partially disorganized mass northwest, towards the present 
Rogers place. In that slight but smooth and handsome 
valley between the two heights Eraser fell while riding up 
and down the lines, rallying, arranging, and inspiring. 

Near this same hill, or upon its northern end, was the 
artillery, said to have been taken and retaken five times in 
the terrific struggle. 

Take a point somewhat east of the house of A. S. 
Brightman, near the corner of the woods, and draw a line 
diagonally through to the point below the Munger house, 
and we have a central fighting line, along which, but diverg- 
ing at some points thirty or forty rods, the great battle was 
fought. And yet it varied during the day beyond that. 
The British at one time pressed through to the line of the 
intrenchments ea.st of the Neilson hill, and a sharp action 
took place there. They pushed up the valley west of the 
Neilson place despite the commanding range of the fort, 
and despite the line of intrenchments along the Neilson 
orchard, and there the struggle was bloody, obstinate. 
And, on the other hand, Arnold, sweeping along the plain 
in front of Balcarras' line, west of •' Freeman's cottage," 
dashed through to the Hessian or Burgoyne hill, so called, 
farther north, and was himself actually wounded even at 
the rear of that. So that while the general battle-field is 
readily understood, yet the special movements to and fro of 
the contending forces can only be fully seen by reading the 
best histories " on the ground ;" making the whole a great 
object-lesson, first read a sentence or a description and then 
locate it. Late in the afternoon of the 7th the rapidly- 
changing picture of the field almost defies description. 

It would be within the scope of this statement of locali- 
ties to speak of the burial-places of the killed. It is diffi- 
cult to do so, however, with any great accuracy. Perhaps 
two or three points may be considered well known. Ebene- 
zer Lcggett states that in plowing just west of the barn of 
A. S. Brightman he uncovered, in early years, large num- 
bers of skeletons but slightly buried. As this was the 
west line of the British defenses, the dead were here 
gathered, no doubt, deposited in the trenches all along the 
line, and slightly covered. Charles Neilson's history speaks 
of the burial of the American dead as south and west from 
the Neilson house. This would be in the valley near the 
present orchard. In this statement, as in many others, the 
Neilson history has the advantage of being written by a 
man who lived on the very field of these operations, and 
whose childhood was spent in sight of the fortifications not 
then dcstriiyed, and uiKhr llic ex[ilanatioMS of his iiithcr. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



309 



who was present during the fortifying of the camp and the 

battles that followed. Really, the places of burial were so 

numerous and so scattered as to defy all description or 

enumeration. 

XL— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The people of Stillwater are mostly engaged in agricul- 
ture. The farms are rich and productive, and the crops 
common to the valley of the Hudson are raised successfully. 
So much space has been given to the battle history that 
only a few brief statements can be added on this subject. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The knitting-mill of Newland & Dennison was estab- 
lished in 1873. It employs fifty hands, manufactures 
gentlemen's and ladies' underwear, averaging about seventy- 
five dozen a day. 

The paper-mill now" owned by Mosher & Judd was 
founded in 1847 or 1848 by William Mo.sher and Elihu 
Allen. The business was for many years confined to paper- 
hangings. In later times they have mostly made bag- 
paper. They employ fifteen to twenty hands, manufac- 
turing about nine tons of paper a week. 

The Stillwater hosiery-works were first built in 1873 by 
Ephraim Newland, opened by Newland & Wilson, and soon 
after transferred to the present proprietors, E. B. Skinner 
& Co. They employ about seventy hands, making gents', 
boys', and ladies' underwear, an aggregate of about twenty 
thousand dozen a year. 

The Stillwater straw-board manufactory was established 
in 1866 by D. and W. Pemble, the present owners. About 
twelve hands are employed, making twelve to fifteen tons 
per week. 

The paper-mill opposite Baker's lock was built by Gard- 
ner Rowland & Sons in 1862 or 1SC3. Burned down 
once and rebuilt, and now owned by the .same men. Doing 
an excellent business. 

XII.— MILITARY. 

For the Revolutionary war no list can be very well 
written that will do justice to all. Many citizens have 
already been mentioned as having been present at the 
battles of Bemus Heights. Many others rendered service 
in various ways as scouts, teamsters, and guides. 

In the War of 1812 there were several volunteers and 
drafted men who entered the service from this town. No 
accurate list of names can be very easily prepared. Ash- 
bel Palmer and Leonard Hodgman recall a few : Leonard 
Hodgman furnished substitute ; James Hodgman went into 
service ; John Hunter furnished substitute ; David C. 
Flager, Lieut. John R. Myers, Wm. Baker, Peter Baker, 
Wm. Scoutcn, James McNeal, Thomas Elms, Daniel Hew- 
ett, Jr., Samuel Edmonds, John Tompkins, David Blood. 

For the War of 1861-65 a list is added. It has been 
made much more complete than the one found in the town 
clerk's oflBce, but it may still fail to include some who went 
into the army. It has, however, been carefully advertised, 
and the whole people invited to assist in making it com- 
plete and rerNibli". 

WAU OF 1Sr,l-fi.1. 

John W. Arn.ilJ. pnl. Aug. 13, lSO-2, 77th Rcgt., Cu. A. ; Uiuil of wimn.I.s, .I;iii. 
20, lSt;;l, Ht WHshiiiKli.ii, n. 0. 



Liician Annable, enl. Oct. 7, 18G1, 77th Kegt., Co. H, ; disch. for disability, Oct. 

27, 18G2. 

John E. Ainistrong, enl. 1862, 77th Kegt. 

Loren Abel, enl. ISCi, ll.'.th Regt. 

James Anthony, enl. 1802, 125lli Regt. 

Charles D.Atkinson, enl, Sept. 19, 1861, 77 th Regt., Co. A; disch. for disability, 
June 22, 18C2. 

Adolphua Arnold. 

Julius P. Bennett, enl. Sept. 18, 1862, 77th Regt.; diseh. for injuries on railroad, 
Jan. 16, 1863. 

George Bostwick, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 2d Cav., Co. K; was in many battles; 
wounded at S|iott8.vlvania, May 5, 18G4; disch. May 5, 1864. 

Orramel T. Bostwiek, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 2d Cav., Co. E; was in many battles; 
wounded Sept. 16, 1864; disch. June 5, 1865. 

William Burger, enl. 1862, 77th Regt. ; not accepted liy mustering odicer. 

James Bloomingdale, enl. Jan. 7, 1864, 7th .\rt. ; died in hospital, Feb. 11, 18G4, 
at Washington. 

John Burras, enl. Feb. 27, 1864, 1st Light Art. 

Archibald Blown, enl. Jan. l.i, 1864, 13th Art., Co. E. 

Stephen F. Baker, enl. Jan. 1:!, 1864, l:tth Art., Co. F. 

Benjamin A. Briggs, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. C; trans, to Co. A, July 
1, 1864 ; wounded at Cedar Creek ; disch. June 16, 1805. 

Henry Bradt, enl. Sept. 9, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77th ; disch. 
June 10, 1868. 

Levi A, Brooks, enl. Oct. 22, 1861, 77lh Regt., Co. F. 

Wm.R. Britton, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. coi-p. ; disch. Dec. 13, 
1801. 

John Barns, eiil. 1802, 77tb Regt., Co. C. 

Chas. H. lietts, enl. 1802, 115th Regt.; not mustered in, by reason of disability. 

James Buchanan, enl. Sept. 15, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C ; wounded in second bat- 
tle of Fredericksburg, and missing after that. 

Thomas J, Br.adt, enl. Sept. 18, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; taken prisoner at Fred- 
ericksburg, Va. ; disch. Aug. 15, 1805. 

John D. Bristol, enl. 1862, 77th Regt. 

Lysander Bortle, enl. 1862, 77th Regt. 

Jos. M. Bullock, enl. Aug. 6, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H; engaged iu principal 
battles of regiment; disch. July 3, 1805. 

Win. M. Carl, enl. Jan. 6, 1804, 13th Art., Co. F. 

Win. S. Couistock, enl. Aug. 14, 1802, 77th Kegt., Co. A; died of fever, Dec. 5, 
1802. 

Slocum Clark, enl. Sept. 26, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A. 

Seth Codman, enl. Oct. 12, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F. ; pro. sergt, Jan. 1, 1803. 

Michael Cary, enl. Oct. 16, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F ; killed at battle of Wilder- 
ness, May 5, 1804. 

Jos. Clark, enl. 186:!, 77th Regt., Co. A. 

Chauncey Ciandall, enl. 1S62, 125th Regt. 

Geo. Carr,oiil, Aug. 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 

Thos. 11. Curley, enl. 1802, 125th Bogt. 

Geo. H. CoUamer, enl. July 2(J, 1862, 132d Regt., Co. 1 ; taken prisoner; at New- 
bern, N. C, three and a half months ; exchanged ; disch. July 16, 1865. 

Wm. S. Comstock, enl. Sept. 13, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. F. 

Jesse D. Comstock, enl. Sept. 15, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C. 

Joseph Caho, enl. 1802, 77th Regt. 

Charles Conuer, enl. 1862, 77th Regt. 

Edwin 0. Collamer, enl. Aug. 27, 1864, 69th Regt., Co. E; wounded March 25, 
1805; disch. June 17, 1865. 

Thus. Collamer, enl. Sept. 1804, lilil Regt., Co. I ; in battle of Fort Fisher ; disch. 
July, 1865. 

James Cowhey, enl. Oct. 11, 1801; disch. June 25,1865; re-enl. in 1st N. Y. 
Ind. Battery. 

Chas. Devoe, enl. July 20, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 

John Dyer, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A ; trans, to 1st N. Y. Battery, Dec. 
13, 1863. 

Thos. Delany, onl. Sept. 1861, 77th Regt. 

Lorenzo Delun, enl. 1802, 77lh Regt. 

Eli D. Eitzo, enl. April 29, 1861, 30th Regt., Co. D ; came home sick and died ; 
ilrst one to die ; buried by Black-Plumed Rittemen. 

Thos. Elms, enl. Aug. 1, 1802, 77tli R''gt., Co. A ; trans, to Invalid Col-ps. 

Wm. C. Ensign, enl. Oct. 15, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. F. 

Thos. Emperor, enl. Oct. 7, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. E ; disch. Dec. 25, 1803, to re- 
enl. for three years ; dis. June 27, 1865. 

Charles Elms, enl. April 24, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. F ; disch. June 27, 1863. 

Clarence Elms, enl. May 23, 1801, 30th Regt., Co. F ; disch. May 28, 1862, on ac- 
count of disability, at Falls Church general hospital. 

Chas. B. Fellows, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H ; coi-p. ; died of wounds, 
Nov. 11, 1804 : wounded at Fort Gilmer. 

Simon Flansburgh, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 7"tb Regt., Co. C ; blacksmith 3d Brig., 
2d Div., 6th Corps ; disch. July 1, 1865. 

Wm. Francisco, enl. Aug. 20, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77th ; in 
many battles; wounded at Fredericksburg ; disch. Juno 13, 1865. 

Adam Flansburg, enl. Oct. 11, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C. 

Peter P'ornisby, enl. 1862, 115th Regt. ; disch. for physical disability. 

Jacob Force, enl. Aug. 13, 1802, 12.5th Regt., Co. K; pro. Corp. ; sergt.; Ist 
sergt. ; trans, as 1st licut. to 22d U. S. Colored Troops ; disch. for wounds, 
Apr.l 10, 1805. 

Elisha R. Freeman, enl. 1802, 77th Regt., Co. A. 

Johti Fl.vnii,enl. 1802, 77th Kegt. 



310 



HISTOKr OF SARATOGA COUNTS, NEW YORK. 



Henry CTorcc, onl. Au^. l:i, 1863, 21st Cav. 

Augustus Faniniar, enl. Aup. l:j, 18G3, 77th Regt. 

George Fry, eiil. Dec. 2n, 180 1, 77ch Regt., Co. F. 

Arthur W. Forc", enl. Aug. 27, 18U4, C9th Ri^gt., Co. E; discli. June o, 1805. 

John Guest, enl. Aujr. 14, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bill. 77th. 

Hubert Gulliip, enl. Sept. 6, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. 0; Corp.; killed at Cellar 

Creek, Ort. 10. 1864; hurieii at Mcchanicsville. 
Michael Goodwin, eul Sept. 12, 18G2, 77th Regt., C i. A ; trans, to Art. 
Wm. H. Gorham, enl. July 21, 1S62, 113th Regt., Co. H ; eugiiged in battles of 

regiment ; disili. July -i, 1865. 
Stephen Guest, enl. 1862, 77tli Regt., Co. C. 

James Gilbert, enl. May 31, 1862, 77lh R -gt. ; disch. Aug. 30, 1862. 
Lewis G. Gorham, enl. Dec 20, 180 i, 5th Cav., Co. H ; disch. July 21, 1865. 
George H. Golden, enl. Aug. 186 J, 54th R'gt., Co. H ; served five months ; disch. 

Jan. 0, 1^64. 
Stephen C. Hanson, enl. Aug 14, 1862, 115th R -gt., Co- H ; pro. hospital stew- 
ard; re-enl. in regular army. 
Henry Ilagadorn, enl. Jan. 20, 1864, 25th Cav., (Jo. D. 
Charles Hart, enl. Jan. 4, 1861, 13th Art., Co. K. 
George F. Houghtaling, enl. Aug. 19, 1862,77lh Kegt,Co.C; trans, to Vet. Bat. 

77th; disch. June 10, 1865. 
Theodore Hemiance, enl. Sept. T', 1862, 77th Rogt., Co. A ; wounded at the Wil- 
derness; tnins. to Vet. Ba.. 77th ; disch. July 7, 1865. 
Ashton M. Howard, enl. Sept. 27. 1802, 77th Regt , Co. A. 
B. A. H:.rringtO'i, eil. Nov. 9, 1801, 77tli R'-gt., Co. C. 
Geoige W. Hurley, o.il. Nov. 6, 1861, 77th Regt , Co. F. 
Alonzo Howland, enl. Oct. IS, lc;32, 7('th R3gt., Co. A ; engiged in the battles 

of the regiment ; disch. June 27, 1865. 
George W. Hammond, enl. Aug. 25, 1862, 125th Rvgt., Co. K ; enga.ged in bat- 
tles of regiment; disch. June 5, 1865. 
Walter Hewitt, enl. Jan. 4, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F ; was in many battles ; disch. 

Sept. 2, 1865. 
Charles Hart, enl. Jan. 25, 1S64, 13th Art. 
Geoige Houseman, enl. April 5, 1864, 77th Regt., Co. H. 
Isaac V. Hammond, enl. April, 1S61, SOth Regt., Co. D ; killed at second battle 

of Bull Run, and buried on the field, 
Richard Hutchius, enl. April 29, 1861, 30th Regt.; disch. with regiment, 1803. 
Sylvester S. Haiglit, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. K; disch. for disability, 

Dec. 2, 1862. 
Thos. Jones, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. A; brigade blacksmith; trans. 

to Vet. Bat. 77th ; disch. July 1. 1S65. 
Allen Jones, enl. 1862, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
Wm. D. Jones, enl. Aug. 13, 1803, 77th Regt. 
Charles Jeffcrs, enl. Aug. 12, 1803. 

Martin Jackson, enl. Dec. 21, 186!, 30th Art.; disch. Oct. 7, 1865, 
Thos. Keller, enl. Jan. 20, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. C, 
IsiVic Kipp, Jr., enl. Sept. 4, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A ; killed at Fisher's Hill, Sept. 

22, 1864. 
Tunis Kipp, enl. Nov. 5, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; Corp.; disch. with regiment, 

Dec. 13, 1864. 
John H. Kipp, enl. Nov. 5, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
George Kline, enl. 1802, 77th Regt. 

Abel J. Loren, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115th Regt, Co. H ; wagoner. 
Whalen Lee, onl. Jan. 14, 1864, 13lh Art., Co. F. 
Abram Lent, enl. Oct, 12, 1802, 77th Regt,, Co. A; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77th; 

disch, June 24, 1865, 
Job S, Lofford, enl, Oct. 12, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; pro. to non-com. stiff, June 

17, 1803. 
Abraham Latham, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C; died of wounds, May 

9, 1804. 
George E. Lane, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 77th Regt. 
Reed Loonns, onl. Aug. 12, 1862, 125th Regt. 
Mark Merger, enl. Jan. U, 1864, 13tli Art., Co. F. 
Orin Myers, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; drummer; ilischarged with 

regt. 
Peter M. Mooney, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C; di-ch. Jan. 5, 1863. 
Thomas Myers, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F ; disch. Dec. 25, 1863; same 

day re-enl. for three years ; discli. July 7, 1865. 
Lafayetle M. Myers, enl. Sept. 2), 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F ; disch. Dec. 25, 1803, 

to re-enl. lor three years; disch. July 7, 1865. 
Henry Jlilliken, enl. Oct. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; died Aug. 2U, 1802. 
Francis I. Montgomery, enl. .^ug. 11, 1862, 2d N. Y. Cav., Co. E; engaged in 

many battles; wounded at Fi.^her's Hill ; disch. June 5, 1865. 
Alfred Milliken, enl. 1862, 77th Kegt. 

Charles Milliken, enl. M.ay 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H; killed at Olustee, Fla. 
Amos McOmber, enl. 1802, 77tli Regt. 
Isaac Myers, Jr., enl. Aug. 13, 1803, 2lBt Cav., Co. A. 
Leander Milliken, enl. Oct. 10, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E; disch, for disability, 

June 13, 1802. 
Thomas McCue, enl. Jan. 9, 1805. 

Andrew M. Ca.slin, enl. July 22, 1864, 21sl Cav., Co. G; disch. Sept. 4, 1805. 
George B. Myers, enl. Dec. IS, 1861, in '' Scott's 900 ;" disch. for disability, Jan. 

9, 1803 ; re-enl. Aug. 22, 1804, 10. h Regt. ; disch. May 22, 1865. 
Charles Mott, enl. 77th Regt. 
Samuel McGowan, enl. 77th Regt. 
James Nolan, enl. Aug. 27, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77tb ; 

wouiuled in the Wilderness; disch. June 10, 1865. 



Michael Nolan, enl. Sept. 4, 180-2, 77th Regt., Co. D; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77th; 

disch. June 10, 1865. 
George W. Ostrander, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
Eliaa T. Overocter, enl. Aug. 20,1862, 77th Regt.. Co. A ; trans to Vet. Bat. 77th; 

engaged in many battles ; disch. June 16, 1865, 
James F, Outing, enl, Oct. 12, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. F, 
De Witt C. Overocker, enl. Aug. 20, 1862, 125th Regt.; captured, with regt., at 

Harper's Ferry; disch. at Elmira, 1862. 
De Witt 0. Overocker, enl. Jan. 13, 1864, 5th Cav. ; died in Andersonville, Ga.; 

date not given in town records. 
Thoma,s F, Outing, enl, Oct, 21, 1863, 77th Regt., Co. F; wounded; disch. July 

I, 1865. 

Wm. N. Overocker, enl. April 29, 1861, 30th Regt.; first man enrolled in town 

of Stillwater; wounded in second battle Bidl Run; ilisch. Dec. 23, 1802. 
Robert E. Parker, enl. Jan. 16, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F ; with regt. until its disch., 

Aug. 25, 1865. 
James E. Poucher, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77tli ; 

disch. June 16, 1865. 
Smacei- Poucher, enl. Aug. 13, 1862, 77tli Regt., Co. C ; disch. June 14, 1865. 
Samuel Porter, enl. Sept. 4, 1862,77th Regt., Co. A ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77th; in 

all the battles of tlie regt.; disch. June 27, 1865. 
Horatio O. Peck, enl. Aug. 1.5, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. A ; trans, to Vet. Hat. 77tli ; 

he had been in the same regt. from Oct. 12, 1861, and disch. July 4, 1862; 

in many battles; wounded; disch. July 6, 1865. 
Isaac Porter, enl. Sept. 25, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. H ; disch. for disability, Aug. 

27, 1802. 
D.avid Pangburne, enl. Oct. 30, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. Corp.; to 1st sergt.; 

wounded twice; disch. Dec. 1, 1864. * 

Wm. Poucher, enl. 186'2, 77th Regt. 
Henry I'arris, enl 1862, 2d Light Cav. 
John Phelan, enl. 1862, 77th Regt. 
James Parker, enl. Jan. 7, 1864; 7th Art., Co. E; taken prisoner, June 10, 1861 ; 

rebels starved him to death. 
Peter M. Post, enl. Jan. 15, 1864, 77th Regt. 
Heniy 0. Packard, enl. Jan. 25, 1804, l.itli Art. 
James Palmer, 77th Regt.; discharged. 
Wm. H. Quackenbiish, enl. .\ug. 12, 1S62, 77th Regt., Co. A ; pro. sergt. and 

lieut. ; trans, to Co. B. March 16, 1803; disch. July 1, 1805. 
Tunis W. Quackenbush, enl. Aug. 12, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. A ; trans, to Co. B, 

March 10, 1863; died, of disease contracted in service, Dec. 1865. 
Michael Quinlon, enl. 1862, 77th Regt. 

Wni. R. Rogers, enl. Sept. 0, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77tli. 
Albert A. Kudd, enl. Aug. 1,3, 1863, 21st Cav., Co. A ; engaged in many battb s; 

wounded at Ashby's Gap ; disch. 1865. 
Samuel W. Seymour, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H ; trans, to Bat. B, 

Lst U. S. Alt. ; piivoner at Harper's Ferry ; disch. June 13, 1865. 
John Smith, enl. Jan. 4, 1804, 1.3th Art, Co. E ; disch. in 1865. 
George Snow, enl, Jan, 8, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 

Harlow B. Sliencer, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F ; disch. Jan. 31, 1865, 
. Andrew Sterrett, enl. Aug. 28, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. C; engaged in several bat- 
tles; wounded twice; trans, to Vet. Bjit. 77th ; disch. June 16, 1865. 
Wm. Slioin, enl Aug. 22, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. A ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77tli ; pris- 
oner at Fredericksburg; discli. July 0, 1865. 
Nelson W. Stearns, enl. Sept. 27, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. .\; died March 21, 

1862, of fever. 
Russell Seymour, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Kegt., Co. F; trans, to 1st Bat, Dec. 

II, 1803 ; disch. June 23, 1865. 

Henry H. Shell, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. C; wounded at Cedar Creek ; 

disch. June 16, 1865. 
Wm. Smith, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. K ; killed at Olustee, Fla. 
Francis D. Short, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. K ; prisoner (Libby prison) 

six months; di>ch. June 30, 1865. 
George Snyder, enl. 1862, 77th Kegt. 
J.imes Smith, enl. 1802, 77th Regt. 
Edward Smith, onl. March 19, 1864, 2oth Cav., Co. D. 
,lohn Stewart, enl. Dec. 2.5, 1863, 77th Regt., Co. H ; killed before Petersburg, 

March '20,1865. 
Job S. Salford, enl. Oct. 12, 1861, 77lh Regt, Co. E ; wounded t« ice ; disch. Dec. 

13, 1864. 
Warren Seymour, enl. 1804; artillery. 
Frank Thomas, enl. Sept. "24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. K ; pro. 1st lieut ; trans, to 

Co. H, Feb. 28, 1863. 
James Taylor, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 77lh Regt., Co. D; trans, to Vet Bat. 77th. 
David A. Thompson, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77tli Regt, Co. F; 1st sergt. ; trans, to 

Vet Bat. 77th. 
Wm. Taylor, enl. 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
Beiij. Thackery, enl. Aug. 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H; engaged in many battles; 

wounded at Fredoiicksburg; disch. April 28. 1865. 
Israel Tanner, enl. 1862, 77th Regt 
Truman M. Turtlot, enl. Jan. 16, 1864, 13th Art. 
Samuel Van Neider, enl. Aug. 0, 1864, 25tli Cav., Co. B. 
Henry J. Van Wie, enl. Aug. 21, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. C ; engaged in several 

battles ; disch. May 28, 1865. 
Cornelius Vandenburg, enl. Aug. 14, 1802, 77tb Regt., Co. A; disch. for disabil- 
ity, Jan. 0, 1S03, at White Oak Church. 
Barnard Van Ander, enl. Aug. 22, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D ; trans, to Vet. Bat 

77th; was in many battles; disch. June 16, 1865. 




RESIDENCE or G-W. NEILSON .STILLW/^rEff.iiAnAi ubA Co N.Y. 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



311 



Andrew J. Van Wie, enl. Aup;. 21, 18C2, 77th Begt., Co. C ; trans, to non-com. 

st-iflf in 1864 ; served throngb the war ; disch. Jnn. 12, 1865. 
Wm. W. Velie, cnl. Sept. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; wounded; disch:irged ; re- 
enlisted ; disch. July 7,1865. 
Xewnian Van Wie, enl. Nov. 5, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C. 
Lawrence Vandeniark, enl. Sept. 5, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. 2d lieut. Sept. 

8, 1862; Ist lieut. Feb. 22, 1863; adjutant, Feh. 23, 18G4 ; disch. Sept. 30, 

1804. 
John Van Wie, enl. Dec. 24, 1863, 7th Art., Co. C; wounded t«ico; disch. Aug. 

3, 1866. 
Charles Vandenburg, enl. Aug. 2.5, 1864, 51st Regt., Co. C ; wounded and taken 

prisoner, Sept. 30, 1864 ; confined in Libby prison ; discli. July 25, 1865. 
A. J.Walker, enl. Sept. 5, 18G2, 77th Regt.; in eleven Kittles; discli. June, 

1865. 
Horace Wing, enl. Aug. 8, 1S02, llolh Regt., Co. H ; wounded at Olustee, Fla. ; 

disch. July 3, 1866. 
Charles Webb, enl. Jan. 18, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. B. 
Micliael Wall, enl. Jan. 4, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F; disch. Sept. 2, 1866. 
Rich.ird Walsli, enl. Sept. ,'i, 1862, "7tli Regt., Co. C. 

\\'in. H. Westcot, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A ; disch. June 16, 1SG5. 
Lewis C.Ward, enl. Aug. 11,1862,77th Regt.,Co.A; killed May 10, 1861, nt 

Spottsylvania, and buried on the field. 
Charles Wilsey, enl. Nov. 27, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. P. 
Johu J. Williams, enl. 1862, 77th Regt. 
Melvin W. Wilson, enl. 18C2, 118th Regt. 
Lee Whalen, enl. Jan. 25, 1864, 13th Art. 
Gardner Winney, enl. March li>, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. D. 
De Witt Winney, enl. Mar. h 19, 1S64, 2otb Cav., Co. D. 
Edwin Williams, enl. May 14, 1861, 3d Regt. ; disch. for disability ; re-enl. Aug. 

31, 1864, 21st Cav., and disch. May 7, 1865. 
John A. Whetman, enl. March 29, 1864, 69tli Regt., Co. D ; disch. June 5, If 6j. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



HON. GEORGE W. NEILSON. 

In tracing the ancestry of George W. Neilson, we find it 
difficult to go back farther than to his great-grandfather, 
Samuel Neilson, who was an Englishman by birth, and re- 
sided at Elizabethtown, or Amboy, in the State of New 
Jersey, long anterior to tlie Revolution. He was a man of 
great resolution and perseverance, and married Mary Cour- 
tenay, a cousin of Lord Courtenay, well known in Revolu- 
tionary times, and who was born in the city of Dublin. 
Samuel Neilson died in 1763, leaving two sons and a 
daughter, of whom the youngest was John. 

John Neilson, the grandfather of George W. Neilson, 
was born in Elizabethtown, or Amboy, in the State of New 
Jersey, on the 23d day of March, 1753. He lived with 
his grandfiither, in New Jersey, until March 23, 1772, 
when he started out to .seek his fortune, a robust youth of 
nineteen, with only a few shillings in his pocket and an axe 
on his shoulder. His wardrobe consisted of one suit of 
common coarse cloth, made sailor fishion, and one spare 
shirt. He took his way up the Hudson until he arrived at 
what was even then called Bemus Heights. He roughed 
it in that locality for over two years, until he had accumu- 
lated enough money to purchase a small piece of land on 
Bemus Heights, on which he erected a log cabin, and en- 
gaged in farming. He soon after married the eldest 
daughter of a Mr. Quitterfield. During Burgoyne's cam- 
paign his house was used as quarters by the brave Gen- 
eral Poor and the heroic Colonel Morgan, and he took 
an active part in that contest. He was a volunteer under 
General Arnold at the time he went with reinforcements 
to the relief of Fort Stanwix ; he was a volunteer under 



Governor George Clinton at the time he went north to in- 
tercept Sir John Johnson, and performed many important 
and hazardous duties ; he was with the American army at 
the time of its retreat from Fort Edward to Van Schaick's 
island ; he was present at the surrender of Burgoyne at 
Saratoga, and remained with the army during its entire stay 
at Bemus Heights, where he continued to reside until the 
time of his decease. 

Charles Neilson, tlie father of the subject of this sketch, 
was born at Bemus Heights, about the year 1787. He re- 
ceived a thorough education, graduating at Union College, 
in Schenectady. Soon after leaving college he married 
Elizabeth Strang, daughter of William Strang, of Stillwater. 
He then settled down, as a farmer, near Bemus Heights, 
where George W. Neilson now resides. By his first wife 
he had seven children, — four boys and three girls, — of whom 
George W. was the second child. His wife died about the 
year 1828. Mr. Neilson continued farming near Bemus 
Heights for some years after the death of his first wife, when 
he married Elizabeth Reed for his second wife, and in the 
spring of 1839 removed to his father's old farm at Bemus 
Heights, where he was born. He had six children by his 
second wife. He was a man of energy and ability, pos- 
sessing a rich fund of humor and a facile style of expres- 
sion, and wrote and published in 1844 an exhaustive treatise 
on Burgoyne's campaign. 

George W. Neilson was born in the town of Stillwater, 
Saratoga County, on March 7, 1817, where he now resides. 
He received a common-school education, and was raised and 
has continued a farmer. 

In November, 1837, he married Mahala Wing, daughter 
of Isaac Wing, of Stillwater, by whom he had one child, 
which died at an early age. His wife died in May, 1843. 

On Nov. 30, 1843, he again married, the lady this time 
being Mrs. Lusina Durham, widow of Stephen Durham, of 
Easton, Washington Co., and daughter of Richard Hall, 
also of Easton. He is still living with this lady, having no 
children. 

Mr. Neilson has had an important political career. ' He 
was a Whig until 1860, since which time he has been iden- 
tified with the Democratic party. In 1847 he was elected 
justice of the peace, and in 1852 supervisor. In 1854 he 
was a member of Assembly from the First Saratoga district, 
and a member of the committee on the internal affairs of 
towns and cities. He was superintendent on the first sec- 
tion of the Champlain canal in 1870-71, and in 1876 was 
again elected supervisor. He was a member of the Assem- 
bly of 1877, and is a member of the present Assembly of 
1878, having been elected by a large Democratic majority 
in a district usually largely Republican. He is a member 
of the sub-committee of the whole, and of the printing com- 
mittee, in the present Assembly. Mr. Neilson has never 
sought a political nomination. They have always been 
pressed upon his acceptance ; yet when nominated he has 
been uniformly successful, although he ran on every occa- 
sion as the candidate of the minority. He was also presi- 
dent of the celebration that was held at Bemus Heights, on 
Sept. 19, 1877, to commemorate the century-old triumphs 
of Burgoyne's campaign. 

Although Mr. Neilson has been a farmer all of his days. 



312 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



he has found time to fill many minor oflSces of trust and 
responsibility in his locality, being frequently appointed 
trustee, guardian, executor, and administrator. Many per- 
sons look to him for sound advice and friendly counsel in 
their trials and difficulties. He is deservedly popular for 
his unobtrusive and manly course of life, and in the politi- 
cal campaign of 1877 carried the town of Stillwater by a 
majority of four hundred and thirty-.sevea for the Demo- 
cratic ticket, the usual majority being about seventy. 

Although a member of the Democratic party, no man was 
more active and earnest in suppressing the late Rebellion. 



He freely contributed his time and money in raising the 
necessary quota of men required from his section at the 
different stages of the war, and in every possible manner, 
and at any sacrifice, performed his part as a stanch and 
consistent supporter of the Union cause. 

It will thus be seen that the Hon. George W. Neilson 
combines in himself those characteristics which we would 
expect to find in one who has descended from such ances- 
try, together with those qualities of heart and soul and 
mind which endear him to all who know him, and make 
him a valuable member of society. 



CHARLTON. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

Cn-ARLTON is the soutliwestern corner town of the 
county, and is of a triangular shape ; Galway bounds it en 
the north and Ballston on the east ; its southern boundary 
is formed by an irregular line running parallel with, and 
four miles distant from, the Mohawk river. The town of 
Glenville, Schenectady county, lies between this line and 
the river. It contains fifteen thousand five hundred and 
twenty-seven acres of improved land, and four thousand 
seven hundred and ten of unimproved ; of this last amount 
two thousand eight hundred and twenty acres are wood- 
land. The population in 1875 was one thousand five hun- 
dred and eighty-six. 

In the revised statutes of the State this town is de- 
scribed, and its boundary lines defined, as follows : " The 
town of Charlton shall contain all that part of said county 
bounded westerly and southerly by the bounds of the 
county, easterly by Ballston, northerly by Milton and Gal- 
way." Charlton is entirely within the limits of Kayad- 
rossera patent. 

II.— NATURAL FEATURE.?. 

The surface of Charlton is undulating, with a gentle 
inclination toward the south. The soil is composed of a 
sandy, gravelly, or clayey loam, is well watered, and of ex- 
cellent quality. The sandy loam predominates in the south- 
ern part, the clayey loam in the northern and western por- 
tions. In the western part of the town the limestone rock 
crops out in several ledges, and was formerly quarried to a 
large extent for burning into lime and for building stone. 
At present nothing is being done in that business. 

The principal streams are the Aalplaats creek, running 
acro.ss the town in a southwesterly course, and a branch of 
the Mourning Kill, running eastwardly into Ballston. 

The forest-trees indigenous to the soil are mostly hard 
wood. Maple, beech, elm, and chestnut abound, and in the 
soutliern part considerable quantities of pine and hemlock. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The history of the early settlements in Charlton is, in 
many respects, a very interesting one. The settlers, coming 
from diiferent places, settled separately in neighborhoods, 
and these localities still bear the names given them at that 
time. From Stone's " llcininiscences of Saratoga and Balls- 
ton" we are led to infer that, contrary to general belief, 
there was a settlement made in Charlton before 1774, when 
the New Jersey settlers came in. He there states that 
Joseph Gonzalez settled in the southwestern part of the 
town in the year 1770. He occupied the farm on which 
John L, Fort now lives, and on which Wyndert Weniple 
settled after the Revolution. This family will be more fully 
40 



noticed in another part of this work. John Consalus (his 
name was so written on the army rolls, and the orthography 
has been retained till now), after his return from his captivity 
in Canada, settled about a mile northwest of West Charlton. 
His farm is now occupied by William Consalus, one of his 
descendants. Mrs. E. F. Bullard, of Saratoga Springs, is 
a granddaughter of John Consalus. 

In 1773 a number of Scotch-Irish fiimilies, who had 
fled or been banished from Great Britain for religious 
opinions held by them, became desirous of colonizing in 
some part of the new country, hoping to better their con- 
dition by so doing. They sent one of their number, John 
Cavert, to select a proper location for their new settlement. 
He came up the Hudson river to Albany, and from there 
went to Schenectady, where he struck off into the unbroken 
forest to the northward. After a little prospecting, he 
finally settled upon a portion of land near the present 
Ballston line as the best suited to his purposes, and stuck 
a willow stick he held in his hand into the ground to mark 
the .spot. He then returned to New Jersey, and reported 
the success of his researches to the waiting and eager 
friends who welcomed his return. The following spring 
Thomas Sweetman — accompanied by his wife, Sarah, and 
four children, the youngest but two months old, and by his 
brother-iuilaw, David Maxwell — removed from Freehold, 
Monmouth Co., N. J., and came to Charlton {via Albany 
and Schenectady), arriving at their new homo early in Slay. 
Sweetman bought a tract of one hundred and forty-five acres 
of land in the southwest corner of lot 13 of the thirteenth 
allotment of the Kayadrossera patent, bordering on the 
five-thousand-acre tract. For this he paid to '• Nicholas 
Hoffman and David Ogden, merchants, of New York," 
the sum of £145. The deed, given July 2, 1774, is now 
in the possession of John A. Sweetman, who resides on a 
part of his grandfather's old homestead. It was the first 
deed recorded in the county clerk's ofEce when Saratoga 
County was formed. The maple-tree that marked the 
southwest corner of this lot is still standing in the centre 
of the highway running east from Charlton village. It is 
a tree of Tioblc proportions, but age has begun to tell upon 
it, and its branches begin to show the signs of decay and 
death. Time, the ruthless iconoclast, h;is set his seal upon 
the venerable patriarch of the forest, who has so long and 
valiantly withstood the furious assaults of the storm-king, 
and will soon remove the lingering relic of a past age from 
the place that has known it so long. Thus one by one 
the monuments of the past go down to forgetfulness and 
oblivion. 

Thomas Sweetman and David Maxwell married sisters, 
Sarah and Ursula Kerr, who were descendants of Walter 
Kerr, who because of his religious principles (he being a 

313 



314 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Scotch Covenanter), was perpetually banished from his na- 
tive land in 1685, during the reign of Charles II. Walter 
Kerr settled in Monmouth Co., N. J., and was prominent 
among those who erected the famous Tennent church in 
that county. The Tennent church was the first Presbyte- 
rian church in New Jersey, and is still standing in its origi- 
nal form. One of its peculiarities is that it was all inclosed, 
— roof, sides, ends, cupola, and all with sliiiiffles. It has 
been preserved by successive coats of white paint, and is in 
good condition still. Into this church the wounded were 
carried at tlie battle of Monmouth, and here the British 
Colonel MoncktoD died. Michael Sweetman, father of 
Thomas, emigrated from Ireland, about the year 1700, on 
account of religious persecutions, and also settled in Mon- 
mouth Co., N. J. 

Thomas Sweetman had a family of ten children, all of 
whom have passed from earth. Of his descendants bearing 
the same name, but one, John A. Sweetman, is now living 
in Charlton. His third son, Joseph, was born in New Jer- 
sey, in March, 1774, and came with his parents to Charlton 
when he was about two months old. He was baptized in the 
Tennent church, by Rev. William Tennent, after whom the 
church was named. Struggling manfully against the many 
obstacles in the way, he succeeded in acquiring a good edu- 
cation, and entered Union College, from which he graduated 
in 1797. This was the first graduating class of this since 
famous institution, and consisted of three persons, — Joseph 
Sweetman, John L. Zabriskie, and Cornelius D. Schermer- 
horn. After a theological course, he was licensed to preach 
the gospel, by Albany presbytery, in 1779, being the first 
licentiate of that body. He accepted a call from the 
" Freehold church," and was ordained and settled as pastor 
of that church in ISOO. After nearly twenty years' ser- 
vice, he was compelled by ill health to relinquish his office. 
He continued to live in Charlton till his death, which 
occurred Dee. 10, 18C3. 

David Maxwell remained with his brother-in-law till fall, 
helping about the clearing of the land and building a log 
house and barn. He then, after purchasing two hundred 
and fifty acres adjoining Sweetman, on the west, returned 
to New Jersey after his family. He returned in the spring 
of 1775, and was accompanied by John Cavert, John Tay- 
tor, Joseph La Rue, James Valentine, William Chambers, 
John McKnight, and some others. He settled upon the 
two hundred and fifty acres he had bought, and became a 
succes.sful farmer. A grandson, Walter Kerr Maxwell, is 
still living on the old homestead, which has never passed 
out of the hands of the family. 

John Taylor took up a location just west of Maxwell. 
He had a family of ten children, two of whom are still 
living, at a very advanced age. They are Mrs. Betsey 
Seeley, who resides in Niagara Co., N. Y., and Mrs. Sally 
Holmes, of Montgomery county. John Taylor's son, John 
W. Taylor, attained to a considerable degree of eminence 
in the arena of national politics. Elected as a member of 
Assembly from the then town of Hadley, in 1812, at the age 
of twenty-eight, he served two years in that body, and 
was then elected as representative in Congress, which office 
he held for twenty years, from 1813 to 1833. He was 
Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 19lh Con- 



gress. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 13, 1863, at the 
age of seventy-three years. His remains were brought to 
Ballston Spa, and buried there. 

John Taylor lived to reach the age of eighty, and died 
April 26, 1829, and was buried in the church-yard of the 
Freehold church. On his tombstone a brief history of his 
life attests the purity and nobility of his character and the 
public appieciation of his estimable qualities. He was re- 
peatedly called to official positions, and acquitted him- 
self in a maimer to reflect great credit upon himself and 
honor upon his constituents. He was appointed as.sociate 
judge of the court of common pleas in 1806, and held 
that office many years. Of his descendants living in Charlton, 
William L. and Richard Taylor are his grand.sons. 

Next west of Taylor's farm Thomas Brown owned a tract 
of four hundred and forty acres. He settled there some few 
years later, probably about the close of the Revolution. 
This farm was divided among his children. 

Next west of him, the original settler was a man by 
the name of William Clarke, who came some years later. 

John McKnight settled on the next farm, north of 
Sweetman. 

John Cavert's farm was west of McKnight's and north 
of Maxwell's, and the homestead is now occupied by a 
grandson, David L. Cavert. On his return, in the spring 
of 1775, he found that the willow-cane he had stuck in the 
"round on his former visit had taken root, and was Krowins; 
into a flourishing tree. In clearing the land care was 
taken to preserve this, a well was dug near by, and many 
times in after-years he was permitted to sit beneath its 
grateful shade while partaking of the cool and refreshing 
beverage furnished by " the old oaken bucket that hung in 
the well." He married a daughter of Thomas Sweetman 
while living in New Jersey, and they had a family of three 
children, — William, Michael, and Mary. All are dead. 
Michael had two sons, David L. and John M., and 
William had one son, James. These three grandsons all 
reside in Charlton. 

Next north of Cavert, William Chambers settled at 
about the same time. 

The commissioners who surveyed and distributed the 
lands included in the Kayadrossera patent took two tracts 
of land in payment for their services and expenses. Five 
thousand acres in Charlton, the northern boundary of 
which is now defined by the highway running east and 
west through Charlton village, was one of these tracts. It 
was offered for sale at public vendue, and was bought by 
Dirck Lefferts, Cornelius Clopper, Isaac Low, and Benja- 
min Ki-ssam. Low returned to England and Kissam died, 
and the title became vested in Lefferts and Clopper, from 
whom the early settlers received the title to their lands. 
The first settler on this tract, next to the Ballston line, 
was Joseph Van Kirk. Joseph La Rue, who first settled 
about a mile and a half northeast of Charlton village, in 
1775, subsequently purcha.sed and occupied a farm west of 
Van Kirk's and south of Taylor's. He came from Red 
Hook, N. J. The homestead is now occupied by a grand- 
son. Nelson W. La Rue. 

Next west of La Rue was James Bradshaw, and his 
fixrm was joined on the west by lands of Jesse Conde. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



315 



Conde came from Schenectady in 1775. His <;randfather 
was killed by tlie Indians at Schenectady, in 1G!)0, and his 
grandmother, with other rcfuirees, fled to Albany for shelter 
and safety. The perilous journey through the dense forest 
in the dead of winter was performed in safety, and the fugi- 
tives received the needed succor and protection. Coming 
from Schenectady in wagons, this hardy pioneer and his 
companions were obliged to cut a road through the almost 
impassable woods. During the Revolution a party of Tories, 
who liad encamped near Conde's about a straw-stack, were 
captured by a force of American soldiers who came from 
Schenectady, having been informed of their whereabouts by 
a negro employed as forager by the loyalists. Jesse Conde, 
of Ballston, and Jesse A. Conde and Mrs. Parthcnia Dows, 
of Charlton, are descendants of Jesse Conde. 

John Rogers settled on Aalplaats creek, and built a saw- 
mill there at a very early day, probably about 1778. This 
was the first saw-mill in the town, and one of the earliest 
in the county. This mill was on the site of Chondy's 
present mill, about one-half mile south of Charlton. 

John Holmes, who was a prominent member and an 
elder in the Freehold church, settled on the farm now 
occupied by Alexander and William Pierson Crane, about 
three-fourths of a mile west of Charlton, in 1775. Soon 
after he built the first grist-mill in the town. While this 
mill was in process of construction the men were so busily 
engaged that none could be spared to go on errands. So Mrs. 
Ruth Holmes would take a horse with a man's saddle and 
a bag, ride to Schenectady, nine miles through the woods, 
and return after making her purchases. At one time during 
the Revolution a ramor was set afloat that a band of Tories 
and Indians were in the vicinity, with the purpose of burn- 
ing the settlement and killing the settlers. Mr. Holmes 
removed his family to the woods, where a shelter was made 
by hanging blankets over the trunk of a fallen tree, and in 
this novel bivouac the women and children spent one day 
and night, while the men remained to watch and to defend 
the buildings. The alarm was happily a fixlse one, and 
soon the declaration of peace forever set at rest the fears of 
the settlers. Two of John Holmes' grandchildren, Isaac 
A. Smith and Mrs. Harriet. E. Crothers, reside in Charl- 
ton. 

Nathaniel and Margaret Cook, with their family of eight 
sons and one daughter, moved from their home in northern 
New Jersey, May 18, 1778, and one month after, as their 
record reads, they " got into ougher new house." They 
settled in the eastern part of the town. On at other page 
we find the cjuaint record of their first seed-time, which 
reads, " Now sude wheat, Aug. 12, 1778 ;" and again, Sept. 
5, 1778. Aslier, the oldest son, was married before coming 
north, and bought one hundred acres about two miles north 
of Charlton, on which farm David W. Cook, one of his 
grandchildren, now lives. Several other great-grandchildren 
of Nathaniel Cook ar living in the town. 

The Scotch Street settlement was commenced about the 
time that Thomas Sweetniaii settled in the Freehold set- 
tlement. A number of Scotch families from the pari.sh 
of Whithorn, in the .shire of Galloway, in Scotland, em- 
barked, early in the year 1774, in a ship bmind for America. 
Arriving in New York, they immediately started for the 



new country opening up along the Mohawk river. Arriv- 
ing in Schenectady, they packed their eft"ect.s on horses and 
started for their destination viii Glenville, cutting their 
way through the woods. These settlers located mostly in 
the town of Galway, but were afterwards followed by others, 
in 1775, who settled south of the north line of Charlton. 
Among these were James Bell, Mr. McWilliams, Andrew 
Bell, William Gilchrist, and Robert iMcKinney. Some of 
the Scotch Street settlers (all of whom left their hotues 
during the Revolution, and sought safety at Schenectady or 
Albany) did not return after the Revolution. But these 
families retained their lands, and they have pa.sscd down 
from generation to generation till the present. After the 
clo.se of the war several other families moved into the west- 
ern part of the town. Among them were John Van Patten, 
Tunis Swart, Aaron Schermerhurn, Abram Van Epps, and 
Alexander Gilchrist. Representatives of nearly all of these 
families are now living in the town, and generally on the 
lands owned by their forefathers. John Anderson, who 
was one of the soldiers of Burgoyne s armj', and included 
among the prisoners surrendered at Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777, 
and Hezekiah Watkins, a Revolutionary soldier in the pa- 
triot army, also settled near West Charlton. 

Abraham Northrup settled about a mile south of Charlton 
village, in 1785. He bought two hundred acres of land, 
designated as lot 12 of the five-thousaudacre tract, of Dirck 
Lefferts and Cornelius Clopper, for .£250 in specie. A 
maple-tree which was used to mark the northwest corner of 
the lot is still standing. One hundred acres, on which the 
homestead was located, is now occupied by Hiram More- 
house, who received it from his father, Abillia Morehouse ; 
so that it has been in the possession of the family for up- 
wards of ninety-two years. 

Phoenix Cox settled north of Charlton, near the town 
line, in 1786. He was a militiaman in New Jersey in 
177(3, but not in active service. He had a family of three 
children, who came with him. Asher, the only son who 
lived to maturity, succeeded his father on the farm, and in 
turn left it to his son, Aretas M. Cox, who now owns and 
occupies it. 

Zoplier Wicks settled two miles north of Charlton, and 
his farm of one hundred acres was described in tlie deed as 
"subdivision 10 of lot 1, of great lot 2, of the thirteenth 
allotment of the Kayadrossera patent." He had two sons, 
Zopher, Jr., and David. Zopher, Jr., left the farm and 
moved into Charlton, and started the first blacksmith-shop 
there. David lived on the homestead, and when he died 
left it in possession of his son, Thomas, who with his son, 
Charles T., are the present owners and tillers of the ances- 
tral acres. 

Isaac Smith, of Lenox, Mass., settled near the south 
line of Charlton, near Holmes' form. The farm he pur- 
chased is now owned by Mr. Hedden. Several de- 
scendants of Isaac Smith are living in town. Isaac A., 
David A., Harriet, and Edward T. Smith, of his children, 
are still living. 

Gideon Ilawley, of Connecticut, .settled in Charlton long 
before the close of the last century. His son, Gideon, was 
appointed as the first superintendent of common schools of 
the State of New York, in 1813. He was a graduate of 



316 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Union College, and a lawyer by profession. He showed 
great adaptability for the responsible duties of the oiEce to 
which he was called, and an earnest, almost enthusiastic in- 
terest in the cause of education. He removed to Albany, 
and continued to reside there till his death. He held the 
office of superintendent till Feb. 24, 1821, when the ofBce 
was abolished and its duties devolved upon the Secretary of 
State. Deputy Superintendent S. S. Randall, in his "Digest 
of the Common-School System," published in 1844, pays 
this deserved tribute to Mr. Hawley's worth and efficiency : 
" To no individual in the State are the friends of common- 
school education more deeply indebted for the impetus given 
to the cause of elementary instruction in its infancy than 
to Gideon Hawley. At a period when everything depended 
upon organization, upon supervision, upon practical acquaint- 
ance witji the most minute details, and upon a patient, per- 
severing, laborious process of exposition, Mr. Hawley united 
in bim,self all the requisites for the efficient discharge of the 
high functions devolved upon him by the Legislature. From 
a state of anarchy and confusion, and complete disorganiza- 
tion, within a period of less than eight years arose a beau- 
tiful and stately fabric, based upon the most impregnable 
foundations, sustained by an enlightened public sentiment, 
fortified by the best and most enduring afl'ections of the 
people, and cherished as the safeguard of tlie State, the 
true palladium of its greatness and prosperity. The foun- 
dations of a permanent and noble system of popular educa- 
tion were strongly and securely laid by him, and we ai'e 
now witnessing the magnificent superstructure which, in 
the progress of a quarter of a century, has been gradually 
upbuilt on these foundations.'' Mr. Hawley lived to see 
the fruit of his labors in the present admirable free-school 
system, and died in Albany. Another son, Roswell Haw- 
ley, is still living in Charlton. 

In the year 1794 two Scotch families came from their 
homes among the Scottish hills, and settled about a quarter 
of a mile east of West Charlton, on adjoining farms. 
There was a singular coincidence in the names of the heads 
of these fiimilies. They were respectively Robert and 
Alison Bunyan and Robert and Alison Hume. Both fam- 
ilies bore the names of distinguished men, but did not 
claim any kinship with them. To unite the two families 
still more strongly, William, the eldest son of the Bunyan 
family, married Isabel Hume. They lived on the Bunyan 
homestead till their deaths. Robert Bunyan was a promi- 
nent member of the Freehold church, and going to church 
one Sabbath when the iroiuir was bad, he causrht cold sittinir 
in the unwarmed church, and died of inflammation of the 
lungs in 1799. William Bunyan died in 1837. Robert 
Hume lived to the great age of one hundred and one years, 
and died in 1839. John and William Bunyan and Mrs. 
Margaret Alexander are grandchildren of Robert Bunyan 
and Robert Hume, still living in Charlton. John Bunyan 
lives on the homestead. Other grandchildren moved to 
the State of Ohio many years ago, and some are still living 
there. 

James Low was an early settler near tlio centre of the 
town, and the Low family have been (juite prominent in 
public affairs. John Low was for many years supervisor 
of the town, and Thomas Low officiated as county .sheriff. 



The first white grave-stone erected in the town was to mark 
the grave of Mrs. Abigail Low, who died April 11, 1797, 
and was buried in the church-yard. James Low died in 
1827, at the age of seventy-nine. 

Two brothers named Chauncey and Samuel Belding came 
to Charlton, — the first arriving in the town about 1790 and 
the other two or three years later, — and embarked in the 
mercantile business in 1794. They .succeeded Davis & 
Bostwick, who started the first store in Charlton, about 
1785-87, and who failed in business about the time that 
Chauncey Belding came to Charlton. The Beldings were 
quite prominent men. Chauncey was a member of Assembly 
in 1807-8, and Samuel held the same office in 1823. 

Captain Kenneth Gordon was a minute-man in the Revo- 
lution. During the war he came to Charlton, and settled 
on the farm now occupied by John S. De Bidder. His 
title was attained in the militia. His son Joseph, the 
youngest of six children, is now living in Ballston Spa, at 
the age of eighty. 

Other early settlers in the town were John Angle, Nich- 
olas Angle, Amos Sherwood, Aaron Sohermerhorn, Mr. 
Stevens, Mr. Chapman, James Valentine, Samuel Parent, 
Ahasuerus Wendell, Mr. Arrowsmith, Jeremiah Smith, 
Jacob Deremer, John Hays, Dr. Wm. iNIead, the first physi- 
cian in town, Henry Corl, Eli Northrup, James Taylor, and 
Nathan Hinman. 

The Kirby homestead deserves mention in this work, as 
being one of the oldest and most noted places in the town. 
It is the property of Colonel Frank D. Curtis. It was settled 
and cleared up by Seth Kirby, in 1785. The Kirbys are 
descended from two brothers who were obliged to flee from 
England on the downfall of Oliver Cromwell, whose ad- 
herents and supporters they wore. They were part of the 
council which condemned Charles the First to death. Major 
Thomas Kirby, son of Seth Kirby, served as ensign in the 
War of 1812, for which he was a volunteer. Colonel Curtis 
married his second daughter, Elizabeth. His only .son, John 
P. Kirby, is a lawyer, and resides at South Bend, Indiana. 
An Indian family lived on the Kirby place when it was 
first settled, and continued to live there afterwards till they 
all died, and were buried near their mansion. 

The first frame house erected in Charlton is yet standing 
on the homestead, being used for a barn. The frame, of 
black ash, is as sound as when first erected. Four huge 
locust-trees, which were set out in the year 1803, are still 
standing in the yard. The Dows homestead is situated on 
the same street, and was settled by Eleazer Dows at the same 
time. Mr. Dows raised a large family. David Dows, a 
prominent merchant in New York city, is the youngest son. 
Mr. Ammi Down, for many years a merchant in New York 
city, retired to the old homestead, where he died in 1875. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

The town of Charlton was erected from the town of 
Ballston, March 17, 1792. It was named in honor of a 
distinguished New York physician. Dr. Charlton. Previ- 
ously it had been called "Freehold," or ''New Freehold," 
by the settlers, who were mostly emigrants from Freehold, N. 
J., and who desired to perpetuate the name of their former 
hiiinc liy conferring it on this .settlement in the wilderness. 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



317 



Like many otlier towns, Clinrlton has failed to keep its 
records in a proper shape to be valuable for reference. The 
books of record of town-meetings previous to 1858 have 
been lost or destroyed, and a large amount of interesting 
historical material is thus placed beyond the reach of those 
who should be much interested in its preservation. The 
migratory character usually attached to the town clerk's 
office is a blot upon our reputation for wisdom and common 
sense. Under it, it is impossible to keep the records in proper 
shape and preserve them for future use and reference. 

The first supervisor of the town was John Boyd, Jr., 
who served but one year. The first town clerk of whom 
we have any record was Alexander Ferguson, who was serv- 
ing in 1799 and continued in office till, in 1802, he was 
succeeded by Samuel Belding. Mr. Belding served eleven 
consecutive years, and, again re-elected in 1818, served 
twenty-one years, making in all an official life, as town clerk, 
of til iriy-two years. 



Tear. Supervisors. 

1792. John Boyd, Jr. 
179.'!. Alex. Gilchrist. 

1794. John Taylor. 

1795. John Munro. 

1796. Alex. Gilchrist. 

1797. Henry Carl, Jr. 

1798. John Taylor. 

1799. Alex. Gilchrist. 

1800. Chauucey Beldinj 

1801. " " 

1802. Caleb Holmes. 
1S03. Nathan Hininan. 
1804. John Anderson. 
180,5. Caleb Holmes. 
1806. Joseph Brown. 
1.S07. John Rogers, Jr. 
ISOS. Joseph Brown. 

1809. Somers Killer. 

1810. " " 

1811. " " 

1812. Daniel Ostrom. 
181S. Samuel Beldiug. 

1814. John Low. 

1815. '■ " 
ISlft. " " 

1817. " " 

1818. " " 

1819. " 

1820. Alvin Isbell. 

1821. John Low. 

1822. " " 



LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS." 
Town Clerks. 



Alex. Ferguson. 



Samuel Beldinj: 



N. S. Ilollister. 

tt it 

N. D. Conde. 

it a 

Samuel Belding. 



182.3. 


ti 


tt 


1824. 


" 


tt 


1825. 


tt 


ti 


1820. 


" 


" 


1827. 


tt 


" 


1828. 


" 


tt 


1829. 


tt 


" 


1830. 


" 


" 


ISol. 


tt 


tt 


1832. 


tt 


tt 


1833. 


Dan 


el Ostrom. 


18.34. 


tt 


tt 


1833. 


It 


" 


1836. 


tt 


" 


1837. 


Thoma.s Brown 


1838. 


' 





John Callaghan. 
John A. Parent. 
Jonas Crane. 
tt tt 

Jesse Conde. 

tt tt 

Jonas Crane, 
(■arrett S. Cavert. 



* The record of collectors from 1792 to 1828 has been lost. 



Year. 


Suporviaors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1S39. 


Archibald Smith. 


Hinim Belding. 


David !*utnam. 


1840. 


Lawrence Gardiner 


.. 


Garrett S. Cavert. 


1841. 


" " 


(* It 


Francis H. Skinner. 


1842. 


It tt 


Henry M. Hulst. 


(t it 


1843. 


tt tt 


James Kichey. 


William L. Taylor. 


1844. 


John A. Gilchrist. 


tt it 


Colin F. Brown. 


1845. 


Lawrence (Jardiner. 


it ti 


Alex. F. Alexander. 


1846. 


Alex. Gilchrist. 


it it 


Colin F. Brown. 


1847. 


Henry Ostrom. 


" " 


Alex. F. Alexander. 


1848. 


James Ilichcy. 


M. B. Callaghan. 


Cornelius Groot. 


1849. 


tt it 


" 


Pierson Crane. 


IS.in. 


John A. Sweetman. 


.James Richey. 


Benj. H. Knapp. 


1851. 


John Low. 


James H. Marvin. 


it 


1852. 


John A. Sweetman. 


it ti 


John Consalus. 


1853. 


James N. Budd. 


" 


tt 


1854. 


tt tt 


William H. Ely. 


John Batt. 


IXS.-i. 


Nathan 11. Brown. 


" 


Isaac Raymond. 


1856. 


" " 


Hiram Belding. 


N. 11. Sherman. 


1857. 


tt tt 


" " 


a 


1858. 


tt .1 


tt it 


John A. Chambers. 


1859. 


John Consalus. 


" " 


Alfred H. Hayes. 


1860. 


tt .1 


tt tt 


L. Thomp'n Heaton, 


1861. 


Horatio S. Brown. 


it it 


Jos. II. Alexander. 


1862. 


" 


ti it 


Frank Morehouse. 


1863. 


" 


William H. Ely. 


John M. Gilchrist. 


1864. 


" 


iC ti 


Davis Millard. 


1865. 


tt tt 


« 


L. Thomp'n Heaton. 


1866. 


tt tt 


Iliraui Belding. 


Richard Pearse. 


1867. 


George Bell. 


ti tt 


And. Y. Van Vorst. 


1868. 


Frederick Cuitis. 


Norman Smith. 


John Davidson, Jr. 


1869. 


it it 


a it 


Wm. M.Teller. 


1870. 


If it 


(C tt 


Rufus Youngs. 


1871. 


James N. Budd. 


it if 


James W. Sherman. 


1872. 


tt tt 


it tt 


Joel A. McCouchic. 


1873. 


Benj. H. Knapp. 


it t( 


Vrooman DeGraff. 


1874. 


It it 


tt it 


George C. Valentine 


1875. 


Wm. E. Consalus. 


tt ti 


Jonas Sanders. 


1870. 


John A. Sweetman. 


" " 


John T. Cavert. 


1877. 


it It 


George Chondy. 


Chas. B. Alexander. 


1878. 


Peter Van Guysling 


David F. Wioks. 


Humphrey Young. 



JUSTICES OP THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 

1856. Henry Ostrom. 

1857. Alexander Davidson. 

1858. Isaac Raymond. 

1859. Robert Crothers. 

1860. Robert Hallowell. 

1861. Alexander Dav-idson. 

1862. Alfred 11. Hayes. 

1863. James C. Bell. 

1864. Elbert A. Wilkie. 
1S65. Alexander Davidson. 

1866. Jesse Conde. 

1867. James C. Bell. 

1868. Elbert A. Wilkie. 

1869. Benjamin H. Knapp. 

1870. William H. Coons. 

1871. Samson T. Mason. 

1872. Elbert A. Wilkie. 

1873. Cornell M. Noxon. 

1874. William H. Coons. 

1875. Joseph H. Alexander. 
John A. Chambers. 

1876. Elbert A. Wilkie. 

1877. Cornell M. No.xon. 

1878. John A. Chambers. 



v.— VILLAGES. 

Charlton Village is about three miles southwest of 
the northeast corner of the town. It contains about forty 
dwelling-houses. The Charlton Academy is located there. 



1831. 


R 


2cord lost. 


1832. 




'• 


" 


1833. 




tt 


it 


1834. 




tt 


tt 


18.35. 




it 


tt 


1836. 




" 


" 


1837. 




it 


it 


1838. 




" 


it 


1839. 




it 


tt 


1840. 




it 


" 


1841. 




it 


tt 


1842. 




it 


it 


1843. 




" 


it 


1844. 




it 


It 


1845. 




" 


" 


1846. 




ti 


ti 


1847. 




tt 


" 


1848. 




" 


« 


1S49. 




it 


" 


1850. 




ti 


tt 


1851. 




it 


" 


1852. 




" 


^* 


1853. 




" 


" 


1854. 


M 


arvin 


E. Myers. 


1855. 


Robert Crothers. 



318 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



and two stores, two hotels, several mechanics' shops, and 
three churches together make up one of the pleasantest 
country villages in the county. It is situated in a fine 
farming region. Well-cultivated farms surround it on every 
side, showing the thrift and industry of the inhabitants. 

Little Troy. — About the years 1820 to 1830 quite a 
promising business place was started at the corners, a mile 
and a half southeast of Charlton. It was called Little 
Troy, and boasted of a blacksmith -shop, a fulling-mill, and 
carding-machine, a grist-mill, a saw-mill, a store, a tavern, 
and three distilleries. Of these several institutions not one 
is left to tell the tale, and the hopes that clu.'iterod so fondly 
around the prospective future of " Little Troy" have been 
untimely blasted by the cold winds of adver.sity. 

West Charlton is a small village four miles north- 
west from Charlton. There are about twenty dwellings, a 
blacksmith- and wagon-shop, one church, and the district 
school-house. All parts of the town are too near Schenec- 
tady to permit the growth of any large villages for trade 
and general business, and the water-power of tlie town is 
not sufficient to develop any. 

Blde Corners is a liamlct near the line of Mont- 
gomery county. It has the school-house of district No. 1, 
and an Episcopal church. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

Regarding the early schools but little is known. From 
a letter of Rev. Joseph Sweetman to a friend, in which he 
commented upon the difficulties of the .situation of the 
pioneers, we take the following reference made to the 
" schools." He says, " The first five years passed without 
a school in the place. And afterwards, through several 
years, nothing more was attempted than to maintain a com- 
mon school three months in the winter season in some little 
log house, under the supervision of one illy qualified to 
teach, and the instruction was confined to reading, writing, 
and arithmetic." 

The Charlton Academy was started as a private school by 
Rev. James N. Crocker about the year 1858. It was then 
kept in the session-room of the Freehold church, and was 
placed under the care of the presbytery of Albany, who 
appointed a board of trustees and a board of examiners to 
look after the interests of the school. The present school 
building was built with money obtained through a subscrip- 
tion-list, and was erected about the year 1860 and placed 
in the hands of the trustees appointed by the presbytery. 
Rev. Mr. Crocker remained as principal till 1867. He 
was followed by Mr. L. S. Packard, who remained two 

years ; Mr. Dodge, who remained one year ; Mr. 

Kingsbury, who remained four years ; Rev. John R. San- 
som, who remained one year; and in the fall of 1875 the 
present principal, Professor J. E. Weld, took charge of the 
school. The school curriculum embraces all the studies 
usually taught in the academies or preparatory schools. 
The school was successful under the management of Mr. 
Crocker, but the frequent changes of teachers had detracted 
from its success until Mr. Weld assumed control, since 
which time it has improved. The attendance averages 
about forty scholars. 

A " Teachers' A.ssociation " was formed in Charlton in 



1836, which is believed to have been the first organization 
of the kind in the State. Its object wa.s " mutual improve- 
ment." It was formed January 5, with Augustus P. Smith, 
Jonathan Canfield, David H. Crittenden, Michael P. Cavert, 
Isaac Stackpole, William N. Angle, Henry Choudy, New- 
ton M. Curtis, and James Underbill as members. A. P. 
Smith was the first president, and M. P. Cavert the first 
secretary of the a.ssociation. Of these Cavert and Crit- 
tenden graduated at Union College afterwards, and entered 
upon the teacher's profession. Curtis died at an early age, 
but not before he had obtained quite a reputation as a 
novelist of no mean power. His " Bride of the Northern 
Wilds" and " Black-plumed Riflemen" won for him many 
encomiums from a large circle of readers. The association 
met once in two weeks, and their discu.ssions were confined 
to questions pertaining to schools and teaching. 

commissioners' appportionment, march, 1868. 





IIU 


o 


"i Z 


-li 












5-5 














S S 










€:t 


O 




tl 


>. 


O 


District. 


^ ^ o 
^9.t 








o 


3 










u; ~j 








P = i 


- o 


s.--° 


= as 


.a 
3 


S 


No. 1 


3S 


$52.14 


$26.14 


$26.11 


$1.27 


$105.66 


" 9 


55 


52.14 


37.83 


25.37 


1.83 


117.17 


" 3 


39 


52.14 


2fi.S2 


22.82 


1.30 


103.08 


" 4 


50 


52.14 


34.39 


47.04 


1.67 


135.24 


" 6 


44 


52.14 


30.26 


29.24 


1.47 


113.11 


" 6 


40 


52.14 


27.51 


40.13 


1.33 


121.11 


" 7 


41 


52.13 


28.20 


47.96 


1.37 


129.67 


" S 


77 


52.14 


52.96 


51.67 


2.57 


139.34 


■■ 9 


62 


52.14 


42.64 


39.20 


2.07 


136.05 




446 


$469.26 


$706.75 


$329.54 


$14.88 


$1120.43 



VII.— CHURCHES. 

ST. Paul's episcopal church. 

On the 10th day of December, a.d. 1803, a meeting of 
the members of the Episcopal church was held, for the 
purpose of organizing a society of that denomination in 
Charlton. James Sherwood was elected chairman of the 
meeting, and I]leazer Dows and Joseph Van Kirk were 
secretaries. At that meeting a society was formed in accor- 
dance with the existing laws, and incorporated. Among the 
first members were Elind Davis, Eleazer Dows, Jonathan R. 
Spencer, William Lendrum, Robert Benedict, Jr., Thomas 
Dows, Frederick Valentine, Ezra Benedict, Joseph Van 
Kirk, David Hubbell, Jesse Dows, John Hays, Peter Hays, 
Isaac Valentino, Ezekiel Horton, Amos Sherwood, Samuel 
Hays, William Ely, James Valentine, Joseph La Rue, 
and James Richey. 

The minutes of the first meeting were properly recorded 
in the county clerk's office, and the organization and incor- 
poiation thus completed. 

The first ofiicers were elected at this meeting, and were 
as follows, viz. : Wardens, Jeremiah Smith and James 
Sherwood; Vestrymen, Robert Benedict, James Bradley, 
John Lendrum, Eleazer Dows, Elind Davis, Matthew La 
Rue, Jo.seph Van Kirk, and Patrick Callahan. 

Soon afterwards — March 17, ISO-i — a church-lot contain- 



HISTOllY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



319 



ing thirty square rods of ground was purchased of Joseph 
Brown, who "granted, bargained, sold, delivered, remised, 
released, conveyed, assured, enfeoffed, and confirmed" it to 
them for the sum of $50, which amount, considering the 
binding and irrevocable character of the transaction, was 
not at all exorbitant. 

On this lot a church building was erected in 1804. The 
work was done by contract, by Eleazer Dows, who received 
the sum of $1200 to build a chapel thirty feet wide by 
forty-two feet long. In the year 1S36 this building was 
repaired, and alterations were made in the chancel and the 
arrangement of the pews. With these changes the build- 
ing is still standing, having been used for purposes of pub- 
lic worship for seventy-three years. 

On the 14th of November, 1804, about the time of the 
completion of the church, a glebe lot of about one hundred 
acres was purchased of Chauncey Belding, at a cost of 
$1100. This was rented to various persons, and finally sold 
about 1840. 

The church property is valued at $G000, and the glebe 
fund now amounts to about $800. 

The first rector was Rev. Frederick Van Horn, who was 
canonically inducted into office, August 9, 1805, by Rev. 
Mr. Butler, who preached a discourse suited to the occasion, 
and Rev. 3Ir. Stebbings, of Schenectady, read prayers. His 
salary was £60 per year. The rectors in charge since that 
time have been Rev. David Huntington, 1812 ; Rev. James 
Bowers, 1817 ; Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, 1825 ; Rev. Ed- 
ward Davis, 1827 ; Rev. Theodore Babcock, 1849 ; Rev. 
Nicholas J. Secley, 1853; Rev. John H. Belts, 1857; 
Rev. Elias Weil, 1869; Rev. James II. Tyng, 1870; Rev. 
Francis C. Wainwright, 187U ; Rev. Reginald H. Barnes, 
1871. Mr. Barnes resigned the rectorship of this church 
in March, 1877, since which time the pulpit has been 
vacant. 

Since 1857 the church has been connected with the 
society of Calvary church. Burnt Hills, one rector having 
charge of both churches. 

Miss Elizabeth M. Callaghan, who died December 25, 
1853, bequeathed $63 to the church, of which she was a 
devout member. 

The first baptism after the church was organized was 
that of William Ferris Benedict, June 7, 1805. 

The first marriage recorded was celebrated by Rev. 
Frederick Van Horn, Feb. 13, 1805, between Benjamin 
Watson and Mary Lendrum. 

The first death recorded was that of Lucy Dows, aged 
eleven years, who died Feb. 4, 1806. 

The present vestry is composed as follows, viz. : Matthew 
L. R. Valentine, Robert 0. Davis, wardens ; Robert J. 
Wandell, John Hays, Joseph R. Valentine, William 0. 
Smith, William L. Taylor, Joseph L. R. Valentine, vestry- 
men ; William Taylor, clerk ; William T. Birdsall, collector 
and treasurer. 

There has been a Sunday-school connected with the 
church for about thirty-five or forty years, usually well 
attended. At present the average attendance is from 
twenty-five to thirty. The .school has a library of about 
three hundred volumes. William T. Bird.sall is superinten- 
deut. 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OP FREEHOLD, IN 
CHARLTON. 

The early settlers of the eastern part of the town of 
Charlton were mostly from the town of Freehold, in Mon- 
mouth county. New Jersey, and intended to name their new 
homes in the wilderness after their former homes near the 
sea. Consequently, as the town of Charlton was not 
erected till 1792, and the church was organized in 1786, 
the name of " The Freehold church" obtained, and has 
never been dropped. 

The history of the church is an interesting one, and 
shows the guiding hand of God throughout every period of 
its existence. Never having been subject to the ups and 
downs, the vicissitudes and changes, that mark the history 
of some churches, it has steadily maintained a healthy state 
of growth and prosperity, and wielded a healthful in- 
flueuce in the community. 

January 3, 1786, a meeting was held and the church, 
incorporated according to the laws of the State, was or- 
ganized, and placed itself under the jurisdiction of the 
presbytery of New York. No record of this meeting, or 
of the members who formed the society, is now extant. 

A small frame church, seated with benches, was built in 
the summer of 1786, on a church-lot, purchased of a man 
named Clark. The lot contained one acre, and subsequently 
a half-acre was purchased, on which sheds were erected. 
This church was used till 1802, when a larger and more 
commodious church was built. This one then served the 
congregation fur a place of worship till the summer of 
1853, when the present church was erected, at a cost of 
about $4500. It is still in good condition, and with care- 
ful usage will still serve many years as a temple of the 
Most High God. It is forty feet wide by sixty feet long, 
and will comfortably seat three hundred persons. In the 
church-yard lot, in imitation of the customs of their fathers, 
the pioneers interred the remains of those of their number 
who passed from life through death to immortality. There 
are a few graves on the northeast corner of the church still 
to be seen. The stones marking the resting-places of the 
dead are of brown-stone and marble. The earliest burial 
was that of Jesse Conde, aged nine years, a son of Jesse 
and Parthenia Conde, who died July 2, 1787. In this yard 
are buried John Holmes, John Taylor, and James Low, 
who Were among the earliest settlers of the town. 

The church property is now valued at $5000. 

About 1854 the society purchased a parsonage adjoining 
the church, at a cost of $1000. 

Soon after the erection of the first meeting-house, Rev. 
William Schenck, pastor of a church at Ball.stou, was en- 
gaged to preach here one-third of the time, as a stated 
supply. This arrangement continued until Aug. 7, 1789. 
From that time for nearly four years the pulpit was sup- 
plied by presbytery. Then, June 21, 1793, the first pastor 
of the church. Rev. Samuel Sturges, was installed in office. 
This pastorate terminated April 17, 1797. The pulpit was 
then supplied by presbytery till Sept. 17, 1800, when Rev. 
Joseph Sweetman, elsewhere mentioned, accepted a call 
and became pastor. For seventeen years he continued to 
serve in this capacity with rare success. The perfect hai- 
mony that existed between him and and his people was 



320 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



marked to a high degree, and had a powerful influence on 
the community. At the commencement of his ministry 
tlie church numbered about sixty members, and at the close 
of his labors the number had increased to two hundred and 
twenty. Oct. 8, 1817, he was forced to resign hi.s pastoral 
duties by failing health. Since that time the church has 
been served by the following pastors in the order given, viz. : 
Rev. Isaac Watts Piatt, from July 11, 1820, to Feb. 20, 
1825 ; Rev. John Clancy, from Aug. 31, 1825, to May 21, 
1845; Rev. Richard H. Steele, from Feb. 16, 1848, to 
May 13, 1850 ; Rev. George I. Taylor, from Feb. 1, 1853, 
to June, 1854; Rev. James N. Crocker, from July 11, 
1855, to Aug. 11, 1867 ; Rev. John R. Sanson, from Oct., 
1809, to Sept. 0, 1875 ; Rev. Clarence W. Backus, since 
October, 1876. 

The first baptism recorded is that of Roswell Holmes, 
in 1801. The first marriage was performed by Rev. Joseph 
Sweetman, February 24, 1801. The contracting parties 
were John Keachie and Isabel McKiuley. The first officers 
of the church were elected April 26, 1787. They were. 
Deacons, Thomas Brown and Eli Northrup ; and Elders, 
John Holmes, John Rogers, and Joel Smith. No other 
deacons were ever chosen. The following persons have 
subsequently been elected and ordained ruling elders, viz. : 
John Tappan, William Clark, Thaddeus Northrup, John 
Holmes, Jr., James Taylor, Elisha Jenne, Samuel Baldwin, 
Otis Bartlett, John Chamberlain, John Brown, David 
Wicks, Roswell Hawley, William Taylor, Isaac Wilkinson, 
Joseph Brown, Timothy Capen, John Cook, Seth Kirby, 
John McKnight, John W. Cavert, John B. Packer, Thomas 
Kirby, Amos Hewitt, Sherman Sanders, John M. Cavert, 
John A. Sweetman, John Holmes, David A. Sniiih, Thomas 
Wicks, Isaac C. Groot, Thom;is H. Cunniiigijaui, and 
Charles T. Wicks. The five last named constitute the 
present session. John Holmes, one of the first elders, has 
been followed in the eldership by a son and a grandson, 
each bearing the same name. The present membership of 
the church is about one hundred and fifty. The board of 
trustees is composed of Thomas H. Cunningham, Alexander 
Crane, David F. Wicks, Hiram Morehouse, William Dere- 
mer, Charles T. Wicks, Martin H. Smith, and Isaac C. 
Groot. Alexander Crane is clerk of the board, and Charles 
T. Wicks is clerk of sessions. 

A Sabbath-school was first started in connection with this 
church about 1825. It was more fully organized, and 
has been regularly maintained since about 1856. John B. 
Packer was the superintendent at that time. About five or 
six years ago the practice of keeping up the school through- 
out the year was introduced, with good results. The school 
numbers about one hundred and fifty scholars. Charles T. 
Wicks is the present superintendent. The library contains 
about two hundred and fifty volumes. 

Among the first members of the church were Mary Weed, 
Joseph Johnson, Nathaniel Bartlett, Otis Bartlett, Caleb 
Stevens, Wilson Northrup, Caleb Holmes, Henry Enearl, 
Samuel Baldwin, Asa Beach, Thaddeus Northrup, Bostwick 
Brown, Joseph, William, and John Brown, Elijah Knapp, 
Ezekiel Hoyt, Eliah Skinner, whose names are not else- 
where mentioned. Want of space alone prevents giving a 
full list of the names attached to the roll. 



THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHrRCH OP WEST 
CHARLTON. 

This church is more generally known as the " Old Scotch 
Church," or the " Scotch Street Chufch," from the fact that 
its founders were all natives of Scotland, and called the road 
running north and south through their settlement Scotch 
street. 

From the time of their first settlement in 1774 till they 
were forced to leave their homes and flee to Schenectady 
from fear of the Tories and Indians in 1777, regular weekly 
meetings were held from house to house on each recurring 
Sabbath. After the danger was pa.ssed, and confidence and 
safety restored and assured by the successful close of the 
Burgoyne campaign, but few of these people returned, and 
it was not until several years later that the society was fully 
organized. Additions to tlie settlement were made rapidly 
after the close of the Revolution, and a church was organ- 
ized. The preaching previous to 1794 was by occasional sup- 
plies from difierent points. Among them were Rev. Mr. 
Miller, of Schenectady, who was the first preacher in this 
vicinity; Rev. Messrs. Dobbin, Occum, Logan, Colison, and 
Proudfit, from Salem, Washington county ; Rev. Mr. Don- 
aldson, of Albany ; Rev. Mr. Dunham, and Dr. Thomas 
Clark. 

In 1794 the church, having built a house of worship, 
gave a call to Rev. James Mairs, who, having been educated 
for the ministry in Ireland and Scotland, emigrated with 
his brother in May, 1793, and reached Salem, Washington 
county, in August of that year. Having accepted the call, 
he was installed as the first pastor of the church Feb. 20, 
1794. The relation thus assumed was maintained intact 
and unbroken until May 20, 1835, a period of forty-one 
years and three months. At this time he was nearly seventy 
years of age, and a fire which destroyed his home and 
burned up his library he accepted as a Providential inti- 
mation that his day of active labor was passed and the 
evening of his life drawing near. He had seen the progress 
and growth of the church from a weak and small organiza- 
tion to a large and strong society, had seen the fathers of 
the church pass away, and another generation grow gray in 
the service of the Master, and had seen, as the fruits of his 
ministrations, six hundred and thirty-one different persons 
admitted to the church. After the close of his pastorate, Mr. 
Mairs removed to the vicinity of New York, and continued 
to preach in various places, as opportunity oiTored, till his 
death, which occurred Sept. IS, 1840. Mr. Mairs was edu- 
cated for the medical profession, and, though never prac- 
ticing medicine, his neighbors and pari-shioners often availed 
themselves of his skill, and were relieved from their pains 
and cured of their diseases by his remedies. 

He was succeeded, Nov. 15, 1837, by Rev. Andrew 
Johnson, who remained till May 16, 1855, a period of 
seventeen and one-half years. In 1844 he was granted a 
leave of absence to take a trip to Europe for his health, and 
returned in May, 1845, so changed in appearance that his 
congregation did not recognize him until they heard his 
voice in the pulpit. During his pastorate an incident oc- 
curred illustrative of the church-going habit of the people. 
A Sabbath of unusual severity and very stormy occurred. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



321 



and the dominie thought that it was so very unpleasant and 
inclement that no one would venture out to cl)urch. But, 
while he sat at home, slowly, one by one, and two by two, 
the members congregated at the church, and finally, tired 
of waiting, dispatched" a committee to notify the pastor of 
their presence. Taken by surprise, lie ha.stily prepared 
himself and repaired to the church. Selecting for his text 
the words, " Go ye and learn what that meaneth. I will 
have mercy, and not sacrifice," he preached a powerful and 
eloquent extemporaneous discourse. 

Following him came Rev. Addison Henry, a young man 
of twenty-four, a graduate of Jcffersou College, who was 
pastor of the church at the time of his death, some five 
years afterwards. He was installed as pastor Nov. 3, 1858. 
For many months before his death he preached regularly 
even after he was unable to stand upright, and had to lean 
upon the desk for support. A very short time before his 
death he preached a farewell sermon, sitting in his chair 
and reading from the manuscript. His text was 2d Corin- 
thians, 13th chapter. 11th verse. 

It was a very affecting scene. He was taken worse im- 
mediately, and died at the house of his father-in-luw, Robert 
Orr, in Galway, on Sabbath morning, Dec. 6, 1863. His 
funeral was held on the following Thursday, and Rev. J. 
L. Clark preaciied the funeral sermon. 

May 4, 1864, Rev. W. N. Randies was installed as pastor, 
and served till the spring of 1872. During his ministry a 
religious convention was held under the auspices of the 
presbytery of Albany. Daily meetings were held for eight 
successive weeks. In the spring of 1866, as a result of 
these meetings, forty-ibur persons were added to the church. 

The present pastor. Rev. William M. Gibson, entered 
into pastoral relations with this church Oct. 30, 1873. 
Last year he prepared a centennial sermon upon the his- 
tory of this church, and produced a work of great interest, 
and involving much labor and research. This he kindly 
placed at our disposal, and we have availed ourselves of the 
privilege and drawn largely from it in preparing this brief his- 
tory. The first sacrament of the Lord's Supper was admin- 
istered on Oct. 5, 1794. There were then thirty members 
of this church. At that time the first ofiicers were chosen. 
They were. Elders, John McClelland, John Major, and John 
Anderson. Subsequently, the following persons were elected 
and ordained as elders of the church, viz., John Low, John 
Alexander, William Gilchrist, George Ramsey, Peter An- 
derson, Thomas Alexander, James Bell, William Bunyan, 
John Low, Daniel Ostrom, Peter Major, Hanse Boggs, J. 
L. Smith, William S. Smeallie, Robert Orr, Alexander Gil- 
christ, Henry Ostrom, Alexander F. Alexander, and George 
Bell. The five last named form the present session. George 
Bell is clerk of the session. 

This church has sent four young men into the world 
as ministers of the gospel. They ai-e Revs. Ebenezer 
Maxwell, John Major, Thomas Kirkwood, and George 
Alexander. The present membership is one hundred and 
seventy-five. 

The first meeting-house was built before 1794, and stood 
on the southeast corner of John McKindley's farm, adjoin- 
ing the town line of Galway and Charlton. It was in the 
town of Galway. This was a frame building, was never 
41 



lathed and plastered or artificially warmed, and yet here 
in the coldest weather of our rigorous winters the people 
assembled and listened to the dispensing of the Word of 
Life. In 1803 a new and larger hou.se was built " on the 
southwest corner of James Bell's lot of land in Charlton," 
which now forms part of the West Charlton cemetery. The 
new church was forty-two feet in width by fifty-six in 
length, and was built under contract by William Bunyan 
and Robert Brown. It was finished ofi' in 1804, and in 
1811 the modern luxury of stoves was introduced. In 
order to equalize the temperature, these stoves were ele- 
vated on platforms some three feet above the floor. The 
church was repaired some years later, and the height of the 
pulpit floor, above the floor of the house, was reduced to 
Jive and one-half feet. 

In the summer of 1846 the present church was built. 
It stands on the west side of the road, a short distance 
south of the second site. It is a fine-looking building, and 
occupies a beautiful and sightly location. The interior 
of the church is very finely finished, and the walls and 
ceiling are beautifully frescoed. From a vestibule twelve 
feet wide across the front two flights of stairs lead to the gal- 
lery above, and two doors open into two ai.sles running the 
length of the church. The pews are sixty-six in number, 
and with the gallery will comfortably seat from three hun- 
dred and fifty to four hundred people. The reading-desk, 
or pulpit, is massively built and heavily moulded, and pre- 
sents a fine appearance. In 1876 about $3000 was ex- 
pended in repairs, and the church, which is certainly one of 
the finest country churches in the county, is valued at 
$7000. 

A glebe lot of one hundred acres was purchased in 1794. 
It lay in the town of Galway, about two miles north of the 
present church. It was sold to Rev. James Mairs in 1820, 
a special enabling act being passed by the Legislature for 
that purpose. In 1837 the present parsonage lot of eleven 
acres was purchased of George Mead for $385, and a par- 
sonage was erected thereon, which is still in use. 

For many years Sabbath-schools were maintained in the 
difi'erent school districts, and in 1864 these were all merged 
in a Congregational school at the church. From that time it 
has been maintained in connection with the church, and 
with an average attendance of about one hundred members. 
Henry Ostrom is the present superintendent. Instead of 
a library, Sunday-school papers are largely distributed among 
the scholars. 

The cemetery is a model of neatness, and notable both 
fur its pleasant location and the number of fine monuments 
that adorn it. The first burial was that of Esther Neilson 
Gilchrist, who died Dec. 8, 1778. 

THE MEXnODLST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHARLTON, 

was organized about forty years ago ; Sabbath-school for 
the past twenty-five years ; the average attendance about 
fifty. The present superintendent is the pastor. Rev. D. 
T. Elliott. The library contains three hundred and fifty 
volumes. The church is a plain building without a tower, 
and will afford comfortable sittings for two hundred and 
fifty people. The parsonage attached is valued at $1000^ 
and is owned by the Charlton circuit. The present ofiicers 



^22 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



of the church are W. F. Haywood, J. H. Skinner, H. L. 
JlcCormick, N. Swavt, W. A. Taylor, M. E. Myers, and 
James H. Watkins, stewards; C. R. Gordon, E. Westfall, 
Fred Jansen, E. Weld, J. H. Skinner, W. F. Haywood, 
James H. Watkins, and M. E. Myers, trustees. The pas- 
tors in order since 1866 have been Revs. Jas. B. Wood, 
R. Patterson, S. S. Ford, William Earl, John H. Coleman, 
and David T. Elliott, the present incumbent. 

VIII.— BURIALS AND BURIAL-PLACES. 

The first death in town was David Sweetman, who died 
April 18, 1778, aged two years. He was the son of Thomas 
Sweetman, and was buried in the Sweetman family burial- 
ground. The first burial in this church-yard was that of 
Jesse Conde, a son of Jesse and Parthenia Conde, who died 
in 1778. A large butternut-tree is growing upon his 
grave. The first burial in the grave-yard south of Charl- 
ton, near Chondy's mills, was that of Ziba Granger, date 
unknown. The earliest burial in the West Charlton or 
Scotch Street cemetery was that of Esther Nelson Gilchrist, 
who died Dec. 8, 1778, in her twenty-eighth year. 

IX.— TOWN SOCIETIES. 
The first temperance society in Charlton was organized 
in 1827 or 1828. Its pledge was against the use of spirit- 
uous liquors simply, and permitted the use of ale, beer, 
cider, etc., as comparatively uninjurious and harmless. 
Ladies were not permitted to join the society. It was 
composed of twenty members, all of whom are now dead 
except the first president, Mr. John Bunyan, who still 
survives. The society went down about the time the Wash- 
ingtonian movement was at its height. 

X.— SCENES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 
The scenes of historical interest in Charlton are quite 
scarce. Indeed, aside from the Gonzalez tragedy but little 
of the rude shock of war ever touched its broad and fertile 
fields. The scene of that tragical occurrence is located in 
the southwestern part of the town, close to the line of Glcn- 
ville. Here, in April, 1782, Joseph Gonzalez and his son 
Emanuel were killed by a marauding band of the St. Regis 
Indians. Another son, John, a youth of fifteen, was cap- 
tured at the same time, together with a hired man, and 
carried to Canada, where he was forced into the British 
army. The rest of the family escaped with a horse and 
wagon and reached Crane's village, on the Mohawk, three 
miles distant, in safety. A company of scouts followed the 
Indians as far as the Fish house, where the trail became 
too indistinct to be followed and the pursuit was abandoned. 

XI.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The principal and almost the sole occupation of the people 
of Charlton is agriculture. 

The improving condition of the farms and the farm build- 
ings attest both the natural fertility of the soil and the skill 
as well as the industry of tho.se who till it. 

A ready market for all the produce raised is found in 
Schenectady, at an easy distance from every farmer's home. 

XII.— MILITARY RECORD OF CHARLTON. 
The soldiers of the Revolution who afterwards resided in 
the town were Dr. William Mead, who served as a surgeon. 



After the war he practiced his profession in Charlton till 
1829, when he died. Capt. Henry Bowne, who died in 
Charlton in 1830, Peter Sylnave, Jeremiah Stone, Benja- 
min Marvin, and Hczekiah Watkins. 

The soldiers of the War of 1812 who went from Charlton 
were Capt. John Ferguson, who died in 1864, aged ninety- 
four years, Joseph Beach, James Richey, Lawrence Gardiner, 

Jared Smith. Delsa Benjamin, Ezra Seelye, Swart, 

who died in service at Sacket's Harbor, Major Millard, 
Jonas Crane, David Low, a surgeon and paymaster, who 
was very expert in performing surgical operations. At 
Plattsburg he is reported to have said that he had " taken 
oif more limbs than any other man in the s:ime length of 
time." And Capt. David Gordon, who afterwards won 
fresh laurels in his profession, and became a general of 
militia. On the authority of Lieut.-Col. Taylor, of Half- 
Moon, we add also Thomas Kirby, Joseph Watkins, and 
Asher Cox. 

In the War of the Rebellion Charlton was well repre- 
sented by some of her noblest sons. They went forth to 
fight in defense of their country's flag, and their record at- 
tests both their patriotism and their valor. Necessarily 
there must be many imperfections in a list compiled from 
the memories of the survivors, and after the lapse of twelve 
years, but we hope none mentioned will suffer injustice, or 
fail to receive the full meed of praise deserved by their acts 
while members of the army. 

WAR OF 18C1-C5. 
Joel S. Alexander, priv., Co. I, UStti N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862; kUle.l at 

battle of Oinslee, Fla., Feb. 2(1, 1864. 
tJscar Alexander, priv., Co. T, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. .\ng. 7, 1862; pro. to Corp.; 

■wounded at Olustee, Feb. 21), 1864; discli. with the regiment ; living ID 

Charlton. 
William H. Alexander, priv., Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, l.'i02; 

wounded in right hand at Fort Gilmer, Sept. 29, 1864; disch. with the 

regiment; died in Charlton since the war. 
William G. B.irh.vdt, priv., Co. H, 77tli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 25, 1861 ; tians. to 

Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. ; discli. at close of the war; living in Schenectady, 
Walter Barnard, priv., Co. F, i:ith II. Art. ; enl. Jan. 4, 1864; disch.at the close 

of the war ; living in AU.any. 
John Barnes, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y.Inf. ; enl. Sept. 14, 1861; died of disease at 

Richmond, Va., July 5, 1862. 
Frank U. Barnum, 2d lieut., Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 26, 1862 ; pro. to 

1st lieut., and to capt., Co. I ; detailed to serve on the staff of 2d Brig., 2d 

Div., uf the loth Army Corps ; in June, 18G5, was tians. to the 47th N. Y. 

Inf. ; honorably disch., and living at Memphis, Tenn. 
Albert Fisk Beach, rapt., Co. H, 77tli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 8, 18G1 ; resigned 

Jan. 28, 1862 ; living at Ballston Spa. 
Aaron Berger, priv., Co. F, l:!th H. Art. ; enl. Jan. 4, 18C4. 

Henry Bethman, priv., Co. U, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 211, 1861 ; disch. for dis- 
ability, Feb. 17,1863. 
Patrick Bolin, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y.Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Kegt. ; disch. at close of the war ; died in Charlton since tlie war. 
Samuel C. Braut, priv., Co. F, l.'ith H. Art. ; enl. Jan. 8, 1SG4 ; died of disease in 

hospital on Staten Island, N. Y. 
Lewis Broughton, piiv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 7, 1861 ; tran.s. to 1st 

N. Y. Bat. ; disch. with the battalion ; living in Galway. 
Thomas Brongliton, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 14, 1861 ; disch. for 

disability, Oct. 24, 1862; living in Galway. 
Nathan Ilolli.-ter Brown, 1st lieut., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. : enl. Sept. 14, 18G1 ; 

pro. capt. Jan. 30, 1862; resigned June 28, 18G2; living in Petroit, Blich. 
Edward Cain, priv, Co. H, 77th N. Y.Inf.; enl. Oct. 1,1861; disch. with Iho 

regiment, Dec. 3, 1864; living in New York city. 
Levi Callen, draftc.d; wounded in the Ked River campaign, in Louisiana; 

disch. for disability ; living in Iowa. 
William H. Cath, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; trans, to Vet. 

Bat, 77th Regt. ; disch. at close of the war; living in Glenville, Schenec- 
tady Co. 
David J. Caw, orderly sergt., Co. H, 77l.h N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 25, 1861 ; pro. to 

2d lieut., 1st lieut,, and capt. of Co. H; disch. with the regiment; living 

in New York city. 
George Chambers, drafted ; died in a rebel pri3<»n. 

Isaac H. Conde, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; disch. for disa- 
bility, June 24, 1862 ; living in Glenville, Schenectady Co. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



323 



John H. Cjok, seigt., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; eiil, Sept. 20, 1861 ; died of fever 

in hospital at Philadelphia, I'a., Oct. 1. 18G2. 
Jame^ Cooney, priv., Co. B, 25th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. Feb. 20, 1804. 
Abram Coannidt, priv., Co. U, 77tli N. Y. luf.; cnl. Sept. 20, 1801; lost in 

action. 
Philip S. Coonradt, priv., Co. H, 77tli N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. U, 1801 ; disch. with 

the regiment, Dec. 13, 1804. 
James H. Corl, p.iv., Co. I. lloth N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1802; killed l-y a 

shell in front of I'eter^bnrg, Va., Jnly 14, 1804. 
Gilbert C. Davidson, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 2U, 1861 ; died at 

White Oak Church, Va., Dec. 20, 1862. 
Thomas De L;ing, priv., Co. H, 77ih N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 2.j, 18C1. 
James Druniniond, priv., Co. H, 77lh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 28, 1801 ; disch. for 

disability, April 15, 186:i ; died in Charlton since the war. 
Jaraea Drnninmnd, Jr., priv,, Co. U, 77tb N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1801 ; trans, to 

Vet. Bat., 77th Begt.; disch. at close of the wur ; living in Schenec- 
tady. 
James L. Dows, wagoner, Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 14, 1861 ; died of 

dysentery, Nov. 14, 1802, at Frederick City, Md. 
William Fayle, priv., Co. II, 77lh N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1801 ; died of disease while in 

the service. 
James W. Finch, priv., Co. F, l.lili H. Art. ; enl. Jan. 15, 1SG4 ; disch. at close 

of the war; living in Ballston. 
John I.. Fort, priv., Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Ang. 9, 1802; died in rebel 

prison at Salisbury, N. C, Oct. 12, 1864. 
Oren Fowler, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1861 ; missing,— sup- 
posed to liave died in rebel prison. 
Lawrence Gardiner, priv. ; enl. 1864; disch. at close of the war; died since in 

Charlton. 
Garrett S. Grovenstein, priv., Co. U, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 30, 1801 ; disch. 

with the regiment, Dec. 13, 1864; living in Charlton. 
Harvey B. Grovenstt-in, priv., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1801; disch. 

for disability, Feb. 4, 1S64 ; living in Michigan. 
John Grovenstein, priv,, Co, li, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Dec. 6, 1862; trans, to Vet. 

Res. C<.)rps; discli. at cluse of the war; living in Cliarlton. 
William ('. Harmon, priv.; killed at battle of the Wilderness, M;iy 12, 1864. 
William H. Hart, sergt., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 14, 1861 ; disch. for 

disability, Oct. 29, 1802. 
Henry W. Heaton, priv., Co. 1, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Ang. 7, 1862; appointed 

Corp.; pro. to sergt., orderly sergt., and 2d lieut. of Co. I; wounded in 

shoulder by the explosion at Fort Fisher, Jan. 16, 1865 ; disch, at close of 

the war; living in Ballston Spa. 
Francis Hayne.-, priv., Co. H,77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 20,1861. 
George Houseman, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 20, 1861 ; trans, to 

Vet, Bat,, 77th Kegt. 
Leroy Hoyt, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 24, 1801 ; lost in action. 
Orey Hudson, priv., Co. F, 13th H. Art. ; enl. Jan. 4, 1864 ; disch, at close of the 

war; living in Niagara Co, 
Briggs N. Jenne, priv., Co. F, 13th H. Art.; enl. Jan. 15,1864; disch. at close of 

■war; living in Ballston. 
Oscar I. Jenne, priv., Co. F, 13th H. Art. ; enl. Jan. 11, 1864 ; disch. at close of 

war; living in Ballston. 
Edwd. 0. Jennings, pnv., Co, H,77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov.27,1861 ; disch. with 

regiment ; living in Schenectady. 
Wm.H. Jones, priv., Co. H, 77th N.Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 5, 1861 ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Begt.; taken prisoner in Jan. 1865; confined in Libhy prison for 

three months; home on sick-leave when regiment was mustered out; 

living in Slillon. 
Chas. H. Junes, was drafted ; served his time ; honorably discharged ; and lives 

in Schenectady. 
Michael Kildea, priv., Co. H, 77Hi N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 5, 1861. 
Alfred H. Kingsley, corp., Co. H, 77th Inf. ; enl. Sepf. 18, 1801 ; disch. with the 

regiment; living in Charlton. 



Joseph F, King*ley, musician, Co, H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1801; disch. 
with the regiment; died in Charlton since the war. 

James Davidson Knight, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf, ; enl. 1801 ; discharged ; living in 
Amsterdam. 

Andrew RIanning, priv., Co. H., 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov, 13, 1801; died of 
wounds, July 14, 1804. 

John Martin, priv., Co, 1, 11 Jth N.Y. Inf,; enl. Ang. 5, 1862; disch. with the 
regiment; died in Illinois, in 1870. 

David Millard, musician, enl. 1801; disch. at close of the war; died since, of 
disease contracted while in the service. 

John C. Morehouse, priv., Co. F, i:Uh H. Art.; enl. Jan. 11, 1804; diach. at close 
of ttiewar; living in the west. 

Charles H. Murray, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 12, 1861 ; trans, to 
Invalid Corps ; disch. at close of war; living in Reno Co.. Kansas: 

John W. Owen, musician, Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 14, 1801 ; disch. for 
disability, April 18, 1802; died in Cliarlton since the war. 

Wm. H. Owen, priv., Co, H, 77th N, Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 8, 1801 ; trans, to 5th N. 
Y. Cav. ; disch. at close of the war; lives in S;iiatf>ga County. 

John C. Quinn, priv., Co. B, 25th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. Feb. 20, 1864. 

John Rector, priv., Co. H, 77th N, Y, Inf.; enl, Sept. 30, 1861 ; died of disease, 
in hospital near Washington, D. C, July 5, 1862. 

Henry C, Riley, priv., Co, H, 77th N. Y.Inf, ; enl. Sept. 19, 1801 ; disch, for dis- 
ability, July 1, 1802 ; re-enl.,priv., Co. F,13th N.Y. H. Art. ; disch. at close 
of war; living at Canajoharie. 

James Riley, priv., Co. F, 13th H. Art.; enl. Jan. 4, 1804; disch. at close of war. 

John D, Riley, priv., Co, H, 77th N, Y. Inf, ; enl. Sept, 20, 1861 ; disch. for dis- 
ability, Aug. 28, 1802 ; living in Chariton. 

Simon Riley, priv., 18th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1801 ; disch. at e.xpiration of term, in 
1803; died in Charlton, of disease contracted while in the service. 

Charles W. Rowley, Corp., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 19, 1801 ; disch. for 
disability, July 11, 1802; livingin Connecticut. 

Chas. R. Severance, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1861. 

Slocnm, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. 

Henry A. Smith, sergt., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 14, 1861; pro. to 
orderly-sergt. ; disch. for disability, July 27, 1862 ; living in Charlton. 

Wm. H. Smith, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1861; disch for dis- 
ability, in 1862 ; living in Charlton. 

Louis W. Stanhope, priv., Co. B, 25th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. Jan. 20, 1864. 

Lorenzo Smith, priv., Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. for disability, in 
1864. 

ThoB. Stairs, priv., Co. 1, 115th N. Y, Inf.; enl, 1862; pro. to corp,; disch. with 
the regiment; living near Fonda, 

Geo. Tanner, priv., Co, H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1851; died of con- 
sumption, Jan. 21, 1802. 

Frank Underbill, priv., 18th N.Y. Inf.; enl. May, 1861; died in Charlton of 
disease, while in the service. 

James H. Uiideriiill, priv,, Co, F, 13th H. Art.; enl. Djc. 28, 1864 ; disch. at 
close of the war; living in SchenecUidy. 

Frederick Valentine, priv., Co. F, 13th H. Art.; enl. Jan. 12, 186 4; disch. at 
close of war; living in Baltimore, Md, 

Jolin Van Evera, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 18, 1862. 

Peter Wager, priv.. Co. F, 13th H. Art.; enl. Jan. 4, 1864. 

John W. Ward, piiv., Co. H, 115ih N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862. 

Manly Warren, wagoner, Co. F, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 24, 1861 ; disch. with 
regiment ; died in Chariton since the war. 

Bornt Wemple, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862; disch. with 
the regiment ; living in West Charlton. 

George C. Wilder, musician, Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 10, 1802; died of 
diphtheria, at Harper's Ferry, Va., Sept. 1, 1862. 

Wm. E. Wilder, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 20, 18G1 ; died of dis- 
ease, in hospital near Washington, D. C, Sept. 21, 1862. 

James K. Wilson, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 7, 1861 ; disch. for dis- 
ability, Aug. 1,1862, 



WATERPORD. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

The town of Waterford is in the southeastern corner of 
the county, at the junction of the Hudson and Blohawk 
rivers. The town is very small in territory, containing only 
about seven square miles. It is bounded north by Half- 
Moon, east, south, and west by the Hudson and Mohawk 
rivers, the county line. It includes 3204 acres of improved 
land and 315 of unimproved, and all of this last amount 
is woodland. The population in 1875 was 4386. This 
town is a portion of the Van Schaick patent. 

This town is described in the revised statutes of the State, 

and the boundary-lines defined, as follows : 

"The towu of Waiei-/i>nl shall contain all that part of said county 
beginning in the bounds of the county in the Mohawk river, at the 
mouth of a certain creek or run of water which crosses the road lead- 
ing from the village of Waterford to Ballston, at the foot of the hill 
a little to the northwestward of the dwelling-house now or late of 
Claudius Stannard, and running up the said creek to where it crosses 
the road as aforesaid : then south seventy-three degrees and thirty 
minutes east one hundred and si,\ty chains and thirty links to where 
a creek called the Mudder Kill intersects the public road leading from 
the village of AVaterford to Stillwater ; then down the said Mudder 
Kill to its entrance into Hudson river j then east to the bounds of the 
county ; and then along the bounds of the county southerly and 
westerly to the place of beginning." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

Its surface is mostly an upland, fifty to one hundred feet 
above the river. Along the Mohawk is an almost perpen- 
dicular range of .slate bluffs, and the valley of the Hudson 
is bordered by a range of clay hills. The soil is described 
as a sandy, clayey, and alluvial loam of great fertility. A 
valuable water-power is furnished by the falls in the BIo- 
hawk river. This water-power has been utilized by the 
con.struction, in 1828 and 1829, of a hydraulic canal, upon 
which a large number of manufactories in Cohoes are situ- 
ated. The wide alluvial flats north from the village are 
excellent land. In early times they were considered so val- 
uable, and the hills in comparison so poor, that farms were 
described in deeds as bounded on the river and extending 
westward " as far as the laud rtiiis" implying that the hills 
were not worth calling land at all. The fine cultivated and 
productive i'arms now to be seen upon the uplands, indicate 
how slight was the real knowledge of the country in those 
times. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The few scattering residents of the first century of Half- 
Moon Point cannot be very easily mentioned. We are 
compelled to come down a whole century at once to reach 
names and dates that can be given with some degree of ac- 
curacy. From the establishment of Fort Orange, at Albany, 
in lG23,or from 1630, when the fort began to enlarge into 
a village, it is probable there was never a time when at 
324 



least a few traders and adventurers were not to be found at 
Half-Moon Point, — some temporarily, others more perma- 
nent. But through all the intervening period of one hun- 
dred and fifty years to the American Revolution, little is 
recorded for the historian to report. 

In 1784 the site of the village was purchased by Colonel 
Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, Middlebrook, Ezra Hickok, 
Judge White, and several others, mostly from Connecticut. 
This fairly commences the era of modern settlement. This 
was while Half-Moon was yet a district, and four years be- 
fore its town organization began. 

The survey of the village immediately followed, trade 
with the settlers in the country adjacent sprang up. Mer- 
chants, produce-buyers, and business men generally came 
in, attracted by the confluence of the two rivers, certain 
that the place must become a great commercial point in the 
future. These hopes were not fully realized until after the 
opening of the Champlain canal and the Erie, and perhaps 
even then not to the extent anticipated when the War of 
the Revolution closed. 

The records of Half-Moon for three years, given in the 
chapter upon that town, are relied upon mainly to show the 
early settlement of Waterford in 1788, '89, and '90. Town, 
village, and church records being so extensively lost in 
Waterford itself, it is fortunate that the old book of Half- 
Moon has survived the " wasting touch of time," and re- 
mains to furnish some evidence as to who the early pioneers 
of this town were. There is also on record the list of forty 
innkeepers for the year 1788 and four retailers, which 
must belong in part to the present town of \Vaterford. 
From these sources, aided by tlie recollection of A. C. 
Waldron, of Waterford, Shubael Taylor, of Clifton Park, 
and several others, we are able to mention a few of the 
early names. 

Jacobus Van Schoonhoven seems to have been a man of 
great prominence immediately after the Revolution. In 
1785 his name is attached to a bill of sale as justice of the 
peace. He was the first supervisor of Half-Moon, holding that 
position in 1788, 1789, 1790, while as yet all this territory 
was a part of Albany county. He was one of the purchasers 
of the village plat in 1784, and one of the first trustees. He 
was also a merchant and produce-buyer. In 1788 he held 
an innkeeper's license and also a retailer's. This may only 
mean, as in many other cases, that he kept liquors for sale, 
as nearly all merchants did, and, by holding an innkeeper's 
license, could not only retail by measure but could sell to 
be drunk on the premises. He left two sons, both of whom 
went to Troy. James Van Schoonhoven was supervisor of 
Waterford in 1817 and 1818. 

The firm of Jloses and Ira Scott was an early business 
establishment in Waterford. They were merchants and 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



325 



grain-dealers, and did an extensive business. In 1788 the 
firm is recorded among those having an innlveeper's license. 
William, a son of Ira Scott, is still living in Waterford. 

Adam Edson was an innkeeper in Waterford. 

The Levisie name is very old in connection with AVater- 
ford. It is mentioned in Albany annals as tlie place where 
the old fort stood. The name of Anthony Leversie appears 
in the innkeepers' list of 1788. His place was about two 
miles above Waterford. Just north of his house, where 
the track of the old Albany and Northern railroad was to 
cross the Hudson, was the ferry, — a very ancient one, so 
ancient that even the old fort of 1CS9 may have been there 
to guard the crossing. 

The Van Schaick and Peebles islands are so called from 
two pioneers of those names, who came over in their own 
ships from Holland, and became the owners of large estates 
here under a direct grant, it is believed, from Queen Anne. 
The sons of Van Schaick were Anthony, Gerard, and 
Henry. Captain Pratt, in command of a tug at Water- 
ford, is connected by marriage to the descendants of these 
families. He has the old Van Schaick cradle, one hundred 
and sixty years old, in which have been rocked .successive 
generations of the various branches of the families. Cap- 
tain Pratt's grandfather, John G. Pratt, was with Schuy- 
ler's army, and helped to build the works on Peebles island. 

Daniel Van Alstyne was a lawyer of Waterford in 1788. 
His residence was where John F. Pruyn recently lived. 
He was supposed to know something else besides law, as 
he was elected pa//(/((a.s/c/- in 1788. 

Aaron Comstock, mentioned among the town oflScers of 
1788, was a farmer about two miles from the village, on 
the present McCoy place. 

The Vandenburg name is found in connection with 
nearly all the towns in this valley. In 1788. the Vanden- 
burg tavern was opposite that of Leversie, two miles up 
the river. It is not probable, however, that this is the 
" house of Cornelius Vandenburgh" at which the first town- 
meeting of Half-Moon is said to have been held ; that was 
probably in some more central place for the three towns. 

William Waldron was the grandfather of A. C. Waldron, 
now of Waterford. The old. Waldron homestead was on 
the river-road, — a part of the present Gabriel Traverse farm, 
the house of old times was just north of the present one. 
Mr. Waldron left three sons, Cornelius, William, and 
Tunis. A great-grandson is the ex-surrogate of the 
county, having held that office twenty-one years. 

Hezekiah Ketchum, one of the first trustees, in 1794, 
was a grain merchant and general produce dealer. He was 
an early resident, as his name is in the town records in 
1788. His place was on the site of Higgins' drug-store. 
Jacobus Ostrander was also a licensed innkeeper of 1788. 

James Dugan, a constable and also collector of Half- 
Moon in 1788-90, was an early school-teacher of Water- 
ford. Mr. A. C. Waldron and wife both attended his 
school, and they recollect him as a man of ability and an 
excellent teacher. 

John Clark was an early resident of Waterford, before 
1790. He had two sons, Stephen and Daniel. Stephen 
was a government contractor, furnishing shoes for the army 
in 1812, and employed a large number of men. 



Auric Banta, one of the pathmasters of 1788, was a 
resident of Waterford. He was a carpenter. 

Richard Davis was a merchant. Richard Davis, Jr., 
supervisor of Half-Moon in 1792, was probably a son, and 
Richard D. Davis, so well known as an eloquent political 
speaker in 1840, a grandson. The Davis family owned at 
one time most of the original Van Schoonhoven tract of 
five hundred acres in the west part of Waterford, between 
the canal and the hills. 

The name of Flores Bancker, the old surveyor of 1784, 
is familiar to business men as being found in so many 
deeds. He may have been a professional surveyor from 
abroad, not a resident of Waterford. 

Isaac Keeler was a merchant on Second street. He was 
one of the first trustees. 

John Pettit, another trustee of 1794, was a cabinet- 
maker. His business was on Main street, the present resi- 
dence of Mrs. Holroyd. 

Duncan Oliphant, still another trustee, was a tanner, and 
his place of business was at the north end of First street, 
now owned by Mrs. Powers. 

John Van Dekar kept tavern just west of Waterford. 

Benjamin Mix, whose name appears among the town 
officers of Half-Moon in 1788, was probably an innkeeper 
on what used to be known as Quality Hill, between Mid- 
dletowu and Waterford. 

James Scott is remembered by Shubael Taylor as having 
kept a public-house in Waterford where the Fox tavern 
now stands. 

vSamuel J. Hazard was a merchant and general produce 
dealer in Waterford. 

John Pettit was an early settler at or about the time of 
the Revolution. His .son, John Pettit, Jr., born in Water- 
ford, only died a few years since, and his widow still sur- 
vives. 

A few additional items are added in respect to early set- 
tlement. On Havre island the Indians had in old times a 
stronghold. It was known as the Castle Moenominis. It 
appears that the distinguished chieftains of the aboriginal 
tribes entertained the same opinion of the strength of this 
point that General Schuyler did in the Revolution, when 
he selected it for his final stand in defense of Albany. The 
old A'^an Schaick, or Half-Moon, patent was originally 
granted to Captain Gorson Gerritse Van Schaick and 
Philip Pieterson Schuyler. This included Van Schaick 
and Havre islands, also the present site of Waterford, aud 
a portion of the town of Half-Moon. The first settlement 
of Half-Moon Point, or Waterford, seems to have been 
soon after the year 1630. It consisted of several families 
who, among others, had been induced by Mr. Van Rensselaer 
to come over and settle on his lands. Those going farther 
north crossed the Mohawk, and settled on the present tite 
of Waterford. Captain Van Schaick died in 1676, aud 
his widow sold a portion of the estate, consisting of about 
four acres of land on Havre island, and also the " foreland 
of Half-Moon," to Jan Jacob Noorstrant. The price was 
stated at sijcti/six whole b( avers, to be paid, however, in 
wheat, oats, or other grain and labor ; showing that beavers 
were used as the standard of the currency, all traSic esti- 
mated by the beaver value, as now all forms of currency 



326 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



are measured by their " gold value." Guert Hendricks 
Van Sohoonhoven was a resident of Half-Moon in 1675. 
In 1681 he had a farm on the Island. Harmon Lieversie 
and Roloff Gerritse Vandewerker were also at Half-Moon 
Point in 16S0. Cohoes was settled to some extent before 
1750, by families from Waterford, among them those of 
riute Fonda and Guderkirk. The first bridge across the 
Mohawk was built in 1795. It was a great achievement 
for that early time, being nine hundred feet long, twenty- 
four feet wide, fifteen feet above the bed of the river, sup- 
ported by thirteen stone piers, and its cost was $12,000. 
An excavation in the rock above Waterford still shows the 
place of the old bridge. Across this bridge went the great 
northern tide of travel from Albany to BalKston, and also 
up the valley of the Hudson to Stillwater and places north. 
The opening of the Union bridge over the Hudson, Decem- 
ber 3, 1804, was celebrated with a public procession, mili- 
tary, civil, and Masonic. It formed in Lansingburg, 
marched over the bridge, and dined in Waterford, the gov- 
ernor of the State and other prominent persons being 
present. 

The following names are taken from the census of the 
city and county of Albany, enrolled under an order of the 
court, June 11, 1720, by Gerrit Van Schaick, sherifiF. 
Enrolled as residents of Half-Moon : Jacobus Van Schoon- 
hoven, Evert Van Ness, Daniel Fort, Cornelius Van Buren, 
Cornelius Van Ness, Isaac Ouderkirk, Lavinus Harminse, 
Tunis Harminse, Winant Vandenburgh, Roolif Gerritse, 
Hendrick Roolifse, John De Voe, Daniel Van Olinda, El- 
dert Ouderkirk, Cornelius Vandenburgh. This no doubt 
shows the heads of all the families in Waterford and the 
country around it in 1720, — one hundred and fifty-eight 
years ago. 

And further, it may be proper to add that the older 
authorities point to the northern curve of the Mohawk at 
Crescent as the real " Half-Moon" of olden times, while 
Waterford was " Half-Moon Point," and most of the very 
early families may have been at the former rather than the 
latter place. 

The residence of Jacobus Van Schoonhoven was just 
west of the present canal bridge, on the north side of Main 
street. 

There are not many very old buildings now in Waterford. 
The house of Mr. Geer, formerly owned by the Davis 
family, is over a hundred years old. On the corner of First 
and Main streets a very early tavern stood. The same build- 
ing in part is still there, a private residence. The tavern 
kept by Mr. Fox was built before 1800. Brewster's tin- 
shop is a pretty old building, also the Waldron meat- 
market. The old Waterford Academy stood on the hill 
near the present Catholic church. 

We add in this connection a few accounts taken from an 
old book of audits in the ofiice of the clerk of the Albany 
board of supervisors, though many of them belong to 
other towns of the county than Waterford. 



November, 1781. 
Cornelius Waldron, Cr. £ «. 

By amount allowed as constable . 1 7 

Matthew Vischer, 

One year's salary as clerk of sessions . 15 



d. 




Cornelius Van Veghten and others, 

Holding an election at Saratoga 

John McCrea and others, 

For laying assessments in 1799 . 

Cornelius Van Veghten, 



£ s. el. 
4 16 



19 



Account as supervisor 







16 





« 


, 


6 


14 





ti i( 


. 


5 








James Gordon, 










Account as supervisor 


, 


1 


10 





By bounty for 8 wolves . 


. 


24 


00 





Beriah Palmer, 










Account for laying assessments 




27 


00 





Eliphalet Kellogg and others. 










Laying assessments 


. 


5 


5 





John Vischer, 


Ck. 








By amount allowed for keeping assessors 


88 


16 





George Palmer, 


Cr. 








By account as supervisor 




12 


10 





Saratoga district, 


Dr. 








To amount of the county charge 




52 


10 





" " district " 




2Uti 


17 


1 


Ballstown district. 


Dr. 








To amount of the county charge 




11 


13 


4 


" " district " 




10 








Half-Moon district, 


Dr. 








To amount of the county charge 




61 


3 


4 


•' " district " 




59 


Ifl 





Half-Moon district, 


Cr. 








By cash of Jacob Groot, in part 


of the 








county tax laid in 1781 




3 


00 





Half-Moon district. 


Cr. 








By cash of Evert Waldron, coun 


ty tax, 








Nov. 10, 1781 




6 


10 


4 



June 20, 1782. 
Ephraim Woodworth, Cr. 

By account allowed 
Half-Moon district, Cr. 

By cash, — excise fees of Jacobus Van 
Schoonhoven, 1782 



10 10 



It will be noticed that James Gordon must have added 
to his distinguished civil and military qualifications that of 
" a mighty hunter," for he drew a bounty of £2-1 for eight 
wolves killed in one year. 

Epliraim Woodworth was the citizen of Stillwater whose 
house a few years earlier had been General Gates' head- 
quarters. 

The following, still further showing early settlements, are 
of great interest : 

The purchase of Jan Jacobus Van Noorstrant from the 
widow of Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, already mentioned, 
dated June 6, 1677, was a tract "bounded south by the 
fourth sprout of the Mohawk, west by Roelef Gerritse 
Vandewerker's land, north by the little creek close by 
Roelef Gerritse Vandewerker's house, and east by the 
river, containing about seven morgens of land." 

How much does this differ from the present corporate 
limits of the village of Waterford ? A good question for 
the geography class number 1 in the high school. 

Roelef Gerritse Vandewerker had five sons, Johannes, 
Jacob, Gerrit, Hendrick, and Albert. In the above sale the 
widow retained the right to have a free passage for her 
cattle through the land she sold " up to Half- Moon for pas- 
turage." This confirms the other many indications that 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



327 



"IIal/-3foon" was at Crescent, and what is now Waterford 
was ^^ Half-Moon Point" or " the forchind of Half-Moony 

Captain Goosen Gerritse Van Schoonlioven had permis- 
sion, with Philip Preterse Schuyler, to buy what is now 
Waterford o/' the Indians " to prevent those from Con- 
necticut from h)iying it." This is no doubt the first pur- 
chase of Waterford, and the Schoonhoven mentioned the 
first of a long succession of that name north of the Jlohawk 
extending down to the present time. 

Nov. 23, 1669, Goosen Gerritse (not certain whether 
Van Schaick or Schoonhoven, for their first names were 
the same, and the old records sometimes omitted surnames) 
sells land iu Half-Moon to Philip Pieter Schuyler. 

Captain Goosen Gerritse Van Schoonhoven's first wife 
was Gertie, daughter of Brandt Peelen Van Nieukerke, 
and his second wife was Annatie Lievens, whom he mar- 
ried July 2, 1657. He had three sons, Gerrit, Anthony, 
and Sybrant ; also three daughters, Goertruy, Gerritie, and 
Margaret. 

IV.— ORGANIZ.\TION. 

This town is named from the ancient ford over the Mo- 
hawk. It crossed a little above the present railroad bridge 
from the mainland to Havre island. It is a very old cross- 
ing, famous in Indian history, and in the early exploration 
of French and English adventurers. The place where a 
ford existed in the water of either the Mohawk or the 
Hudson was a mooted point, because, even above the junction, 
both rivers were of sufficient breadth to render a fording- 
place eagerly sought for. A village rapidly grew up at the 
junction of the two rivers, and though at first, and to some 
extent for many years, it was known as Half-Moon Point, 
yet it also acquired the name of Waterford. By this name 
the village was incorporated many years before the town 
was organized. When, therefore, tlie business interests of 
this extreme point rendered it desirable that there should 
be a new town organized, the name of the village was 
deemed the appropriate one for the town. There was also 
a ford over the Hudson just above the Union bridge. Teams 
have been driven over there within the memory of many 
now living in Waterford. 

Very early tlie village became a place of so much im- 
portance that its citizens were naturally unwilling to have 
their town business done at such remote points as the im- 
mense extent of Half- Moon then required. Waterford had 
risen to the dignity of an incorporated village in 1801. 
The inconvenience of distance was, however, endured until 
1816, when the town of Waterford was organized, with a 
territory so small that its citizens have never since had to 
travel far to share in town affairs. Town offices, town 
business, and town-meetings have ever since been where 
they could easily attend to them. 

No rival villages have ever contended for the honor of 
having the town-meetings held with them. Unanimously 
for sixty-one years the annual meetings have been adjourned 
from Waterford to Waterford. The records of the town 
were rescued from the burning office by the clerk, M. C. 
Powell, in the great fire; but the older books are since lost. 
The records now in po.sses.sion of the town clerk only go 
back to 1848. The list of supervisors is obtained from 



the county clerk's oflfice ; but the catalogue of town clerks 
and collectors is not full. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 





Siipcrvisoi's. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


isio. 


John Cramer. 






1817. 


J. Van Schoonhoven 






1818. 


K ft 






1810. 


Daniel Vsm Alstine. 






1820. 


"\Vm. Givtn. 






1821. 


" 






1822. 


(( (( 






182.'?. 


tt (( 






1824. 


if i( 






1825. 
1826. 


tt ti 
Joshua Mandevillc. 






1827. 


a it 






1828. 


tt tt 






1829. 


Nathnn Bailey. 




Frank. Livingston. 


1830. 


Johua Bloore. 




Abram C. Waldron. 


18.'!1. 


Eli M. Todd. 




Tunis Vandewerker. 


1832. 


it tt 


John Cramer (2d). 


ti tt 


1833. 


'' 


it 


it it 


1834. 


John Stewart. 


ti 


it it 


1835. 


John Vernain. 


M. C. Powell. 


Thompson Fisher. 


1836. 


Charles Scott. 


it it 


Fred. W. AVaterman. 


1837. 


Joshua Bloore. 


it t( 


Alex. McElwee. 


1838. 


Robert Blake. 


It ti 


Helnus A''an Orden. 


1839. 


Jos. n. Cuilworth. 


it tt 


Horace Fisk. 


1840. 


James I. Scott. 


it U 


John Smith. 


1841. 


Geo. AV. Kirtland. 


it it 


Henry G. Waldron. 


1842. 


" 




Daniel Clark. 


1843. 


Wm. Scott. 




it a 


1844. 


Wm. T. Seymour. 




Isaac Bailey. 


1845. 


David Brewster. 




Samuel Barker. 


1846. 


ti tt 




Daniel A. Stone. 


1847. 


it tt 




A. II. Vandewerker. 


1848. 


David T. Lamb. 


Wm. A. Waldron. 


Charles Ball. 


1849. 


Abm. L. Brewster. 


" 


Stephen Underbill. 


1850. 


David T. Lamb. 


Courtland Brewster 


Henry G. Waldron. 


1851. 


Daniel G. Smith. 


tt ft 


Isaac Bailey. 


1852. 


" " 


it tt 


Henry B. Scott. 


1853. 


John Fulton. 


John Smith. 


Daniel Clark. 


1854. 


W. C. Vandenburgh 


Lyman U. Davis. 


Cor. Vandewerker. 


1855. 


Joshua Mors. 


Chas. E. Pickett. 


Henry G. Waldron. 


1856. 


John Titcomb. 


Millen Bedell. 


Daniel Stevens. 


1857. 


" a 


ft it 


Eli Bootman. 


1858. 


tt 


Geo. S. Waterman. 


Roger C. Evana. 


1859. 


David T. Lamb. 


it 


Henry B. Scott. 


1860. 


u 


it if 


Chas. E, Tickett. 


1861. 


tt it 


it tt 


Henry B. Scott. 


1862. 


it tc 


it t( 


Daniel Stevens. 


1863. 


tt tt 


Sam'l A. Northrop. 


James T. Scott. 


1864. 


tt tt 


a it 


Patrick Glavin. 


1865. 


it tt 


it 


ti •( 


1866. 


tt It 


tt ti 


Ira G. Van Arman. 


1867. 


Oourtlnnd Brewster 


ti ti 


Patrick McAran. 


1868. 


" 


it ti 


Darius Barnes. 


1869. 


ti U 


tt it 


Patrick Gidney. 


1870. 


it ti 


tt ft 


Chas. H. Stewart. 


1871. 


Thomas Breslin. 


George E. Pickett. 


Wm. Porter. 


1872. 


tt tt 


ti it 


James B. Neary. 


1873. 


David T. Lamb. 


it tt 


Sam'l A. Northrop. 


1874. 


it a 


ti tt 


Wm. Dunnigan. 


1875. 


tt tt -s- 


tt it 


Matt. H. Martratt. 


1876. 


James H. Brewster. 


Benj. Singleton. 


Dennis Curtin. 


1877 


H.C. Vandenburgh. 


Major B. Winchell.f Wm. H. Van Norden. 


1878. 


ft tt 


George E. Pickett. 


Matt. H. Martratt. 



* No choice for supervisor in 1875, — a tie, — and David T. Lamb 
held over. 

f The vote in 1877 on town clerli was a tie, and WinchoU was 
appointed. 



328 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE UNDER 
THE LAW TAKING EFFECT IN 1828. 



184S. 


Joseph H. Cudworth. 


1864. 


Joseph H. Cudworth 


1849. 


Wm. T. Seymour. 


1865. 


Chauncey Sherman. 


1850. 


Charles Johnson. 




Gad H. Lee. 


1851. 


John Cramer (2d). 


1866. 


Gad H. Lee. 


1852. 


Robert Moe. 




John F. Pruyn. 




Joshua M. Todd. 


ISfi". 


John Cramer (2d). 


1853. 


Joseph H. Cudworth. 


1868. 


Pearl Spafford. 




Cornelius A. Waldron. 


1869. 


John F. Pruyn. 


1854. 


John Wood. 


is-0. 


Peter Quackenlmsh. 


1855. 


John Cramer (2d). 


1871. 


John Cramer (2d). 


1856. 


Lewis G. Hoffman. 


1872. 


John A. Waldron. 


1857. 


Chauncey Sherman. 


1873. 


Henry Foley. 


1858. 


James MoKaller. 




Wm. Shepherd. 


1859. 


John Cramer (2d). 


1874. 


Chauncey Sherman. 


1860. 


Joseph H. Cudworth. 


1875. 


Peter Quaekeubush. 


1861. 


Chauncey Sherman. 


1876. 


Geo. S. Waterman. 


1862. 


Anthony J. Breasc. 


1877. 


C. W. Barringer. 


186.3. 


John Cramer (2d). 


1878. 


Henry Foley. 



Besides the local proininouce of JacobiLsVan Sohoonho- 
ven, so fully shown in the records of Half-Moon, it should 
be added that he was a senator twelve years, from 1794 to 
1805, inclusive, a member of Assembly in 178G, and also 
in 1791 ; and also a judj;e of the court of common pleas in 
1791. His son, Guert Van Suhoonhoven, was a .senator 
in 1815, and judge in 1823, and James, judge in 1820. 
Other public men were John Cramer, a representative to 
Congress from 1833 to 1837 ; Ches.selden Ellis, from 1843 
to 1845 ; Hugh White, from 1845 to 1851. John Cra- 
mer was a member of the Constitutional Cjnvention of 
1821, and John K. Porter, of the Convention of 1846. 
John Cramer was also a senator in 1823-25, and was fol- 
lowed in the same office by John L. Viele, during 
1826-29. 

In 1821, John House was a member of Assembly; 
1825, Nicholas B. Doe; 1828, Eli M. Todd ; 1829, Joshua 
Mandeville; 1830, Samuel Stewart; 1834, Eli M. Todd; 
1839-40, John Stewart; 1842, John Cramer; 1847, 
Thomas C. Morgan ; 1860-02, John Fulton. 

In 1846, Joshua Mandeville was judge. Among the 
old masters in cliancery wore John Cramer, in 1805; 
Joshua Mandeville, in 1813; John K. Porter, in 1840; 
examiners in chancery, John K. Porter and Edward F. 
Buliard. 

v.— VILLAGES. 

WATERFORD. 

The village organization is much older than that of the 
town, and it would be interesting to give very fully its 
records. The village was surveyed as early as 1784 by 
Flores Bancker, and divided into lots. In 1801 it was in- 
corporated, and the first trustees were Hezekiah Ketchum, 
Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, Matthew Gregory, Isaac Keeler, 
John Pettitt, Duncan Oliphant, and Thomas Smith. These 
seem to have been trustees, from one statement, as early as 
1794, though the date of incorporation is given as 1801. 

The village records were destroyed in the great fire of 
1841, and it is difficult to give the names of early trustees 
or the successive presidents and clerks. 

In 1841, John House was president ; M. C. Powell, clerk. 
The trustees were John Stewart, John Haswell, N. B. Doe, 
Alexander Stewart, Elisha Morss, and William Smith. 



The present year, 1877, David T. Lamb is president, and 
D. M. Van Hovenburgh, clerk. 

Business Development. — The hydraulic canal, utilizing 
the great water-power in convenient form for general use, 
led to the establishment of a large number of manufitcto- 
ries, in which the place has excelled for many years. Here 
are two stock- and die-factories, a machine-shop, an axe- 
factory, a twine-factory, an ink- and lampblack-factory, a 
soap- and candle-factory, a flouring-mill, and a pearling-mill. 
On the Champlain canal, too, there are large opportunities 
for water-power, and there have been in existence for many 
years the flouring-mills, a foundry and machine-shop, an 
auger-factory, and a distillery. The manufacture of fire- 
engines was started in 1831, and they have done an exten- 
sive business, turning out some of the time $00,000 worth 
of work a year. A more complete statement of these enter- 
prises will be found under the head of industrial pursuits. 

A bridge across the Hudson was built at this place in 
1804, at the cost of a large expenditure fur those times. 
The present structure, known as the Union bridge, was built 
in 1812-14, at an expense of $20,0110. 

The limits of the village of Waterford are not; very ex- 
tensive, — a compact territory, bounded mostly by the Cham- 
plain canal and the rivers, only being comprised in the 
corporation. Outside the bounds of the corporation is West 
Waterford, a station upon that branch of the Rensselaer 
and Saratoga railroad, which passes through Cohoes. Op- 
posite Cohoes, during the past few years, quite a village 
has grown up under the name of North-Side. It is very 
largely the residence of operators in the various mills and 
factories below the State dam, and also in the city of Cohoes. 
Though the town is so small in territory, yet a separate 
election district has been established at North-Side. 

We obtain the following memorandum of Alexander 
Stewart, who came to AVaterford in 1814. He had three 
brothers, also in Waterford, now dead. Among them was 
General Samuel Stewart, for so many years the well-knSwn 
chorister of the old Reformed church. He was also a man 
of military taste> though he declined a coloneFs commission 
in the regular army in the War of 1812. It is said that 
had he taken it, he would have outranked Colonel Winfield 
Scott, afterwards the noted general. The father of these 
brothers was a Connecticut man, a soldier of the Revolu- 
tion, and was in this county at the surrender of Burgoyne. 

Alexander Stewart mentions the following business men 
of Waterford in 1814: House, -Myers & Co., Wynant 
Vandenburgh, Foster & Vandenburgh, Stewart & Knicker- 
bocker, King & Foster, Davis & Thorn, Close & Vandecar, 
Moses Scott, Scott & fowler, John Vibbard, Henry Ten 
Broeck, — all these were merchants, doing a general busi- 
ness. To these he adds Horace Hudson, hardware ; Samuel 
Drake, druggist ; James Oliphant, tannery ; George Edson, 
leather-store ; Mr. Grant, flouring-mill ; John Robinson, 
shoemaker (Mr. Stewart remembers that the boys covered 
Robin.son's chimney one " St. Patrick's day in the morning" 
and smoked him out) ; Roger Evans, jeweler; James Fowler, 
tailor; James Hale, blacksmith; Mr. Grant, hatter; John 
Cramer, lawyer; James Van Schoonhoven, lawyer; William 
Given, lawyer; Samuel Huntington, lawyer. Mr. Shaw 
and another man kept two meat-markets under one roof. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



329 



The building stood exactly opposite the present Waldron 
market, in the centre of the street, a drive-way each side 
of it. 

Dr. Whitmorc was the principal, and about the only 
physician in 1S14. Dr. Porter, though, began practice 
soon after, perhaps 1815. From 1814 to 1820 there were 
other merchants established : Todd & Comstoek, D. K. 
Liglithall, and Isaac Bailey. N. B. Doe, lawyer, was in 
AVatcrford soon after 1814. Samuel Demarest was keep- 
ing tavern in 1814, on the site of the present Morgan 
House. Still earlier Gerardus Van Schoonhoven kept the 
Eagle Hotel, now the private residence of Mrs. Brown ; 
soon after, William Gates kept it. Mr. Haight, in 1814, 
kept the tavern on the corner of First and Broad streets. 
At the same time Mr. Smith was keeping tavern on the 
corner of Fourth and Broad streets. The Stewart store is 
on the site of the old John Vibbard store of 1814. 

VI. -SCHOOLS. 

Of the earliest schools in Waterford we have little ac- 
count. The name of one teacher is mentioned in another 
place. The town now consists of two school districts. 
No. 1 comprises the village and considerable surrounding 
territory. The organization is a union free high school, with 
an academic department. The main building is of brick, 
three stories in height, with eight separate school-rooms, 
also recitation-rooms and convenient halls. A separate 
building is located at " Doyle City," so called, south of 
the canal, and another at North-Side. These schools are, 
however, graded into uniformity with the union school, 
and are really a part of it. The main building is valued 
at $15,000 ; the other two at $5000. There is a valu- 
able library of fifteen hundred volumes. This free- 
school system dates from about 1854. The school-house 
of district No. 2 is located up the river, in the Traverse 
neighborhood. 

Watei'ford quite early provided means for higher educa- 
tion by establishing an academy. This furnished ample 
facilities, and many of the present citizens in the profes- 
sional and business classes received their training in the old 
institution. The academy was on the present site of the 
Catholic church. Waterford, too, was the place where 
Mrs. Emma Willard taught for some years before she en- 
tered upon her long and distinguished career as principal 
of Troy Female Seminary. Her Seminary here was on 
Second street, now changed into a block of three dwellings, 
south of the railroad depot. 

commissioners' apportionment, march, 1878. 





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tS 






District. 


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It 


c 
o 


o 




sH 


w- « 


«2 = 


O O U 


i:- 


,s. 






C4 


g.S'o 


3 = » 


S 


s 


No. 1 


1383 


$729.96 


S951.20 


$929.10 


$46.14 


$263B.40 


•• 2 


48 


52.14 


33.01 


29.82 


1.60 

$47.74 


11G.57 




1431 


$782.10 


$984.21 


$958.92 


$2772.97 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
THE REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH. 

This society, now extinct, was the old pioneer church of 
Waterford ; emphatically, the church of old times. The 
house of worship stood a mile and a half north, near the 
residence of Gradus Clute, now the Devitt place. This 
was taken down and removed to the corner of Middle and 
Third streets, the work being finished in 1799. This re- 
mained until the spring of 187G, when the society having 
ceased to exist, the property was sold, the venerable old 
building removed, and a handsome private residence is now 
erected upon its site. The corner-stone bore the date 1799, 
but careful search failed to discover any box of. valuables 
deposited there. The year when the old house of worship 
up the river was built seems to be unknown, nor is it cer- 
tain that it was the first. The recent manual of the Pres- 
byterian church states the building " as just before the 
close of the Revolution," and this is doubtless correct. The 
church organization may very likely have been much older 
than that. The brief hints of ancient settlement, still ex- 
tant, show sturdy defenders of the old Reformed faith as 
residents of Half-Moon Point for a hundred years before 
the Revolution. The records of this ancient society do not 
seem to have been preserved, and the names of its founders 
are not easily obtained. 

GRACE CHURCH (EPISCOPAL). 

The following is the record of this organization from the 
parish book : 

Sq>f. 17, 1810.— The inhabitants of the village of 
Waterford, in common of the I'rotestant Episcopal church, 
wishing to establish a church in this village, did, after 
being duly notified as the law directs, meet for the purpose 
of electing proper persons to carry the same into execution, 
and did, by a majority of voices, elect the following per-sons 
for that purpose : Richard Davis, Jr., and John Vibbard, 
church-wardens ; Guert Van Schoonhoven, Henry Davis, 
Hezekiah Ketchum, James Meeker, Benjamin Chamber- 
lain, William McDonald, Joseph Ketchum, and Ward Rice, 
vestrymen. And having proceeded as the law directs, said 
church did cause a certificate to be made, acknowledged, 
and recorded, in due form, in which the said church was 
denominated Grace church. 

The vestry being thus organized, appointed a lay deputy 
to represent them in the convention of the Protestant Epis- 
copal church, to meet in the city of New York, on the first 
Tuesday of October next. Richard Davis, Jr., the deputy 
elect, presented the certificate of organization, and he was 
duly admitted to a seat in the convention. 

At a meeting of the vestry, Dec. 10, 1810, John Davis 
was chosen clerk, Wm. M. McDonald, collector, and John 
Davis, treasurer. Richard Davis, Jr., John Davis, and 
John Vibbard were appointed a committee to purchase a 
site, and they bought a lot for $17(5.75, "on the outskirts 
of the village." Some delay and difiiculty as to securing 
title occurred, and that .site was abandoned. July 1. 1811, 
they bouglit the Methodist meeting-house, and after repair- 
ing and refitting it, the building was consecrated by Bishop 
Hobart, Aug. 30, 1813. That year John Vibbard was 
sent as delegate to the general convention, and allowed 



42 



330 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



$17 for his services, the record says, but it probably means 
his ex]>enses. 

May 20, ISM, Rev. Parker Adams was called as rector, 
at a salary of $o50 per year. At the sale of pews in 1S14, 
the following names appear besides those already mentioned ; 
John Knickerbocker, J. Mandeville, Thomas Titcomb, 
Horace Hudson, Sylvester Haight, T. Davis, J. Cramer, 
James Thorn, Henry Fanning, John Hou.se, Todd & Doe, 
William and James Fowler, Benjamin Shaw, E. Porter, 
I. Grant, James Oliphaut, William Griffith, John Hall, 
Joseph H. Douglas, Nathaniel Foster, James Van Schoon- 
hoven, Samuel Drake, Samuel G. Huntington, J. Pettit, 
and Patrick Murray. 

The expense of purchase and rei>airs was £73-1 16s. dd. 
The whole amount was not raised, and the property was 
mortgaged for about S600 to Guert Van Schoonhoven, 
Johu Vibbard, John Knickerbocker, Richard Davis, Jr., 
and Hezekiah Ketchum. Twelve years later, in 1826, 
these gentlemen generously donated the entire amount, dis- 
charged the property from encumbrance, and Guert Van 
Schoonhoven still further, as an expression of his liberality 
and love for the church, purchased and donated the title in 
fee, extinguishing thereby the (/roiiud rent, and leaving them 
in full possession. 

The second pastor was George Uphold, the Rev. Parker 
Adams having resigned Oct. 12, 1818. The remaining 
pastors have been Henry Stebbins, George B. Eastman, 
Joshua Morss, Josepii J. Nicholson, Edward Edwards, 
Richard S. Adams, William Walsh, Joseph Carey, George 
F. Ferguson, Charles H. Lancaster, F. A. Shoup, and the 
present incumbent, Walter Thompson. 

Among the incidents of the church history may be men- 
tioned the gift of a Bible by P. S. Vau Rensselaer, March 
27, 1815. 

This old Methodist chapel, remodeled into Grace church, 
continued until the groat fire of 1841, when it was burned. 
Indeed, the fire originated ju.st in the rear of it, and it 
was the fii-st to be destroyed. The society, rallying with 
energy, built of brick, not long after, at an expense of 
$6000. In 1865 this was enlarged, remodeled, thoroughly 
refitted, and furnished with a new organ, — the whole cost- 
ing nearly $10,000. In these later efforts, Richard D. 
Davis was a noted benefactor. There have been several 
cases of very long official service in the church. John 
Higgins has served as vestryman or warden about forty 
years, and to him we are indebted for the facts given in 
this sketch. The present ofiicers are James Holroyd and 
John Higgins, wardens ; J. B. Enos, John Lawrence, F. 
S. Waldron, Thomas Brcslin, Wm. Holroyd, Joseph Har- 
raman, Emanuel Mead, and Wm. McDonald. The latter 
is also clerk. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The history of this society is taken from their " Manual," 
issued in 1876. The earliest Presbyterian congregations 
in this vicinity were organized in 1792, in the villages of 
Lansingburg and Troy. Neither congregation being strong 
enough in itself to sui)port a minister, the two united in 
calling Rev. Jonas Coe, of New York. He came to Lan- 
singburg to reside in 1793, and ministered in each village 



on alternate Sabbatlis. Before the close of the last century 
a Presbyterian organization was formed in the village of 
Waterford. It was the germ of the present church, but 
was too weak, numerically and financially, to carry out its 
plans, and the organization was dormant for several years. 
The Reformed Dutch church, the venerable organization 
of earlier times, in 1799 erected their bouse of worship at 
the southwest corner of Middle and Third streets, the 
society paying for the lot $500. The Presbyterians then 
united with this church, and co-operated with it in all of 
its interests. 

In the year 1803 the union was dissolved between the 
clmrch of Troy and that of Lansingburg. Dr. Coe re- 
moved to Troy, and the church there became his sole charge. 
Just at this time the pastorate of the Dutch church in 
Waterford became vacant, through the failing health of tlie 
Rev. John Close, who had been pastor since 1797. Ac- 
cordingly the Presbyterian church of Lansingburg invited 
the Presbyterians of Waterford, who had united with the 
Dutch church, to join with them in calling and supporting 
Rev. Samuel Blatcliford, of Bridgeport, Conn., as pastor 
of the congregations in the two villages. This invitation 
was cordially accepted. The Presbyterian church of Water- 
ford was again organized and formally established on a 
separate basis, — ecclesiastically distinct from the Lan- 
singburg church, and also from the Waterford Dutch 
church. Mr. Blatchford accepted the united call on an 
annual salary of $1250 and forty loads of wood. He 
was installed pastor of the two churches by the presby- 
tery of Columbia on July 18, 1804. Residing in Lan- 
singburg, it was his habit during the first part of his 
ministry to spend each alternate Sabbath in AVatorford, 
preaching in the morning and afternoon. Afterwards he 
gave a p»rt of every Sabbath in both villages. On Tuesday 
evening in each week he lectured in Waterford, and on 
Thursday evening in Lansingburg. In addition to his 
cliurch work, Mr. Blatchford was preceptor of the Lansing- 
burg Academy ; and under his charge it became a large, 
flourishing, and famous school. 

In 1804 the Dutch church of Waterford placed its 
hi:)use of worsliip at the service of the Presbyterians ; and 
having no pastor, united with them in Mr. Blatchford's 
support, and in attendance on his ministry. This union 
continued most harmoniously until the year 1825, when 
discussions arose regarding the title and use of the edifice. 
As the Dutch wished to revive their church organization, 
Dr. Blatchford relinquished his claim upon their pulpit, 
and on the second Sabbath in January, 1826, led the Pres- 
byterians to Classic, now Knickerbocker hall, on First 
street, where services were held on that day, and continued 
to be held on the Sabbath for several months following. 
The lot on the corner of Third and Division streets was at 
once purchased, and the erection of the present church 
building immediately began. General Stewart, the archi- 
tect of the town in those days, drew the plans, and per- 
sonally supervised the work. It was completed in 1826, at 
a cost of $4000, and was opened with dedicatory services 
in September of that year. A half-century has elapsed, 
and the old walls yet stand within which the fathers wor- 
shiped, and where their children still count it their highest 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



331 



privilege to assemble. Dr. Blatchford continued to be 
pastor until the time of his death, March 17, 1828. His 
pastorate was nearly a quarter of a century in its duration. 
His labors were abundant, untiring, and successful, and he 
is regarded as the founder of Presbyterian institutions in 
Waterford. 

Dr. Blatchford's successor was Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, 
who was installed April 9, 1828, and continued to serve 
the church as pastor until March, 1830, when he resigned. 
The pulpit was then supplied by Rev. Lawrence L. Van- 
Dyke for a short time. He was followed by Rev. George 
Bush, the well-known commentator, wlio was stated supply 
until May, 1831, when Rev. Reuben Smith was formally 
installed as pastor. During Mr. Smith's ministry the 
church was largely increased, two memorable revivals 
occurring. On the occasion of the March communion in 
1843, fifty-sis persons were received into membership, the 
largest number added to the church at any time until the 
March communion of the present year. Mr. Smith was 
pastor nearly seventeen years, resigning the office on April 
1, 1848. 

On the 14th of September, 1848, Rev. Alexander B. 
Bullions was installed pastor, and mini.stered here until the 
year 1853. It was at his suggestion, and with his aid, that 
the ladies of the church undertook the purchase of the par- 
sonage property at the head of First street. This was done 
in 1852. Purchased through their exertions, the parson- 
age has since been under their charge. In 1869, at an 
expense of $2000, they enlarged the house, and added 
generally to its convenience. In 1874, they expended 
§1000 in other improvements. 

Mr. Bullions having resigned early in 1853, Rev. David 
King, of Stillwater, was called to succeed him. But ere 
the time came for him to enter upon his pastorate here, the 
Lord called for his services in the Upper Temple, and he 
departed this life June 1, 1853. 

Rev. Lewis H. Lee was the next pastor. He pronounced 
the oration at the grave of Colonel Ellsworth, and the effort 
will long live in the minds of those who heard it as a mas- 
terpiece of oratory. His brilliant career was suddenly 
closed by his death in 1863. It was during his pastorate 
that the old session-house was torn down and in its place 
the present one erected. The new building was the gift of 
John House, now deceased, and father of Dr. Samuel R. 
House, for thirty years engaged in mission work in Siam, 
but now returned to his native village. 

Rev. Arthur T. Pierson was installed pastor Oct. 6, 1863. 
In 1805 it was determined to enlarge and remodel the 
church building. The closing services in the old house 
were held Sept. 17 of that year, Mr. Pierson preaching in 
the morning, and Rev. Clarence Eddy in the evening. The 
work of enlargement began on the following day. Some 
$20,000 were expended in the reconstruction and adorn- 
ment of the building. It was carried on under the imme- 
diate supervision of the pastor and Mr. Geo. H. Stewart, 
whose uncle, General Stewart, had supervised the building 
of the hcjuse forty years before. The costly organ was the 
gift of the venerable John Cramer, and the elegant pulpit 
furniture and communion-table were the offering of the 
Sabbath-school. On Thursday evening. May 10, 18GC, the 



spacious and beautiful house was reopened with dedicatory 
services, in which many clergymen of the presbytery took 
part. 

Early in the year 1869, Dr. Pierson accepted a call to the 
Fort Street Presbyterian church, of Detroit, Mich., where 
he now ministers. In June of the same year, R. H. P. 
Vail, a licentiate of the presbytery of Troy, was called to 
the vacant pastorate, and was installed on the 14th of Sep- 
tember following. At the communion in March, 1876, 
seventy-two persons united with the church. The service 
will be long remembered by all who were privileged to 
attend. 

Mr. Vail closed his ministry in Waterford on the last 
day of March, 1876, being released by the presbytery to 
take charge of the Presbyterian church of Stamford, Conn. 
Rev. A. B. Riggs, the present pastor, succeeded him. 

The following is a list of all who have held the offices of 
elder and deacon from the first, with the date of their in- 
stallation : 

Rilling Ehlcis. — Joseph Haswell,* 1805; Moses Scott,* 
1811; John House,* 1811 ; John Hazard,* 1814; Adam 
Edso,* 1814; John Haswell,* 1820; Nathan D. Sher- 
wood,* 183.3; Henry James,* 1833; Xenophon Hay- 
wood,* 1833; Lysander Button, 1842; Horace Fisk,* 
1844 ; John V. S. Hazard,)" 1844 ; John C. House, 1858 ; 
James R. Blake,t 1858 ; D. M. Van Hovenburg, 1865; 
Stephen Viele,* 1872; John H. Dennis,* 1872; M. D. 
Schoonmaker, 1875; Milton C. Jones, 1875; Theodore E. 
Button, 1875. 

Deacons. — William H. Scott, 1831 ; Xenophon Hay- 
wood,* 1831 ; Elias Dummer, 1833 ; John W. Stewart, 
1872. 

The following are the present officers : 

Ruling Elders. — Lysander Button, John C. House, clerk ; 
D. M. Van Hovenburg, M. D. Schoonmaker, Milton C. 
Jones, Theo. E. Button. 

Deacons. — W. H. Scott, Elias Dummer, John W. 
Stewart. 

Trastees.^^m. T. Seymour, president ; J. C. House, 
secretary and treasurer; Geo. W. Eddy, Geo. H. Stewart, 
William Gordon, Milton C. Jones, Isaac C. Ormsby, Jos. 
C. Phitt, Jr., Edward H. Powell. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OP WATERFORD. 

This society was organized in 1821, united with the 
Shaftsbury As.sociation in 1822, and left to join the Saratoga 
Association in 1834. The ministers of this church have 
been Elders Willey, Lamb, Green, Andrews, Duncan, Brand, 
Rouse, Eastwood, Carr, Baker, Cannon, Burroughs, Gar- 
field, Harvey, Lucas, Corwin, Cheshire, Lloyd, Judson, 
Ashton, Chivers, Dunsford, and Jones. 

The first Baptist gatherings in Waterford were held at 
the house of Deacon Whitney. This was from 1812 to 
1815. These services became the foundation of the 
church. The society worshiped in the old school-house, 
dividing the time with other denominations. 

It was not until 1842 that a meeting-house was erected, 
a brick structure, due principally to the energy of Deacon 



* Deceased. 



■j" Removed. 



332 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



George Huid, T. J. Eddy, and Menitt Potter. This house 
was remodeled twice, the last time iu 1867, when the present 
beautiful church was completed, at a cost of nearly $20,000. 
The first Sunday-school was opened in the old school-house, 
under Deacon Hurd, about the year 1835. The present 
officers of the church are : Pastor, Rev. Arthur Jones ; Dea- 
cons, T. J. Eddy and J. Husted ; Trustees, Dr. C. Boughton, 
Jr., R. D. Palmateer ; Clerk, B. F. Flandreau. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The general view of Methodist work in this county, given 
in the chapter upon the town of Malta, shows that the 
appointment of IMethodist ministers to Waterford does not 
appear under that name until 1830 ; but it was a point of 
Methodist work thirty years earlier than that. A chapel 
was erected soon after 1800, for they gave up the use of it 
and sold it to the Episcopalians in 1810. 

In later years the church has had a vigorous and pros- 
perous existence. The congi'egation is large, and they have 
a spacious and convenient house of worship, and the church 
work is well sustained. 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

This is underetood to be a flourishing congregation under 
the charge of the Catholic pastors of Cohoes. They have 
a couvenient church, located upon a fine site. 

VIII.— BURIAL-GROUNDS. 

The principal burying-ground in old times was on land 
donated by the Vandewerker family. This was super- 
seded by the new cemetery. As in other towns, there are 
some private burial-places. The Decker and Clute families 
are buried on the present Sanders farm ; the families of 
Vandekar and Frye on the present Anderson place. 

In the old village burial-place there are some graves with 
the common rough stones, showing them to be very old, 
but there are only a few dates earlier than 1800. 

IX.— SOCIETIE.S, BANKS, AND THE PRESS. 

Thirty years ago, 1848, a band of brother Masons, 
having applied for and obtained a dispensation from the 
Grand Master of the State of New York, proceeded to or- 
ganize a lodge of Master Masons in this village. Of that 
number, seven were members of Phoenix Lodge, No. 58, 
Lansingburg, and two were brethren from Old Orange 
Lodge, No. 43, which was in existence long before the 
great anti-Masonic excitement of nearly half a century ago. 
James M. Austin was the first Master of the newly organized 
lodge, under dispensation. His great ability and untiring 
zeal for the welfore of the new lodge singularly (jualified 
him for the position, which he held during four consecutive 
years. Brother Austin is the present Grand Higli Priest 
of the United States, and Grand Secretary of the State of 
New York. The other officers on the foundation were 
Brothers John Hinde, S. W. ; John Fulton, J. W. ; 
F. W. Allen, Sec. ; John Higgins, Treas. ; Joseph II. 
Cudworth, S. D. ; John Milliken, J. D. ; Samuel Lands- 
borough, S. M. C. ; Joseph M. King, J. M. C. ; John Roe, 
Tyler. The charter members, besides the officers above 
mentioned, were G. C. Schoonmaker, William H. Scott, 



and Oliver L. Shepard, U. S. A. The following, among 
others, are Past Masters of the lodge : R. L. Schoonmaker, 
Edward Lansing, John Fulton, John Higgins, D. M. Van 
Hovenburg, Russell Porter, Thomas Breslin, Samuel A. 
Northrup. 

Waterford Lodge of Good Templars, No. 231, was in- 
stituted and its officers installed by Deputy P. J. McCord, 
April 2, 1 867. The officers were George T. p]nos, W. C. 
T. ; Mrs. J. Carey, W. R. H. S. ; Mrs. H. McDowell, W. L. 
H. S.; Miss Kate Carey, W. V. T. ; Dr. P. T. Heartt (2d), 
P. W. C. T. ; George C. Gage, W. R. S. ; Miss Libbie 
McDowell, W. A. R. S. ; John Proper, W. Treas. ; T. E. 
Quackcnbush, W. F. S. ; D. M. Van Hovenburg, W. C. ; 
Thomas Kelly, W. M. ; Miss Eliza Holroyd, W. D. M. ; 
Miss Clara G. Hou-se, W. I. G. ; Dr. C. Boughton, W. 0. 
G. The latter was also appointed lodge deputy. Other 
charter members were J. C. House, George H. Stewart, 
Levi Dodge, Erastus L. Clark, J. C. Ormsby, Thos. Kelly, 
Mi's. J. Carey, F. A. Heartt, Sarah Scott. Those acting 
as W. C. T. through the eleven years have been Major B. 
Winchell, thirteen terms ; Samuel Johnson, eight ; Levi 
Dodge, five ; George T. Enos, four ; John C. House, two ; 
Peter Quackenbush, two ; Dr. C. Boughton, two ; George 
L. Clickner, two ; Louis Plamp, two ; Dr. P. T. Heartt 
(2d), two; and the following one term each: George C. 
Gage, A. Hepburn, A. Wager, T. D. Davis, and G. B. 
Lawrence. 

The lodge has always been in a vigorous condition, though 
its membership has iu some years numbered considerably 
less than in others. The lodge meets in a neatly-furnished 
hall, is out of debt, and has $800 in the treasury. 

The following are the officers : Major B. Winchell, W. 
C. T. ; Mrs. F. A. Lawrence, W. R. H. S. ; Miss Ida 
Slocum, W. L. H. S. ; Mrs. John S. Kelso, W. V. T. ; Ed- 
win Porter, W. S. ; John S. Kelso, W. F. S. ; Mrs. P. T. 
Heartt (2d), W. T. ; Joel W. Smith, W. C. ; Wm. Hum- 
phrey, Jr., W. M. ; Miss Edna Kelso, W. D. M. ; Mrs. 
C. Shepard, W. I. G. ; Louis Plamp, W. 0. G. ; Predie 
Winchell, W. A. S. ; Dr. C. Boughton, W. P. C. T. ; John 
C. House, L. Deputy. 

Maple Valley Lodge, No. 427, /. 0. 0. F., was insti- 
tuted May ly, 1875. The following were the charter 
members ; Dr. P. T. Heartt, William Porter, Samuel Lee, 
Isaac Whitwell, Major B. Winchell, Henry Griffith, F. A. 
Lawrence, Robert Tunnard, Peter Vosburgh. The first 
officers were Samuel Lee, N. G. ; Isaac Whitwell, V. G. ; 
F. A. Lawrence, Sec. ; Henry Griffith, Treas. ; R. Tun- 
nard, Warden ; P. Vosburgh, Con. ; H. B. Winchell, O. 
G. ; Dr. P. T. Heartt, P. G. ; John Hopper, R. S. N. G. ; 
N. Peters, L. S. N. G. ; William G. German, I. G. Isaac 
Whitwell was the second Noble Grand ; the third, John 
Hopper; fourth, Newtown Peters; fifth. Major B. Winch- 
ell ; and the present incumbent of the chair is Charles P. 
Bachelor. The lodge meets in Knickerbocker hall, and 
is in excellent condition. It is out of debt, and has money 
in the treasury. 

SARATOGA COUNTY B.\NK. 

The act incorporating this institution was passed May 
29, 1830. The capital stock was fixed at $100,000, or 




THOMAS C. MORGAN. 



Thomas C. Morgan was born at Chatham, Columbia 
county, N. Y., August 19, 1809. His father, William 
Morgan, came there from Hartford, Conn., and was always 
respected as a man of intelligence and integrity ; but his 
financial means were small and his children numerous, so 
that their education was limited. Thomas was brought up 
as a practical manufacturer of leather, and when he was 
seventeen years of age he went to Hudson, N. Y., with 
Mr. Annibal, where he gained a more thorough knowledge 
of the business. From thence he went to Troy and entered 
the employ of John Gary, where he remained several years, 
and by strict economy had soon accumulated sufficient to 
embark for himself All of his employers and associates had 
great confidence in him and always kindly remembered him. 

About 1832 he removed to Waterford, in this county, 
where he established himself as a manufacturer, and became 
very successful in his business. 

April 17, 1838, he married Frances AUida Van Den- 
burgh, a daughter of Gysebert Van Denburgh, of that 
place, a very estimable lady, who yet survives him. 

At an early age young Morgan became interested in 
military affairs, and after his arrival at Waterford he soon 
became an officer of the local militia ; and by his intelligence 
and adaptation to lead he was soon promoted to the office of 
colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, 
which position he held with credit to the service until 1840. 

He was often called upon to serve in various town and 
village offices, and the duties were discharged to the satis- 
faction of his neighbors. In the fall election of 1846, before 
this county was divided into assembly districts, he was elected 
to the Assembly upon a ticket associated with Joseph Daniels, 
of Greenfield. Although not a public speaker, he discharged 
his duties in the Legislature of 1847 with credit to himself 
and to the satisfaction of his constituents, and his official 
integrity was never questioned. In poUtics he adhered to 
the Whig party until it ceased, when he became an active 
and earnest Republican. 



He was genial and outspoken, and always despised hypoc- 
risy in every form. He was very confiding, and adhered 
to his old friends in preference to forming new ones. He 
left no children to survive him, but his many friends yet 
remember him, and will be glad to see him properly re- 
membered and honored. He died at Waterford, March 5, 
1871. 

As he left no children, and as his wile is a descendant of 
two of the oldest families in this county, it seems proper 
that they should be remembered in this connection. 

WiNANT Van Denbukoh was brought up at Half Moon, 
about two miles north of Waterford. Early in the last 
century, when a boy about four years old, the Indians made 
an attack upon the house of his parents, when the child was 
hid in the smoke-house and charged to remain quiet until 
morning at the risk of his life. The little fellow is sup- 
posed to have remained quiet, for he was found the next 
morning in safety. 

After arriving at manhood, and before the Revolutionary 
war, he removed to Schaghticoke, opposite Stillwater village 
(then in the Saratoga district), where he owned about one 
thousand acres of land, and maintained a ferry across the 
river. After the surrender of Burgoyne's army they marched 
south from Schuylerville, and crossed at this ferry on their 
way to Boston as prisoners of war. 

Gysebert Van Denburgu, one of the sons of Winant, 
was born on this farm, April 8, 1770, and married Sarah, 
daughter of Hendrick Van Schoonhoven, who then resided 
about two miles above Waterford. Mr. Van Schoonhoven 
was born there, April 7, 1727, and his grandfather, Guert 
Van Schoonhoven, was one of the first settlers of this county, 
as will be seen elsewhere. 

Gysebert Van Denburgh had many children besides Mrs. 
Morgan, and among their descendants are Mrs. John Shel- 
don, of Schuylerville, and Henry C. Van Denburgh, the 
present supervisor of the town of Waterford, and chairman 
of the board of supervisors of this county. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



333 



four thousand shares of $25 each. The commissioners to 
receive subscriptions and call the first meeting for the 
election of directors were John Knickerbocker, James 
Thompson, John Cramer, Miles Beach, and John W. Kirt- 
land. The first board of directors chosen were John 
Knickerbocker, John Cramer, John Vibbard, Eli M. 
Todd, Moses Scott, Samuel Thompson, Matthew Bailey, 
Samuel Cook, and Miles Beach. 

At the first meeting of the board, held July 14, 1830, 
John Knickerbocker was chosen president; Jonathan H. 
Douglas, cashier ; and John Cramer, attorney. John Vib- 
bard, Eli M. Todd, and John House were appointed a 
committee to inquire respecting a building to accommodate 
the company. The president, cashier, and attorney were 
appointed a. committee to procure books and stationery, and 
also to draft by-laws. 

In December, 185G, the capital was increased $50,000. 
In May, 1865, it was reorganized as a National bank; but 
in 1871 became again a State bank, with its old name, 
Saratoga County Bank, which it still retains. 

The following is a list of presidents and vice-presidents 
from the organization to the present time : 

Presidents. — John Knickerbocker, June, 1830; died 
Oct. 1862. John Oramer, June 9, 1863 ; died June 2, 
1870. Hugh White, June 14, 1870; died Oct. 7, 1870. 
Wm. Scott, Jan. 10, 1871 ; resigned Sept. 14, 1876. C. 
Boughton, Sept. 14, 1876. 

Vice-Presidents. — John Oramer, June, 1830. John 
Stewart, June 9, 1863 ; died Feb. 2, 1864. Hugh White, 
June 14, 1864. Wm. Scott, June 14, 1870. C. Boughton, 
Jan. 10, 1871. D. T. Lamb, Sept. 14, 1876. 

The present board of directors, besides the oflicers given 
above, are Hugh Connaughty, John Lawrence, J. B. Enos, 
John W. Thompson, C. A. Waldron, W. M. Eddy, J. C. 
Ormsby, Garnsey Kennedy, Stephen Emigli, David Brews- 
ter. The present cashier is D. M. Van Hovenburg ; teller. 
Perry Emigh. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

The whole town may be mentioned as a historic spot, 
but in attempting to descend to particulars, this feature of 
our town histories becomes more difficult and perhaps less 
important in proportion as we depart from the towns of 
Saratoga and Stillwater, where were located the battles and 
strategic points of the great campaign of 1777. 

The following quotation from old records at Albany 
points to a place here of military importance long before 
1700 : 

" In 1689 it was resolved by the authorities at Albany to 
remove the fort about the house and barn of Harmon 
Lievese at Half-Moon to a more convenient place," from 
which it is inferred that quite a settlement existed there. 
The site of this fort is not certainly known at the present 
time. The family name mentioned might imply that it was 
up the Hudson river a mile or two. Indeed, it may have 
guarded the very ancient ferry up there. 

Van Schaiek's island is noted as the place to which Gen- 
eral Schuyler had withdrawn the American army in retir- 
ing before the advance of Burgoyno, and tiie point at which 
General Gates took conmiaud, and led the army back to 



Stillwater and to Bemus Heights. The islands at the 
mouth of the Jlohawk were really three, — Green island. 
Van Schaiek's, and Peebles'. Besides, the term Havre was 
applied to a portion of the latter, Havre island, — meaning 
the " island of oats." Schuyler's army was encamped on 
both Van Schaiek's and Peebles' islands, and intrenchments 
are still plainly visible on the latter, as seen from Water- 
ford. 

The old fort of 1689 is said to have stood on the bank 
of the Hudson, just above the junction and a little below 
the present Unicm bridge. 

It may be difficult to reconcile this statement with a pre- 
ceding one. 

XI.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The town has only a small territory, but it is nearly all 
excellent land, and there are quite a number of very valu- 
able farms. In comparison, however, with the milling and 
manufacturing operations, the agricultural interests are not 
large. 

MANUFACTURING WORKS. 

The Button Fire-Engine Works were established in 
1834, by the firm of William Piatt & Co., of which L. 
Button was a member. The works were then erected on 
the King canal, now the place of the Gage machine-works. 
They were moved to their present place, foot of Third 
street, about 1850, the proprietors preferring to use steam- 
power instead of the irregular and unreliable water-power. 
Their line of work consists of steam and hand fire-engines, 
hose-carriages, hook-and-ladder trucks, and fire apparatus 
generally. 

They employ about fifty men when running at their 
usual rate. The present firm is L. Button k Son. 

The Rock Island Fhuring-MlUs, J. B. Enos & Co., 
were established in 1847. The first buildings were burned 
in 1862 or 1863. The present buildings were erected 
immediately after. They are run by water-power from the 
King canal. They contain eight run of stone, and manu- 
facture a superior quality of flour, by what is known as the 
new process of grinding. The mill does no custom-work. 
It has the capacity for making about two hundred and 
twenty-five barrels a day of the flour described above. 
They could make about four hundred barrels the old way. 
The number of men employed is about twenty. The firm 
own two canal-boats, shipping their own product by them 
direct to New York. They also own a large elevator and 
store-house on the Champlain canal, in the village. 

Stock and Die Manufactory. — In 1847, James Holroyd 
commenced this business, and it is still continued under the 
firm-name of Holroyd & Co., James Holroyd being still a 
member. From forty to fifty men are employed in ordi- 
nary times. They manufacture dies for blacksmiths' and 
machinists' use, and also for gas- or steam-fitting. The 
business may be estimated at $60,000 to $70,000 a year of 
finished work, yet the market rates, the general demand, 
and other circumstances, render this statement only an 
approximate one. The water-power is from the King canal. 
The first buildings were taken down in 1864, and the 
present ones erected on the same site, greatly enlarged and 
improved. 

The Straw-Board Manufactory is now owned by the 



334 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Saratoga County Bank of Wateiford, and is carried on by 
Edwards & Younglove, Jr. They employ twelve men. 
The place was bougiit by Levi Dudge about 186-i, and 
changed into its present use. Previous to that Henry 
Lape had owned the property, and it was then a feed-mill. 
The present building was erected in 1874, the older one 
having been destroyed by fire. It was probably the oldest 
building on the hydraulic canal, and had once been a button- 
manufactory, and then a barley-mill. 

The Gage Machine- Works were founded in 1835 by 
George Gage. They are still owned and run by him now, 
after the lapse of forty years. The buildings are the same 
and on the same site. The business is the making of 
machinists' tools, paper-mill machinery, knitting-mill ma- 
chinery, as well as machinery in general. Have usually 
employed from twenty-five to thirty men. 

Mohawk and Iliuhoii Paper-Mill. — This was established 
in 1872 by a company bearing the same name as the mill, 
but soon after the mill became the sole property of Frank 
Gilbert, one of the company, and has been operated by him 
to the present time. Printing-paper only is made, from 
rags, wood, and straw. The business has not been affected 
to any great extent by the hard times, but the mills have 
continued to turn out about three tons of paper a day. 
Forty hands are employed, and the paper is sold in Troy, 
Albany, and New York. The power is from the King 
canal. This mill stands upon the site of an older one 
erected many years ago, and had been occupied by various 
enterprises, — a foundry, an axe-factory, a shoddy-mill (so 
called), and a knitting-mill ; near it was a chair-factory. 

The Brooks Manufactory of Nuts commenced in one of 
the tenements of the Gage machine- works, about 18;!5. It 
was afterwards moved to the present place of Holroyd, 
then to Cohoes, and finally, about six years ago, to the 
present place, next south of the paper-mill. The establish- 
ment is run at the present time by a son of Mr. Urook.s, 
the original proprietor. 

The Pilot Knitting- Mill ^as established in 1875 by Van 
Schoonhoven k Co., and is still operated by them. They 
make all forms of knit goods, and generally employ eighty 
to ninety hands. The mill next north of the Pilot is owned 
by parties in Cohoes. It w£ts built four or five years ago, 
and is now closed. The power for the Pilot mill is derived 
direct from the Mohawk above the State dam ; the others 
from a dam just below. 

The Franklin Ink- Works are an old aifair in Wateiford, 
having been commenced in 1831-35. The present pro- 
prietors are G. W. and W. M. Eddy. The manufacture of 
ink was abandoned many years ago, and the sole business 
now is making lampblack. 

The Waterford Saioing-Mills, for the sawing of mahog- 
any and fancy woods, veneers, and looking-glass backs, were 
established in Cohoes in 1835, but the business was removed 
to Waterford in 1872. The power is derived from the 
overflow of the feeder to the Champlain canal. The build- 
ings were enlarged and improved. Previously, an ordinary 
saw-mill had been on the site for many years. 

The Globe Iron- Works are located at the foot of Third 
street, and were established by Robert Pinkerton, in 1873. 
Soon after, M. C. Jones was associated with him, and the 



firm became Pinkerton & Jones. They manufactured all 
kinds of steam-boilers, bleachers' tanks, and sheet-iron 
work, and usually employed ten hands. The buildings 
were formerly a part of the property of the Button Fire- 
Engine company. 

Waterford Soap- and Candle-Factory is an old affair. 
The business was commenced about 1830, by Joshua and 
Elisha Morse. Afterwards the firm became Morse & Blake, 
and in later years Wm. H. Morse, the present owner, became 
the sole proprietor. The great fire in 1841 began in the 
barn on these premises. 

The buildings were re-erected in 18G0, and again im- 
proved in 1873, and the fixtures are unusually extensive 
and complete ; have made some of the time ten thousand 
boxes of soap and candles in the year. It is the largest 
establishment of the kind north of Albany. 

Tlie 3Ia.^sasoit Knitting- Mills were built in 1872, on the 
foundation of the old Shatemuck flouring-mills. The firm 
remains the same, E. G. Munson manager. They manu- 
facture all kinds of ladies' and gentlemen's knit-wear, run 
six sets of machinery, and produce five hundred dozen a 
week, employing about one hundred hands. Power is 
furnished by the Mohawk river, above the State dam. 

The Stock, Dye, and Tool Works, known by the firm- 
name of J. M. King & Co., was founded in 1829 by 
Daniel B. King, and is a very extensive and complete 
establishment. Daniel King was a brother of Fuller King, 
the projector of the hydraulic canal. 

The business of the Mohaiok and Hudson Manufacturing 
Company was founded by C. W. Eddy in 1847, and he con- 
tinued the proprietor until 1875, when the present owners 
came into possession. The company are iron and brass 
founders and machinists. They are the owners of patents 
and manufacturers of straight-way valves and fire-hydrants, 
also the Dodge hay-press. They employ from thirty to 
fifty men, and have a very extensive and complete estab- 
lishment. The company two years ago also became the 
owner of the stove-patterns and works of G. W. Eddy, and 
manufacture the full line of work formerly made by him. 

The Brush-making business in Waterford was begun in 
1864 by E. Van Kleeck, in a building erected for the pur- 
pose, next to the saw-mill of the veneering manufactory, 
and furnished with power from the Champlain canal. A 
large variety of brushes is made, and the amount sometimes 
reaches six thousand dozen a year. Twenty hands are 
employed. The business was moved to Waterford from 
Lansingburg, where it had been carried on by the father 
of Mr. Van Kleeck for twenty-five years or more. 

The mills of the Hudson Valley Knitting Company are 
situated upon the Champlain canal farther north than the 
other manufacturing establishments. The building was 
formerly the flouring-mill of T. M. Vail & Sons. It 
was converted into a knitting-mill in 1870 or '71, having 
been unused for some time previous. It was then called 
the Alaska mill, and was carried on by Holroyd, Safely & 
Dowd. Within the last year it passed into the hands of 
the present company, and is now being run well up to its 
full capacity, employing about one hundred hands, and 
turning out work at the rate of twenty-five thousand dozen 
a year, fine hosiery, shirts, and drawers. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



335 



The codper business was a prominent feature of Water- 
forJ from, perhaps, 1825 down to a very recent period. 
Large numbers of barrels were made. Among tlie prin- 
cipal makers were Driscoll, Sheridan, Brewster, and Preston. 
The business has declined, but there are still two shops 
doing (|uite an extensive business, — one by Mr. Sheridan, 
the other by Mr. Frederickson. Mr. Preston is also en- 
gaged in the business on a smaller scale. 

George Gage is one of the oldest manufixcturers along the 
line of the hj'draulic canal, and still engaged in business. 
He came from New Hampshire in 1829, arriving, as he 
quaintly states in reply to interviewers, "June 15, at four 
o'clock in the afternoon, and went up to look at the hy- 
draulic canal about an hour later." The canal had been 
made the year before, extending then only down to what is 
now the dye-works of the King Company. John Fuller 
King designed and constructed the canal. He was from 
Coleraine, Mass., was an active business man, and an inven- 
tor, with Mr. Livingston, of imjiroved canal-locks. He 
died about 18.^5, and the canal has been called from him 
" the King Canal." Mr. Gage furnishes the following 
items in relation to the various enterprises. At the lower 
end of the canal as first built was a cotton-factory, the 
place of the present King dye-works. Colonel Olney had 
a machine-shop on the site of the present straw- board 
manufactory. There was also a furnace, by George Kilby 
and Vandewerkcr, where the paper-mill now stands. Next 
was a twine-factory, built about 1830, where Brooks' nut- 
factory stands at the present time. Next, about 1831, the 
ink-factory was established. That year the canal was ex- 
tended to its present length, and a saw-mill erected at the 
lower end, below what is now the Enos mills. The first 
flouring-mill on the site of Enos was built about 1835. 
The buildings of the Gage machine-works were erected by 
Baker, Van Schoonhoven, Kimball, and Sherwood, about 
1833, after the fire that burned Olney 's .shops. They were 
used a short time for the machine-works of Olney, also of 
Conkling & Humphrey, who previous to the fire had been 
carrying on business next to Olney. Mr. Gage commenced 
bu.siness in 1834, and has continued it till the present time, 
forty-four years. The Brooks nut-manufactory was com- 
menced in one of the tenements of the Gage buildings 
about 1835, then removed to where Holroyd's works are 
now located, then to Cohoes, and about six years ago back 
to its present place. The works are now owned by a son 
of Mr. Brooks. The King dye business, originally begun 
in Olney's shops, was continued after the fire in the Gage 
buildings, and then removed to its present place. Holroyd 
also commenced his business in the Gage buildings. The 
Button fire-engine works were also in the Gage buildings 
for fifteen or twenty years. 

Mr. Gage understands that the earliest flouring mill, 
eighty to one hundred years ago, was at the present water- 
j)ower owned by Himes. It was the Home mill, and the 
flour of their make was widely known through New Hamp- 
shire and the eastern States fifty to sixty years ago. Next 
was the mill at the mouth of the upp(U' sprout of the Mo- 
hawk. The dam was about opposite First street, and was 
not very high. Its value was destroyed at the opening of 
tlie canals, the State dam at Troy raising the water too 



much at this point. The State compensated the parlies in 
interest by giving them an equal amount of power fium the 
overflow of the Champlaiu canal. 

The Shawtemack mills were built about 1834, on the 
site of the present Munson knitting-mill. They were 
built by Hugh White, and became widely known. 

The various water- powers may be stated as follows : First, 
direct from the Mohawk by the State dam, running the 
Munson mills. Second, the Himes power, furnished by a 
separate dam. Third, the King canal. This is supplied 
by means of a dam from the mainland to a small rocky 
island, sometimes called Steamboat island ; then another 
from that to Peebles' island. Fourth, the jiower from the 
Champlain canal. This is valuable, as the canal is elevated, 
and boats descend to the level of the Hudson by three suc- 
cessive locks. Near the point where the j)ower is taken 
from the canal was an early saw-mill, run by a small creek. 

In Waterford village Elias Dummer is still in business 
as a tinner, in which he has now been engaged fifty years 
or more. 

Xir.— MILITARY. 
WAR OF 1812. 

Only a few names have been obtained of those who 
served in the last war with England, as follows : Tunis 
Waldron, Benjamin Goewy, William Van Every, Rubens 
Ryms, James Wilson, Daniel Guire, John R. Maxiber, 
George Finan, Philip Argosing, George Musgrave, Rusk 
Norway, Perth Mudhuling, William Carpen.sy, George 
Nichols, John Ives; also, Collins, Cline, and Keith. Nelson 
was the recruiting officer, and his rendezvous was in the 
school-house, where Morehouse's lumber-yard is now. He 
was a brother of Col. George Nelson, and was shot at 
Black Rock, across the Niagara river, below Buffalo. 

In preparing the following list of those who went from 
the town of Waterford into the Union army of 1861-G5, 
effort has been made to secure all the names, with an ac- 
curate record of each. But where the town authorities 
fiiiled to write up a record as directed by the State in 18G5, 
accuracy can hardly be expected twelve years afterwards. 
The list has been advertised and left for several weeks at 
the post-ofliee for corrections and additions. 

WAR OF 1S61-65. 
A^luluwii .\rthiir. 
Joliii R. Brittou, eul. Jan. 10, 18G4, 77tU Eegt., Co. C; trail.?, to Vet. n.it., 7"tli 

Kof-'t- 
Ira Bininglianl, elil. Jan, ir,, lS(i4, VMi Art., Co, F, 
Nelson Batt, eril, July 26, 1801, Slid Rcgt,, Co. A; disch. Jnne 19, ISO:!, with 

regiment, 
Coui-tlandt BacUman, enl. March 1, 18G2, 22ii Begt,, Co, A ; disch, June 19, 180:), 
Jamea H. Brott, enl. May 2, IStil, 22d Kegt., Co, A; 1st lieut, ; resigned. 
Benjamin Bace, enl. Sept, IHfil, 44th Regt,; killed at Fairfa.x Conrt-IIouse. 
Charles Uace, enl. May 2, 1801, 22d Regt., Co. A ; prisoner ISnll Run ; e.\-drum- 

mer; rliscbarged ; re-enlisted in tlic Navy; served lull time in liotli, U.i-d 

of consumption two years after the war, 
Joseph Black, killed, 
Sylvester Black, dieil in hospital, 

Martin Cody, eul. May 2, IStJl, 22d Regt., Co. A; disch, 
William Curtis, enl. May 2, 1801, 22d Regt., Co, A; pro, sergt,; disch. Juin^ 10, 

ISO:!, 
John W. Clute, enl, July 29, l.SCl, 22il Regt., Co, A ; disch, 
Hiram Clute, eul. May -2, ISf.l, 22d Regt, Co, A ; 2d lieut., pro, Ut lieut,; 

wounded at Bull Run, and died from effects of the wouml, 
Patrick Conw.iy, killed iti uctioTi, 

IJenry Dummer, eul, Aug, 5, 180-2, 11,5th Regt,, Co, 11, 
John Dugnn, enl, Aug, 11, ISCJ, lUitli Kegt., Co. 11. 
Aljram Devitt, enl. May 2, l.soi, 22d R"gt., Co. A; disch. June 19, 180i. 



336 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



A. L. Estabrook, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Kegt., Co. A ; Ist seigt.; pro. 2.1 licut. ; 

1st limit.; captain ; discb. Jan. lit, 181)3. 
J. H. Francisco, enl. May 2, 1801, 22d Kegt., Co. A; pro. Corp. ; dlsch. June 19, 

1863. 
James Frazier, enl. May 2, 18G1 ; wonnded at Antietani ; discb. for wounds. 
James H. Gcttings, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, llStb Kcgt., Co. H. 
Thomas II. Glavin, 8tb Infantry, Regular Army. 
John Halpin, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, ll.ith Eegt., Co. H. 
Lawrence Iliggins, enl. Aug. 12, 1862,115tb Reg., Co. FT. 
James I. House, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 115th Rogt., Co. H. 
Baker Housinger, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 11.5tU Regt., Co. H. 

Patrick Hnssey, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Begt., Co. A; wounded at Bull KuD ; dis- 
charged for disability. 
Henry W. Hare, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; discb. June 19, 1863. 
Joseph Harriman, enl. Nay 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; lust an arm at Bull Run ; 

. discb. for wounds in April, 1863. 
Samuel Johnson, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; captured at Bull Run ; e.\- 

cbanged ; pro. sergeant; discb. June 19, 1863. 
Cliarles N. Kilby, enl. May 2, 1801, 22d Regt., Co. A ; discb. for disability. 
Daniel Lavery, enl. May 2, 1801, 22d Regt., Co. A ; discb. with regiment June 

19, 1863. 
Edward Lavery, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; discb. June 19, 1863. 
Oscar E. Little, eid. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; disch. for disability. 
Patrick Morcissey, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A; discb. June 19, 1863. 
Patrick McCall, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. -^ ; pro. to Corp., sergt.. 2d 
liout.; discb. June 19, 1863; re-enl. March 29, 1805; ap. capt. 192d Begt., 
Co. K.; discb. Sept. 28, 1865. 
John Murray, enl. July 26, 1861; wounded, and died from effects at Soulli 

Mnunrain. / 

John JI.Martratt, enl. March 29, 1862, Co. B, 93d Regt.; re-enl. March 29, 

1804; discb. June 29, 1805. 
Matthew H. Martratt, enl. Aug. 2.5, 1862, lG9tb Eegt., Co. C ; pro. to Corp. ; 
sergt., on field; lost liis right arm at Cold Harbor; disch. July 27, 1805. 
Patrick McCartey, enl. Nov. 11, 1858, in the U. S. Marine Corps; disch. Feb. 23, 
1803; re-enl. Jan. 13, 1864, Co. G, lOtb N. T. H. Art.; w.randed Oct. 7, 
1804; discb. Aug. 2S, 1805. 
Charles e; Martratt, enl. Feb. 1, 1864; was drummer of Capt. John D. Sher- 
ward's Co. P, 9.id Regt., N. T. S. Vols. ; was wounded at Petersburg ; was 
discb. on the 29th day of June, 1865, by reason of G. 0. 158, II. tjrs. A. of 
P., June 22, 1865. 
Charles Ogden, enl. Jan. 20, 1864, 13th Art., Co. E. 
Benjamin O. Connor, enl. 3d Inf , Regular Army ; served five years. 
George II. Parknian, enl. Jan. 8, 1804, 13th Art., Co. E. 
James W. Parks, enl. Jan. 14, 1864, 13tb Art., Co. F. 

George W. Porter, enl. March 1, 1802, 22d Regt., Co. A; discb. June 19, 1803. 
Edwin Porter, enl. March 1, 1862, 22d Kegt., Co. K ; disch. for disability. 
J. G. Porter, enl. March I, 1862, 22d Regt., Co. A ; killed at South Mountiiin, 

Sept. 14, 1803. 
Samuel H. Peters, enl. 1801 ; was wounded at Spottsylvania C.-H., May 12,1864; 
was killed at South Side R. R., 1864; was color sergt. Co. C, 93d Regt., 
N. Y. S. Vols. 
Newton Peters, enl. 1861 ; re-enl. 1864 ; was drummer Co. C, 93d N. Y. S Vols. . 

Wiis disch. June 29, 1865. 
George L. Rogei-s; term of service, three years. 

Oliver Sliaw, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77 tb Regt., Co. G ; lost in action May 10, 1804. 
Ezra T. Stone, enl. Aug. 4, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. C. 

Harrison k. Stone, enl. March 1, 1802, 22d Regt., Co. A ; disch. June 19, 1803. 
Maitin Slatterly, enl. March 1, 1862, 22d Begt., Co. A ; discb. .Inne 19, 1S03. 
Ralph A. Savage, enl. March 1, 1862, 22d Regt., Co. A ; wounded at Bull Run ; 

discb. for wounds. 
John W. Schofield, 22d Cav. ; pro. to hosp. steward. 
Cliarles A. Schofield, enl. 

John Singleton, shot through the left lung, and still lived. 
Cliarles W. Sbephenl, enl. Dec. 16, 1803, Co. II, 4th Regt., II. Art.; captured <.n 

the Weldon R. R., Aug. 25 ; died at Salisluiry prison, Jan. 25, 1864. 
Henry Simpson, eul. Sept. 8, 1801, 6th Regt., N. Y. V. Cav., Co. D; disch. July 
24,1862; re-enl. Jan. 5, 1861, in the 3d Regt., N. Y. Art., Co. B; disch. 
July 13, 1865. 
Duane Shepherd, enl. Aug. 26, 1802, llStli Regt., Co. H ; disch. July 21, 1.803. 
John Tenliroeck, enl. .Sept. 1861, 44tli Regt.; pro. to 1st lieut.; once supposed 
to be killed by concussion of air; was placed in the pit for burial, but 
revived in time to escape being covered. 
John H. Van Order, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 115tb Regt., Co. H. 
James Van Ord. r, enl. Jan. 12, 1861, 13th Art., Co. F. 

Barna Vandekar, enl. May 2, 1801, 22d Regt., Co. A ; discll. June 19, 1803. 
Joseph C. Vandewerker, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A; discb. June 19, 

1863. 
Schuyler Vandekar, enl. May 2, 1801, 22.1 Eegt., Co. A ; disch. for disability. 
William Van Antwerp, enl. May 2, 1801, 22d Kegt., Co. A ; wounded, and discb. 

at Antielam. 
T. B. Vandekar, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; sergeant; died in bospifcil. 
John H. Vandewerker, enl. Dec. 14, 1801, 22d Regt., Co. A ; died in hospital. 
Jesse White, enl. Oct. 12, 1861, 77tb Regt., Co, F ; 1st lieut ; discb. for disabilily, 

Feb. 1863. 
Martin Welsh, enl. Jan. 19, 1864, 13th Art,, Co. E. 
Joseph Wright, enl. Jan. 18, 1864, 13th Art., Co. E. 
E.hvard White, enl. May 2. 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; Jiscli. June 19, 1803. 



Giles B. Wood, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; wounded at Antiotara ; discb. 

June 19,1803. 
Lewis Wells, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; discli. June 19, lS6i ; re-enl. 

Feb. 1.S04; disch. Aug. 10, 1860. 
Daniel G. Waldron, enl. Jlay 2, 1801, 22d Regt., Co. A; discharged. 
William Welch, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A. 
Ita M. Wilson, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Kegt., Co. A; pro. to sergt.; disch. June 

19, 1803. 
Lemand Wager, enl. May 2, 1861, 22d Regt., Co. A ; disch. for disability. 
John Wright, enl. May 2, 1S61, 22d Regt., Co. A; killed at S..uth Mountain, 

Sept. 14, 1802. 
Edward Welch, enl. March, 1805, 192d Regt., Co. C; disch. Sept. 1865. 
Lewis B. Wells, enl. June 16, 1803, 13th Cav., N. Y. S. Vols.; killed March 3, 

1804, near Vienna Station, Va. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



REV. STEPHEN BUSH. 

The Rev. Stephen Bash was a native of the town of 
Nassau, Heiisselaer Co., N. Y. His parentage was of true 
New England stock. His grandfather, Major Abijah Bu.sh, 
was active in the Revolutionary struggle. One of the three 
campaigns in which he served was that which made the 
famous retreat before Burgoyne up the St. Lawrence and 
south by Lake Champlain, which terminated at the battles 
of Bemus' Heights, in this county, in the surrender of Bur- 
goyne and his entire army. 

The subject of this sketch laid the foundation of his 
education in the common schools, where, at the age of 
thirteen, he became proficient in arithmetic, and by listening 
to the instruction in algebra given to a young man he ac- 
quired some knowledge of that science. 

The loss of a faithful Christian mother now threatened 
to change the entire course of his life. She had devoted 
him to study, but at the age of fourteen, while a member 
of the Troy Practical School under Prof C. H. Anthony, 
lie was induced to leave the school to commence the tr;ide 
of coach-making with his uncle, James Gould, of Albany. 
Here he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, 
spending all his leisure hours in study or in works of Chris- 
tian labor, for he was active in most of the benevolent en- 
terprises of the city. He was among the founders of the 
Young Men's Association, of Albany, whose library aflForded 
him an opportunity to make advances in English literature. 
A member of the Second Presbyterian church, he was 
engaged in the work of Sabbath-school instruction, and for 
some years attended as teacher four sessions each Sabbath : 
two at the Mission House, Spring street ; one in the after- 
noon at the Almshouse ; and in the evening one at the 
Sabbath-school for colored people. 

Having finished his trade and earned a few hundred 
dollars, he went to Massachusetts and completed his studies 
preparatory to college. His plan was to enter Union Col- 
lege at the beginning of junior year and take the previous 
studies at the academy. But, by the advice of the prin- 
cipal, the Rev. Mr. Hall, he spent freshman and sophomore 
year at Williams College. At the close of this year, having 
gone through all his examinations with a good record, and 
with a commendatory letter of dismission from Dr. Hop- 
kins, he entered Union College, where he was graduated in 
1845, the semi-centennial year of the college. He next 
went to Princeton Theological Seminary, where he took the 



\ 





^/.C^/^ 





^(^Jy/rxt i?L c:^^?^ 




HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



337 



complete course of three years, and in 1848 was ordained 
to the ministry by the presbytery of Albany, in the same 
church of which he was a member, the Rev. Dr. Spraguo's. 
Having been appointed some months before as a mission- 
ary of the Presbyterian Board to the kingdom of Siam, he 
was married in June to Miss R. Arabella Fassett, the 
daughter of Amos Fassett, an honored elder of the First 
Presbyterian church of Albany. Not long after they sailed 
from Boston for their eastern home. 

The next day after sailing they bid adieu to the light- 
houses of Cape Cud and their native land, and never saw 
land again until they ueared Sumatra, and sailed between 
it and Java through the straits of Sunda to make the 
harbor of Batavia. Here they spent four weeks studying 
the Malay language and becoming acquainted with tjie 
capital of Netherlands India. Afterwards a voyage of a 
thousand miles among the islands of the Indian archipelago 
brought them to Singapore, an English seaport on the 
British highway to China, where they spent six weeks, 
also in the study of Malay. An opportunity now offered 
to go directly to Bangkok in one of the ships belonging to 
the king of Siam, and another thousand miles of ocean 
travel was safely accomplished, and they found themselves 
sailing up broad Meinam to the city of Bangkok. 

On the evening of their arrival an incident occurred of 
special interest. The reputation of Mr. Bush in science 
and philosophy had preceded him, and Siam's future king, 
Chow Fa Yai, hearing of his arrival, came with his royal 
retinue to make the acquaintance of Mr. Bush, and talk 
philosophy with the new missionary. Thus began a friend- 
ship which lasted while Mr. Bush remained in Siam, and 
bore fruit after the prince became king. 

Chow Fa was him.self the first scholar in his kingdom, 
and always ready to acquire knowledge. Some years after, 
when death had called Mrs. Bush to a higher sphere, and 
disease was warning him to leave his chesen home for a 
time, he wrote the king a letter expressing his desire to 
leave for a season. The king sent a royal barge to convey 
him to the palace, and, after giving him a pleasant au- 
dience of two hours, presented him with many tokens of 
his friendship, not the least of which was a substantial bag 
of silver coin " to aid in travel when he should reach 
home." 

In 1853, Mr. Bush arrived in New York somewhat im- 
proved by the voyage, and found again a pleasant home 
with his eldest brotlier, Waltei' R. Bush, of Albany. 

While here in quest of health, he was induced to min- 
ister to the Presbyterian church at Cohoes for a number of 
Sabbaths, and this resulted in another change in his life- 
work. 

He was invited to make a home for a time in the family 
of Mr. Joshua Bailey, and nearly two years after received 
the adopted and only daughter of Mr. Bailey as his wife. 
He now remained in charge of this church for about seven 
years, when he resigned his pastorate to travel abroad. The 
commencement of the war delayed, this for a time, and in 
the interval he served the churches in the vicinity, and 
with his father-in-law built their pleasant home in Watcr- 
foril, where they moved in 1805. 

Mr. Bush and his wife afterwards vi.'<ited Europe, and, 
43 



returning in 18G7, ho f )r six years had charge of the Pres- 
byterian church on Green island, where his brother is 
interested in the extensive car-works of Gilbert, Bush & 
Co. Since the death of his father-in-law, Mr. Jo.shua 
Bailey, the cares incident to the management of his estate 
have devolved upon Mr. Bush, preventing his taking an- 
other charge ; but he serves the church as opportunity 
offers, preaching frequently, and enjoying society in com- 
pany with his amiable wife. 

Mr. Bush has enjoyed rare facilities of travel, both at 
home and abroad, made many pleasant acquaintances in 
different parts of the world, and bids fair to enjoy the 
evening of life in his beautiful home surrounded by all the 
blessings which wealth, friends, and a happy family can 
bestow. 



JOSHUA BAILEY. 

Joshua Bailey was not an ordinary man. Naturally en- 
dowed with strong characteristics and capabilities of a high 
order, he had the qualities to make him a leader of others 
in most things that engaged his attention. He might in a 
true sense be called a radical man, for he did not think in 
the ordinary channels of other men. He was a man of 
strong originality. 

Born in East Hampton, Conn., in the year 1800, his 
fether three years after sought a new home for his family in 
Meredith, Delaware Co., N. Y., when Joshua, the youngest 
son, early began the work of life by forming, manifesting 
even at this early age an ability to manufacture by adding 
two or three small enterprises to his farming operations. 

His oldest brother, Timothy, likewise was possessed of 
strong mechanical abilities and tastes, so that when it was 
propo.sed to him, in 1832, to make a machine or loom to 
knit by power, he succeeded in doing so. When his first 
knitting-machine was so far completed that it would knit 
by a crank, he invited Joshua to join him, and they, to- 
gether, in a room in Albany, N. Y., finished one frame, 
which was the humble foundation of a branch of Ameri- 
can industry that at this time occupies so conspicuous a 
place among truly American enterprises. 

When the success of this first frame was assured, Joshua 
returned to Delaware county, sold his farm and shops, and 
with five thousand dollars, the avails of his accumulations 
there, joined his brother and Mr. Egberts, a merchant of 
Albany, who had proposed the work to Timothy Bailey, in a 
firm to manufacture knit goods. A company had been 
formed to utilize the water-power of Cohoes Falls, of whom 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, the last patroon, was a prominent 
member. He had heard of the invention in Albany, and 
often called in to talk with the Messrs. Bailey, and watch 
the progress of the machine ; and when completed he pro- 
posed that they go to Cohoes for the necessary power, which 
they did. And here, side by side, in that town of manu- 
factures, began two important inventions in American 
machinery, viz., the engine-lathe by Wilkinson, and the 
knitting-machine by Bailey. 

Occupying at first only a part of a building then com- 
pleted, the company multiplied knitting-machines and en- 
larged their business, until it was regarded as prominent 
auioti<r the varied manufactories of Cohoes. 



338 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Timothy Bailey afterwards retired from the firm with 
about twenty thousand dollars, while Mr. Egberts and 
Joshua Bailey continued together, and, as they found, had 
but just begun to reap the reward of their persevering labor. 
For a few years prosperity followed them at every step, and 
they were enabled to build another, and then a third mill 
of larger capauity, for the same object. Finally, about 
1850, each having acquired more than a competency, the 
firm was dissolved, and its interests divided. 

Mr. Bailey, taking one of the mills, ran it for a year or 
two alone with great success. He then organized a company, 
to whom he sold one-half the intere.st, that he might be par- 
tially relieved from care. He was now able to live in all 
the comfort which a successful business career warranted. 
In 1854 he was induced to take the presidency of another 
company for knitting purposes, and personally superintended 
the building of what was described as the largest knitting- 
mill in the world, bjing three hundred and five feet long, 
seventy-five feet wide, part of it sis stories high, and run- 
ning thirteen sets of machinery. Mr. Bailey was the author 
of various improvements at almost every step of the now 
business, and contributed largely by his energy and perse- 
verance in making the enterprise successful. 

Among tlie improvements due to him there are perhaps 
none more important than that of heating buildings by 
steam ; for there is no question that he was the first to in- 
troduce the system as a practical utility in this country. 
Somewhere about the year 1845, feeling the need of 
some better system of heating the factory than the stoves 
then in use, he conceived the idea of using steam in pipes. 
But the question arose how far steam could be carried 
through pipes before condensing. This question he found 
no one to answer, after seeking in vain in New York and 
Philadelphia. He then sought parties in Boston who dealt 
in pipe, and whom he finally induced to furnish pipe to 
him if he would experiment. The drawings for the pipes 
were made by him, sent to Boston, pipes received, a boiler 
put up, and all completed. It proved an entire success, and 
those pipes did good service for over twenty years. The 
system was copied by the Boston firm, until the heating of 
buildings by steam with pipes became common. 

In 1857 the new system of water-works for the supply of 
the growing town was commenced, and Mr. Bailey was active 
as one of the chartered commissioners in its construction. 

In 1863 he was called to mourn the loss of his lovely 
and accomplished wife, as he had a few years before mourned 
that of an only and promising son. And now his family con- 
sisted of himself, his adopted daughter, and her husband. 
His wife had been one of Connecticut's fairest daughters, 
born and reared in the pleasant old town of Glastenbury, 
near Hartford. 

His residence in Cohoes having become almost sur- 
rounded by mills, he longed for a pleasanter home with 
more extensive grounds elsewhfire, and the location for this 
was found in this county, in the town of Waterford, on 
what was known as a part of the old Van Schoonhoven 
estate. He purchased about twenty acres, a place of charm- 
ing natural beauty, and erected a residence worthy of him- 
self, and where he might spend his remaining years in 
leisure and comfort. 



He was religiously educated and a Christian man from 
his youth. He was a member of the Presbyterian church 
in Cohoes, as were also his wife, son, and daughter, whose 
husband was its pastor for a number of years. Mr. Bailey 
was one of the original members of this church, and cher- 
ished its growth and development with a warm heart, and 
as he increased in wealth often made it the recipient of his 
generous bounty. When he removed to Waterford in 1865, 
he identified himself with the same branch of the Christian 
church there, of which he was a regular attendant, and an 
active and liberal supporter. He was made president of its 
board of trustees as a mark of respect for his character and 
generosity. 

Mr. Bailey was modest, unassuming, and even retiring. 
He loved the society of the young, and was never happier 
than when his pleasant home was filled with company, or 
when in his carriage surrounded by children. He spent 
ten pleasant years in his Waterford home, and on January 
21, 1875, was called to join his beloved wife and son, 
leaving the bulk of his earthly estate to those who had 
been children to him for many years, and to whom he had 
been a kind and loving father. 



HON. HUGH WHITE. 

The Hon. Hugh White was a native of White.stown, 
Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was born on the 25th day of 
December, 1798. He was a son of Judge Hugh White, 
and a brother to Canva,?s White. 

His early education was completed at Hamilton College, 
where he was graduated in the year 1823. He subse- 
quently entered upon the study of the law in the office of 
Col. Charles G. Haines, of New York city, but being a 
man of great energy and enterprise, he soon tired of the 
dull lucubrations of Blackstone and Coke on Littleton, and 
turned his attention to business pursuits, engaging in agri- 
culture, manufacturing, and contracting on public works. 

In 1825 he located in Chittenango, Madison Co., N. Y. 
In 1830 he removed to Waterford, Saratoga Co., near 
the village of Cohoes, from which time he was identified 
with the business interests and subsequent growth of that 
place. Together with his brother. Canvass White, he 
planned the extensive works of the Cohoes company, and 
had charge of the same for many years. He also, in con- 
nection with other prominent men in New York and Al- 
bany, began the establishment of the works of the Harmony 
company. In each of these enterprises, as well as in many 
others in which he was engaged during his long and useful 
life, he manifested superior executive ability, and a deter- 
mination of character which aimed to, and did, successfully 
accomplish whatever he undertook. 

On April 10, 1828, Mr. White was united in marriage 
to Maria Mills Mansfield, of Kent, Conn. This lady is a 
daughter of William P.Mansfield and Sarah (Mills) Mans- 
field, and was born on the 5th day of February, in the year 
1808. Mrs. White is still living at the date of this writing, 
May, 1878, a lady of rare culture and attainments, and of 
many lovable qualities of heart and soul. The result of 
this union was seven children, of whom two, a sou and 




JliCq/l 



J 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



339 



daughter, still survive, — the Hoii. Wm. M. White, of Liv- 
ingston Co., N. Y., and Mrs. Wm. W. Niles, of Fordham, 
Westchester Co., N. Y. 

The Hon. Hugh White was a man of wide reputation. 
In the field of polities he obtained honorable distinction. 
He was elected a member of the House of Representatives 
of the United States in 1844, by his constituents of this 
district, then consisting of Saratoga, Schenectady, Fulton, 
and Hamilton counties, and was subsequently re-elected 
twice, finishing his official career in 1851. He arose to a 
prominent place in the House. Being a man of few words, 
but of great influence and power, he was especially useful 
in the performance of committee work, where bis rare ex- 
ecutive skill, excellent discriminating powers, and sound 
judgment made him a valuable counselor. He also occu- 
pied a high social position in Washington. He was ac- 
companied by his wife and his daughter, Florilla, whose 
perfect beauty, grace, and refinement attracted universal 
admiration, both at the presidential levees and in the ele- 
gant rooms of her father, where she and her mother re- 
ceived the foremost gentlemen and ladies of the day. To 
the extreme grief of a large circle of friends, Miss White 
was early removed from earth. 

At the time of his election to Congress be was a member 
of the Whig party, but he subsequently afiiliated with the 
Republican party, whose principles he ever adhered to and 
supported with all the firmness of character and tenacity of 
purpose for which he was peculiar. He was a steady oppo- 
nent of the institution of slavery, believing in the equality 
of all human beings, and in a broad construction of our 
national constitution in that particular. He was earnest in 
support of all war measures, and contributed freely, by 
money and personal influence, towards the suppression of the 
Rebellion. 

In his .business and church affiliations Hugh White 
evinced the same breadth of character and general useful- 
ness that he manifested in his political career. At the time 
of his death, which occurred on Oct. 6, 1870, at the age 
of seventy-two, he was a trustee of the Presbyterian church 
at Waterford, where he went up for many years to worship 
God, and toward the erection of which he contributed with 
open-handed liberality. He lived a life of earnest, consist- 
ent " walking before God." He was also, at the time of bis 
death, president of the Saratoga County National Bank, of 
Waterford, to which position he was elected in June, 1870, 
succeeding John Cramer. On the ijth of June, 1860, he 
was elected a director of this bank, and on June 14, 1864, 
was chosen vice-president. Resolutions expressive of his 
liigh character and many excellent qualities, as well as of 
sincere grief at his departure, and condolence with his fam- 
ily, were adopted by the board of directors on the day suc- 
ceeding his death. 

Hugh White was a large-hearted man, having a lively 
sympathy for the troubles and cares of others, and exhibit- 
ing that sympathy in practical contributions in the hour of 
need. There was nothing small in bis character, in his 
feelings, in his deeds. Magnanimity was a ruling trait in 
his soul. He had a righteous hatred for all that was wrong, 
contemptible, and mean. He could suffer long and be kind, 
forgive and forget injuries to himself. He was a polished 



gentleman, of stately bearing and graceful manners ; a man 
excellent in judgment, true in his words, wise in forethought, 
and of good business sagacity; an accomplished man, whom 
politics never soiled, who frowned on all dishonesty and 
fraud, and who belonged to a class of men in the national 
Congress upon which the nation looks back to-day with 
utmost respect and pride. 



CANVASS WHITE. 

This gentleman was born at Whitestown, N. Y., on the 
8th day of September, in the year 1790. He was a son of 
Judge Hugh White, of that place, from whose family the 
town derived its name. During the War of 1812, Canvass 





White served as a soldier on the frontier for one campaign. 
He held the position of lieutenant in a volunteer corps, and 
was present at the sortie of Fort Erie. 

As a practical as well as scientific engineer he had few 
equals, his sound judgment and strong native common 
sense peculiarly fitting him for that profession. He was 
one of the first and ablest engineers on the Erie canal, and 
while engaged on this, resided principally at Troy, N. Y. 
He subsequently resided in Reading and Bethlehem, in the 
State of Pennsylvania, and at the historic town of Prince- 
ton, Mercer Co., N. J. During this period he was engaged 
on the Union, Lehigh, and Delaware and Raritan canals. 

In the year 1832, in company with his brother Hugh, 
he went to Cohoes, N. Y., and assisted in planning and 
erecting the well-known Cohoes works. His health at this 
time began to fail him. To repair his wasting vitality he 
visited the State of Florida, but his eflx)rts proved futile to 
arrest the encroachments of disease, and he died at Ansus- 



340 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



tura, iu that State, on Dec. 18, 1834, at the age of forty- 
four years. 

Canvass White was married in the year 1820, to Louisa 
Looniis, of Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y. Several children 
were the fruits of this union, of whom one only is now living, 
Charles L., who resides iu the picturesque town of Mauch 
Chunk, Carbon Co., Pa. 

The portrait of Canvass AVhite may be seen above. Those 
who are accustomed to study the human face as an index to 
character will observe iu his countenance the marks of an 
untiring energy, indomitable will, and strong executive abil- 
ity. To will, with Canvass White, was to do, while his 
natural courtesy and gentlemanly bearing enabled him to 
combine in graceful proportions the suaviter in modo with 
the /o7-tlter in re. He load an honest, upright, conscientious, 
and Christian life, and dying while yet in the maturity of 
his manhood, left behind him a memory green with the 
recollections of a life well spent, of duty well done, of op- 
portunities well improved, and in the hope of a richer life 
beyond. 



JOHN CRAMER 
was born at Old Saratoga, May 14, 1779. His father, 
Conrad Cramer, was of German descent, and settled upon 
a farm, about three miles southwest of Schuylerville, before 
the Revolution. Notwithstanding the surrender of Bur- 
goyne in October, 1777, the Tories and Indians from time 
to time continued to make raids. In May, 1779, such a 
raid was made into the neighborhood where Conrad Cramer 
resided with his wife and four small children. On the 
14th of May they hastily packed their wagon with what 
comforts one team could carry, and started on their flight 
southerly. They reached the river-road and proceeded as 
far south as the farm now owned by Lohnas, about five 
miles south of Schuylerville, when night overtook them. 
At that place there was a small house used as a tavern, 
but, as it was already full, the Cramer family were obliged 
to remain in their wagon, and on that same evening the 
mother gave birth to John Cramer. The next morning 
the family continued the flight to what is now known as 
the Fitzgerald neighborhood, about three miles south of 
Mecbanicville, where they obtained a small house, in which 
they remained until it was considered .safe to return to 
their home in the wilderness. 

Young Cramer received a liberal education, and chose 
the profession of the law. About 1800 he opened a law- 
oiEce in Waterford, and he continued to reside in that 
village during the remainder of his long life. Waterford 
was then the head of navigation upon the Hudson river, 
and no canals or railroads then extended into the interior. 
Farmers were in the habit of bringing their grain and 
produce from a great distance to Waterford, and in return 
carted goods from its stores. It was then the most im- 
portant commercial place in this State north of Albany, 
and some of the leading men from New England and the 
lower counties of New York settled there about the be- 
ginning of this century. Among those may be named Ira 
Seott, John Stewart, John House, and Eli M. Todd. 
John Cramer at once entered upon a lucrative practice, 



and within twenty years had accumulated $100,000, which 
was an immense fortune for that period. At an early age 
he became an active politician, and in 1804 was elected a 
presidential elector, and voted for the re-election of Thomas 
Jeflferson. He was elected a member of the State Assembly 
in 1806, again in 1811, and, finally, in 1841. In 1821 
he was a delegate to the State Convention for forming a new 
Constitution, and took a leading part in that body, which 
consisted of such men as Martin Van Buren, Governor 
Tompkins, and Samuel Young. Although then a man of 
large wealth and conservative in his opinions, to the sur- 
prise of his associates he made a speech in favor of 
abolishing the property qualification of voters, and prob- 
ably did more than any other member towards carrying that 
measure. As he took his seat on that occasion Van Buren 
said to him, " Is that not a little too Democratic?' 

In 1823 he was elected to the State Senate from the Fourth 
district, which extended to the St. Lawrence river. Joseph 
C. Yates was then governor, and hesitated about appointing 
some person for judge who was recommended by Cramer 
and opposed by Halsey Rogers. Cramer thereupon stated 
to the governor that Rogers said that he dare not make the 
appointment. The governor replied, -'Does Halsey Rogers 
say that ? I will show him who is governor of the State of 
New York," and at once sent in the nomination, which 
Cramer induced the Senate speedily to confirm. 

In 1824, Cramer brought forward his friend Colonel 
Samuel Young, of Saratoga County, for governor, and pro- 
cured his nomination upon the Jackson ticket, while De 
Witt Clinton was the candidate upon the Adams ticket. 
As the State was carried by J. Q. Adams for President, 
Colonel Young failed of an election. 

John W. Taylor was a member of Congress from this 
district from 1812 to 1832, and was Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, after Mr. Clay went into the cabinet. 
His great popularity and twenty years' service in Congress 
made him an almost invincible candidate. In 1832, John 
Cramer was pitted against him, and, after the hardest-fought 
political contest which the State had then witnessed, was 
elected member of the House from this district, and was 
re-elected in 1834. He served in the House with James K. 
Polk and other distinguished men, during the last term of 
Jackson's administration. 

Although Mr. Cramer seldom took part in public debate, 
yet he exercised as much influence as any member, and he 
rarely failed to carry a point which he advocated. So well 
was this conceded by his colleagues that, after his term bad 
expired, Mr. Polk sent for him to come to Washington at 
the organization of a subsequent House, to aid him in his 
canvass for the speakership. Polk was successful,, and 
always remained grateful to Mr. Cramer. 

The Whig party having carried the State in 1838, and 
also this Congress district, the Democratic party in 1840 put 
forward their strong men, and made a determined eflort to 
redeem the State. To this end Cramer was nominated for 
Congress, Judge Linn, of Schenectady, being his opponent. 
After a hard-fought contest the latter was successful by a 
small majority. 

Although then upwards of sixty years of age, his ambition 
would not allow him to retire under defeat, and the next 



\ 




ii -■ 




wHo^a^^^^ 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



341 



year, 1841, he accepted a nomination for the Assembly upon 
the same ticicet with Halsey Rogers, and both were elected. 
During the succeeding ses.sion of 1842, he carried through 
the election law, which has remaiued substantially in force 
ever since. 

When Mr. Polk was elected President, in 1844, a bitter 
contest arose as to the member of the cabinet to be .selected 
from this State. Mr. Cramer sustained Governor Wni. L. 
Marcy, while Silas Wright, then elected governor, advocated 
a man representing the " soft" or anti-slavery wing of the 
party. Cramer proceeded to Washington. His superior 
skill in political diplomacy triumphed, and Governor Marcy 
was appointed Secretary of War. 

Mr. Cramer never would accept the office of judge or any 
other minor appointment; his independent nature made him 
a natural leader, and he would never hold an office or act 
in what he considered an inferior station. 

John Cramer was a natural leader, and exercised a power- 
ful influence upon the politics of the State for more than 
fifty years, and for a longer period than any other one man. 
He was indomitable in his energy, and would overlook no 
point to secure success. He would stand by his friends in 
all extremities, but would go equally far to overthrow his 
opponents. He did probably more than any other man in 
early times to advance the fortunes of Mr. Van Buren ; but 
previous to 1844 they differed, when he used all of his 
effi.)rts to defeat his nomination that year. So with Colonel 
Young, of this county. He prevented his nomination in 
1824, and in 1843 he defeated his election by the Legisla- 
ture for Secretai-y of State. For more than fifty years he dic- 
tated nearly every nomination made by the Democrats in 
this county, and was conceded to be the Warwick of Sara- 
toga. 

Although he always adhered to the Democratic party, 
yet when the rebels fired upon Fort Sumter his patriotism 
at once arrayed him on the side of the Union, and he 
headed a subscription in the town of Waterford with the 
sum of $1000 to aid in raising volunteers for the war. 
When the company from that town was organized under 
Captain Yates, and marched for the camp at North Troy, 
John Cramer, on foot, marched at the head of the column, 
although then upwards of eighty-two years old. 

He died at his residence in Waterford June 1, 1870, 
aged ninety-one years and sixteen days. He left four sons 
and two daughters surviving him, and the children of 
Eliphalet, his oldest son, who died at Milwaukee before the 
death of his father. Mary, his oldest daughter, was the 
wife of the Honorable Edward Curtis, who was four years a 
member of Congress from New York city before 1841. 
Mr. Curtis was collector of New York under General Har- 
rison, and was continued under President Tyler as long as 
his friend Daniel Webster remaiued Secretary of State. Mrs. 
Curtis was drowned on the ill-fated steamer" Ville du Havre" 
a few years since. Harriet, the youngest daughter of Mr. 
Cramer, is the wife of John K. Porter, formerly judge of the 
court of appeals. George H. Cramer, of Troy, president of 
the Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad company, is the oldest 
surviving son of John Cramer. William E., another son, 
is the editor and proprietor of the Wisconsin, a daily paper 
published at Milwaukee. John C, the youngest son now 



living, remains in the old homestead at Waterford. The 
fifth son, Charles, one of the best linguists in the country, 
died about three years since. 

John Cramer accumulated a large fortune, which he left 
to his children ; but during his life performed many acts of 
charity among the poor. P].specially among the sick and suf- 
fering he was always sympathetic and generous, and many 
have reason to bless his memory. 



SAMUEL CHEEVER. 



Among the prominent men who, in the earlier part of 
their lives, became widely known while living outside the 
boundary of Saratoga County, yet later in life became 
permanent residents of the county for many years and at 
length died, there was Judge Cheever, late of Waterford.* 
Samuel Cheever was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
Cheever, and was born at North Brookfield, Mass., Nov. 
22, 1787. His father was a farmer, and was thoroughly 
imbued with the then prevailing tradition that a son should 
yield duty and service to his father until majority ; and 
young Cheever was kept at farm-work until he had attained 
the age of twenty-one years, and in the mean time he at- 
tended a district school during the winter months, and pur- 
sued his studies under self-tutelage at such odd times as he 
could while at work. Having a natural bent for the acqui- 
sition of knowledge, together with an excellent memory, he 
became well read in standard literature and proficient in 
Latin and Greek. 

After attaining his majority, he left home and commenced 
the study of law, attending the lectures of Judge Gould, 
and at the same time maintained himself by teaching Latin 
and Greek to young men, and among his pupils were num- 
bered several persons who have become men of celebrity in 
the nation. 

In 1808 he left Massachusetts, and removed to Salem, 
Washington county, in this State, where he continued his 
legal study. Soon after he came to Troy and established 
himself at the corner of Congress and First streets, he com- 
menced the practice of his profession. He was successful, 
and had the reputation of a reliable, studious, and conscien- 
tious lawyer. 

In 1818 he married Mrs. Julia Jones, the wife of a former 
prominent and wealthy merchant of Troy. While at Troy 
he was elected to and ably filled the office of district attorney 
for Rensselaer county. 

At the termination of his term of office he removed to Al- 
bany and there practiced law, residing during a portion of the 
time in the large and ancient mansion (built in the seven- 
teenth century, and still standing). He retired from profes- 
sional practice from Albany to his farm at Bemus Heights, 
Saratoga County, where he remained but a short time, when 
he removed to Waterford, at which place he remained until 
his death. Judge Cheever was always a member of the 
Democratic party, an associate and friend of Wright and 
Marcy, an active and influential politician. 

Judge Cheever, during his later years, was a contributor 

* Prepared by William H. Shirlanil. of Troy. 



342 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



to a number of New York papers and periodicals, and aside 
from this employment, he occupied himself with the care 
of the Mclntyre estate, for which he was agent, and which 
was owned in part by his daughter, Mrs. James Mclntyre, 
and her children. 

On religious matters, Judge Cheever was of very liberal 
opinions, and had devoted much study to the subject on the 
east side of the river, opposite Albany. At Albany he 
was elected county judge, or " First Judge" as it was called, 
and some of his excellent legal opinions, delivered at that 
time, will long survive him. Judge Cheever was one of the 
commissioners of the Boston and Albany railroad, and to 
him, more perhaps than to any other person, that road owes 
its existence. He was a practical surveyor, and assisted in 
the purchase of the land used by, and the laying out of 
the line. He was also, to a great extent, instrumental in 
the organization and equipment of the Albany and Sus- 
quehanna railroad. 

Among other public positions filled by Judge Cheever 
was the presidency of the State Agricultural Society, of 
which society he was always a friend. He was one of the 
commissioners appointed to lay out the city of Brooklyn. 
He also served as State canal commissioner, and was director 
of numerous private corporations. He usually attended the 
Presbyterian church, of which society his family were mem- 
bers. He reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, 
and his mental force and vigor were entirely unimpaired. 
His final brief sickness was the result of a cold, and he 
died at his home in Waterford, Sept. 25, 1874. 



ISAAC C. ORMSBY. 

Isaac C. Ormsby, son of Ira Ormsby, was born in the 
town of Greenfield, this county, April 24, 1820. He was 
educated at the district school of his native town, Judge 
Bockes having been his last instructor. For several winters 
he himself " taught the young idea how to shoot," but sub- 
sequently (in 1845) entered the oflBce of Ellis & Bullard, 
at Waterford, fully determined to follow the law. James 
B. McKean (afterwards judge) was pursuing his studies in 
the same ofifice at the time. He made rapid progress, being 
admitted to the common pleas bar in 1846, and to that of 
the Supreme Court in June following. He was elected dis- 
trict attorney in 1862, and again in 1865. In 1871 he was 
again called upon to discharge the duties of the same ofiSce, 



and was re-elected in 1874. His twelve years' incumbency 
of the oiEce of district attorney proved him to be " a fearless 
and honest public officer and a faithful public prosecutor." 
Since his admission to the bar, Mr. Ormsby has gained and 
maintained a successful law practice at Waterford, his homo. 
He is of medium stature, and possessed of a vital tempera- 
ment and intuitive mind-qualities, eminently fitting him for 
his profession, and for the important ofiice he has filled so 
long;. 



CHESSELDEN ELLIS. 

Chesselden Ellis, who has frequently been mentioned in 
these pages, was born in the State of Vermont, at New 
Windsor, in the year 1808. He was graduated from Union 
College in 1823, studied law with the Hon. John Cramer, 
of Waterford, and was admitted to the bar in 1829. He 
soon attained to a remunerative practice, but preferred to 
be known as a counsellor rather than as an advocate. Upon 
the resignation of Nicholas Hill, Jr., in 1837, he was ap- 
pointed district attorney. He held this ofiice until Sept. 
11, 1843, then resigning to take his seat in Congress. 
General E. F. Bullard, his law-partner, used his influence 
succes.sfnlly in securing for Mr. Ellis the Democratic nomi- 
nation for Congress in 1842. He was elected. In 1844 
he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by the 
Whig candidate, Hon. Hugh White. In 1845 he removed 
to New York city, and resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession as senior of the firm of Ellis, Burrill & Davison, 
which he continued uninterruptedly until his death, which 
occurred in 1854. 

His personnel is thus described : " He was five feet nine 
inches in height, of syilendid phi/siqiie, weighing about one 
hundred and eighty pounds. To a sound body was united 
a mind strongly imbued with fine literary tastes." He was 
naturally diSident, but a vigorous debater when aroused. 
He was a great admirer of Calhoun, and when in Congress 
was on intimate terms with the great " Nullifier." His 
personal influence with President Tyler was also great ; 
sufiiciently so, at least, as to place at his disposal the vacant 
seat on the Supreme Court bench, rendered vacant by the 
death of Judge Thompson. He designated Judge Cowen, 
who declined ; Chancellor Walworth was then appointed, 
but rejected by the Senate ; and Judge Nelson was subse- 
quently appointed by President Polk. 



HALF-MOON. 



I.— GEOGRAPIIICAI. POSITION. 

This town stiJl borders both the Hudson and the Mo- 
hawk, notwithstanding the numerous chansies in its boun- 
daries ; but the town of Waterford was cut from the 
extreme point, leaving to this town a tract of somewhat 
irregular shape, with no common central point. Its town- 
meetings are held and its public business transacted either 
at one extreme or another, — Mechanicville, Middletown, 
Crescent, and Clifton Park all claiming at times the honor 
of being the capital. 

Half-Moon is bounded north by Malta and Stillwater, 
east by the county line, south by Waterford and the county 
line, west by Clifton Park. 

It is mostly upon the Van Schaick patent, and contains 
17,517 acres of improved land, 326-1 unimproved land, 
and of this last amount 2113 is woodland. 

The population in 1875 was 3176. Besides the geo- 
graphical boundaries, we add the following legal description 
and definition of the boundary lines taken from the revised 
statutes of the State : 

" The town of HtiJf-Miinn shall contain all that part of said county 
bounded northerly by Anthony's Kill, easterly b^' the east bounds of 
the county, southerly by Waterford and the south bounds of the 
county, and westerly by a lino beginning at the outlet of Round 
lake; then running south to the east side of William Gates' grist- 
mill; then southerly through the centre of the mill-pond across the 
bridge over said ])ond ; then southerly to the west side of Joseph 
Merrill's dwelling-house ; then south to the Van Schaick line ; then 
along said line to the Mohawk river, varying the same at the dwell- 
ing-house of Ephraim Stevens so as to leave the same on the west 
side of the line." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The surface of the town is undulating and broken by the 
narrow ravines of .small streams. There are portions of 
interval land along the river, half a mile wide at some 
points. The clay bluffs beyond these vary from sixty to 
one hundred feet ia height. The small streams emptying into 
the Hudson are Anthony's Kill and Dwaas' Kill. Steena 
Kill empties into the Mohawk. The soil is a clayey and 
gravelly loam upland, and a fine quality of alluvial in the 
intervals. Some portions are sandy, but nearly all the 
town is of fair productiveness. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Just how early the first settlers entered upon the present 
territory of Half-Moon is a matter very largely of tradi- 
tion ; as already mentioned in regard to the name, it is 
certain that the junction of the Mohawk and the Hudson 
was a place known by white men soon ailer Fort Orange 
was established at Albany, and even earlier. From an- 
cient Albany records, it appears that there were a few hardy 
pioneers on the banks of the Mohawk as early as 1 680. 



There is indeed one venerable relic of early settlement, 
known as the " old stone house," or the Dunsback place, 
about two miles above the village of Crescent. The walls of 
this house are very thick, nearly two feet, built of field stone 
without mortar, and in it are beams twenty-two inches deep. 
The old chamber floor was laid with splendid pine plank 
two feet wide. The roof boards were beveled together, and 
of such excellent quality that when the shingles were off 
rain could not penetrate. It was built by Killian Van Den 
Burg in 1718. The house bears upon it the date 1718, 
and the initials N. V. B. 

Henry J. Dunsback states that he put on a new roof in 
1855, and in his opinion that was the first time it had been 
reshingled, — showing the first roof to have lasted one hun- 
dred and thirty-seven years. The place was bought by the 
grandfather of Henry J. Dunsback in 1813, of the Has- 
wells, and the latter purchased it of the Vandenburgs, de- 
scendants of the original settler ; the initials on the building 
meaning Nicholas Vandenburg. A few rods from this 
building was, very evidently, an Indian burial-ground, pre- 
served for many years, but now plowed over by late pro- 
prietors ; also an Indian orchard, venerable old trees set 
irregularly. Not far oiF, too, is a singular high rock, in the 
vicinity of which the early settlers are said to have hidden 
their valuables from the Indians. 

The Loudon ferry crossed the Mohawk about a mile and 
a quarter below Crescent, just within the limits of Water- 
ford. From this point the Loudon road passed northward to 
Ballston and Saratoga Springs, and then through Wilton, — 
the Loudon INIethodist church in that town being probably 
named from its position on or near that old road. In con- 
nection too with the " old stone house" described above, 
there was an ancient ferry, — so ancient as to have acquired 
rights by long usage, and not subject to license. Since 
1813 this has been known as the Dunsback ferry. 

On the river-road, along the Hudson, some very early 
locations were no doubt made. The present Powers place 
was owned by Mr. Peebles, probably in the time of the 
Revolution. 

Some old people speak of Van Schaick in connection 
with the same farm. The earliest place in Mechanicville, 
south of the creek, was probably a public-house on the site 
of the present Burnap's tavern. It was kept in very early 
times by one Gates. About a mile below was another 
public-house, kept by Mills, but there was a still earlier 
proprietor, in 1788, Henry Bailey. In Mills' time there 
was an original genius by the name of Bloodgood living in 
Mechanicville, of whom many quaint stories are told. 
Calling on Mills and finding him lathered for a shave, he 
induced Mills to allow him to do the shaving. Seating his 
victim, he took off one side nicely, then drawing the edge 

343 



344 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



of tho razor across the andiron, lie left the man half shaved, 
and the only razor in the vicinity disabled. Mr. JMills' 
house was so ancient looking a bniUlinL^ tiiat it was jestingly 
called Noah's ark, and Mr. Hart, the present owner of the 
farm, insists yet that the garden of Eden must have been 
there, and says he can show an apple-tree old enough to 
prove it. Two miles farther down was the Titzgerald 
place. 

Ten Rroeek was also an early settler on the river-road. 
At Middletown or Half-Moon village, Wm. Clark was 
about the first settler. He was the great-grandfather of 
Blrs. Traverse, now living there. Dr. German was probably 
there too, as early as the Revolutionary war. His old place 
was the present residence of Dr. Bottum. Dr. Sabin fol- 
lowed Dr. German at this point and Dr. Shaw. 

There was n tavern at Middletown, established by Shubael 
Cross, before the Revolution. The barns now attached to 
the Sheldon hou.se we"e built in ISOO, by Mr. Woodin. 
An <ild house in Middletown was the Payne homestead, 
where Hollister noiv lives. This was taken down in 1832, 
by Luther Gates. 

Devoe was a very early name in connection with pioneer 
settlement. His place was at Crescent, just above the 
canal aqueduct. 

Crescent village grev/ up almost wholly under the capital 
expended there by Alfred Noxon, now of Ballstcni. His 
enterprise set everything in motion. Before his undertaking, 
in 1840 to '44, there was little besides a canal, grocery, and 
one or t^^o dwellings. He established a foundry, paint- 
works, a block of stores, and a hotel, employing at times 
from seventy to one hundred men. Grain wa.'- shipped from 
this point, teams in a liiie half a mile long having been seen 
waiting for a chance to unh)ad. Large quantities of mould- 
ing sand are shipped from this point at tlie present time. 
The lower grist-mill at Crescent is on the site of an old saw- 
mill, but neither go back of 1800 in history. On tho 
Steena Kill was, however, a saw-mill in 17(52. The name of 
Scoutcn is mentioned in connection with it. Just below 
Crescent is the mouth of Bouton creek, where the Indians 
coming down the Mohawk trail were accustomed to cross 
to go up the Hudson river ; carrying their canoes overland, 
or leaving them to be used on their return. 

Benjamin Ro.sekrans was an early pioneer ; he lived 
where his great-grand.son, Samuel Rosekrans, now resides. 
His wife lived to be very old, and her descendants relate 
many incidents told by- her of the fearful times of border 
warfare. On one occasion during an Indian attack she 
managed to hide herself and children on a haystack, around 
which the Indians lay down to sleep after their labors in 
sacking the buildings. 

Timothy Wooden, too, is a name of the early times. 
Ho settled about two miles north of Crescent in 17C8. 
A grandson is still living near Hound lake. 

Thomas Flagler, who was an assessor for twenty years or 
more in the town of Half-Moon, now resides on the place 
formerly owned by his father-in-law, Peter Davis. Davis 
bought it jirobably about 17SS-S9. He had a large farm, 
bought at ditl'erent times of Jacob and Cornelius Teat bout, 
also of Lawreuce and McConnery, showing that these men 
were also early settlers, perhaps before 17lK). 



Mr. Flagler supposes Richard Davis, the supervisor in 
1702, to have been a nephew of Peter Davis. Thomas 
Flagler was born in what is now Clifton Park ; his father, 
Richard Flagler, having moved there from Dutchess county 
about 1708. 

Peter Ferguson was an early settler at Half-Moon, no 
doubt in 1780 to 1785. He lived on the present place of 
the Anthony brothers. 

Jacob Miller was here about the same time. Indeed, 
quite a colony was in the same neighborhood very early, 
composed, among others, of John Vincent, Jerry Vincent 
(brothers), and Miller and Rosekrans, whose wives wore 
sisters of the Vincents. In this same neighborhood Dr. 
Carey was an early physician, coming there soon after the 
Revolution. He lived on the present Wandcll place. 

Another early resident on the river was John Flinn. 
He kept a tavern as early as 1753. Jacob Wilsey must 
have been a pioneer before the Revolution on the present 
Husted place. 

A grist-mill was built by Bradshaw on the Dwas Kill at 
the close of the Revolutionary war. This has since been 
known as the Steiuburg mill, now owned by Hart. Before 
this settlers probably went to mill at Vi.scher's ferry. 

In very early times Mechanieville was called the Bur- 
rmo, — perhaps, as old people say, from some fomilies that 
were not over-particular as to the title of their mutton, and 
burrowed out of sight occasionally along the river-bank, — 
or better, from the old English word " borough." 

Meeluinieville, on the Half-Moon side of the creek, is 
principally a place of modern times. It is said by citizens 
familiar with its history that as late as 1835 there were 
scarcely more than five buildings here, and these were the 
Episcopal church, the tavern at Burnap's, a house occupied 
by Dr. Tibbets, one near the site of the present Methodist 
pjrsonagc occupied by Serviss, and a house about opposite 
the tavern ; to these should be added probably a canal- 
grocery, and perhaps one or two more buildings. Dr. Guer- 
don had a tavern just north of the brick store, opposite the 
Episcopal church, in 1788. 

Another early settler not yet mentioned was Abraham 
Traverse, who lived on the present James Raymond place. 

The Joshua Taylor spoken of in the list of innkeepers 
in the year 1788 lived opposite the Powers place, across 
the present canal. That he kept a tavern is doubted by 
his nephew, Shubael Taylor, of Clifton Park, but his name 
is in the list. 

John Guerdon was an early doctor at JMcchanieville, as 
well as an innkeeper. 

John Flynn, from Ireland, mentioned among the inn- 
keepers of 17S8, settled on the river-road below the present 
Fitzgerald place, in 1753. Colonel Fitzgerald was a son- 
in-law of Mr. Flynn. 

Jacob Miller kept a public-house west of the Rosekrans 
place. 

The Swarts saw-mill was just above Mechanieville, where 
the railroad now crosses Anthony's Kill. 

The Snedikcrs, in 1788, lived southwest of Mechanie- 
ville ; Andrew Evans, on the Van Vegbten jilace. The 
Weaver family were in the Mot! neighborhood, — that is, in 
what was callid Newtown, — Zebulon Mott's [ilacc being 





LEWIS E. SMITH. 



Samuel Smith, the grandfather of the subject of this 
notice, oritcinally came from the State of Connecticut, and 
settled on the east line of Ballston before the Revolutionary 
war, where he remained until his death. Lewis Smith, his 
father, was born Jan. 15, 1786, at Ballston, but afterwards 
removed to Stillwater, in which town he has continued to 
reside, living at the present time in Mechanicville, on 
the Half-Moon side. He has always been a farmer, leading 
an active, out^door life, and is alive to-day at the mature 
age of ninety-two years, and so far possessed of health and 
strength as to be able to saw wood, work in his garden, and 
perform other similar labor. He was never specially inter- 
ested in political affairs, and is a member of no particular 
church. His mother's name was Azuba Garnsey. She 
died in December, 1877, in her ninetieth year. She and 
her husband had lived together for sixty-nine years, having 
married Jan. 25, 1809 ; and at their death their combined 
ages made one hundred and eighty-one years. They had 
two daughters and five sons, viz., Esther, Silas G., Lewis E., 
Daniel G., Isaac M., Elizabeth M., and Charles, of whom 
the last three are dead, the remainder living in the neigh- 
borhood of their father's home. 

Lewis E. Smith was boin Dec. 23, 1815, in the town of 
Stillwater. He has always resided either in Stillwater, 
Half-Moon, or Mechanicville. He received an academic 
education at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where he went in 
1835 and remained three years. On Nov. 6, 1839, he 
married Phebe E. Peters, daughter of William Peters, of 
Cliftoc Park, and took up his residence at Half-Moon, 
where he farmed until the spring of 1852. In the fall of 
1851 he took stock in the American Linen Thread Company, 
located at Mechanicville, and the only patent linen thread 
company then or now in America. He took charge of this 
business in April, 1853, and has had full charge of it ever 
since. This company manufactures all kinds of sewing and 
machine threads, finding a market entirely in this country. 
They employ about one hundred and fifty people, and are 
doing a thriving business. Mr. Smith has had three chil- 



dren, — Daniel L., Josephine A., and Elizabeth G., — all of 
whom are married and live in the vicinity of their old home. 

Lewis E. Smith was formerly closely identified with the 
interests of the national guard of this State. In 1839, 
Governor William H. Seward appointed him quartermaster 
of the 144th Regiment, old State militia. In 1843 he was 
appointed major inspector of the Fifth Brigade of Infantry 
by Governor William C. Bouck, an office which he con- 
tinued to fill until the militia was abolished. In 18C1 he 
was named by Congress, with Generals Hooker, Wads- 
worth, and nine others, as suitable persons for brigadier- 
generals from New York ; but he did not accept the position 
because of ill health. 

In political afiiliation, Mr. Smith was formerly a Demo- 
crat; but he was never a seeker after office. In 1843 he 
was elected a justice of the peace, and served as such for 
five years. After the firing on Fort Sumter he was a dele- 
gate to the convention held at Syracuse to nominate State 
officers without regard to party. From that time be iden- 
tified himself with the Republican party, and was a firm 
supporter of the war. 

In 1872, Mr. Smith was chosen president of the village 
of Mechanicville, and has been elected every year since, 
most of the time without opposition. Many improvements 
have been made under his administration : brick sidewalks 
have been laid down, an engine-house built, a good fire- 
engine purchased, and other measures taken to make Me- 
chanicville one of the most attractive and beautiful villages 
in the State. 

In 1877, Mr. Smith and his estimable wife made an 
extensive tour through Europe. He has been repeatedly 
urged to accept the position of commissioner to the Paris 
Exposition, but has firmly declined. He is an attendant 
upon the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. 
Smith was sixty-three years of age in December, 1877, and 
bids fair to be spared for a long time to his family and to 
the community, for the material growth and advancement 
of which he has done so much. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



345 



about a mile west of the cemetery, where stood the early 
Baptist churcli. 

Richard Burtis kept a tavern on the site of the present 
one at Clifton Park village. 

William Tripp was in the northwest part of the town. 
Ebenezer Landus was connected to the Woodins. The 
Woodin pioneer home was the present Hegeman place. 

Abraham Deuel lived west of Mechanicville. Jonathan 
Lossing was a pioneer at Usher's Mills as early as 1780. 
His daughter, then a child of two years, is yet living at 
Stillwater village, — nine years older than the federal 
government. 

Old records at Albany indicate that " Half-Moon pre- 
cinct" had a population of one hundred and one as early as 
1714. This statement of course includes Waterford, and 
how much more is uncertain, as, prior to 1772, the names 
of Half-Moon and Saratoga are exceedingly indefinite. The 
population of one hundred and one would indicate fifteen 
or sixteen families. l^Iost of these were probably at the 
" Point," and in the vicinity of Crescent, with scattering 
families farther up the Mohawk, and al.so up the Hudson. 
Very little is known either of the names or the history of 
these families. The name of Taylor is given by some 
authorities as a settler at Mechanicville in 1763. This 
is probable, as Stillwater, above, was quite extensively settled 
from 1760 to 1765. 

James Deyoe, fi-om Tarrytown, came to Half-Moon about 
1770, and settled about two miles west of Mechanicville, 
on what is well known in late years as the Deyoe farm. 
When he first came he leased six acres of land, for which 
he was to pay a rent of four ears of corn annually. He 
had previously spent a few months in Saratoga, about two 
miles west of the springs. This place was so infested with 
rattlesnakes that he decided not to remain. Near the High 
Rock spring the settlers were compelled to suspend their 
beds from trees to keep the snakes out. Mr. Deyoe died at 
the age of one hundred and three years, and his wife at the 
age of one hundred and five, their married life being con- 
tinued for eighty-three years. 

Among the early settlers of Half-Moon were George 
Ellsworth and Joseph Reynolds. They located before the 
Revolution, a mile and a quarter from Clifton Park village. 
George Ellsworth was a soldier of the Revolution, grand- 
father of Capt. Ephraim D. Ellsworth, now of Mechanic- 
ville. Reynolds also was the grandfather of the captain 
on the maternal side. 

George Ellsworth, the pioneer, left four sons, — William, 
Charles, James, and George. William was drowned near 
Cohoes ; Charles settled and died at Schuylerville ; James in 
Northumberland ; George married the daughter of the pio- 
neer Reynolds and settled on the old homestead. In 1836 
he moved to Dunning Street, Malta, and in 1837 to Rose, 
Wayne county, where he died. His son, Ephraim D. Ells- 
worth, married Phebe Denton, and settled in Malta. There 
the future Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth was born. The 
family moved to Mechanicville when Elmer was seven 
years old, and his boyhood was spent in that village. The 
remarkable life of the young hero, his earnest purpose, 
his early military ardor, his struggles in business, his ad- 
vancement in Chicago and at Springfield, his acquaintance 
44 



with Abraham Lincoln, his noble ambition, his splendid 
service and heroic death, have all passed into history, and 
will live forever upon its enduring page. His motto was, 
" There is nothing impossible tii him who will." 

As still further showing the names of early settlers, we 
add the following list of the founders of the old Baptist 
church of Newtown, — a venerable body, whose memory is 
cherished by early settlors still living, or by the descendants 
of others who received their earliest religious impression 
within the walls of the old meeting-house, a building long 
since removed, and the society that worshiped in it extinct ; 
but though dead yet living in its two young successors, — 
the church of Middletown and the church at Clifton Park 
village. 

These were the male members of the Newtown' church 
in 1791 : Peter Groom, Wm. Groom, Daniel Derbyshear, 
James Essex, Matthew Neally, Joshua Miller, P]phraim 
Dunham, Wm. Goslain, Richard Clute, Timothy Woodin, 
George Alford, Joseph Peck, Nathaniel Upham, Shubael 
Waldo, Peter Baker, John Bell, Moses Lent, Andrew 
Evans, Abraham Weldon, Thomas Mosher, George Ells- 
worth, Wm. King, and Pliilip King. 

On the farm known as the old Colonel Tenbroeck place, 
there lived a family who were massacred there by the 
French and Indians in 1748. A short distance south of 
this place is a barn built in 1737. 

In 1G89 it was resolved by the authorities at Albany to 
remove the fort about the house and barn of Harme Lie- 
vese at Half-Moon to a more convenient place. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 
NAME. 

This town retains the name originally given to the terri- 
tory around the northern bend of the Mohawk near the 
present village of Crescent. The territory between the 
Hudson and the Mohawk is irregular in shape, and not 
easily described by any single word. It is sometimes called 
the Triangle, but a portion of the water front, particularly 
near Crescent, is curving enough to render the name Ilalf- 
MooH appropriate, and it no doubt received this designa- 
tion far back, even to the first settlement of Albany. The 
junction of the Mohawk with the Hudson was a point of 
such importance, both for military purposes and for traflSc, 
and was so near to Fort Orange, that it was no doubt known 
and named soon after the first voyage of Hudson up this 
noble stream, — a stream that repeats for every generation 
the name and exploits of the great discoverer. Indeed, 
Saratoga and Half-Moon are the two earliest names applied 
to civil divisions above the mouth of the Mohawk and 
south of the Great bend at Sandy Hill. 

The original two districts — the foundation of the county 
— were Saratoga and Half-Moon, and they were erected in 
1772. The names are one hundred and fifty years older 
than that date. 

Half-Moon has step by step been reduced from its origi- 
nal size and its original importance to a town of only 
medium extent. 

In 181G, Waterford was organized, taking from Half- 
Moon its oldest settled portion and its points of greatest 



346 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



historical interest. Twelve years later, Clifton Park was- 
set off, taking nearly all the river front upon the Mohawk. 
This reduced Half-Moon to its present extent. With 
reference to the name, it should be added that when Water- 
ford was taken off, in 1816, the name of this town was 
changed to Orange ; but in 1820 the old name, Half-Moon, 
was restored. 

The district of Half-Moon was organized in 1772, and 
as districts were similar to towns, it would be interesting to 
trace the annual meetings and the officers elected in those 
earliest years ; but the records are missing. This district 
organization lasted sixteen years, or until 1788, when Half- 
Moon was organized as a town, making, with Ballston, 
Saratoga, and Stillwater, the original four towns from 
which the remaining sixteen have been formed. Fortu- 
nately, the records of the town-meetings from 1788 down 
are complete, several books having been saved from the fire 
which destroyed the office in 1853. As Waterford was 
not taken off until 1816, and Clifton Park not till 1828, 
the town ofiicers of the earliest years belonged indiscrimi- 
nately to the territory of the three towns. 

The first town-meeting in 1788 was held at the hou.se 
of Cornelius Vandenburg. The officers chosen were Jacob 
Fort, town clerk ; Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, supervisor ; 
Adrian Hegemau, Jacob I. Lansing, Christopher Miller, 
Adam I. Van Vranken, Jeremiah Vincent, Israel Van 
Alstyne, and William Reeves, assessors ; Gerret Lansing 
and James Jones, collectors ; Jas. Dugan, Joseph Blosier, 
Jacob Miller, and Henry Brevoort, constables; Adrian 
Hegeman, Dan. Van Alstyne, and Cornelius Groat, poor- 
masters; Andrew Evans, Jacob Ostrander, John Slosson, 
John Clark, and Jeremiah Vincent, poundmasters and 
fence-viewers. Thirty-seven pathmasters were chosen, 
whose names are added, as showing early settlers in every 
part of the town : Johannes Fulmor, Aarie Banta, Noah 
Taylor, Jesse Brunsen, Calvin Fuller, John Quince, Ja- 
cobus Pearce, Nicholas Vandenburg, Gerardus Clute, Jacob 
Hall, Peter Steenburgh, Chas. Hoffman, Tmiothy Woodin, 
Shubael Waldo, Jerry Cramer, John Devoe, Jr., Jesse 
Groat, Michael Bassett, John C. Connell, James Shaw, 
Gideon Close, Peter Faulkner, John Van Vranken, James 
Grooms, Jeremiah Vincent, Joseph Fowler, Stephen Wiley, 
John Bell, Abraham Deul, Jacob Clute, Gerardus Clute, 
Valentine Brown, Edward Rexford, Alexander Brevoort, 
Jacob Van Vranken, Nathan Evans, and Ezekiel Free. 

At the second town-meeting, 1789, new names appear 
among the town officers and pathmasters as follows : Mat- 
thew Gregory, Edward Weaver, Benjamin Rosekrans, Na- 
than Garnsey, Andrew Scouten, Moses Scott, James Mur- 
ray, Wm. Bradshaw, Jedediah Rogers, Josiah Taylor, 
Robert Eldridge, John Folmer, John Terpenny, James 
Scott, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Mix, John Way, Samuel 
Hicks, John Knowlton, Wm. Tripp, Solomon Burlinghame, 
Johfi Carothers, John Darby, Hendrick Vanderwerken, 
Henry Efner, William Ash, John R. Van Vranken, John 
C. Connell, Nicholas Vandenburg, John Hamilton, Anthony 
Leversie, James Murray, Timothy Smith, John Barnes, 
Israel Brooks, Clemens Young, Ebenezer Landers, James 
Youngs, and Richard Burtis. 

At the third town-meeting, 1790, we find still other 



names : Henry Van Hyning, Martin Wilcox, Cornelius 
Doty, Richard Davis, James Teller, Moses Scott, William 
Teller, Jr., Valentine Brown, Philip Doty, William Bray- 
ton, John Way, William Hamilton, George Lane, Nicholas 
Jansen, Abial Kinyon, John Donaldson, Christopher 
Northrop, Thomas Little, John Cuerdon, Dirck Hurnstreet, 
John Rouse, John Miller, James Darbyshear, Stephen 
Ladue, Jonathan Lossing, Joseph Gilbert, Richard Peters, 
Matthew Shear, Francis Still, Isaac Doxey, Reuben Woodin, 
Samuel Swectland, James Youngs, Alexander Brevoort, 
Israel Brooks, Robert James, and James Conklin. 

We copy the following by-law of 1789: "Hoggs and 
swine that weigh more than forty pounds may run at large, 
but less than that must be yoked ; but from the Widow 
Peebles down to Waterford, and from the river west to the 
first hill, none may be allowed to run." 

This meeting was adjourned " to meet at the house lately 
occupied by Mr. Sibley, it being the most convenient and 
central place." 

A few fragments in the old town books go back of the 
town organization two or three years, while Half-Moon was 
yet a district. 

In 1785 the highway commissioners were Thomas Smith, 
Reuben Taylor, Jr., Isaac Fonda, and John Way. 

There is a bill of sale for saw-logs, sold by Jerry Arma- 
gher to Henry Bailey, — some of them at Swarts' saw-mill. 
This was in 1785, and the paper was witnessed by Jonas 
Delong and Garret Snediker. 

There were/or/^ taverns in the three towns for the year 
1788, implying plenty of accommodation for man and beast. 
They were kept by the following persons, most of whom 
paid a license of £2 : William Fuller, Elizabeth Peebles, 
Henry Bailey, Daniel Van Alstyne, Joshua Taylor, Benja- 
min Mix, Nicholas Fords, Christian Smith, Elias Van 
Steenburgh, Peter Faulkner, John Donald, John Cuerdon, 
Nicholas Teachout, John Flynn, Jacob Miller, Aaron Com- 
stock, James Steih, Anthony Leversie, Coonrad Wesley, 
Moses and Ira Scott, Garret Hannion, Samuel Connery, 
Matthew Gregory, Joseph Potter, Adam Edson, William 
Ward, Joseph Sibley, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, Richard 
Davis, Joseph Mosher, Simeon Groat, William Waldron, 
Hczekiah Ketchum, Jacobus Ostrander, John C. Connell, 
Dirck Flansburgh, Jedediah Rogers, John Burhans, and 
James Scott. There were also four retailers licensed : 
Robert Fullerton, John Arden, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, 
and Samuel J. Hazard. 

The following is the complete list of supervisors, town 
clerks, and collectors from 1788 to 1877, inclusive. The 
justices of the peace are also given from the time they 
were elected by the people : 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

Supervisors. Town Clerks. Coilcctors. 

1788. J. Van Schoonhoven. Jacob Fort. Gerret Lansing, 

Jumcs Jones. 

1789. " " " " Jaincs IJuggan. 

1790. " " " " Job Halstead. 
1701. Benj. Ropekrans. Abraham Moe. Martin Wilcox, 

Gerardus G. Clute. 
1792. Richard Davis, Jr. " " " " 

Nathan Garnsey, Jr. 



HISTORY OF SAllATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



347 



1793. 



Supervisors. Town Clerks. 

Kichiird Davis, Jr. Abraliiini Mue. 



CoUectora. 

Corncli's Dougherty, 
Martin Wilcox. 



1794. 


ti 


ft 


** 


it 


Nathan Garnsey, J 


1795. 


Benj 


Rosekrans. 


tt 


ft 


Wm. Brayton and 
five others. 


1796. 


« 


t( 


tt 


it 


G. A. Van Vranken 


1797. 


It 


ft 


it 


tt 


Peter Banta. 


1798. 


a 


tt 


it 


" 


Solomon Waite, 


1799. 


" 


" 


tt 


ft 


tt it 


1800. 


4i 


it 


" 


tt 


ft ft 


1801. 


Zebulon Mott. 


it 


" 


Nicholas Vischer. 


1802. 


(( 


" 


ti 


ft 


ti if 


1803. 


u 


ti 


tt 


ft 


David Garnsey. 


1804. 


" 


it 


it 


it 


David Emigh. 


1805. 


(( 


tt 


tt 


it 


if a 


1806. 


tt 


tt 


" 


tt 


Asahel Philo. 


1807. 


" 


tt 


tt 


it 


Jeremiah Coon. 


1808. 


tt 


tt 


tt 


ft 


it tt 


1809. 


tt 


tt 


tt 


tt 


tt ti 


ISIO. 


" 


tt 


tt 


it 


Henry Claw. 


1811. 


u 


tt 


" 


" 


A. J. Van Vranken. 


1812. 


tt 


ti 


ti 


tt 


Peter Van Sanford. 


1813. 


" 


« 


It 


tt 


tt tt 


1814. 


tt 


n 


" 


ti 


ft it 


1815. 


tt 


tt 


ti 


tt 


Nathan A. Philo. 


1816. 


" 


" 


ti 


it 


Michael Wolden. 


1817. 


tt 


ti 


tt 


tt 


James Nessle. 


1818. 


Nttth 


an Garnsey. 


it 


" 


Campbell Kennedy. 


1819. 


•' 


" 


Asahel Philo. 


a 


1820. 


it 


*' 


" 


it 


Samuel Cole, 


1821. 


Bavi 


l1 Garnsey. 


tt 


tt 


Elisha Morse. 


1822. 


(( 


it 


Ephraim Stevens. 


James Swartwout. 


1823. 


tt 


tt 


Benj. I 


. Hall. 


a .( 


1824. 


tt 


" 


a 


it 


Wm. Clute. 


1825. 


it 


tt 


It 


tt 


David Carpenter. 


1826. 


(( 


" 


" 


a 


John L. Davis. 


1827. 


tt 


it 


tt 


" 


u a 


1828. 


Asahel Philo. 


" 


tt 


Peters Sickler. 


1829. 


" 


It 


" 


ft 


it 


1830. 


" 


it 


tt 


tt 


it a 


1831. 


tt 


it 


" 


if 


James Nessle. 


1832. 


tt 


it 


Nichol 


\s Emigh, Jr 


Isaac Clements. 


1833. 


tt 


tt 


Juo. P 


Steeuburgh 


tt 


1834. 


tt 


tt 


it 


ti 


Andrew Taylor. 


1835. 


" 


tt 


ti 


it 


a 


1836. 


it 


tt 


Robert Forbes. 


Philip Colehauser. 


1837. 


it 


tt 


tt 


tt 


H. H. Steenburgh. 


1838. 


Isaac 


Smith. 


Chaun 


y Boughton. 


Anson Badgiey. 


1839. 


U 


tt 


tt 


" 


Wm. Fitzgeralds. 


1840. 


Piatt. Smith. 


Nicholas E. Philo. 


John Tripp. 


1841. 


Chau 


ncey Boughton 


" 


" 


fi ti 


1842. 


A bra 


lam Travis. 


ti 


it 


Wm. Ransom, Jr. 


1843. 




t tt 


" 


" 


ti 


1844. 


Wm. 


Clute. 


Nchemiah Philo. 


Nath. H. Conklin. 


1845. 


a 


" 


tt 


tt 


it ti 


1846. 


Benj 


S. Cowlcs. 


Hen/y 


L. Landon. 


Milo Moxficld. 


1817. 


Davi 


d W. Wait. 


Aaron 


A. Knight. 


Isaac Shear, Jr. 


1848. 


Lucius M. Smith. 


Isaac Clements. 


Christopher Snyder 


1849. 


James Noxon. 


James 


T. Wiley. 


" 


1850. 


" 


" 


Lyman 


W. Clements 


. David Merrill. 


1851. 


Stephen Emigh. 


J. B. Schermcrhorn 


Garret Vanderkar. 


1852. 


n 


" 


" 


" 


Piatt V. Burtis. 


1853. 


Benj 


Wait. 


tt 


(< 


Clark Noxou. 


1854. 


tt 


(( 


Selar Knight. 


11 tt 


1855. 


Shubael Taylor. 


it 


it 


Clark Miller. 


1856. 


Thomas Noxon. 


Warren RuUson. 


Peter S. Woodin. 


1867. 


" 


tt 


C. J. Warrington. 


Albert Smith. 


1858. 


Nehcmiah Philo. 


tt 


" 


Isaac Shear, Jr. 


1859. 


Wm. 


Cary. 


" 


a 


Elisha G. Moss. 


1860. 


Thomas Noxon. 


Henry Lapo. 


John Cassidy. 


1861. 


tt 


" 


Daniel R. White. 


Daniel Forbes. 


1802. 


C.J. 


Warrington, 


" 


" 


(( tt 


1863. 


it 


" 


Martin 


Sherman. 


Isaac Shear, Jr. 


1864. 


Thomas Noxon. 


Warren Rultsun. 


Luther Gates. 


1865. 


•* 


tt 


ti 


" 


Lowell K. Harvey. 





Supervisors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1866. 


Thomas Noxon. 


Warren Rulison. 


Wm. A. T. Cassidy. 


1867. 


John C. Greene. 


ft n 


Lowell K. Harvey. 


1868. 


Chas. H. Clute. 


M. 0. Caldwell. 


Jacob A. West. 


1869. 


Henry L. Ilaight. 


James 11. Clark. 


Francis A. Lansing 


1870. 


M. 0. Caldwell. 


Jacob A. West. 


Stephen Philo. 


1871. 


tt it 


Warren Uulison. 


John W. Post. 


1872. 


Daniel R. White. 


Jacob C. Defreest. 


It tt 


1873. 


it it 


" 


Gilbert H. Filkin. 


1874. 


Jacob C. Dcfreest.* 


S. S. Teachout. 


John W. Post. 


1875. 


Chas. H. Clute. 


" 


Warren E. Sunims. 


1876. 


it it 


Henry Clark. 


John W. Post. 


1877. 


Henry L. Haight. 


tt tt 


Henry Danielson. 


1878. 


ti *f 


J. F. Terry. 


Geo. W. Rosekrans. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 

1831. William Fowler. 

1832. William Clute. 

1833. Stephen Varnum. 

1834. Asahel Philo. 

1835. William Fowler. 

1836. Nathan A. Philo. 

1837. Stephen Vernam. 
1S3S. Benjamin S. Curtis. 

1839. James Noxie. 

1840. Nathan A. Philo. 

1841. James V. Bradshaw. 

1842. Stephen H. Sherman. 

1843. Lewis E. Smith. 

1844. Nathan A. Philo. 

1845. David W. Wait. 

1846. Benjamin S. Cowles. 

1847. Moses Clements. 

1848. Eldert I. Vanwoert. 

1849. David W. Wait. 

1850. Samuel A. House. 

1851. John R. McGregor. 

1852. Abram Sickles. 

1853. David W. Wait. 

1854. Charles H. Fowler. 

1855. William Ostrander. 
John 0. Mott. 

1856. Selar Knight. 

1857. William Hicks. 



ELECTED BT THE PEOPLE. 

1857. Hcury I. Dunstock. 
Deodatus W. Hurd. 
185S. Harmon J. Quackenbush. 

1859. Nathan Tabor. 

1860. Abram Sickles. 

1861. Samuel R. Mott. 

1862. Melvin Van Voorhees. 

1863. Harmon J. Quackenbush. 

1864. Nathan F. Philo. 

1865. Charles E. Dillingham. 
Smith L. Mitchell. 

1866. James Clark. 

1867. Charles E. Gorsline. 
Charles E. Gorsline. 
William Hicks. 

1868. Lelar Knight. 

1869. Charles E. Dillingham. 

1870. Melviu Van Voorhees. 

1871. Charles E. Gorsline. 
Charles E. Dillingham. 

1872. Lclar Knight. 

1873. William A. T. Cassidy. 

1874. Melbourn Van A^oorhees. 

1875. William L. Potter. 

1876. Lclar Knight. 
William C. Tallmadge. 

1877. William A. T. Cassidy. 

1878. Henry Clark. 



v.— VILLAGES. 
MECHANICVILLE. 

Edward A. Morehouse, who came to Mechanicville in 
1825, recalls a clear picture of the village fifty-two years 
ago. South of the kill, Dr. Cuerdou ; two Buillo families ; 
a colored family ; the old tavern ; the blacksmith-shop, 
still standing and used ; farther down, McMuUigan. The 
Cuerton house was partly log, on the site of the present par- 
sonage. On the Stillwater side, west of main street, More- 
house's tailor-shop, Vernam's store, John Cross' tavern ; 
joining the store was Carrington's residence, then a house 
and store kept by Wm. Pierce. On the east side of the 
street, Skinner's blacksmith-shop, Farnum's store, where 
the meat-market is now, a brick house, Squire Hutton's 
residence, now Widow Boardman's, Carrington's harness- 
shop, over it Lockwood's shoe-shop, Synott Bloodgood's ; 
at the corner old-fashioned hay-scales, wagon and all 
swung up by chains to be weighed ; beyond these eight or 
ten other buildings, and in the rear the factory and grist- 
mill, as now. The factory had been erected by Squire 
Hutton many years before, had been burned, rebuilt, and 
in 1825 was owned by Bloodgood. 

* Jacob C. Defreest was elected supervisor in 1874 and died, and 
Charles H. Clute was appointed. 



348 



HISTOEY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Mechanicville was incorporated in 1867: Win. W. 
Smith, president ; James F. Teny, clerk ; Alonzo How- 
land, Wm. M. Warner, Charles Wheeler, Dr. N. H. Ballou, 
trustees. Present ofiBcers, 1877, are Lewis E. Smith, 
president ; George H. Moore, clerk ; James Dougrey, Jr., 
Nelson Shontz, Daniel F. Ladow, James McBierney, 
trustees. 

T]ie American Linen Thread Conrpany of Mechanic- 
ville was established in 1850 by a company of which 
Samuel Chase was president and Lewis E. Smith secretary, 
treasurer, and general manager. These positions Mr. Smith 
has actively filled from that time to the present. They 
employ about one hundred and seventy-five hands. Their 
line of work, twines, threads, salmon-lines, gilliug, etc. The 
grist-mill belongs to the same firm. Both derive their 
power from Anthony's Kill. A preparing-mill west of the 
canal is also owned by them. They also have a saw-mill, 
sixteen acres of land, and about forty-five tenements. The 
flax used is largely imported from Ireland, Belgium, and 
Holland. J. L. Van Schoonhoven is president now, 1877. 

These works are all in the town of Stillwater, but are 
conveniently mentioned here. 

The village of Mechanicville, about a year since, pro- 
vided against fire by procuring an engine and erecting an 
engine-house at an expense of $3500. The company con- 
sists of about sixty men ; H. S. Sheldon, captain. Another 
company is recently organized. 

An instance of remarkable age in Mechanicville may be 
noticed. Lewis Smith, now living at the age of ninety- 
two, and his wife ninety, — their married life extending over 
sixty years. 

The villages and hamlets are named as follows : Me- 
chanicville, from the number of mechanics employed by 
the first proprietors of manufacturing works at the mouth 
of Anthony's Kill. Smithtown, from the number of Smith 
families that live in that vicinity. Crescent retains the 
early designation, — the synonym for half-moon. Clifton 
Park, partly in the town of Clifton Park, takes its name 
from the latter. 3Iiddletown, lying between Waterford and 
Crescent, seems to have had this name without any particu- 
lar reason. It is now assuming the name of Half-Moon, 
which, indeed, has been the post-oiEce name for years. 
Newtown, — this term was applied very early to the settle- 
ment in the neighborhood of the old Baptist meeting- 
house on the hill near John Boker's. It was a new town, 
compared with the old settlements at " The Point" and the 
Mohawk flats. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

Under the earlier school law, school commissioners were 
elected in 1796-99. The following served one or more years : 
Guert Van Schoonhoven, Hugh Peebles, Benjamin Rose- 
krans, Benjamin Mix, Robert Kennedy, Solomon Waite, 
and Hezekiah Ketchura. There was evidently no further 
action by the town until the enactment of the general 
school law in 1812, the real commencement of the contin- 
uous school policy of the State. 

From 1812 to 1813 the following persons served one or 
more years each, as school commissioner : Ira Scott, Asa- 
bel Philo, David Garnsey, Nathan Garnsey, Jr., Samuel 



Reynolds, Nicholas B. Doe, John E. Vischer, John B. 
Miller, Elnathan Smith, Nathan Peck, Henry Clow, Nehe- 
miah G. Philo, Silas Sweetland, Joseph Read, Benjamin 
Hall, Powell Rowland, William Shepherd, John P. Steen- 
burgh, William Vernam, Henry Fowler, William Clute, 
John F. Taylor, Anson Badgely, James Nessle, W. I. 
Groesbeck, Chauncey Cowles, G. W. Beal, Stephen Emigh, 
William Clute, Abram W. Van Wert, James V. Bradshaw, 
Hiram A. Ensign, Anthony Fitzgerald, Lucius M. Smith, 
and James Noxon. 

During the same period the following persons served as 
inspectors of common schools, one or more years each : 
Daniel G. Garnsey, Henry Clow, Robert Kennedy, Elna- 
than Smith, Nicholas B. Doe, Samuel McCleary, Charles 
K. Whitmore, Samuel Reynolds, Nathan Garnsey, Jr., 
William Hamilton, Nathan Peck, Abraham Moe, Joseph 
Peck, Daniel CIoss, Cornelius Van Santford, Silas Sweet- 
land, William Scott, Silas Hamilton, William Shaw, Wil- 
liam Hollister, John P. Higgins, Ebenczer Staats, Nehe- 
miah G. Philo, Powell Howland, Solomon C. Peck, Garnsey 
Kennedy, William Shepherd, Asahel Philo, David Garnsey, 
Ephraim Stephens, Nathan Peck, William Fowler, Corne- 
lius Failing, William Tibbits, Loring Kimball, Henry Philo, 
Cyrus Garnsey, Benjamin F. S. Stevens, Edward Kelly, 
David McShauber, William Fowler, Chauncey Boughton, 
Stephen Vernam, John Mott, George W. Beal, Anson 
Badgely, William W. Yates, William Clute, Hoftman Steen- 
burgh, Anthony Fitzgerald, Nicholas E. Philo, Powell How- 
land, James Clow, Chauncey Cowles, Isaac Clements, James 
G. Bradshaw, Robert Forbes, Lewis E. Smith, and James 
B. McKean. 

The town superintendents of common .schools were as 
follows: 1844, James B. McKean; 1845, Reuben Stew- 
art; 1846, Nathan F. Philo; 1847-50, GeoTge W. Peak; 
1851, Nathan F. Philo; 1852, John O. Mott; 1854-56, 
John Cassidy. 

This system was terminated in June, 1856, and super- 
vision by Assembly districts followed. 

The school report for 1840 shows the following statements : 

Districts. No. of Chiltiren. Public Money. 

No. 1 104 $9.3.96 

2 66 59.63 

" :5 35 .31.62 

4 48 43.37 

Part 4 6 5.41 

" 5 5 4.51 

" 5 104 93.96 

" 6 Sr 33.45 

" 7 21 18.97 

Nos. S and IS 21 18.97 

No. 9 46 41.56 

" 11 6 5.41 

•< 12 28 25.30 

" i:) 49 44.30 

" 14 28 25.30 

G04 $545.72 

Middletown has a union school, organized Nov. 20, 1877. 
The first board of education consists of the following 
persons : A. P. Hawley, C. H. Clute, Daniel Knights, John 
Van Voorhees, Daniel R. White, William Lape, Washing- 
ton Lansing. The district procured the building belonging 
to the old Half-Moon Academy, now extinct for some years, 
and repaired and remodeled it at an expense of about 
$1500. 

Mechanicville academy has a pleasant situation near the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



349 



river on Main street, surrounded by a beautiful grove. It 
was founded in 1860. The first officers were Lewis Smith, 
president; Rev. Edward Noble, secretary; J. Wesley 
Ensign, treasurer ; with other trustees, Isaac Clements, B. 
B. Hutchius, Isa^ic M. Smith, Jcsoph Baker, John C. 
Holmes, Samuel B. Howland, E. A. Liudley, Bloom Baker, 
Robert Moon. 

The present trustees are Rev. J. E. King, Fayette 
Baker, Dr. H. H. Ballou, S. B. Howland, Dr. B. W. King, 
Lewis Smith, Harvey S. Sheldon, Joseph Baker, Frank 
Pruyn, and James C. Rice. S. B. Howland is president, 
and H. Sheldon secretary and treasurer. Successive prin- 
cipals have been Andrews and Wetzel, C. C. Wetzel, Rev. 
B. D. Ames, and Mrs. S. E. King Ames. 

The Clifton Park Female Seminary was established at 
the village of that name in 1863. 

commissioners' apportionment, half-moon, march, 

1878. 



District. 




ID 

■s 

So 


It 


F 


o 

a 


c 
o 

a 






•31 


?25 
3 til 

!■= = 

$57.77 


s a ai 
P." 


2 

.a 

S2.80 


a 
P< 


No. 1 


84 


".$52.14 


$50.47 


$163.18 


" 2 


45 


52.14 


30.95 


26.83 


1.47 


111.39 


" 3 


18 


52.14 


12.38 


11.71 


.60 


76.83 


" 4 


40 


52.14 


27.51 


35.45 


1.34 


116.44 


" 5 


64 


52.14 


44.02 


36.96 


2.14 


135.26 


" 6 


37 


62.14 


25.45 


25.44 


1.24 


104.27 


" 7 


46 


52.14 


31.64 


30.76 


1.64 


116.08 


" 8 


94 


52.14 


64.65 


44.01 


3.14 


163.94 


" 9 


40 


52.14 


27.51 


29.88 


1.34 


110.87 


" 10 


312 


104.28 


214.58 


168.22 


10.41 


497.50 


" 11 


110 


52.14 


75.65 


69.83 


3.67 


20.129 


" 12 


42 


52.14 


28.89 


24.62 


1.40 
$31.09 


107.05 




932 


$677.82 


$641.01 


$554.18 


$1904.10 



VII.— CHURCHES. 

ST. John's church op stillwater, 
being under the same pastorate as the church at Mechan- 
icville, the following account of it, written by Mrs. Stubbs, 
wife of the rector, is inserted here : 

St. John's church, Stillwater, was incorporated Oct. 27, 
1795, but a church organization had existed, with occa- 
sional services, many years prior to that time. The first 
recorded meeting of the vestry was held Oct. 7, 1795, 
when the following were elected officers : Ezekiel Ensign, 
senior warden ; Ezra St. John, junior warden ; Thomas 
W. Ford, Henry Biuerton, Warren Smith, Cornelius Van- 
denburgh, vestrymen. 

The Rev. Mr. Rodgers became the first rector of the 
parish. It is a matter of regret that there are no records 
of the earlier services of the English church in this town. 
That they were held is no doubt true, for wherever Eng- 
land's sons wandered they took with them the Bible and 
the Prayer-Book, charters of Protestantism, which recalled 
the solemn worship of their own homes. 

Some facts were obtained by the writer from an old lady 
named Shipman, whose parents resided at Bemus Heights 
when the great battle was fought. Her narrative was of 



great interest. She could describe very minutely the posi- 
tion of each battery, and the personal appearance of the 
officers engaged. These things she had heard from her 
parents, who were well acquainted by trading with a little 
stock of vegetables, which brought them a munificent 
return. Mrs. Shipman stated that some weeks preceding 
the battle two or three British staff officers were quartered 
in the village of Stillwater, in a house since torn down, 
near the .site of old St. John's church. During a week's 
occupation of the village by General Schuyler, they were 
concealed in the cellar. Mrs. Shipman stated that services 
were twice held in the sitting-room of the hou.se by Chap- 
lain Brudenell, of Burgoyne's command. This statement 
is involved in some doubt, as it is not known that the 
British forces ever held Stillwater village; yet these officers 
may have been concealed there as scouts, and it would be 
like the intrepid spirit of Brudenell, who so bravely stood 
amid the whistling bullets over the grave of General 
Eraser, in the cold twilight, to utter with Christian faith 
undimmed the then awfully solemn words, " I know that 
my Redeemer liveth," — like him to brave a journey 
through the wilds to hold service in the little room at 
Stillwater. 

Old St. John's church was erected in 1798, but becoming 
within later years unsuitable as a place of worship for the 
present congregation, was sold by the officiating rector, the 
Rev. Alfred H. Stubbs, and vestry to the Roman Catholics, 
and a tasteful and pretty chapel built with the proceeds. 
Still bearing the name, it is a young branch of the old tree, 
— brighter, fresher, newer. 

The rectors succeeding Rev. Mr. Rodgers were Orange 
Clark, I. M. Tappan, William Alanson, Reuben Hubbard, 
William A. Curtis, Major A Nickerson, Robert B. Fair- 
bairn, John B. Downing, William B. Mu.sgrave, Robert C. 
Rogers, E. S. Widdemer, Albert Danker, W. P. Walker, 
and the present rector, Alfred II. Stubbs. 

The first marriage is recorded on the books in 1795, be- 
tween Thomas Walker Ford and Betsey Patrick. There 
yet stands in the hall of the Patrick mansion, now occu- 
pied by Mr. Skinner, a quaint old mahogany table, around 
which Washington, Hamilton, and Burr dined amicably 
together, the horrors of the later years unforeseen. The 
first baptism on register is that of Sarah Iloskins, in 1776, 
and the first death that of " Betsey Ford, consort of Thomas 
Ford," on the 23d of October, 1795, an ill-fated bride of 
but twelve days. About the year 1835 the church was 
gladdened by the added membership of Mrs. Catharine 
Mancius. Born in the year 1777, in the city of Montreal, 
Canada, a most devoted daughter of the church, of good 
family, with large wealth, but with a pure, heartfelt love of 
her Master's work, she chose to shine in the charity which 
needed no vaunting, rather than to adorn the society to 
which birth and education gave her entrance. 

Upon her removal to Stillwater, Mrs. Mancius at once 
began to interest herself in this church. Not satisfied with 
aiding it materially in her lifetime, she so willed her prop- 
erty that the church should suffer nothing pecuniarily by 
her death. At her home. Mount Livingston, about a mile 
from the village, she erected a little chapel, whore, in old 
feudal style, she daily summoned her vassals, and in the 



350 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



absence of chaplain, she read the service herself. The little 
building yet stands, though the estate has passed into other 
hands. Within its walls bishops and priests have officiated, 
and the announcement that the " Lord was in His holy 
temple" has sounded as solemnly here as in old Trinity 
itself. May it be long before she shall be forgotten in this 
communion of saints which we celebrate ! 

The present St. John's, as before stated, is a small edifice 
containing about one hundred and fifty sittings. Some of 
the descendants of the first vestry of 1795 gather there 
each Sunday in its congregation, and we trust another cen- 
tennial anniversary will yet behold the good old stock ani- 
mated with the brave Brudenell's spirit to succor and de- 
fend it against " the world, the flesh, and the devil." 

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MECHANICVILLE.* 

The first services of St. Luke's parish were held in a 
building that stood upon land now owned by the American 
Linen Thread company, in the rear of the engine-house. 

The church was organized in the then residence of John 
C. Valentine, Esq., now owned by Joseph Kelso, and stand- 
ing on the west side of Main street, opposite the engine- 
house, August 2, 1830, with the following officers : Ward- 
ens, John C. Valentine and William Gates; Vestrymen, 
Hugh Peebles, John Cross, Munson Smith, William L. R. 
Valentine, Lynott Bloodgood, William Tyler, William Tib- 
bitts, and Cramer Vernam. 

The church building erected during 1829 and 1830, on 
the east side of Main street, was consecrated by the Right 
Rev. John Henry Hobart, third bishop of New York, 
August 24, 1830. 

By mutual consent all religious bodies were pemiitted to 
worship in said building, and with this understanding the 
necessary funds were raised for its construction, with the 
proviso, however, that when completed it should be conse- 
crated by the bishop of New York. Difficulties having 
arisen, the vestry obtained a release from all the denomina- 
tions interested, and after July 15, 1835, the church prop- 
erty came under the sole ownership and control of St. Luke's 
church. 

The services were first conducted by the Rev. Orange 
Clark, who probably opened the first Sunday-school. He 
was succeeded by the following clergymen, to wit: J. M. 
Tappan, William Alanson, Reuben Hubbard, William A. 
Curtis, Major A. Nickerson, Robert B. Pairbairn, John G. 
Downing, William B. Mu.sgrave, Robert C. Rogers, E. S. 
Widdemer, Albert Danker, William B. Walker, and A. H. 
Stubbs, the last named being the present pastor. 

The first baptism was that of Adeline Vernam, and the 
first marriage, David Fairbanks to Elizabeth Bradshaw. 
The early record of communicants is unfortunately lost, 
but Dr. William Tibbitts and William Tyler were un- 
doubtedly among the number. The decease of the former 
of these communicants is thus mentioned in the 1875 con- 
vention address of Dr. W. C. Doane, present bishop of the 
diocese of Albany : " The death of Dr. William Tibbitts, 
of Mechanicville, removes a most honorable name from our 
roll. At the age of eighty-two he fell asleep, most un- 

* By Rev. A. H. Stubbs. 



expectedly, with what was suddenness to every one but 
himself. Always active and generous, and by no means 
confined in his religious zeal, he had less than a month be- 
fore his death transferred to the board of missions $2000. 
His death was singularly beautiful. Kneeling in his ac- 
customed place in church, he had joined in the general 
confession, and under the very words of the absolution he 
died, loosed by the voice of the Great High-Priest at once 
from the bondage of sins and from the burden of the 
flesh." Dr. Tibbitts had been a deputy to the Diocesan 
convention for a number of years ; the above parish, which 
he represented, was admitted during the month of October, 
1830. 

The latter of the communicants named, William A. Tyler, 
was born Dec. 9, 1779, at Branford, New Haven Co., Conn., 
was baptized by the first bishop in the United States, Dr. 
Samuel Seabury, and died Feb. 22, 1876. He also was 
noted fjr his liberality and generosity, having contributed 
one-fourth of the sum required to build the rectory. 

The present officers of the church are as follows : Rec- 
tor, Rev. Alfred H. Stubbs ; church-wardens, W. C. Tall- 
madge, Esq., and Philip Kiswood ; vestrymen, Drs. Ballou 
and Garbutt, Joseph Knicherbocker, Madison Hart, Isaiah 
Massey, Harvey Dwight, and Job Viall. 

Services are held now in connection with St. John's 
church in Stillwater, the rector of St. Luke's church, 
Mechanicville, being incumbent of both parishes. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH OP MECHANICVILLE. 

This society has its house of worship in Stillwater, but 
its parsonage is in Half-Moon. The first class was organ- 
ized in 1828, and consisted of the following: Cornelius 
Skinner, wife, and daughter, Mr. Phelps, Rebecca, Eliza 
H., and Mary A. Furnham, — just seven. They met first 
in an unused private building, next in the Union meeting- 
house, — when they could have the use of this for a quar- 
terly meeting only on condition that there should be no }ioisc. 
The unconverted husbands of some of the Methodist women 
were indignant, and declared their wives should have a 
place where they could shojit to their hearts' content. This 
resulted in the first chapel of 1832. The circuit then in- 
cluded Ballston, Saratoga Springs, Quaker Springs, E;ist 
Line, Lanswoorts, Schuylerville, Stillwater, and Mechanic- 
ville. The successive ministers were Rev. Messrs. Ensign, 
Dayton, Stebbins, Rice, Marietta, Luckey, Anson, Brayton, 
Newman, Pier Goss, Hammond, Burton, Meeker, Quinlan, 
Stevens, Chase, Coleman, Pomeroy, Houghtaling, Kelly, 
Ford, Sayres, White, Noble, Spencer, Mattison, Ford, Gid- 
dings, Trumbull, Ayres, McElroy, Spier, Coleman, Hitch- 
cock, Morris, Frazier, Wade, Gregg, Dunn, Lytic, Squires, 
Harrower, Carhart, Loomis, Morehouse, Wicker, and the 
present pastor, William H. Washburn. 

The present class-leaders are J. H. Prine, E. A. More- 
house, Nelson Shouts, Nelson Wood, Henry G. Edmunds, 
S. B. Howland, J. B. Oroott ; stewards, S. B. Howland, 
D. S. Douglass, Lewis Howland, J. Cleveland, S. H. Cle- 
mens, C. E. Dillingham, and W. Mayhew ; superintendent 
of Sunday-school, Lewis Howland. 

The society have a convenient church, about on the site 
of the old chapel. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



351 



PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MECHANICVILLE. 
This society originally consisted of a few members of 
Presbyterian sentiments, worshiping in union witli tlio 
Congregational church of Stillwater, located at the " yellow 
meeting-house." The present convenient church edifice 
was erected in 1854. The united organization continued 
down to 1S71, and the names of the ministers preaching 
here will be found in the account of the old Congregational 
cliurch of Stillwater. At the time of the separation, in 

1871, Rev. Mr. Beman was pastor. He was followed, in 

1872, by Rev. Charles D. Flagler, the present pastor. The 
present elders are William H. Sherman, Abram Van Vegh- 
ten, George Lape, William H. Stevenson, Cyrus Gilbert, 
and George H. Flagler ; clerk of sessions, William H. 
Sherman ; clerk of the society, and also of the board of 
trustees, Charles A. Hemstreet. 

ST. PAUL',S CHURCH OF MECHANICVILLE (CATHOLIC). 

Before any organized Catholic society existed here ser- 
vices were held by Rev. Father Coyle, who made mission- 
ary journeys up and down the valley, and was instrumental 
in founding several churches and erecting several edifices. 
He was succeeded by the Rev. Father Farley. Meclianic- 
ville services were first held in the barn of Jlr. Short, near 
the present church premises. The society was formed in- 
1845. The church edifice was erected about 1852, and 
cost approximately $10,000. The pastoral residence, with 
about four acres of orchard, a fine place, was secured at a 
cost of from $5000 to $6000. 

The succe.ssive pastors of the church have been Rev. 
Lewis M. Edge, Rev. James D. Durragh, Rev. Philip Izzo, 
and the Rev. T. A. Field, present incumbent ; all of the 
Augustinian order. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HALF-MOON, LOCATED AT 
MIDDLETOWN. 

This society, organized about 1835, is a branch, or more 
properly, perhaps, one of the successors, of the old church at 
Newtown, two and a half miles west of Mechanicville. 
That house was taken down, and no church exists there at 
the present time. The first pastor of the society at Mid- 
dletown was Elisha D. Hubbell, and the first clerk Chaun- 
cey Boughton. The first deacons Clark Noxon, N. G. 
Philo, Zebulon Mott, Chauncey Cowles. The successive 
ministers have been Elder A. H. Palmer, called April 30, 
1836 ; D. A. Parmalee, May 20, 1837 ; G. J. Stockwell, 
June 6, 1846 ; G. C. Tripp, April, 1848 ; J. D. Greene, 
1851 ; Elijah Lucas, 1853 ; B. F. Garfield, Sept. 17, 1855 ; 
M. Day, May, 1856 ; E. P. Weed, June 5, 1858 ; S. N. 
Barlow, Nov. 3, 1860 ; F. S. Parke, Nov. 3, 1866 ; R. R. 
Davies, April, 1808; G. S. C. Hanna, November, 1875. 

The house of worship was built in 1834—35, and dedi- 
cated in 1835. It will seat about three hundred persons. 
A Sunday-school has existed from the organization of the 
church to the present time. The following are the present 
oflBcers of the church : deacons, B. S. Cowles, Luther 
Gates, Wm. Fowler, John W. Filkins, and Stephen Morse ; 
trustees, Alexander Button, Sanford Cowles, Abram Sickler ; 
clerk, E- H. Philo ; treasurer, Luther Gates. The num- 
ber of communicants is one hundred and twenty. Super- 



intendent of Sunday-school, E. H. Philo; assistants, Irving 
Button and Sanford Cowles. The attendance is one hun- 
dred to one hundred and twenty ; volumes in library, four 
hundred. 

The members from 1835 to 1840 were the following: 
Rev. E. D. Hubble, N. G. Philo, Chauncey Cowles, Clark 
Noxon, Silas Morse, Piatt Mitchel, Peter Swartwout, Sam- 
uel llunfuss, John Swartwout, Elijah Brown, Peter House, 
Luther Benedict, Cornelius Teachout, John Smith, Joseph 
Harris, Daniel Forbes, Lewis Mills, Elisha F. Calkins, 
Zebulon Mott, Lewis Hawley, John Nestle, Adams Philo, 
Daniel J. Van Olinda, John Smith, Luther Gates, Nicholas 
Emigh, Mathew GroflF, Zachoas Woodin, Wm. Shattuck, 
Porter Runsom, Alfred Noxon, Andrew Taylor, Isaac 
Calkins, Stephen Benedict, Stephen Morse, Stephen Smith, 
Wm. Toll, John Miller, Elbert Vanwort, Isaac West, 
George Welch, Wm. Gates, Richard Swartwout, Wm. R. 
Craver, J. Woodruff, Thomas Sayles, Philip Irish, Egbert 
Noxon, Depew Swartwout, Gilbert Smith, George Taylor, 
P. Holbrook, Lewis Mills, Chauncey Boughton, Andrew 
Shears, John Van Olinda, Abram Kipp, Peter Steenburgh, 
William Oakley, Abram Sickler, G. G. I. Lansing, John 
Mott, Westle Woodin, B. S. Cowles, Richard Vale, Albert 
H. Vandewerker, Joseph Beach, Silas Morse, Minor 
Morse, Lucius Ransom, Simeon Rupler, Peter Filkins, 
Philip House, Henry Clapper, Raleigh Grey, Peter Sanford, 
Jacob Lansing, Isaac Benedict, Elisha Welch, Benjamin 
Cowles, Isaac Lansing, Eli Benedict, Christopher Snyder, 
Charles Cooper, Henry Woodard, Samuel Irish, Reuben 
Irish, Charles Calkins, Elisha Smith, Thomas Piatt, Cor- 
nelius Hawley, William Kidney, John Potts. 

THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF MID- 
DLETOWN 

was incorporated November 14, 1791. The elders and dea- 
cons mentioned in the certificate were John C. Connell, 
William Ash, Abraham I. Ouderkirk, and Francis Still, 
and the paper was acknowledged before Jeremiah Lansing, 
and witnessed by John Bassett. We have no other record 
of this society, and it has no existence at the present time. 

CRESCENT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.* 

At a meeting held at Crescent in 1852, by the members 
and friends of the Methodist Episcopal church, it was re- 
solved to elect a board of trustees for the purpose of pro- 
curing subscriptions and erecting a house of worship for said 
church, and the following-named persons were so elected : 
William Carey, John B. Schermerhorn, Silas H. Sweetland, 
Seymour Birch, and Nathan F. Philo. S. H. Sweetland 
was chosen secretary and treasurer. A committee was also 
appointed to select a site on which to erect the house, and 
Hiram Morse, Alfred Noxon, K. R. Kennedy, S. H. Sweet- 
land, and J. B. Schermerhorn were so appointed. 

At the next meeting, July 20, the work of the com- 
mittee last named was approved, and proposals from builders 
being received, the contract for the carpenter work was 
given to James Schouton, and the mason work to Hiram 
Mosher. 



» By. Rov. B. M. HaU. 



352 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The building was erected in due time and accepted. It 
is a brick edifice forty by sixty feet, of good height, and 
standing firm until now. The house was dedicated to the 
worship of God in the winter of 1853, by Rev. Bishop 
Janes, who preached an able sermon, and Rev. Stephen D. 
Brown preached in the evening of the same day. The fol- 
lowing-named pensons composed the first board of stewards : 
John Dunsback, Nathan F. Philo, Isaac Hicks, S. H. 
Sweetland, and J. B. Sohermerhorn. The house of worship 
has been kept in good repair and well and finely frescoed a 
few years since, and is now held to be worth $6000. 

From 1852 to 1859 Crescent stood alone as a pastoral 
charge, and the ministers who served the church in turn 
were Tobias Spicer, John Bannard, Daniel Marvin, W. W. 
Pierce, Ira G. Bidwell, and John Newman. The firet of 
these was a retired clergyman, and served only from the or- 
ganization of the church in the winter to the session of the 
conference in June, when Mr. Bannard served the church 
well, but at nearly the end of the year he was prostrated 
by sickness, and died while the annual conference was in 
session, in Blay, 1854, aged thirty-four years. He was 
greatly beloved, and gave promise of great usefulness to the 
church. Rev. W. W. Pierce remained but part of a year, 
when he chose to remove to the west, and Mr. Marvin 
served during the remainder of the year. Revs. Bidwell 
and Newman were connected with Union College, and gave 
but a part of each week to the pastoral work. 

In 1858 Crescent was united to Half-Moon circuit, and 
Rev. S. W. Brown became the pastor. He was followed 
by S. W. Clemans, A. C. Rose, R. Fox, H. W. Slocum, 
J. B. Wood, B. M. Hall, G. C. Thomas, Bennett Eaton, 
R. Patterson, J. B. Searles, and D. Starks, who has just 
begun his service. 

In the spring of 1865 Crescent was disconnected, and 
became once more a distinct pastoral charge in connection 
with an appointment two miles farther west, since which 
time the last six persons named above have been its pas- 
tors. Mr. Eaton closed his very useful life near the close 
of his first year in this place, aged sixty-four years. He 
left two sons in connection with the Troy conference, who 
are walking in his footsteps and doing good work fur the 
Master. 

The time of the organization of the Sunday-school can- 
not be given, but it was, at least, as early as the erection of 
the house of worship. It has been in operation ever since, 
and doing a good work, summer and winter. The ofiici- 
ary and statistics are as follows : officers and teachers, 16 ; 
scholars, 104 ; volumes in library, 150 ; music books, 150 ; 
Bibles and Testaments, 95 ; value of books, $125. 

Names of Officers. — James H. Clark, superintendent ; 
Warren Caswell, assistant superintendent ; Mrs. Rachel 
Potts, lady superintendent ; E. L. Haight, secretary ; J. H. 
Clark, treasurer ; Jas. A. Knight, librarian ; Miss Carrie 
Lansing, organist. 

The present officers of the church are H. Cady, H. 
Dummer, F. Taylor, Charles Dutcher, J. H. Clark, P. 
Potts, A. Clute, and W. Caswell, trustees ; H. Cady, F. 
Taylor, L. K. Harvey, J. H. Clark, Philip Potts, and W. 
Caswell, stewards. 

There is a small brick church two miles west of Cres- 



cent, in which there is service every Sabbath afternoon, and 
a Sunday-school, except in winter. This place constitutes 
a part of the one pastoral charge, and for the whole field 
there is one pastor, Rev. Dr. Starks, and five class-leaders, 
N. F. Philo, J. B. Morrill, John I. Graver, H. Soouton, 
and S. 51. Devoe. In these classes there are one hundred 
and fifty members, some of whom were the founders of the 
church in this place. One of these veterans is the venera- 
ble John Dunsback, ninety-one years old. He was long a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church before coming 
to this place. N. F. Philo, another of the founders, is yet 
here, and is a veteran class-leader. 

Crescent is situated in the town of Half-Moon, on the 
Mohawk river and Erie canal, — -this last-named highway of 
commerce crosses the river at this place ; and while we 
remember that it has never been a Sabbath-keeper, and 
that many of the citizens spend a large portion of each 
year upon it, and that many groceries on its borders are 
open seven days in the week, it is to the credit of the 
church that it can make so good a report. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT SMITHTOWN. 
This society is one of modern growth, occupying some- 
what the ground formerly held by the ancient Baptist 
church. They have a neat chapel, standing some distance 
south of the Corners, formerly known as Newtown. The 
church is comparatively of recent origin. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF HALF-MOON. 

This society is located at Clifton village ; the one at Mid- 
dletown and this are successors of the old Newtown church 
that was dissolved some years ago. That old church had its 
house of worship at the four corners by the cemetery, near 
the present residence of John Baker. Clifton Park village 
was an out-station, at which preaching was established for 
some time before the formation of a society by the pastors 
of the First Baptist church of Clifton Park, and under the 
labors of Elder F. S. Parke, assisted by Elder Parmalee, 
the movement developed into a new society in 1841. The 
early members of this congregation have been Elders Parke, 
Parmalee, Grant, Green, Capron, Stockwell, Keach, Greene. 

A friends' meeting 

was established very early about three miles southwest of 
Mochanicville, — in the neighborhood of Smith, Dillingham, 
and Badgely. The society probably reached back towards 
the Revolution. The meeting-house itself was a venerable 
building. 

Meetings were discontinued about 1850. The few 
Friends left in that neighborhood after that went to meet- 
ing at Quaker Springs and elsewhere. The building stood 
some years later. Among the old families of Friends were 
the Kirbys, Diilinghams, and Careys. 

A METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

is located at Coon's Crossing, in the northwest part of the 
town. Their house of worship has been located there about 
twenty years. Earlier than that it was farther west, near 
Usher's mills, and was known as the McKean church, being 
the home of that pioneer Methodist, Rev. Samuel McKean, 





Petei? Woodih 



MrsPlterWoodih. 



^5^^^^^^^!^ 



PHOTOS. Br ILOVO. WATERroRD.NT 




F?ESIDENCE _or PETER WOODIN. ^ALF ^ilOON.SARy^TOGA CO.HY- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



353 



and tlie place of his labor for many years. Methodist work 
there periiaps dates baek to nearly 1800. 

The church is understood to be a distinct society, but 
preaching is .supplied by pastors from INIechanicville. 

Vlir.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

The cemetery at Mechanicville is on a bluff command- 
ing extensive views of the valley and the river. There is 
placed the monument to Colonel P]llsworth, whose name 
and heroic deeds are forever associated with the capture of 
the first rebel flag in the great civil war. Indeed, Mechan- 
icville itself is better known throughout the Union as the 
burial-place of the brave young colonel than for any other 
reason. His parents reside there, and the horse the colonel 
rode, tenderly cared for, is still occasionally driven upon 
the streets of the village. 

Southwest of Mechanicville, near the residence of A. 
D. Hart, is the old burial-ground connected with the origi- 
nal Newtown church. Many of the pioneer families are 
buried there. 

The cemeteries at Clifton Park village are within the 
town of Half-Moon, and are also very old. In the north- 
west part of the town, near the place of A. R. Lindsley, 
there is a burying-ground. For the south part of the town 
the cemetery at Middletown is the principal one. In sev- 
eral other places in the town are small family burial-places. 

IX.— SOCIETIES. 

A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd- Fellows, known 
as MeclumicvUle North Star Lodge, No. 174, was organ- 
ized Sept. 4, 1845 ; James Lee, N. G. ; John W. Cornell, 
V. G. The lodge continued to work about ten years. 
Their rooms were in the triangular building of Sir. Elmer, 
in the north part of the village. 

A division of the Sons of Temperance existed at Mechan- 
icville about thirty years ago. It had a flourishing exist- 
ence for some years. Its hall was the present room occupied 
by the Temperance Reform Club. In later times, 1866, a 
division was organized with E. 0. Howland, W. P. ; Dr. F. 
K. Lee, W. A. ; George R. Bloore, Secretary ; and J. F. 
Terry, Conductor. It continued until Feb. 25, 1869, when 
the charter was surrendered, and a Good Templars' lodge 
organized the same evening, — Union Lodge, No. 836. 
The first officers were J. F. Terry, W. C. T. ; Miss 
Satie Shonts, W. V. T. ; E. W. Simmons, W. R. S. ; J. 
D. Terry, W. A. R S. ; James McBurney, W. F. S. ; Mi.ss 
Ruth Hobbs, W. T. ; John Rice, W. M. ; Miss E. Wheeler, 
W. G. ; Joseph Layland, W. S. ; E. C. Chase, P. W. C. T. ; 
F. K. Lee, W. C. ; Miss Nannie Lockwood, R. H. S. ; 
Miss Rosalie Doty, L. H. S. This society only continued 
about a year. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

Under this head there is nothing special to be mentioned 
except certain items that are embodied in the notices of 
early settlement. The ancient ferries, the old roads de- 
scribed in the county history, and thc^ stone house above 
Crescent, constitute about all there is of importance. The 
American army, of course, crossed and recrossed this terri- 
tory in its movements during the Burgoyne campaign of 
45 



1777 ; but there are no traditions of skirmishes or encamp- 
ments during that year, though there must have been many 
such in the earlier colonial period. This town is in the 
lower portion of the triangle, where Indian trails and the 
routes of early French provincial armies must have con- 
verged and crossed either the Mohawk or the Hudson, or 
both. 

On the Leland farm it is said that there was a family 
massacred by the Canadians and Indians in 1748. The 
next year a house was built on the same farm, and is still 
standing. The boards for the inside work were split and 
hewn from the bodies of pine-trees. The farm is better 
known, perhaps, as the old Ten Broeck place. A short 
distance south of this is a barn built in 1737. A Scotch- 
man, who bought the farm in 1820, writes of it: "I am in- 
formed that there was ence a good well a little southwest 
of the house, but that it was filled up by a Dutch family, 
on account of its being inhabited by the ghost of a woman 
without a head." 

XI.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The general occupation of the people is agriculture. The 
town has some very valuable productive farms, not only on 
the alluvial flats along the river, but on the uplands. Only 
a small portion of the town can be called sandy and poor. 
Brick-making has been carried on to some extent south of 
Mechanicville, a good quality of clay being found there. 
Industrial enterprises at Mechanicville have already been 
mentioned. Considerable moulding-sand is shipped from 
the southwest part of the town. 

XII.— MILITARY. 

For the correction of the soldiers' list for the war of 
1861-65 we are under obligations to James H. Clark, of 
Middletown, whose own brave record, as well as his ac- 
quaintance with the men from this town, eminently fit him 
to prepare the roll. 

WAR OF 1812. 

The following are known to have been in that war from 
Half-Moon : Lieutenant-Colonel Shubael Taylor, Gilbert 
Williams, Samuel Coon, Oliver Waite, Genung A. Robin- 
son, Elijah Brown, I'eter Van Santford, Lsaac M. Devoe, 
William Smith, James Houghtaling, Ezra Crittenden, John 
Potts, Jeremiah Francisco, German Van Voorhees, Henry 
Soper, Esau Wilson, Thomas Follett. 

WAR OF :86i-or). 

Oscir L. Ackle.v. ciil. Jul.v 22, 1S02, 115th Kpgl., Co. H; killfd at Olustee, Fla., 

Fi'b. 20, 1804. 
Juilson IJ. Andrews, enl. Oct. 12, ISOl, "Ttli Kc^t., Co. F; capt.; not njnstcred ; 

rca gnc'd July 16, 1SC2. 
John M. Brewer, enh July 31, 1802, 115th Kcgt., Co. 11. 
Joseph H. Bullock, enl. Aug. 0, 18U2, H.^ith Rogt., Co. H. 
Charles II. lietts, enl. Aug. 5, 18u2, ll.ith Regt., Co. II. 
Elienezer C. Broughtou, enl. Aug. .1, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
Augustus W. Uayard, enl. Aug. .'>, 1862, 115th Regt , Co. II ; served out time ; 

died at hotne. 
George K. liroekwiiy, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
George W. Bortle, enl. Oct. 21. 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
Charles liuruhain, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C; pro. Corp., March ri, 

ISc:!; killed in battle, May 0, 1864. 
Rev, Fred. N. Harlow, enl. Aug. 26, 1802, Co. II, 115tli N. Y. Vols.; Pastor Bap- 
tist church, Ilalf-MofiU ; com. Ist lieut.; resigned. 
James H. Clark, enl. July 20, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H; 1st sergt.; pro. 2d 

lieut.. Fell. 6, 1803; pro. l9t lieut, April 22, 1861; disch. Nov. ao, 1864 ; 

wounded in right side at Olustyc, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804 ; pro. brevet capt. 

Dec. 11, 1805. 



354 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



George D. Cole, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 11.5th K-gt, Co. 11 ; five tlesperate wounds 

anfi legs shattered at Ohistee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804 ; captured and sent to 

A[ider80iiville, and lived to get home — a wonder to all. 
Sylvester Vf, Clemens, enl, Aug. 18, 1862, lloth Kegt., Co. H; pro. to chaplain; 

served throngli; the only chaplain the regiment ever had; was pastor 

of M. E. church. Crescent ciiTuit, when enlisted. 
Wm. S. Clemens, enl. July 25, 1862, ll.'ith Regt., Co. H; wounded once. 
George Carr, enl. Aug. 5, 1SC2, lloth Uegt., Co. H. 
Henry G. Craig, enl. Feb. 16, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. F; trans, to Vet. Battalion, 

77 th. 
Simeon W. Crosby, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. H. 
Henry Clark, enl. Aug. 1862; musician, Co. H, 115th Reg., N. Y. Vols.; sened 

time. 
Aaron Ilillingham, enl. Aug. 6, 1862,115th Regt., Co. H; died of chronic diar- 

rlinea at U. S. Gen. Ho-pital, Fortress Monroe, Va., Feb. 18, 1865. 
Thomas D(mahuc, onl. July 2:t, 18G2, lloth Regt., Co. H ; served time. 
Charles W. Du=ten, enl. Jan. 15, 1861, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Henry B. Dunimer, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, lloth N. Y. Vols., Co. H; wounded; 

served time. 
Thomas Kmptenis, enl. Oct. 7. 1861, 77lh Regt., Co. F. 
William H. Evarlt*, Co. H, lloth N. Y. Vols.; died al home, fall of 1862, from 

sickness contracted in the army. 
John W. Filkins, enl. July 2:1,1862, 115th Regt., Co. 11; sergt.; pro. 2d lient., 

April 22, 1864; wounded 3t Peterslmrg ; discharged latter part of 1364. 
Ambrose Fowler, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, lloth Regt., Co. H; sergt. 
Peter Filmsbee, enl. July al, 1802, 115tli Regt., Co. H. 
E. Raymond Fonda, enl July 21, 1862, ll.'ith Regt., Co. H; pro. to sergt. -mijor ; 

mortally wounded at Chesterfield Heights, Va., May 7, 1864; died in hos- 
pital, .^ew York city. 
Abram Filkins, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, llSth Regt., Co. H. 
Losee Filkins, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, Hot i Regt.. Co. H ; wounded in battle. 
George Freeman, e:il. July 14, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
Isaac L. Fonda, enl. in some cavalry regiment early in the war; re-enl. twice 

afterwards. 
Alfred Gould, enl. July 21. 1802, llStli Regt., Co. H; sergt.; served twice. 
Fred. S. Goodrich, enl. July 31, 1862,115th Regt, Co.H; pro. to 2d liL-utin33d 

U. S. Cav. Regt, June 7, I860. 
Wm. H. Goihaiii, enl. July 21, 1802, 115th Regt, Co. H ; served out time. 
Edward Greene, enl. Feb. 4, 1S64, 26th Cav., Co. C. 
Henry Haylock, enl. Aug. 13, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. H; corporal. 
George T. Hoag, enl. Aug. 8, 1S02, 115th Regt, Co. H ; corporal ; pro. to 2d lieut, 

April 29, 1865. 
George A. Houghtaling, enl. July 24, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
James K. P. Hinies, enl. July 22, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. II.; killed in battle at 

Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 16. 
James H. Hicks, enl. Aug. 14,1862,115th Regt, Co. H; died in New Y'ork city, 

Jan. 1864, dis. con. in army. 
John Hoover, enl. Feb. 4, 1804, 25th Cuv., Co. C. 
Henry Honeyer, enl. Feb. 2, 1864, 13th Art., Co. E. 

Edward Holland, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. F; wounded. May 10,1864. 
Isaac V. Irish, enl. Aug. 13, 1802, 115th Regt.; lost one eye; served time. 
John Irish, U. S. Regulars. 

Patrick Kelly, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H. 
James T. Kennedy, enl. Feb. 4, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. 0. 
George Killmer, enl. Jan. 7, 1864, 13tli Art., Co. F. 
John Kelly, enl. 1801, in 67tli N. Y'.; re-enl., and killed June 4, 1864, in front of 

Petersburg, Va., by a sharpshooter of tlie enemj'. 
Aaron Lewis, enl. Nov. 6, 1S61, 77th Regt, Co. F; disch. for disability, Feb. 4, 

1863. 
William B, Look, enl. July 23, 1802, listli Regt, Co. H. 
Philip Link, enl. Aug. 7, 1S62, 115lh Regt, Co. H ; killed in battle at Olustee, 

Fla., Feb. 20, 1864. 
Abbott C. Musgrave, enl. Aug. 21, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H ; corporal ; killed in 

battle at Deep Bottom, Va., Aug, 16, 1864, while bearing regimental 

battle-flag. 
John Mulligan, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, 115tb Regt, Co. H. 
Charles II. Milliken, cut Aug. 4, l.%2, llotli Kegt, 1:^0. 11 ; killed in battle at 

Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804. 
Leander Milliken, enl. Oct, 21, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, F, 
John McGuire, enl, Dec. II, USCl, 771h Regt, Co. F. 
Alfred G. Noxon, Co. H, lloth Regt, N. Y. Vols. ; 2d lieut; pro. to 1st lient. ; 

resigned 1863. 
S. Mitchell Noxon, commissioned a lieutenant in a western regiment 
Alfred Phrenix, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 116th Regt, Co. II ; wounded in battle at 

Olustee, Fla. 
George W. Pettit, enl. Oct. 12, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; disch. Oct. 21, 1802. 
Hiram Ricliatdson, enl. Aug. 5, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. H ; died at Camp Doug- 

his, Chicugo, III., Nov. 8, 1802. 
Win. Ryan, enl. Feb. 13, 1804, 25lh Cav., Co. B. 

Frank Short, enl. Aug. 11,1862,77th Regt, Co. K, trans, to Vet. Bat, 77th Regt. 
Wm. Smith, enl. Aug. 0, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H; killed in battle at Olustee, 

Fla., Feb. 20, 1804. 
Henry Sampson, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
Marvin Steenburgh, enl. Aug. 5, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. H ; served time. 
Ilcnry Shouts, enl. July 23, 1862, 113th Regt. Co. II. 
Andrew U. Smith, enl. July 22, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H; served time. 
John P. Silvernail, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, lloth Kegt, Co. H. 



Dnane Shepherd, enl. Aug. 4, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H; died in Waterford, N. 

Y., summer of 1803. 
Almon E. Stone, enl. .\ug. 4, 1862, lloth Regt, Co. H ; wounded in battles at 

Petersburg and Fort Fi>lier, N. C. 
Jacob Sever, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, lloth Regt, Co. H. 
Dewitt Sickler, enl. July 18, 1862, lloth Regt., Co. H. 
Samuel W. Seymour, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H; trans, to Battery B, 

Ist U. S. Artillery. 
Samuel D. Stevenson, enl. Feb. 3, 1864, 2d Rifles; captain; mustered out with 

regiment, Aug. 10, 1805. 
John Smitli, enl. Oct. 12, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
Solomon P. Smith, Capt. Co. II, 115th Regt. ; breveted lieut-colonel for gallant 

service in the field; lost an aim at Deep Bottom, Virginia. 
Chalsey W. Simmons, 77th Regt; instantly killed while sleeping in front of a 

tree, at Petersburg, in summer of 1864. 
Frank Smith. 
Benjamin Thackrah, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H ; wounded at Cemetery 

Hill, Va., July 30, 1864. 
Eli.ns D. Tuttle, enl. Feb. 4, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. C. 
Thi.niius Thackeray, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
George Vandercook, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 115th Kegt, Co. FI ; corporal; lost an 

arm in battle at Deep Bottom, Va., .\ug. 16, 1864. 
Warren Van Olinda, enl. Aug. 6, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. H; musician. 
George T. A"an Hoesen, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115th Regt, Co. H ; wounded in two 

engagements; served time. 
Van Dervort, capt. U. S. Colored Regt. 
James Wilson, enl. July 30, 1862, lloth Regt, Co.H; killed in buttle at Olustee, 

Fla.. Feb. 20, 1861. 
John R. Walt, enl. Aug. 14, 1802, 115Ih Regt, Co. H ; pro. sergeant; wounded 

at Fort Fisher, N. C. 
Samuel A. Winslow, enl. Feb. 4, 1862, 25th Cav., Co. C. 
James Wade, enl. Feb. 8, 1864, 13tli Art, Co. E. 
Alliert Wooden, enl. Jan. 3, 1861, 13th Art, Co. F. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



COLONEL E. E. ELLSWORTH. 

It is difficult, in the brief space allotted to this sketch to 
write the life of one whose every deed and word has been 
treasured by a sorrowing nation as a sacred memento. His 
life was short, but full of grand meaning and significance ; 
his death was tragic and untimely. 

Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth was born in the town of Malta, 
Saratoga County, eight miles west of the little village of 
Mechanicville, on the left bank of the Hudson, April 11, 
1837. His boyhood days were spent amidst scenes ren- 
dered classical in American annals by reminiscences of the 
Revolution, the decisive battle of Saratoga, and the sur- 
render of Burgoyne, — scenes often related to him at the 
fireside, the spirit and import of wliieh he had a peculiar 
genius for receiving, and which, no doubt, exerted a power- 
ful influence upon his after-life. We find young Ellsworth, 
as a school-boy, receiving his first lessons at tlie district 
school. He loves books; but, most of all, those which tell 
the story of wars, and the lives and deeds of men great in 
arms. He has a genius for drawing and sketching, but 
military figures, generals, and armies appear upon his can- 
vas or start from his crayon or brush. As an illustration 
of this proclivity for military matters, even in early child- 
hood, it may be stated that his mother has preserved an 
old fragment of a window-shade which he painted when 
only nine years old with common wagon-paint, — General 
Washington and staflf is portrayed on one side, and General 
Jackson and staff on the other. He became, afterwards, a 
rapid and accurate sketcher. 

Passing over his experience as a clerk at Mechanicville 
and in the city of Troy, we find him, in 1853, with " a 
purpose high and strong" to seek his fortune in the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



355 



metropolis of the nation. He writes, a.sking his father's 
consent, " I believe that faithful, honest clerks are wanted 
there, and that one who knows his duty and will do it can- 
not fail to succeed," — a statement showing that, young as 
he was, he had remarkably mature and just ideas of the 
principles which should govern a young man seeking suc- 
cess in life. These principles became as strong and ruling 




in him as his military ardor. During the year which he 
spent in New York he attended every drill of the Seventh 
Regiment which it was possible for him to attend, read 
books of tactics, and first felt the breaking light of those 
ideas of his regarding military organization which after- 
wards came to such splendid fruition. Through all his 
struggles for place and position in the mercantile world, 
which followed for several years, this ruling idea was 
uppermost. Under the tuition of an accomplished swords- 
man — De Villiers — he became master of the several systems 
of tactics and of the use of the sword and bayonet. 

He was quite young when he went to Chicago, and asso- 
ciated himself in business with Arthur F. Devereaux, of 
Massachusetts. Through the treachery of one in whom 
they reposed great confidence, they suflfered severe loss, and 
were obliged to close their business. Ellsworth then sought 
the law. His first application, written to one of the lead- 
ing attorneys, for some cause was rejected ; but he perse- 
vered, and finally completed his studies with Mr. Lincoln, 
at Springfield, Illinois, and was admitted to the bar, about 
three weeks before he became the escort of the President- 
elect to Washington, in the spring of 1801. 

On the 4th of May, 1859, he had organized the United 
States Zouave Cadets, at Chicago, — the organization which 



first gave liis name to the world. The march of this cele- 
brated regiment through the principal cities of the Union, 
in 1860, and the military enthusiasm it awakened, are well 
known. During the presidential campaign of 18G0 he 
made many eloquent and earnest speeches for his party, 
reminding all who heard him of the early and palmy days 
of Stephen A. Douglas. To the Legislature of Illinois, that 
winter, he submitted a bill embodying his idea of militia 
reform, but no progress was made with it before that body. 

The life-long friendship between him and Mr. Lincoln 
sprang up during the days when Ellsworth was a law 
student in the office at Springfield. Mr. Lincoln intended 
that he should be chief clerk of the war department, to 
which place he was recommended by letters from many 
leading men. 

The central idea of his .short life was the thorough reor- 
ganization of the militia of the United States, and he had 
drawn up a complete and systematic plan for the accom- 
plishment of that object. He desired a place in the war 
department in order that he might eifect the reform he had 
planned. In March, 1801, President Lincoln wrote a letter 
to the secretary of war, instructing that officer to detail 
Colonel Ellsworth to the " special duty of adjutant and in- 
spector-general of militia aflfairs for the United States." 
The letter was never officially transmitted, on account of the 
jealousy of the officers of the regular army. 

While Ellsworth was lying sick at Washington the cloud 
of war broke upon the country. He was aroused by the 
shock, and his ill health vanished. In a few days he was 
in New York, proceeding thither without assistance or au- 
thority. Organizing the First New York Zouaves, he was 
speedily back in Washington, with his men mustered into 
the service for the war. After a few days of drill and dis- 
cipline they were ordered to cross into Virginia and co-op- 
erate in the attack on Alexandria. On the 24th of May, 
1861, while descending with a rebel flag which had been 
flaunting treason from a house which had once sheltered 
Washington, he was shot by the owner of the house. A 
Union soldier, almost in the same instant, shot the assassin. 
Two lives thus went out into eternity, but how different 
the memory of each! One was the hero and martyr, dying 
for human liberty, to be forever enshrined in the hearts of 
his countrymen ; the other dying the death of the traitor, 
to be remembered only with infamy. 

Words can pay no fonder tribute than those from the 
pen of the sainted Lincoln, written to the father and mother 
of Ellsworth : 

" In the untimely loss of your noble son, our affliction 
here is scarcely less than your own. So much of promised 
usefulness to our country, and of bright hopes for oneself 
and friends, have rarely been so suddenly darkened as in 
his fall. In size, in years, in youthful appearance, a boy 
only, his power to command men was surprisingly great. 
This power, combined with fine intellect and indomitable 
enei-gy, and a taste altogether military, constituted in him, 
as seemed to me, the best natural talent in that department 
I ever knew." 

The personal appearance of Colonel Ellsworth at the time 
he organized the United States Zouave Cadets is thus de- 
scribed : 



356 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



" At this time he was the picture of a soldier. His 
form, tliough slight, was of the size of the elder Napoleon ; 
the head poised like that of a statue, covered by curling 
black hair; dark eyes, bright and serene; a nose like that 
you see on Roman medals; a slight moustache, just shading 
the lips that were continually curving into sunny smiles. 
His voice deep, but musical ; his address soldierly, sincere, 
and courteous ; his dress tasty and faultless ; the fascination 
to gather friends and keep them ; a cavalier of the days of 
romance, stainless, loyal, and brave." 

In military matters he was a strict disciplinarian, espe- 
cially in keeping up the moral tone of his men, prohibiting, 
under pain of dismissal, all intemperance and profligacy. 



CAPTAIN EPHRAIM D. ELLSWORTH. 

The Ellsworth ancestors came from England. George, 
the grandfather of Ephraim D. Ellsworth, was a resident of 
Half-Moon, Saratoga County, before the Revolution. When 




Photo, by Baker & Rt-cord, Saratoga Spi ings. 



Burgoyne invaded the territory he joined the Continental 
army, at the age of fifteen, and was in the battle of Bemus 
Heights, and at the surrender of Burgoyne, after that de- 
cided victory. He married Sarah Reynolds, a native of 
Rhode Island, and had fourteen children. 

Ephraim D. Ellsworth, his son, and father of Colonel 
Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth, was born in the town of Half- 
Moon, Saratoga County, May 22, 1809. Previous to his 
nineteenth year he learned the tailor's trade in Waterford, 
and afterwards worked at it in Troy, and in Jonesville, in 
this county. In 1836 he married Phebe Denton, of Malta, 
and located for the prosecution of his trade at Mechanic- 
ville, where he has resided ever since, except an absence of 
about ten years, employed in the government .service. 



On the 16th of November, 1861, he was commissioned, 
by President Lincoln, captain in the ordnance department., 
and assigned to duty at Fortress Monroe. This position, 
however, he soon resigned, and was assigned to the charge 
of the Champlain arsenal, at Vergennes, Vt., where he re- 
mained about ten years, returning to his home in this 
county in the fall of 1871. 

At the time of the Fenian raid he rendered prompt and 
eflicient aid to the governor of Vermont by issuing arms 
and ammunition. By an accident, which happened to him 
at that time, he was disabled. The government has justly 
renewed his leave of absence from year to year, continuing 
his salary without requiring of him active service. 

Captain Ellsworth had one other son besides Elmer, who 
died in Chicago, quite young. 



REV. F. S. PARKE. 

The life of the Rev. F. S. Parke is an apt illustration of 
the trials, privations, and hardships that have characterized 
the early lives of many of our most successful ministers. 

Born at the town of Hancock, Berkshire Co., Mass., on 
Aug. 24, 1807, of pious. God-fearing parents, he early re- 




REV. F. S. PARKE. 

alized the blessings of religion and adopted a religious life. 
Brought up in the Presb3'terian faith, he was at first in- 
clined to unite with that body, but on the 3d day of June, 
1827, he was baptized into the fellowship of the Baptist 
church at Egremont, Mass., by the Rev. Enos Marshall. 
The church to which he joined himself, feeling that he had 
especial gifts which called him to preach the gospel, recom- 
mended him to adopt the profession of the ministry, and 
on the first Saturday in November, 1830, voted him a 
license to preach. He immediately entered upon the 
work. 

On Nov. 10, 1831, he was ordained in accordance with 
the regular forms of the church as pastor of the Baptist 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



357 



church at Hancock, Mass. On Dec. 7, same year, he 
removed, with his invalid wife, to that place, and en- 
tered upon the active duties of his pastorate. His 
salary was but $200 a year, $50 of which went for rent 
and fuel, leaving the meagre balance to sustain himself, 
wife, and servant for a whole year. As a consequence, 
his Hfe was a hard one, and his trials many. His entire 
capital at this time consisted of this salary and about 
fifty dollars' worth of books and clothiny;, — -a striking con- 
trast to the lives of the young members of the clerical pro- 
fession of the present day. Yet amid all these privations 
Mr. Parke continued faithfully to discharge his duties, re- 
lying upon Providence for grace to su.stain and guide him 
in the darkest hpurs. 

The second pastorate of Mr. Parke was at Nassau, N. Y., 
where he had charge of the First Baptist church, at an 
annual salary of $250. He assumed the charge on April 
1, 1833, and continued pastor for two years. 

His third pastorate was at West Troy, N. Y., where he 
remained as pastor of the Baptist church for four years. 
He entered upon the discharge of his duties in May, 1835, 
at a salary of $400. Here the clouds of adversity that 
had hitherto overshadowed his life began to dissolve, and 
the years passed at West Troy wore years of peaceful, calm 
enjoyment. In 1836 fifty persons were added to his 
church. He also supplied three stations from here, the 
one at Cohoes being in a prosperous condition, and the 



seed from which grew the present influential church at 
that place. 

In September, 1839, Mr. Parke received and accepted a 
call to become the pastor of the Baptist church at Clifton 
Park. This was a large and flourishing church. Elder 
Abijah Peck, who was the founder of this church, was as 
yet its acknowledged pastor. With this church Mr. Parke 
remained for eleven years, enjoying at times the special 
tokens of divine favor. He also preached in many school- 
houses in the vicinity. 

On the 1st day of May, 1866, Mr. Parke took charge 
of the Second Baptist church of Half-Moon, where he 
labored for eleven years to this date. May, 1878, at the 
same time having charge of the First Baptist church of 
the same place for three consecutive years. He is still at 
the same place. 

Mr. Parke has been a member of the Baptist church for 
fifty-one years ; he has been an ordained minister for forty- 
seven years ; ho has lived and labored in the county of 
Saratoga twenty-seven years, being pastor of five of its 
churches ; he has been a member of the Saratoga Baptist 
Association thirty-three years, and has preached in eveiy 
Baptist meeting-house in the county. 

He has been three times married ; his first wife living 
but seven years after marriage, his second for twenty, and 
his third is still living. All were excellent women and suc- 
cessful pastor's wives. He has four children now living. 



G A L W A Y. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

Galway is one of the western towns of the county, a . 
little south of the centre. It is bounded north by Provi- 
dence, east by Milton, south by Charlton, and west by the 
county line. It contains twenty-two thousand two hundred 
and eighty-four acres of improved land and fifty-five hun- 
dred and twenty -one of unimproved, and of this last amount 
thirty-nine hundred and ninety-five are woodland. 

The population in 1875 was nineteen hundred and forty- 
one. The town is wholly within the limits of the Kaya- 
drossera patent, containing parts of the fourteenth and 
sixteenth allotments. 

The following legal description of this town and the defi- 
nition of its boundary lines is from the revised statutes of 
the State : 

" The town of Oahrai/ sliall contain all that part of said county 
bounded easterly by Miltoa ; southerly by a line running from the 
southwest corner of Milton west, along the south bounds of the four- 
teenth allotment of the patent of Kayadrossera to the west bounds 
of the county ; westerly by the bouud.s of the county ; and northerly 
by Providence." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The surface is gently undulating in the southern part, 
and in the north rises into rounded hills, of considerable 
elevation, forming a portion of the Kayadrossera range of 
mountains. Running through the town from east to west, 
a little north of the centre, is a strip of lowland, in which 
several small creeks originate and run to the east and west. 
Chuctenunda creek rises near the northwest corner of the 
town, flows southward, and is made to supply the reservoir 
of the Amsterdam mill-owners. This reservoir is one and 
a half miles west of Galway village, and when full covers 
about 530 acres of surface. Leaving the reservoir, the 
stream flows in a generally southwesterly course to Amster- 
dam, and empties into the Jlohawk river. Feegowesee 
creek rises in the north centre of the town and flows east- 
erly into the Kayadrossera creek. In the southeast a branch 
of the Mourning Kill rises, and flows eastwardly, emptying 
into the Kayadrossera, at Ballston. The soil is generally 
sandy, intermixed with considerable clay and some gravel, 
and is quite productive. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in the, town was made on Scotch 
street, about a mile south of Galway village. The settle- 
ment extended from the cemetery north of Galway village 
south through Galway and Charlton. The settlers were all 
Scotch emigrants, and from this fact the street became 
known by the name of Scotch street. 
358 



The first settlers were AVilliam Kelly, John and James 
Major, and John McHarg, who came in October, 1774. 
They were followed soon after by John and Moses McKind- 
ley, John McClelland, Joseph Newland, William McCart- 
ney, Mr. McWilliams, Mr. Bell, and others. 

William and Helen Kelly settled about a mile south of 
Galway, and, with the industry and thrift for which the 
Scotch people are so famous, soon had a pleasant home 
started in the midst of the wilderness. This homestead, 
constantly improving, has passed from generation to gener- 
ation, and is now owned and occupied by two of their grand- 
children, William and Robert Kelly. The first white child 
born in the town was their daughter, Elizabeth, who was 
born November 1, 1774. 

The Major brothers settled a little farther south. One 
of them, James Major, was killed by a falling tree, on 
Sept. 11, 1776, and was buried in the cemetery at Galway. 
His was the first death in town, and he was the first person 
buried in that cemetery. 

John McClelland was born in Glaston, shire of Gallo- 
way, Scotland, Dec. 21, 1754, and came to this country 
and settled in Galway when he was about twenty years old. 
He married his wife, Jane, in the mother country. She 
was born at Coal Hill, England, Doc. 2, 1755. They set- 
tled on the first four corners south of Galway, and the last 
house occupied by them stood on the northeast corner. 
John McClelland was a man of unusual capacity for busi- 
ness, and at once became prominent among his neighbors. 
In 1780 he embarked in the mercantile business, and opened 
the first store in town. He prospered greatly, and accu- 
mulated considerable property. He was often called to 
official positions by the voice of his fellow-citizens, and ever 
acquitted himself creditably of the duties of his position. 
He was the first supervisor of the town, and served three 
years. He was then, in 1794, elected as member of As- 
sembly from Saratoga County. He served in this capacity 
in 1794, 1796, 1797, 1806, and 1808. He was appointed 
a judge of the court of comtnon pleas in 1806. He died 
April 12, 1819, aged sixty-four years. His wife died Nov. 
8, 1824. They lie side by side in the Galway cemetery. 

About four years after, a colony of settlers came from 
Centrehook, R. I., and settled near York's Corners, in the 
northeastern part of the town. Rev. Simeon Smith was 
the principal man, and he was accompanied by his parents 
and three brothers-in-law, Simeon Babcock, Reuben Matti- 
son, and Joseph Brown. 

At a subsequent period, probably soon after the close of 
the Revolutionary struggle, a settlement was begun in the 
southwestern part of the town by some ten or twelve fami- 
lies from New Jersey. Among them were John Ilinman, 




RESIDENCE OF THOMAS MAIRS, GALWAY. N.V 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



359 



James Hayes, Richard Paul, Peter Anderson, Mr. Harri- 
son, Mr. Hedding, and Dudley Smith. They were nearly 
all from near Elizabeth, N. J., and the settlement at once 
received the name of Jersey Hill, which it still retains. 
Still nearer the southwest corner, Duncan Stewart, John 
McMartin, James Clizbe, and Mr. Ferguson settled about 
the same time. 

Jamas and Mary Hays were from Newark, N. J., and 
settled on the land southwest of the corners, at Jersey Hill. 
They came from Schenectady by an Indian trail, and 
brought their household treasures on pack-horses through 
the almost trackless forest. They had two sons and two 
daughters. But one, the youngest son, is now living. He, 
James D. Hays, resides in Galway. He was born about 
the time of his father's death, and was twenty years 
younger than his youngest sister. 

Job Cornell lived near the boundary line between jMas- 
sachusetts and Rhode Lsland, and married Sarah Wood. 
In 1788-90 they moved to Galway, and settled about three 
and a half miles north of Galway, near the town line of 
Providence. Job, Jr., was born in 17S9, and lived on the 
homestead until be died, in 1837. His son, William Cor- 
nell, is the only descendant now living in Galway. He 
resides at Mosherville. 

Pilgrim Durkee married Hannah Holmes, and at the 
close of the Revolution came and settled about one-half 
mile east of West Galway. They had a family of six sons 
and five daughters, of whom but one is now living in Gal- 
way. His name is Eber C. Durkee, and he resides on the 
old homestead. Mrs. Eunice Phelps, of Steuben county, 
and Mrs. Mary Wheeler, of Michigan, are two other living 
children. The rest are dead. 

Augustus L. Stone was a son of Lewis Stone and Sally 
Warren, who were married in New York and came to Gal- 
way in 1791. He has been a contractor on public works 
for upwards of thirty years, and has now retired from 
active business to enjoy the fruits of his labors. 

The families of the oldest settlers have nearly all become 
estinct, and but little is known about the early life of these 
hardy pioneers. That they had much to contend against, 
and that they by untiring industry and indomitable energy 
succeeded in creating homes, building up villages, establish- 
ing schools and churches, and redeemed the wild forests by 
transforming them into pleasant and productive farms, 
speaks their meed of praise. They are gone, but their 
works live after them, and the Present reaps the fruits of 
the harvest on the fields where the Past sowed the seed 
amid toil, privation, and hardship. 

Thomas Mairs was a son of Thomas and Margaret IMairs, 
Argyle, Washington county, and settled in Galway in 
1822. Embarked in the mercantile business in 1829, and 
is doing a general dry goods and grocery business at the 
same place in which he began forty-eight years ago. 

The first cliurch in the Scotch Street settlement was 
located in this town ; and the first pastor. Rev. James 
IMairs, also resided here. 

When the early settlers came through the woods from 
Schenectady they did not reach their destination till late at 
night, and said they were much annoyed by the " (/o^s" 
along the way, who kept up a continual howling and barking. 



On being informed that the " doffs" were wolves and foxes 
they were quite alarmed, and felt thankful for their pres- 
ervation from harm. 

Prominent among the citizens of the town was General 
Earl Stimson.- He was a large land-owner near the centre 
of the town ; owned fine buildings on the hill known as 
Stimson's Corners, where be kept a store, hotel, and board- 
ing-house, and engaged in the meat-packing business; he 
also owned two other stores, one at Fonda's Bush and the 
other at Galway. He was a model farmer, and kept every- 
thing about his farm in perfect order, and by his example 
stimulated others to a careful and improved style of farming. 
He was member of Assembly in 1818, and, being a presi- 
dential elector in lS10,cast his vote in the electoral college 
for William 11. Harrison. He was a liberal, progressive, 
public-spirited man. 

Colonel Isaac Gere was another prominent citizen who 
held several offices conferred upon him by his fellow- 
citizens. He was supervisor, one of the commissioners to 
build the county court-house, member of Assembly, and 
State senator, and always deeply interested in works and 
matters of public interest and utility. 

Among those citizens of the town who have held public 
office, and not mentioned above, are James Warren, mem- 
ber of Assembly from 1799 to 1803; Othniel Looker, 
member of Assembly, 1803 to 1804; Nehemiah Cande, 
member of Assembly, 1809 ; Avery Starkweather, member 
of xVssembly, 1812 and 1814, and associate judge of the 
court of common pleas, 1815 ; Ebenezer Couch, member of 
A.ssembly, 1832 to 1833 ; Jesse H. Mead, member of As- 
sembly, 1841 ; Azariah E. Stimson, member of Assembly, 
1843; Nathan Thompson, presidential elector in 1824, 
who voted for Henry Clay ; Ira Brockett, member of As- 
sembly, 18G3 to 1864; and Lewis Stone, who was a judge 
of the court of common pleas in 1843. 

Among the early settlers previous to 1795 we name 
Lewis Rogers, Hackaliah Foster, Eli Smith, Elias Stillwell, 
John Munro, James De Golia, Philo and Burr Dauchy, 
Asa Kellogg, Philip Green, Edmund Wait, Wait Palmer, 
Benajah Moon, Restcome Potter, Arnold Lewis, Samuel 
Jones, Isaac Fay, Josiah Bartlett, and William Waggoner. 

Doctor Pixley was an early physician in Galway. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

This town was erected from Balls-Town, March 7, 1792. 
It then comprised the territory now embraced within the 
limits of the towns of Galway, Providence, Edinburgh, 
and the western part of Day. In 1796 Providence was 
taken from Galway, reducing it to its present dimensions. 
The name originally given to the place was " New Gallo- 
way," and it was so called as early as 1785. The name 
was given by the early settlers, who were Scotch people, 
and named it in honor of their former home, the shire of 
Galloway, in Scotland. When the act creating the town 
was passed, through error or oversight the name was Hi- 
hernicized, and the town called " Galway." 

The first meeting of the new town was held in the April 
succeeding the passage of the act, and John McClelland 
was elected supervisor and Wait Palmer town clerk. The 



360 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



record of this meeting was lost, and it is not possible to 
give any further proceedings. Tlie town-meeting of 1793 
was hold at the store of Smith & Stillwell, on the 3d of 
April. The following town officers were elected, viz. : John 
McClelland, supervisor ; Eli Smith, town clerk ; Ebenezer 
Smith, John Munro, Thomas Disbrow, assessors ; Lewis 
Rogers, Asa Kellogg, Joseph Wait, commissioners of high- 
ways ; Ebenezer Smith, Philip Green, poormasters ; Benajah 
Moon, Wilson Green, Ahira Smith, constables; Benajah 
Moon, Wilson Green, collectors; Ebenezer Smith, Wait 
Palmer, William Neal, James Freeman, Judah Chase, 
Joseph Garrison, fence-viewers and damage-prizers, at four 
shillings per day; Barnet Stillwell, pounduiaster ; and a 
list of fortj'-seven pathmasters. By-laws were enacted 
forbiddincf unj'oked hogs to run on the commons between 
May 1 and November 1 ; forbidding rams running at large 
from September 1 to November 1 ; forbidding stallions over 
one year old from running at large ; and authorizing the 
purchase of a copy of the laws of the State. The meeting 
was adjourned to meet in one year at the barn of David 
Brown. In 1795 the town-meetings began to be held at 
the Baptist church, then new, and after 1806 were held 
sometimes at the Baptist and sometimes at the Presby- 
terian church, and finally began to be held at the tavern at 
a somewhat later period. 

On the 6th day of April, 1808, a black child (slave) 
was born at the house of Gershom Potter, in Galway. The 
fact was recorded the 1st day of January, 1809, by Martin 
Cook, who was town clerk at that time. There are several 
entries in the records relating to the vile curse of slavery, 
from which our land is now happily freed. In 1813, 
Abraham Fonda sold a " certain slave," known as " Lun," 
to John Pettit, and he entered into an agreement to free 
the said Lun in nine years from that date, and to " deliver 
to the said Lun," at that time, " two cows and ten .sheep of 
a full middling quality." Lanton Hicks and Ebenezer 
Fitch witnessed the signing of the document, and Eli 
Smith, town clerk, placed it on record April 6, 1813. In 
pursuance of this article, in the year 1822, Abijah Corn- 
stock and Asa Cornell, who were then overseers of the 
poor, were called upon to examine Lun, and Kate, his wife, 
to see if they were of sufficiently ability to provide for and 
maintain themselves. In issuing the necessary certificate 
they took occasion to express their " anxiety to encourage 
acts of humanity," and their willingness " that all should 
enjoy the inalienable right of liberty." 

Another one of these documents reads as follows, viz. : 
" Know all men by these Presents, That I, Thaddeus Jewett, 
purchased from Peter Yates a black woman by the name of 
Molly, together with her child, a boy by the name of 
H.arry. The aforesaid child was born March the 17th, 
1813." 

And again, July 25, 1815, John Pettit and Abijah 
Smith, overseers of the poor, certified to the ability of 
William Reynolds, " a slave to Joseph Pinney," to take 
care of and inaintain himself 

A special town-meeting was called, and met on the 2Gth 
of November, 1795, at the house of Hackaliah Foster, to 
consider the question of dividing the town. A motion to 
divide it by a line running parallel to and six miles north 



of the southern boundary was voted down, and the distance 
of the dividing line from the southern boundary was finally 
fixed at seven miles and twenty rods. 

A by-law passed in 1802 reads as follows, viz. : " Be it 
further enacted by the said town that there shall be the 
sum of Twenty Dollars paid in Said Town for the Incor- 
uJging of Killing Wolves ; and thatis if any Person should 
Kill or Ketch a wolf in said Town they must Deliver the 
same or a Skelp of the said wolf within thirty-six ours to 
John McClelland and Adam Swan, Esqs., Who shall be 
Judge of the same, and Say Whether Such Person is 
entitled to the above Bounty or not." 

The matter of estrays furnished by a perusal of the records 
affords considerable amusement. Among the animals ad- 
vertised are the following, viz. : " A ^v\nA\e-CitUered Bull- 
Calf, and a pale-Red Hfffier Calf;" " A black heifer, with 
a white face two years old, and a black heifer, with a white 
tttil one year old;" "A T>\in- Coulered Stear ;" "One 
Yew ;" " A heifer with a loin back ;" " One specled pig ;" 
" A Pail-B.edi cow, with a white stripe over her back, and 
on her belly a brown face ;" and " A Read heifer, with a 
wliite face one year old, come into possession of John 
Gilbert about the 1st of October with a crop of the left 
Ear." 



LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS. 



Tear. 
1792. 



Supervisor. 
John McClelland. 



Town Clprk. 
Wait Palmer. 



1793. 


ti it 


Eli Smith. 


Benajah Moon, 
AVilson Green. 


1794. 


tt tt 


it it 


Benajah Moon, 
Restcome Potter. 


1795. 


John Munro. 


" " 


u it 

Reuben Coggswell. 


1796. 


" " 


tt ti 


Rowland Green, 
Martin Kellogg. 


1797. 


ii it 


tt (t 


Rowland Green, 
Pettit Smith. 


1798. 


U ft 


Ebenezer Smith. 


Rowland iireen, 
Kathaniel Keeler. 


1799. 


it it 


John Fay. 


it ti 
Joseph Brewster. 


1800. 


li it 


tt tt 


Rowland Green. 


1801. 


it tt 


ft it 


Perez Otis, 
John Folliot. 


1802. 


tt n 


tt tt 


Perez Otis. 


1803. 


Isaac Gere. 


a a 


a 


1804. 


tt tt 


Martin Cook. 


Joseph Brewster. 


1805. 


Nehemiah Cande. 


a 


John Eolliot. 


1806. 


a 


ft a 


Richard Freeman. 


1807. 


t( ti 


it a 


Thompson Northriip 


1808. 


H tt 


U (. 


Richard Freeman. 


1809. 


A. Starkweather. 


Eli Smith. 


Joseph Brewster. 


isin. 


it i( 


ti 


ti (( 


1811. 


Perez Otis. 


tt tf 


John Munro. 


1812. 


it 


it it 


Joseph Brewster. 


1813. 


Stephen Wait. 


Martin Cook. 


Ephruira Wheeler. 


1814. 


Perez Otis. 


Eli Smith. 


Joseph Brewster. 


1815. 


A. Starkweather. 


" 


'• 


1816. 


Perez Otis. 


it 


Enoch Johnson. 


1817. 


Gilbert Swan. 


David Clizbe. 


Joseph Brewster. 


1818. 


Perez Otis. 


Philo l>uucliy. 


ti it 


1819. 


Thomas Alexander 


a 


it it 


1820. 


Isaac Gere. 


tt ct 


it it 


1821. 


(( it 


it it 


Jolin J. Curtis. 


1822. 


Nathan Thompson. 


it tt 


tt it 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



3C1 



Year. 


Supeni>ior. 


T.iwn Clerk. 


Collector. 


1823. 


Nathan Thompson. 


Philo Dauchy. 


John J. Curtis. 


1824. 


H It 


a (( 


John Howard. 


1825. 


li tt 


tt tt 


Abel Beers. 


1826. 


Perez Otis. 


t( tt 


ti it 


1827. 


" 


tt tt 


Philip H. McOmbcr 


1828. 


Nathan Thompson. 


Burr Dauchy. 




1829. 


it ti 


U it 


Willinm Paul. 


1830. 


It tt 


ft it 


a 


1831. 


tt tt 


Eli Smith. 


ti it 


1832. 


" " 


u 


ti it 


1833. 


tt tt 


Philo Dauchy. 


tt tt 


1834. 


Dudley Smith. 


tt tt 


ti It 


1835. 


tt tt 


tt tt 


it it 


1836. 


Georgn Davidson. 


tt tt 


tt tt 


1837. 


Azariah E. Stimson 


George Hanford. 


a it 


1838. 


tt tt 


Thomas Mairs. 


a 


1839. 


tt tt 


ti (t 


Francis AVilHrnan. 


1840. 


Jesse H. Mead. 


Charles Thompson. 


it 


1841. 


Azariah E. Stimson 


it tt 


Nathaniel Briggs. 


1842. 


Lewis Stone. 


Ezckiel 0. Smith. 


William Cornell. 


1843. 


tt tt 


James Jones. 


John S. Jones. 


1844. 


William B. Knox. 


John Allen, Jr. 


John E. Larking, 


1845. 


John Whiteside. 


George R. Knox. 




1846. 


James Fuller. 


James Stilwell. 


William Paul. 


1847. 


" " 


tt tt 


it 


1848. 


James M. Barker. 


John F. Stimson. 


Orrin Mosher. 


1849. 


Josiah Pulling. 


Alanson Mead. 


John Radford. 


1850. 


Benjamin Blair. 


Patrick H. Meehan 


" (( 


1851. 


Aaron Cook. 


James D. Hayes. 


David Benedict. 


1852. 


tt tt 


William N. Beers. 


William Paul. 


1853. 


Alex. II. Hicks. 


tt tt 


Samuel Gould. 


1854. 


Morgan Lewis. 


Nathan Briggs. 


Nathaniel Briggs, 


1855. 


Thomas Mairs. 


tt 


Hiram Sexton. 


1856. 


(( u 


George H. French. 


John Weeden. 


1857. 


It it 


William N. Beers. 


U. H. Benediot. 


1858. 


Benjamin Blair. 


S. W. Green. 


William Morehouse. 


1859. 


Thomas Mairs. 


John N. Slocum. 


Abner AVilcox. 


1860. 


Ira Brockett. 


Jared W. Bell. 


David Gilford. 


1S61. 


Harrison Allen. 


Henry J. Fisher. 


Williara Radlcy. 


1862. 


John Whiteside. 


Charles Fisher. 


AVilliiim Buckwell. 


1863. 


John N. Slocum. 


Hiram Saxton. 


Robert Shaw. 


1864. 


ft it 


Joseph E. Vines. 


Matthew West. 


1865. 


Thomas Mairs. 


A. K. Vibbard. 


James D. Hayes. 


1866. 


Isaiah Fuller. 


Marvin L. Rogers. 


Edgar S. Hcrmance. 


1867. 


a <( 


ti It 


Montg'y Whiteside. 


1868. 


It u 


Patrick H. Meehan 


Edgar S. Uermance. 


1869. 


tt tt 


tt it 


James D. Hayes. 


1870. 


William Buckwell. 


it it 


Montg'y Whiteside. 


1871. 


tt tt 


it tt 


Edward Shaw. 


1872. 


Samuel Cook. 


it it 


John H. Seabury. 


1873. 


{{ tt 


ti it 


George Hanford. 


1874. 


James D. Hayes. 


it tt 


William Alexander. 


1875. 


William Crouch. 


ti it 


James S. Beardsley 


1876. 


(t a 


tt it 


Peleg Burdick. 


1877. 


Lauren 0. Kennedy 


ti it 


Abram F. Coude. 


1878. 


James D. Hayes. 


Rogers J. White. 


Hawley Tollctt. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 



Ezekicl 0. Smith. 
Jeremiah Whitlock. 
Truman G. Younglovc. 
John Vibbard. 
Ezekiel 0. Smith, I. t. 
Stephen V. R. White, v. 
Jeremiah Whitlock, 1. t. 
Aaron B. Baker, v, 
ti it 

Stephen V. R. White. 
Ezekicl 0. Smith. 
William Beers. 
Aaron B. Baker. 
Jacob Conklin, 



1831. 


Hugh Alexander, 1. t. 


1843 




Robert Spiers, s. t. 


1844 


1832. 


Carlton Morehouse. 


1845 


1833. 


John H. Dingman. 


1840 


1834. 


Hugh Alexander. 


1847 


1835. 


Ebenczer Coueh. 




1836. 


Carlton Morehouse. 


1848 


1837. 


Eli Smith. 




1838. 


Piatt B.Smith. 


1849 


1839. 


Hugh Alexander. 


1850 


1840. 


Jeremiah Whitlock, 1. 1. 


1851 




William Beers, v. 


1852 


1S41. 


Pascal P. Wheeler. 


1853 


1842. 


Ebenezer Couch. 

46 


1854 



1855. 

1856. 

1857. 

1858. 
1S59. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 
1805. 



Abel S. Whitlock, 1. t. 
John G. Pettit, v. 
William Beers, 1. t. 
Patrick H. Meehan, v. 



I. t. 
Stephen V. R. White, v. 

(( it 

Isaac Wilbur. 
William Beers. 
Patrick II. Meehan. 
Stephen V. R. White. 
Abel S. Whitlock. 
William Beers. 
John P. Smith, 1. t. 
William Beers, v. 



1866. 


Jeremiah H. Bidwell. 


1867. 


Abel S. Whitlock, 1. t. 




Stephen V. R. White, v. 


1868. 


Andrew Mead. 


1869. 


John P. Smith. 


1870. 


Brightman Briggs. 


1871. 


Abel S. Whitlock, 


1872. 


William Crouch, 


1873. 


John P. Smith. 


1874. 


Stephen V. R. White, l.t 




John P. Smith, v. 


1875. 


Abel S. Whitlock. 


1876. 


Brightman Briggs. 


1877. 


John P. Smith. 


1878. 


Stephen V. R. White. 



v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Galwat. — This village was incorporated, by act of the 
Legislature, April 18, 1838. The territory embraced is 
one-half mile square, with the four corners for a centre. 
Upon the passage of the act the proper persons set the 
march of improvement agoing, and the village improved 
rapidly in its general appearance. The citizens who took 
the greatest interest in the prosperity and improvement, 
and contributed most largely to that end, were Thomas 
Mails, Ira Brockett, P. H. Meehan, A. L. Stone, William 
B. Knox, and others. 

The present officers of the village are as follows, viz. : 
President, James D. Hays ; Clerk, Charles P. Saxton ; Trus- 
tees, William Jackson, William Crouch, Alphonse Crota; 
Treasurer, J. H. Saxton ; Collector, P. H. Meehan ; Consta.- 
ble, Byron Peckliam ; Poundmaster, J. Fitzgerald. 

Some trifling amendment to the charter was made in 
1869, on the 27th of April. 

York's Corners (East Galway post-office) is a small 
village containing about twenty dwellings, two churches, 
one steam saw-mill, a hotel, school-house, etc. 

Green's Corners (North Galway postroffice), on the 
north line of the town, Mosherville, in the north part, 
and South Galway, in the ea.st part, are hamlets. 

Whiteside's Corners is a village of some country 
trade, having stores, shops, and a hotel situated in the north- 
west part of the town, near the line of Providence. 

West Galway touches the western boundary, but lies 
almost wholly in Fulton county. It is locally known as 
" Top- Notch," and is said to have received this name at the 
time the first church was built there. After the frame was 
up one of the workmen climbed to the peak of the rafters, 
and, standing upright, shouted to tho.se below that he now 
stood on " the very top-notch." The name seemed so 
appropriate that it at once became popular, and still clings 
to the village. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

Perez Otis and Thomas Alexander, commissioners of 
schools, in 1815 divided the town into twelve school dis- 
tricts. The first apportionment of money for educational 
purposes was made in 1795, and for the town of Galway, 
as then constituted, the sum of £225 6s. was apportioned. 

galway academy. 
On May 26, 1836, an act passed the Legislature incorpo- 



362 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



rating the Galway Academy, authorizing the issuing of stock 
to the amount of $1500, in shares of $10 each, and naming 
Lewis Stone, Jesse H. Mead, Philo Dauchy, Hugh Alex- 
ander, Thomas Mairs, and Joel Root as trustees until the 
annual election, which was to be held on the second Tues- 
day of January in each year. At these elections eleven 
trustees were to be elected annually, and each share of stock 
was entitled to one vote. 

In 1837 the act of incorporation was amended so as to 
allow an increase of the capital stock to $2500, and a privi- 
lege of increasing it to $3500 at any time within five years 
if thought desirable. 

As soon as possible after the act of incorporation was 
passed the stock was issued, and work commenced on the 
buildings. It was the aim of the projectors to build up 
an institution for the higher education of the young of both 
sexes in one building, but in separate and distinct depart- 
ments. With this end in view, the buildings were pushed 
forward to compleii. n, and iu the spring of 1838 the in- 
stitution was opened for the reception of pupils. Rev. 
Gilbert Morgan was engaged to take charge of the male 
department, and have a general supervision over the female 
department, which was placed under the special charge of 
Mrs. Bazeley, formerly of Brooklyn Collegiate Institute. 

The school at once became a success. Pupils from all 
parts of the State and some from other States filled the 
rooms, and all started off in a very successful and promising 
manner. 

Mr. Morgan remained in the position of principal but 
one year, and then, having some diiEculty with the trustees, 
started a private school, in the house now occupied by 
Nathaniel Briggs, which he styled " Union Academy," and 
which, after a year or two, he abandoned and moved away. 
He was succeeded in the principalship by Mr. Alexander 
Watson, who made a very successful teacher. Tiie next 
principal was Paoli Durkee, and he was followed for a short 
time by Clark Beecher. The female department had mean- 
time been under the control of Mrs. Bazeley, Miss Colton, 
Miss Watrous, Mrs. O'Brien, Miss Thompson, and others. 
In 1850 the school was converted into a female seminary 
solely, and D. W. Smith assumed the control of it. From 
time to time additions were built on and repairs made, until 
it had become, in a financial sense, non-paying. In 1863 
the school was discontinued, and Mr. Smith moved away. 
The property had been heavily mortgaged to a 5Ir. De 
Groot, of New York, who had advanced money for repairs 
and improvements. After lying empty and unused for eight 
years, on the 30th of November, 1871, it took fire and 
burned to the ground, and the enterprise, conceived in a 
noble spirit of public improvement and brought to such a 
promising degree of efficiency at such an expense of time 
and treasure, vanished in smoke and fell to the ground in 
ashes. 

Among those who were most prominent in the conception 
of this laudable measure, and who devoted their energies, 
time, and means to secure its accomplishment, we may, 
without appearing invidious, mention Dr. Nathan Thomp- 
son, General Earl Stimson, Colonel Isaac Gere, Thomas 
Mairs, John Gilchrist, Jr., Edmund Hewitt, Daniel Car- 
wichael, Joseph Newland, and E. 0. Smith. 



commissioners' apportionment, march, 1878. 







V 












Hi 


9 
O 


Is 


i: 


>i 


a 
o 


District. 


•SS-a 


s 


Ssg 


s| 




s 




! = s 




£ = -S 


o< m 


S 


A 








t2l 


*» O D 


£• 


b 




Bt?i 


s% 


S"" 


gul 


£ 


•3 




g-^o 


S^ 


£-S^ 


3=1 
P4 


S 


& 


No. !».. 


8 


None. 


$5.50 


$7.67 


$0.27 


$13.44 


" 2«-.. 


5 


" 


3.44 


3.22 


17 


6.83 


" 3... 


99 


$52.14 


68.09 


74.11 


3.30 


197.64 


" 4... 


44 


52.14 


30.26 


47.58 


1.47 


131.45 


" 5... 


28 


52.14 


19.25 


30.93 


94 


103.26 


" 6®. 


22 


None. 


15.13 


11.54 


74 


27.41 


" 7... 


24 


52.14 


16.50 


25.27 


80 


94.71 


" 8... 


43 


52.14 


29.58 


31.23 


1.43 


114.38 


" 9... 


35 


52.14 


24.07 


20.45 


1.17 


97.83 


" 10... 


40 


52.14 


27.51 


19.86 


1.33 


100.84 


" 11... 


42 


52.14 


28.89 


30.05 


1.40 


J 12.48 


" 12... 


37 


52.14 


25.45 


28.94 


1.23 


107.76 


" 13... 


34 


52.14 


23.89 


19.85 


1.13 


96.51 


" 14... 


51 


52.14 


35.08 


41.63 


1.70 


130.55 


" 15... 


41 


52.14 


28.20 


24.27 


1.37 


105.98 


" 16... 


53 


52.14 


36.45 


42.75 


1.77 


133.11 


" 17... 


42 


52.14 


28.89 


33.15 


1.40 


115.58 




648 


$729.9S 


$445.68 


$492.50 


$21.62 


$1689.76 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The records of this church now extant reach back to 
the year 1785, but speak of the church as an existing body 
for some indefinite period of time prior to this. Tradition 
fixes the date of its organization in the year 1778, and this 
date is generally received as correct, and was accepted as 
such by the Shaftsbury Association, of which ecclesiastical 
body this church was formerly a member. 

It was first composed of twenty-seven members, who came 
in a body from Rhode Island, and settled in the north part 
of the present town of Galway. Feeling the need of re- 
ligious meetings for consultation, instruction, and wor.ship, 
they at once formed a church society, and Rev. Simeon 
Smith (not then ordained) assumed the pastoral charge of 
the church, which relation he maintained until 1790. He 
was ordained about 1787. 

Organized in the midst of the wilderness, this church 
has led a varied and at times precarious existence, and yet 
God has carried it safely thiough its times of trouble and 
tribulation, and is able to continue his support and foster- 
ing care. The records show that the first membership was 
twenty-seven, in 1778 ; the highest was seventy-nine, 1825 ; 
the lowest w;is twenty-one, in 1853; and the present num- 
ber of members is thirty-two. 

The early meetings of the society were held at the house 
of the pastor, Rev. Simeon Smith. In a year or two the 
first meeting-house was erected. It was built of logs, but 
its exact location is left in doubt. In 1796 the second 
church was erected, on what was known as " Baptist Hill," 
a mile southwest of York's Corners. It was a commodious 
frame building, and remained in use until 1845, when it 
was taken down and rebuilt on its present site at York's 
Corners. It is a neat-looking edifice, well and substantially 
built, surmounted by a tower in which a fiue bell is hung, 
and is valued at abjut $3000. 

* Joint. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



3G3 



The pastors of the church have been Simeon Smith, 
1778-90; Abel Brown, 1795-97; Joseph Craw, 1798- 
1801 ; Elisha Carpenter, 1809; John Lewis (between 1810 
and 181(;), one year; Jacob St. John, 1823-25 ; Timothy 
Day, John C. Holt, M. L. Fuller, 1832-37; E. Westoott, 
1838-40 ; M. L. Fuller, 1841 ; 0. H. Capron, 1842 ; E. 
W. Allen, 1844-46; William Bogart, 1846-49; B. H. 
Barber, 1849-52; T. T. St. John, 1852-53; Timothy 
Day, 1854-55 ; William Bogart, 1855-57 ; George Fisher, 
1858-64; S. M. Hubbard, 1865; Asher Cook, 1867; R. 
V. Collins, 1869 ; G. W. Starkweather, 1870-72 ; Levi 
Wheelock, 1872. 

The pulpit is now supplied by Rev. Asher Cook, who is 
located at Hagedorn's Mills. 

The present officers are — Deacons. Seth P. Brown, John 
Meredith, and Henry Clute; Trustees, Seth P. Brown, 
Wright Tompkins, John Meredith, Edmund P. Keeler; 
Clerk, Joseph McMillen ; Clerk of Society, Jacob St. 
John. 

There is a Sunday-school in connection with the church 
that was organized about 1845, and has an average of about 
thirty scholars. The library is quite small. Edmund P. 
Keeler is the present superintendent. 

friends' meeting-house. 

Many years ago there was a society of the Friends in the 
north part of Galway. They had a church built of logs, 
but no record of the church has been preserved, end we 
simply know from tradition that such a society and building 
had an existence. It has long been numbered with the 
things of the past. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF GALWAT. 

In writing out the history of these early societies of 
Christian workers, one can but be deeply impressed with the 
spirit of devotion and submission to the authority of the 
church that marked their every action as a church organiza- 
tion. The comparative freedom of thought and action, and 
the liberty of opinion now quite generally accorded to 
professed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, would have 
shocked our forefathers and caused them much anxiety of 
mind. Not only was it thought necessary that Christians 
should watch over themselves, but also that they should 
have a watchful eye over their fellow-members of the 
church. 

Instances are common in the records of meetings where 
some of the brethren or sisters expressed dissatisfaction 
with some members because of what would now be deemed 
a trivial matter or not properly pertaining to church govern- 
ment. In sucli cases the matter was brought before the 
church and conversed upon until, almost without exception, 
the matter was satisfactorily and amicably adjusted. 

Then, as now, the use of intoxicating liquors was a 
frequent source of trouble, and caused many to fall from 
their positions as Christians. In such cases where the man 
fell once he almost invariably fell again and again, until he 
became hardened and reckless and was excluded from the 
fellowship of the church. 

In the records of this church many instances are relate'd, 
which all tend to show the truth of these statements. One 



instance is chronicled where a brother going to a neighbor- 
ing city undertook an errand for a neighbor, and in making 
the purchase had too keen an eye to his own personal ad- 
vantage and reaped a pecuniary reward disproportionate to 
the trouble ho incurred. The case was brought before the 
church, and after much private laboring with him by the 
members and committees appointed he was brought to con- 
fess the wrong and make restitution. Absence from church 
was frequently the cause of a committee being appointed to 
" cite" the absentee " to duty." 

The minister of those days was satisfied with a salary of 
£40 per year, — equal to about $200 at the present time. 
Of course, considering the demands of society and custom, 
and the purchasing power of the money then and now, the 
apparent disproportion of that and the present ministerial 
salaries is much less than it casually appears to be. From 
$12 to $30 would then keep the church edifice cleaned, 
warmed, and lighted for a year. The church was organized 
at the house of James Warren, on the 27th of August, 1789. 
There were thirty-three members previous to 1790. They 
were brothers Abijah Peck, John Lamb, James Warren, 
Edmund Hewitt, Thomas Stilwell, Joseph Coats, Nathaniel 
Keeler, Wait Palmer, Ellas Stilwell, James Greenfield, 
Abraham Waring, Lsaiah Dean, Samuel Messenger, Thomas 
Wood, Ijuos Spencer, John De Golia, John Carpenter, and 
William Otis ; and sisters Greenfield, Jemima Keeler, 
Beulah Lamb, Avis McMillan, Annie Waring, Lydia De 
Golia, Eleanor Dean, Susannah Brownell, Bethia Me.ssenger, 
Mabel Messenger, Martha Stilwell, Mary Beal, Annie Davis, 
and Thankful Coats. 

The first deacon was Abijah Peck, chosen April 29, 1790. 
The nest was Wait Palmer, chosen May 10, 1794. In 
June, 1790, the church joined the Shaftsbury Association, 
and at a conference held at Galway (or New Galloway, as it 
was then called) on the 27th of February, 1790, it was re- 
ceived into fellowship by the churches of Stillwater and 
Newtown. 

The first meetings of this church were held in houses, 
barns, and in the school-house. For some time two meet- 
ings a week, on Thursday and Sunday, were held. These 
meetings were addressed by ministers from other churches, 
or by some of the members. 

The first steps towards the erection of a church edifice 
were taken at a meeting held Dec. 8, 1792. It was then 
resolved to build a church about fifty rods east of Ellas 
Stilwell's dwelling and upon his land. The " meeting- 
house" was to be thirty-two feet wide and forty feet long, 
the " outside to be done und flour laid nest summer ;" i.e., 
1793. Isaiah Dean, Nathaniel Keeler, and Thomas Stil- 
well were appointed as a building committee. The meet- 
ing-house remained in this unfinished state until the spring 
of 1794. Then it was decided to sell the pews (prospect- 
ive) at public vendue, and apply the money thus obtained 
to finishing oif the inside of the church. John Monroe, 
Wait Palmer, and Nathaniel Keeler were appointed to 
attend to the matter. The first board of trustees was ap- 
pointed Dec. 12, 1795, and consisted of Wait Palmer^ 
John Monroe, and Isaiah Dean. 

The following action is recorded as having been taken at 
a meeting held Sept. 9, 1797, viz.: "A proposition was 



364 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



stated and conversed upon concerning brethren in Christ 
joining the fraternity of Freemasons, and, after mature 
deliberation on the subject, unanimously voted that we would 
withdraw the hand of fellowship from all those that have 
already joined and persist in frequenting the lodge, and 
from all those that shall hereafter join, until satisfaction 
shall be given by such person or persons to the church." 

The names of those who have preached to this church 
from its organization to the present time, as nearly as can 
be ascertained, and in their regular order, are as follows, 

viz. : Simeon Smith Burris, Abijah Peck, Joseph 

Cornell, Finch, Elias Stilwell, John Monroe, Samuel 

Rogers, Joseph Cornell, P]. Kincaid, W. E. Watcrbury, 
Stephen Wilkins, Jacob S. McClollom, Amasa Smith, Is- 
rael Robords, Levi S. Parmely, S. Ward, C. Randall, Robert 
Myers, William Garnet, H. L. Gross, George Fisher, S. M. 
Hubbard, A." Cook, J. W. Starkweather, J. Humpstonc, 
Levi Wheelock, and George D. Douney, the present pas- 
tor, who began his ministrations here in 187G. 

The present number of members is one hundred and 
thirty-seven. The present officers are Joseph Mosher, 
Samuel Hudson, William Crouch, Aretus M. Cox, Chaun- 
cey Cook, and Nathaniel Briggs, trustees; Aretus M. Cox, 
Chauncey Cook, and Richard Paul, deacons ; Alonzo M. 
Hermance, church clerk ; and Chauncey Cook, treasurer. 

For about thirty years past there has been a Sunday- 
school connected with the church. Its present membership 
is one hundred and nine. Alonzo M. Hermance is super- 
intendent ; Miss Lillie Cadman, secretary and treasurer. 
The school has a library of some two hundred volumes. 

The present church edifice was erected about thirty years 
ago, on the same site as the old one. It is a plain, neat- 
looking structure, and cost about $2000. 

FIRST AS.SOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GALWAY. 

Three-quarters of a century ago, when the wild-flowers 
made fragrant the gentle breezes that swept over the green 
fields of Galway and sang praises amid the branches of 
the forest-trees, a few Christian people met together at the 
house of James Warren, Esq., and formed themselves into 
the " First Associate Presbyterian Society of Galway." 

Hackaliah Foster ofl'ered an acre of land on which to build 
a church, which offer was accepted, and it was decided to 
build a church. This lot was the present church lot on the 
southeast corner of the four corners in the village of Gal- 
way. The church was not commenced until 1804, and 
the inside was not finished off until 1S06. The society 
was small and it,s members not wealthy, and it was 1810 
before the society felt able to purchase a store for the 
church. 

When organized as a church, on the 24tli of February, 
1807, the body assumed the Congregational form of church 
government, but was allowed to become attached to Albany 
presbytery. There were seventeen persons who belonged 
to the church at this time. Their names were Jehiel and 
Mrs. Dean, Hackaliah and Patty Foster, Joel and Mrs. 
Smith, Nehemiah and Mrs. Cande, Justus Harris, Daniel 
and Mrs. Dean, Mrs. Abijah St. John, Theda Osborne, 
Mrs. Asa Kellogg, Experience Garrison, 3Iary Colwcll, 
and Abiah West. In two years the membership increased 



to one hundred and thirty-three. The first governing, or 
standing, committee of the church was appointed Feb. 6, 
1808. It was composed of Joel Smith, Avery Stark- 
weather, Justus Harris, Earl Stimson, Joseph Mather, 
Nehemiah Cande, Jehiel Dean, Daniel Dean, Israel Phelps, 
and Ezra Kellogg, and was called a " session" until, in 
1832, presbytery directed that it should be so styled no 
longer. An effort was made at this time to change the 
form of government, but it failed. In 1834, however, the 
change was effected and the church assumed the Presbyte- 
rian form. Its first session was then chosen, consisting of 
Elders Perez Otis, Piatt B. Smith, Benham Smith, George 
Davidson, Calvin Preston, William Beers, and William 
Cruttenden, and Deacons Enoch Johnson and Stephen C. 
Hays. 

Isaac Hays, Stephen C. Hays, Cyrus Paul, William 
Jackson, Jesse II. Mead, John H. Hays, John Craiu, and 
Abel Iloyt have been ordained as elders ; and E. P. Kel- 
logg, Alfred H. Avery, Joseph Bell, Morehouse T. Betts, 
Daniel Griffis, and George Davis have been ordained as 
deacons, at sundry times. 

Elders Piatt B. Smith, William Beers, Cyru.s Paul, Wil- 
liam Jacksou, John Grain, John H. Hays, and Abel Hoyt, 
and Deacons Morehouse T. Betts and George Davis, com- 
pose the present session of the church. John H. Hays is 
secretary of the board of trustees. 

A debt incurred in building the first church had, in 1809, 
increased to nearly $1400, and it was then assessed on the 
members in proportion to their town-assessment, and was 
thus paid up. 

In 1820, at a time when the church was without a 
pastor, a remarkable revival of religion occurred. It 
originated among the school-children, who, from discussing 
some doctrine of the Bible, fell to studying the Scriptures, 
and the interest grew until within the space of two months 
one hundred and fifty- two names were added to the church 
roll. Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott, of Union College, was at 
this time supplying the pulpit. 

From this church fifteen ministers of the gospel have 
gone out into the world. Three brothers named Osborn, 
Piatt, Sanford, Cande, Gilbert, Powell, Lacy, Green, Kelly, 
James Hoyt, Zera Hoyt, Alexander Hoyt, and Charles 
Preston, making up the number. 

The pastors' names, in the order of their service, are 
Rev. Sylvanus Haight, Rev. Noah M. Wells, Rev. William 
Chester, Rev. Samuel Nott, Rev. R. Deming, Rev. James 
Harper, Rev. Duncan Kennedy. Rev. Henry Lyman, Rev. 

J. L. Willard, Rev. Saurin E. Lane, Rev. McFar- 

lane. Rev. William H. JMillham, and Rev. Oliver Hem- 
street, the present pastor, who commenced his ministrations 
here in 1872. 

The present church edifice was erected in 1853, at an 
expense of about $6000, and was dedicated April 18, 1854. 
The sermon was preached by Rev. Saurin E. Lane, the 
pastor of the church. It is a commodious and hand.some 
building, capable of seating five hundred people. A fine 
par.sonage was built in 1874, and cost about $2400. 

There has long been a Sunday-school connected with 
this church, averaging about eighty scholars. Johu H. 
Hays is the present superintendent. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



365 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OP GALWAY. 

The first Methodist Episcopal class in Galway was formed 
ahout the years 1820 to 1825, and was a small body of de- 
termined workers in the vineyard of the world. Their 
meetings were held in private houses, in school-houses, and 
in the upper room of a building near the four corners in 
Galway. In 1833 it formed part of the Galway circuit, 
which included churches in Galway, Charlton, Glenville, 
Hageman's Mills, Rock City, Milton, and Providence. 

In the year 183G it was made a station, and a minister 
was located here. David Benedict and Mathew West were 
prominent among the early members of this society. 

The preachers and pastors of the church have been as 
follows, viz.: 1833, Charles Ponieroy, Braman Ayrcs ; 

1834, Charles Ponieroy, Gilbert Lyon, Henry Williams ; 

1835, Seymour Coleman, Daniel Brayton ; 1836, Seymour 
Coleman, John P. Foster; 1837, John P. Foster (died in 

1849), Roswell Kelly; 1838-39, ]\Ianley Witherel, 

Fen ton ; 1840-41, Joel Squires, Joseph Conner, Manley 
Witherel ; 1841—42, John Harwood, Amos Ripley, Abel 
Ford ; 1842-43, Alanson Richards, J. B. Rodgers; 1844- 
45, S. Covel, Clark Fuller, A. C. Rose ; 1845^6, S. Covel, 
W. A. Miller; 1847, Valentine Brown, I. Fassett ; 1848, 
R. Brown, J. F. Burrows; 1849, I. Harris; 1850-51, 
R. H. Robinson; 1852, G. G. Saxe ; 1853, I. Phillip.s, 
I. Ha.slam; 1854, Ira Holmes; 1855-56, O. E. Spicer, 
E. B. Collins; 1857-58, J. B. Wood; 1859-60, A. 

Shurtliff; 1861, M. B. Mosher; 1862-63, Stebbins ; 

1864-65, Richard Meredith; 1866-67, D. N. Lewis; 
1868-69, H. D. Kimball ; 1870-72, W. D. Hitchcock ; 
1873-74, R. Fox; 1875-76, J. H. Coleman; and 1877, 
Rev. F. K. Potter. 

The church edifice was erected in the year 1845, and at 
an expense of some $3500. It will comfortably seat about 
two hundred and fifty pejple. 

In 1837, at a meeting held by Rev. J. P. Foster, then 
pastor of this church, and David Benedict, an exhorter at 
High Bridge (Centre Glenville), a great number of people 
were converted. Among them were Abel Ford, S. S. Ford, 
William Ford, Israel Coggeshall, and Frank Doughty ; all 
of whom became useful ministers of the gospel, and did 
good work for their Saviour. Some have gone to their 
reward, while others are still working in the Lord's vine- 
yard. 

The present ofiicers of the church are Matthew West, 
Matthew Armour, Hiram Suxton, class-leaders; J. P. 
Crouch, William Cole, Newton Brown, James Jones, 
Thomas Jansen, William H. Mead, David Benedict, stew- 
ards ; J. B. Crouch, John Seabury, William Foster, John 
Cunning, Samuel E. Kidd, trustees. 

The present membership of the church is about one 
hundred and fifty. A Sunday-school, in connection with 
the church, has an average membership of one hundred. 
John Seabury is its superintendent and treasurer, George 
West is secretary, and Charles P. Saxton is librarian. 

The library contains about two hundred volumes. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL ClIUllCH OP E.VST GALWAY. 

This church was an offshoot of the church at Rock City, 
and the fir.st cla.ss was fuiined at tile school-house in Eiist 



Galway, by Rev. J. B. Wood, in 1858. It was composed 
of some twenty or twenty-five members. 

The first tru.stees were Philip Smith, William Cole, 
F. Walter, W. T. Crouch, S. V. R. White, Enos Mead, 
John Tubbs, Peter P. Smith, Pardon Allen ; the first class- 
leader was Philip Smith. The church was built and dedi- 
cated in 1859; Rev. Prof Tayler- Lewis, of Troy, preaching 
the dedicatory sermon. The church is thirty-two feet wide 
by forty-four feet long, will seat two hundred and fifty 
persons, and is valued at $3000. 

The present officers arc Theodore Allen, Zalnion Pull- 
ing, William Youngs, steward.s ; Banker Vedder, Philip 
Smith, class-leaders ; Jeremiah H. Bidwell, clerk of board 
of trustees. 

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OP GALWAY. 

This .society ranks among the first of the denomination 
in the State, and its house of worship is stated to have 
been the first erected in the State by this denomination. 
The society was formed June 11, 1814, and was composed 
of four members, viz. ; William T. Wait, Pamelia Wait, 
Maxson Mosher, and Elisha Potter. The church elected 
Reuben Wait and Jacob Capron to the office of deacon in 
1815, Arnold Chase in 1835, and Rowland Green and Amos 
Marihew in 1841. The most prominent among the, pastors 
of the church was Elder Maxson Mosher. He was ordained 
to the work of the gospel ministry April 30, 1820, and 
preached to the society many years. Under his preaciiing 
in the winter and spring of 1840 seventy-five members 
were added to the church. The other ministers, who have 
officiated for longer or shorter periods, are J. S. Thompson, 
Jabez King, Philip Sanford, Richard Rider, Rufus D. 
Howes, George Burnham, Wellington Stearns, John Show- 
ers, D. JI. Teller, D. P. Warner, William J. Huyck, J. W. 
Burghdurf, and Joel Gallup. 

The first house of worship was built in 1814, on Me- 
chanic street, about three miles north of Galway. As 
stated before, it was the first Christian church in the State 
of New York. 

At the time when Second Adventism raged so wildly 
throughout the country, considerable trouble was caused 
this society by the course of some of its members, who em- 
braced the new doctrine and went off with it. In 1855 
it was thought best to reorganize the society, and it was 
accomplished at a meeting held on the 25th of August; 
Elders Richard Rider, Rufus D. Howes, and Charles I- 
Butler officiating. The reorganized society was composed 
of twenty-three members. Samuel G. Rider was elected 
clerk ; Rcstcom Hall deacon ; Daniel T. Hart, Reuben Wait, 
and Hiram Wait trustees. 

In 1845 a church was formed at Barkersville by thirteen 
members of this church. Several churches in different 
parts of the country have been organized by the influence 
of members of this church who removed from here. The 
church was repaired in 1861, at a cost of some $300 or 
$400. William J. Huyck and Mordecai Gilford were 
elected deacons in from 1857 to 1859. 

The present officers are Jared P. Brockett, clerk ; 
Hamilton D. Jaynes, Samuel Mosher, and Daniel T. Hart, 
trustees; Rev. Joel Gallup, pastor. 



366 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Viri.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

These are numerous, and may be stated as follows : 1st. 
Near W. Curran's, at North Galway. 2d. Farther east, at 
the place of J. T. Armitage, near Mosherville. 3d. North, 
near the town line, at the place of B. McGovern. 4th. 
Northeast of Mosherville. 5th. South from York's Cor- 
ners, near J. 0. Brian's. 6th. At South Galway. 7th. 
Southwest of Galway village, near the place of J. Bell. 8th. 
At West Galway, beyond the county line. 9th. North of 
Galway village. There are probably some other places of 
private burial. 

IX.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

Near the southeastern corner of the town a branch of the 
Mourning Kill rises, and runs eastwardly into the town of 
Ballston, fioally emptying into the Kayadrossera Creek, 
near Ballston Spa. Where this creek crosses the road a 
sort of embankment causes it in times of flood to overflow 
several acres of land, forming a small vlaie. This vlaie was 
once the scene of a sanguinary combat between two hostile 
bands of Indians. Hon. George G. Scott, in his historical 
address, delivered at Ballston Spa, July 4, 1876, thus al- 
ludes to it : " Ac a later date, hostile parties of the same 
Indians" (Mohawks and Algonqtiins, Hurons or Adiron- 
dachs) " had an encounter by the banks of a small stream 
near the line between Charlton and Galway, and nearly all 
the defeated party were slaughtered. For many years, even 
after the whites had begun to settle in tlie vicinity, the sur- 
vivors and kindred of the slain were accustomed to return 
to the spot upon the anniversary of the battle, and indulge 
in lamentations over the dead, according to the Indian cus- 
tom. This circumstance gave the creek the name of 
' Mourning Kill,'* which it has ever since retained." 

There was an Indian camping-ground not for from the 
place settled by William Kelly, and one family is said to 
have been seriously frightened by a visit received from their 
dusky neighbors. The man of the house, seeing them 
coming, hid under the barn. The Indians noticed this evi- 
dence of his timidity, and, with the grim humor character- 
istic of the race, went into the house, procured a huge 
butcher-knife, and, coming to his hiding-place, ordered him 
to come forth, at the same time flourishing the dread instru- 
ment of death in the most approved and blood-thir.sty 
style. Expecting nothing but a sudden and violent death, 
the trembling pioneer crept forth. His presence was the 
signal for a general war-whoop and a vigorous war-dance, 
in which he was forced unwillingly to participate, and during 
the continuance of which he momentarily expected to feel 
the stroke of knife or tomahawk. After having witnessed 
his trepidation and terror till their sense of humor was satis- 
fied, they explained to the settlor that their intentions were 
friendly, and departed, laughing in their deep, guttural 
tones at the success of their joke. 

X.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The people of this town are largely engaged in farming. 
Little wheat is raised, but large f|uantitics of oats, corn, 
barley, rye, peas, beans, and buckwheat reward the toil of 

*" Kil, or Kill, is the Dutch name for creek. 



the husbandman. Nearly all of the lands are under culti- 
vation, and the appearance of the farms and buildings gives 
token of the industry, thrift, and prosperity of the inhabi- 
tants. But little manufacturing is done within the town, 
and agriculture is the principal occupation of the inhabi- 
tants. 

The manufacturing interests of Galway arc not very ex- 
tensive. The water-power and facilities for manufacturing 
are quite limited. Among them wo may mention a few of 
the most prominent. 

Mosherville foundry and plow-shop is owned and run 
by William Cornell. It was built about 1847. Employs 
from two to five hands, and tiirns out about $3000 worth 
of plows each year. The manufactures consist of plows and 
shovel-plows. 

Levi Parkis owns a grist-mill on Feegowesee creek, with 
two runs of stone for custom giinding and flouring. 

On the same stream, a quarter of a mile lower down," 
Lansing & Son have a carriage-shop and grist-mill. They 
employ from three to five hands, and do any kind of work 
pertaining to the.se branches of business. 

There is also a grist-mill at Hoesville, in the western part 
of the town, and a steam saw mill at York's Corners. 

XI.— MILITARY RECORD. 

In the War of 1812 the town had quite a number of 
soldiers, either for a longer or shorter period. No full lists 
were preserved. Lieut.-Col. Taylor names three from this 
town, — Ebenezer Olmstead, John McDonald, Wheeler 
Bradley. 

During the Rebellion and in the year 1864 three meet- 
ings were held to provide means for filling the quota of 
troops under the calls of President Lincoln. The first was 
held April 2, 1864, and voted, by 188 to 19, to off'er a 
bounty for volunteers. The second meeting was held July 
27, 1864, and the vote was recorded as being 106 iu favor 
of a bounty of from $300 to $600, 45 in favor of an un- 
specified bounty, and 2 against any bounty whatever. The 
third meeting, held on the 3d of September, voted, by an 
overwhelming majority, to pay to volunteers a bounty of 
$1000 each. 

SOLDIERS OF 1861-65. 

Mcrritt B. Allen, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 5, 1S62 ; d'scli. at cloBO 

of tlie war; lives nt Burnt Hills. 
Samuel Allen, priv., Co. 11, 15M N. Y. Inf ; enl. Sept. 13, 1862 ; died of disease 

at New Orleans, La, 
Thomas Anner, priv., 77tli N, Y, Inf ; enl. Sept, 1, 1862 ; killed at FredericUs- 

Lurg, 
Gideon A, Austin, priv., Co, A, 77lh N, Y, Inf ; enl, Sept. 1, 1862; trans, to 77th 

Bat, ; disch, at close of the war ; lives at Cohoes, N, Y, 
Orville W, Austin, priv,, Co, A, 77th N, Y, Inf; enl. Sept, 1, 1862 ; trans, to 77th 

Bat, : disch, at close of the war; died since of disease contracted iu the 

service. 
Vornam Barber, priv., Co. C, 11,1111 N, Y. Inf; enl, Aug. 7, 1862; died of dis- 
ease in hospital at Washington, D, C, Dec, 7, 1802, 
Henry Bertrand, priv,, Co, C, 115th N, Y. Inf; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; died in the 

service. 
George Bevin, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. luf ; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; pro. to Corp. ; 

died of disease at Petersburg, Va. 
Henry Bonghton, priv,, 77th N, Y, Inf, ; enl, Aug. 30, 1862 ; died in the service. 
Henry Bullou, 44tli N. Y. Inf 
Wiles Bowen. 
Smith Briggs, priv., Co, A, 77th N, Y, Inf ; enl.|Sept, 1, 1862 ; died in hospital, 

of wounds received at Cold Harbor, Va. 
Mifliael Brosnahan, priv. ; enl. 1862 ; discharged; lives in Charlton. 
Hiram Broughton, priv,, 77th N, Y, Inf; oul, Aug, 20, 1862; discli, at close rf 

the war; living in Cliarlt<>n, 



,^^-^ 

,'-- ,^'^-- 



m^ I 



/■m- 





Lewis 5tone 



Augustus L.Stone. 



^3'., 










RESIDENCE oj A.L. STONE., GALWAY, NT A- YORK 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



367 



John E. Cavert, priv. ; enl. 1862 ; discharged ; living in Galway. 

Kicholns Cavert, wagoner, Co. I, llStli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1S62 ; died of 

disease at Beaufort, S. C, in 1863. 
James Clancy, priv. ; enl. 1862; discharged. 
J. W. Claik, piiv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 7,1862; pro. to corp.;died 

iif wounds received at Dei-p Bottom, Va., Aug. 10, 1864. 
John Clifford, priv., lloth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; discharged; living in Milton. 
John Clifford, Jr., priv., lloth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 18C2; discharged; living in 

Milton. 
George Colony, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 4, 1862 ; died of disease 

at Hilton Head. S. C. 
Almonte Crater, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 18G2 ; disch. with the 

regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living at .Xshtiibula, Oliio. 
David B. Crittenden, musician, Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1862; disch. 

with the regiment, July 2, 1865; living in Orleans Co., N. Y. 
James Driscoll, musician, Co. A, i:Jth H. Art. ; eul. 1862 ; disch. at close of the 

war; living at Cliillicoihe, Ohio. 
Richard Dnnberg, priv.; enl. 1862; discharged ; living in Galway. 
Charles S. Fisher, orderly sergt., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 2,1862; 

killed at Fort Gilmer, V»., Sept. 29, 1S64. 
Henry Fisher, priv., 44th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; discharged ; living in the west. 
Thomas Fitzgendd, priv.; enl. 1SG2; killed in battle. 

Edward Fosmire, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; discharged ; living in Albany. 
Frederick Foss, priv.; enl. 1862 ; dischiirged ; living in Galway. 
"William Fobs, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1862; disch. with the 

regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living at Galway. 
Alonzo Hermance, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 2, 1862; disch. with 

the regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living at Galway. 
Alfred Hickok, priv. ; enl. Aug, 30, 1862 ; discharged; living in Broadalbin. 
Juha H. Hicks, priv.; enl. Sept. 7, 18€2 ; disch. at close of the war; died in 

Providence, Aug. 1877. 
John P. Hudson, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861 ; discharged ; 

living in Galway. 
Nathan B. Hudson, priv. ; enl. 1S62 ; discharged ; living in the west. 
Jvhn Hunter, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1862 ; disch. with the 

regiment, July 2, 1865 ; living in Saratoga. 
Jiimes Ireland, priv,, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862. 
William Ireland, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862; disch. at close of war; lives 

in New York State. 
Kobert Kelly, priv , Co. H, 15;ld N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 8, 1862; pro. to corp. ; 

disch. on account of wounds; living in Galway. 
Oliver Lunsing, priv. ; enl. Sept. 10, 1862 ; discharged ; living in Galway. 
William Leach, priv.; enl. Aug. 1862. 

Everts Lingenfelter, priv,; enl. 1S62; discharged; living at Amsterdam. 
John Lowry, musician, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1861; disch. for disa- 
bility, May, 1862 ; living at Galway. 
Joel McCouchie, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 1861; discharged; 

killed in Galway, Aug. 1877, by being crushed beneath a horse-power. 
Terence McGovern, piiv., 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; disch. at expira- 

tiun of term; living in Gal way. 
Thomas McGovern, priv,, 77ih N. Y. Inf ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862 ; discb. at expira- 
tion of temi ; died in Michigan since the war. 
Alonzo McKee, priv. ; enl. 1S61 ; discharged ; removed to Schoharie Co. 
Samuel McKinney, priv.; enl. 1S62; died of wounds. 
Ezra McOmber, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862 ; disch. at close 

of the war ; living in Iowa. 
George A. McOmber, priv., 44th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; disch. with the 

regiment; living in Gulway. 
Simeon D. Mirundeville, priv., 4th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861; discharged ; liviug at 

Galway. 
Henry Morgan, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. 1862; discb. at close of war; living 

in Galway ; was wounded at battles of Winchester and Petersburg, Ya. 
Charles Mow, priv,; enl. 1862; discharged; living in Galway. 
John C. Mow, priv., 32d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. with the regiment ; living 

in Montgomery county. 
James Nonis, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf.; eul. 1862; discharged; living in 

Troy. 
John Norris, priv., Co. T, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; disch. at close of 

war; living in Gulway. 
Benj. C. Northrup, priv. ; enl. Aug. 28, 1862; dis^cbarged ; living in Galway. 
\Vm. Orr, sergt., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 8, 1862; disch. for disability; 

living in Nebr;tska. 
Charles Ostrander, priv. ; enl. Sept. 6, 1862 ; died in the service. 
Calvin W. Preston, musician, 44th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; discharged; living in 

Galveston, Texas. 
Frederick W. Putzar, priv. ; Co. H, 115lh N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 5, 1862 ; died in 

rebel prison at Anderaonville, Ga. 
Frederick Quant, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 30,1802; pro. to sergt.; 

disch. at close of war; living in Galway. 
Patrick Ready, priv.; enl. 1862; died of wounds, 
James Reese, priv., 32d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; killed in the service. 
James Reese, Jr., priv., 44th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; discharged; died since the 

war. 
Matthew Relyea, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; disch. with 

regiment ; living in Ballston. 
\Vm. Relyea, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862 ; lost a leg at Fred- 
ericksburg; discb. for disability ; living in Milton. 



John L. Boot, priv., 44tb N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; died of wounds received at 

the battle of the 'Wildemess, Va., in 1864. 
Seth B. Root, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; trans, to 77th Vet. But.; 

disch. at close of war ; living in Galway. 
John Rubach, priv., 30th N.Y.Iuf.; enl. 1861 ; re-enl. in 2dVet.Cav.; disch. 

at close of war; living in Galway. 
Simon Ryan, priv., Co. A, 13tb H. Art. ; enl. 1862; disch. at close of war; living 

in FaiiT>ort, Monroe Co. 
Daniel Shayne, priv. ; enl. 1861 ; discharged ; living in Illinois. 
Thomas Shayne, priv., Co. A, 13th H. Art.; enl. 1862; discb. at close of war; 

removed to Ohio, and has since died of consumption. 
Michael Sbeeby, priv.; enl. 1861; discharged; living in Ballston. 
Lucius E. Shurtleff, 2d lieut., Co. G, 77th N. Y. Inf.; eul. Nov. 1861; appointed 

q.-m.; resigned; lost at sea. 
John A. Smith, priv., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 9, 1862; pro. to corp. ; 

disch. with regt. ; lives in Illinois. 
Wm. Sullivan, priv. ; enl. 1862; discharged; living in Schenectady. 
Henry Tanner, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1862; died in the service. 
Wm. Tompkins, lieut., Co. C, lloth N. Y. Inf.; eul. Aug. 2, 1862; killed at battle 

of Olustee, Fla. 
Wm. Turner, piiv.; enl. 1861 ; discharged; living in Perth. 
Cornelius Tyraeson, enl. 1862 ; living in Galway. 
Eldert Tymeson, died in the service. 
Charles F. Wait, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 7, 1862; disch. with 

regiment, July 2, 1865; living in Galway. 
George W. Welch, musician, Co. B, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861. 
John W. Whitmarsh, priv., Co. A, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1, 1862 ; disch. at 

close of war; living in Illinois. 
Walter W. Zears, enl. Sept. 1, 1862. 

Charies Cornell, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 1801. 
James Cowhey, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861 ; discharged ; living 

in Stillwater. 
Charles H. Crouch, pt iv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861. 
Christopher Hyer, priv., Co. H, 77ih N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 1861. 
Lyman E. Miller, corp., Co. B, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1801, 
Wm. R. Miller, priv., Co. B, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 1861., 
W. W. Miliiman, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 1861. 
C. Palmateer, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861. 
Honice A. Post, priv., Co. C, 77tb N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861. 
John Shear, priv., Co. H, 77tb N, Y, Inf.; enl. Nov. 1861. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



JUDGE LEWIS STONE AND HIS SON, AUGUS- 
TUS L. 

Judge Lewis Stone was born in Monmouth Co., N. J., 
Dec. 28, 1779, and removed to New York city when about 
five years of age. At the age of fifteen he made a visit to 
Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., to see an uncle, and was so 
delighted with the country that he was induced to remain. 
At this early age he commenced as an apprentice at the 
carpenter and joiner trade. He was engaged as a mechanic 
on the Erie canal when it was being built, and later on the 
Delaware and Hudson canal. During a portion of this 
time he was a contractor, and was successful. When about 
fifty years of age he returned to Galway, and ever after 
made it his home. 

He married Miss Sally Warren, a native of Connecticut, 
Jan. 6, 1800. Miss Warren was born May 16, 1783. By 
this happy union eight children were born to them, namely, 
Ulysses L., Sally, Augustus L., Ann M., Augusta L., Caro- 
line M., Eliza Jane, and Lucien L. Of this large family 
only Augustus L. and Ann M. are living. Judge Stone 
settled two miles west of Galway, and owned a farm of some 
two hundred acres. 

In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party. He 
held the offices of supervisor of his town and associate 
justice of the county court. He and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church. 



368 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



After a long life of usefulness, Judge Stone died May 
27, 1S5S. Mre. Stone died Oct. 19, 1857. Their son, 
Augustus L., was born in Galway, Sept. 27, 1804. He 
was reared on a farm until he was about eighteen years of 
age, when he eoniuieuced working with his father on the 
Delaware and Hudson canal. He continued at this or 
similar business for some thirty years, the greater part of 
the time as contractor and builder. He was superintendent 
of the first railroad ever built in the State. He married 
Miss Sally Ann Foster, May 25, 1S25. She was born in 
Galway, May 11, 1S09. By this alliance one son, Charles 
H., was born. Mr. Stone purchased his present home in 
1855, a fine view of which, with portraits of himself and 
father above, may be seen in another part of this work. 
In politics Mr. Stone is a Republican. 

>Irs. Stone was a lady greatly respected by her neighbors. 
She passed away Nov. 30, 1873. Mr. Stone is now about 
seventy-four yeare of age, hale and hearty, surrounded by 
all the comforts of a happy home. 



THOMAS MAIRS. 



The subject of this sketch traces his descent from a 
Scoteh-Iiish grigin, a combination of national characteris- 
tics, energy, and intellectual ability that has done much 
for the advancement of civilization and the best interests of 
society. His parents were from the north of Ireland, and 
emigrated to this country about the j-ear 1790, settling in 
Argyle, where they pa.ssed the remainder of their days. 

Thomas, their youngest son, was born in Argyle, Wash- 
ington Co., in April, 1804, and left home when about 
twenty years of age to engage in mercantile pursuits, no 
suitable opportunity ottering in his native town. He went 
to Galway, Saratoga Co., where his uncle, the Rev. James 
Mairs, a talented and widely-known minister, resided, and 
through whose influence he obtained a situation as clerk 
with General Earl Stinsom, who at that time was largely en- 
gaged in mercantile as well as agricultural pursuits. Thomas 
entered upon his new occupation with zeal and energy, and 
soon became popular with all who knew him. After clerk- 
ing for three yeare he entered into partnership with Mr. 



Stinsom, the only capital which he furnished being his 
thorough knowledge of the business. This partnership 
continued for a number of years, was successful, and closed 
satisfactorily. Subsequently, Mr. Mairs purchased the in- 
terest of Mr. Stinsom, and also the store in Galway, which 
he replaced with a fine new building, and where he has 
continued business fifty years with different partners. The 
rules to which Mr. Mairs rigidly adhered in his business, 
and which have proved the foundation of his success, were 
never to recommend an article to be different from what it 
was. and to treat all alike in selling his goods, not taking 
advantage of a customer's ignorance. 

In 1833, Mr. Mairs married Emma Thompson, eldest 
daughter of Dr. Nathan Thompson and granddaughter of 
Judge John Thompson, one of the early settlers of the 
county. They had six children, of whom three are living, 
— one son and two daughters. His wife died in 1871. 

During the eouree of a long and active life, Mr. Mairs 
has been prominently identified with the educational and 
material development of his locality. He was one of the 
first subscribers to the fund which was raised to establish 
the Galway Academy, and was untiring in his devotion to 
its interests, being a trustee during the whole time of its 
existence. 

In politics he was formerly a Whig, but united with the 
Republican party at its organization, and has firmly ad- 
hered to the principles of the party ever since. He has 
frequently been solicited to accept the nomination for As- 
semblj' from his district, but declined. He represented his 
town for several years in the board of supervisors, where 
his active business habits made him a valuable member. 

He has been a regular attendant upon the services of the 
Presbyterian church, and has contributed liberally to its 
support, but is not a regular member. 

At the age of seventy-four years Mr. Maii-s is still living, 
engaged in active business, bearing upon his foce the evi- 
dences of a life well spent and of duty well done, and the 
consciousness within that he h;is performed his allotted task 
on the stage of life with honor to himself and credit to his 
family. His life is a fitting exemplar to the young of how 
many and great things can be accomplished by fidelity to 
duty, honesty of purpose, and stability of character. 





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RESIDENCE OF SQUIRE. STARK, EDINBURGH .SARATOGA Co.N Y 



EDINBURGH. 



I.— UEOCiKAPlIICAL POSITION. 

Edinbuugh is one of the towns in the western tier, and 
the second from the north. The south lialf is square in 
form, the north half trianguhxr. It is bounded north by 
Day ; east by Day, Corinth, and Greenfield ; south by 
Providence ; west by the counties of Fulton and Hamilton. 
It contains fifteen thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven 
acres of improved land, twenty-five thousand four hundred 
and sixty-five of unimproved, and of this last amount fifteen 
thousand and sisty-four are woodland. The population in 
1875 was fourteen hundred and eighty-one. 

The town of Edinburgh contains a part of the patent 
granted to John Glenn and others ; also a part of the 
Northampton patent granted to John Mace and others ; 
and the entire Livingston patent of four thousand acres 
granted to Philip Livingston and others, Nov. 8, 1760. 

In the revised statutes of the State this town is described 
and its boundary lines defined as follows: 

"The town of Eiunbcugh shall contain all that part of said 
county bounded southerly by Providence, westerly by the bounds 
of the county, northerly by Day, and easterly by Corinth." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The Sacandaga river enters at the southwest corner of 
the town, and flows in an irregular northeast course across 
it. Along the river are flats averaging in width about one 
mile ; back from these is an elevated plain of varying extent 
and gradually rising into lofty hills. The Kayadrossera 
ridge in the south is high, rough, and rocky. The soil is 
inclined to be light, but is stronger and richer than the 
lands of the lower valley. 

There are no large bodies of water in the town. Johniiy- 
cahe lake and one or two other small ponds lie among the 
liills of the southeast part. The principal streams are 
Beechers creek and Batcheller creek. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The fertile lands of the Sacandaga valley, covered with 
a heavy growth of pine-trees of great size and beauty and 
other forest-trees, attracted early settlers to the town. It 
began to be settled soon after the treaty of peace with 
England that ended the long struggle for Independence. 
Of the very earliest pioneers but little can be ascertained. 
The distance of time ol seures the memory, and the drop- 
curtain of death shuts down and out the view. The earliest 
settler of whom any definite information can be gained was 
Abijah Stark, a nephew of Gen. John Stark, the hero of 
Bennington. He came in 1787 with wagons and horses 
from Coleraine, Mass., via Ballston and the Fish House, and 
settled on the east side of the Sacandaga river, near the 
west line of lot 23 of the Northampton patent. At that 
47 



time the country was an almost unbroken wilderness ; here 
and there a small clearing or natural opening might be seen, 
but the face of the country was almost universally covered 
with the primitive forest. Stark was accompanied by his 
wife (formerly p]lizabeth Newell) and two children. Here 
he began his labors and carved out a home for himself and 
his descendants. He sowed his first wheat in the spring 
of 178S, and it is believed to have been the first wheat 
raised in this town. He and his family were subjected to 
all the discomforts and perils of frontier life. At one time 
a fierce hurricane swept down the valley, laying prostrate 
everything that stood in its track. His (tattle were in the 
woods, and, unfortunately, in the path of the storm. At 
night they did not come home, and search was begun. 
Soon, by the aid of the tinkling bell and subdued lowing of 
the cattle, they were discovered penned in among the fallen 
timber. Axes were brought and the timber cut away till 
they were reached, when it was discovered that they had 
entirely escaped injury, and with grateful lowings were soon 
wending their way homeward. He had a family of ten 
children, — eight .sons and two daughters. Three sons and 
one daughter are still living. Allen N. Stark and Mrs. 
Olive Wait live in Watertowu. Stephen lives in Warren 
county. Squire married Lovisa Higley, and lives on the 
homestead. His family consists of sis children, two of 
them living at home. An old Indian and his squaw lived 
on the flats about two miles northeast of the Fish House 
at the time of Stark's settlement, and continued to reside 
there for some years. 

Nathaniel Ba.ss, Jonathan Anderson, Samuel Randall, 
and Sylvanus Westcot were early settlers in the Stark 
neighborhood. 

James and Amy Partridge moved from Connecticut in 
1795, and settled on lot 7 of the Northampton patent. 
They had nine children : Thomas, Rebecca, Ruanna, Polly, 
Frederick, August, Iloxa, liuuice, and James. James, the 
youngest child, was born in 1797, and still lives at the age 
of eighty years, bale and hearty, on the homestead, within 
a stone's throw of the site of the house in which he was 
born. He is without doubt the oldest resident of the town, 
having lived in it for eighty years. His wife was a grand- 
daughter of I'hilip Fraker, an early settler of considerable 
prominence in Day. 

Doctor Gaylor, Hezekiah Ranney, Willard Trowbridge, 
Jordan Sjirague^ and William Davis were early settlors in 
the Partridge neighborhood. Isaac Denning settled very 
early in the east part of the town, near the Day line. It 
is .said that he built the first grist-mill in town, in 1793. 
It is certain that it was built before 1800. It stood on the 
north bank of Beecher's creek, at the river-road crossing, 
on the present site of the brick mill. It was a small mill, 

369 



370 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



built of hewed logs. Isaac Deming died in 1816, aged 
fifty-eight years. 

John and Mehitable Sumner, with their five sons and 
their families, and five daughters, came into Edinburgh 
from Ashford, Connecticut, .some time previous to 1800. 
They settled near the road that crosses the river below 
Batchellcrville, on the north side of the river. John, Jr., 
lived a little farther down the river. Robert, still farther 
down the stream. Amasa lived about one-third of a mile 
north of Beeeher's Hollow, on the State road. Benjamin 
lived about half-way between Beeeher's Hollow and the 
Fish House, on the farm now occupied by William Part- 
ridge. John Sumner built the first saw-mill in the town, 
about 1800. It was located on Batcheller creek, near the 
site of Noyes & Early's measure-factory. Robert and 
Benjamin served in the Revolution ; Benjamin was taken 
prisoner and conveyed to England in chains. The long 
confinement and galling fetters produced fever-sores from 
which he never fully recovered, and which eventually 
caused his death. He was buried on his farm, and the 
spot where rest the bones of this unsung hero is unmarked 
by stick or stone. Robert Sumner was the first supervisor 
of the town, and served in that capacity for four years. 
There were five girls in the family. Polly married Jona- 
than Smith, and lived to reach the age of one hundred 
years, dying in 1862. Betsey married George Bradford, 
and lived to the age of ninety-four years. Mehitabel 
married Willard Trowbridge. Sobrina married a Benson. 
Percie married James Perry, and died in 1861, aged 
seventy-nine years. John Sumner was a cousin of the 
father of America's great senator, Hon. Charles Sumner. 
Solomon Sumner, who lives near Beeeher's Hollow, is a 
relative of John Sumner. 

Samuel Cheadle was an early settler in the part of the 
town west of Beeeher's Hollow. He married Rhoby 
Sprague about 1797. This wedding is supposed to have 
been the first in the town. 

Samuel Downing was another settler in the western part 
of the town, living close to the county line. He lived to 
the great age of one hundred and three years, and died 
but a year or two since. Ou his one-hundredth birthday 
he shouldered his axe, marched to the woods, and felled a 
tree in honor of the occasion. A large crowd had gathered 
to witness the event, and the tree was quickly split up into 
walking-sticks and carried away for mementos. 

John and Betsey Hill came from Saratoga to Edinburgh 
in 1801, and settled northwest of Beeeher's Hollow. They 
had five children, Elizabeth, William, Phtebe, Asa, and 
Lucy. Phoebe, wife of John Akley, is still living in 
Edinburgh, near Beeeher's Hollow. 

Other early settlers in this western part of the town 
were Abel Brown, Charles and John Rhodes, John Hamil- 
ton, George and Oliver Edmonds, John Cook, and Timothy 
Miller. 

Ely Beccher was one of the most prominent individuals 
in the aft'airs of this town during its early existence. He 
was a young man, connected with John Fay in a store at 
the Fish House, or, more properly, Northampton. He mar- 
ried there Diadama, a daughter of Sylvanus Westcot, and 
moved to Beeeher's Hollow about 1802. Ho boudit the 



Isaac Denning grist-mill, and built a store a little northwest 
of the present store occupied by T. D. Yates. He was a 
very stirring, energetic, and clear headed business man, and 
his ventures were generally well planned and successful. 
He also purchased the Ellithorp distillery, which stood on 
the site now occupied by Cameron's tannery. In 1808 he 
owned the first carding-mill. This was afterwards, in 1817, 
replaced by a larger one, but the business declined, the 
machinery was disposed of, and the building is now used 
as a cabinet-shop. In 1827 he built the present brick 
grist-mill on the site of the old one. In 1825 he built the 
present store. He was quite prominent in town politics, 
and was supervisor seventeen years, and served in several 
other offices. His family consisted of eleven children, all of 
whom are numbered with the dead. He has but three 
living descendants bearing his name. George and Emma 
Beecher, his grandchildren by his son Callender, live in 
Saratoga Springs, and Emily Beecher, daughter of Ely T. 
Beecher, lives in Northville, Fulton Co. Beeeher's creek 
and Beeeher's Hollow were named after this pioneer, and 
perpetuate his name and fame. He died in 1865, at the 
age of eighty-eight, full of years, honored and respected 
by his fellow-townsmen. 

James Goodwin was one of the first settlers at Beeeher's 
Hollow. He lived where Leman Partridge now does, was 
justice of the peace for many years, kept an inn at an early 
day, was prominent in church and town matters, and re- 
spected by all. Israel Woodford was the first town clerk, 
lived a little south of Goodwin's, and moved to Onondaga 
county about 1812. 

Anson Fowler kept an early store, lived on the river- 
road near Beeeher's Hollow, and removed to the west. 

Samuel Stinson lived near the present hotel at Beeeher's 
Hollow, and had the first blacksmith-shop in town, about 

1800. He afterwards removed to Galway, and died there 
in 1823, aged eighty-four. Several of his grandchildren 
are living in Day, and Mrs. Susan Copeland, living in this 
town, is a grandchild. 

Daniel Washburn, Asahel Trumbull, Ezekiel Harris, 
Joseph Olmstead, and Guy D. Culver were early residents 
near Beeeher's Hollow. 

Benjamin Akley came from Coxsaekie to Edinburgh in 

1801. Settled about one mile .southwest of Beeeher's 
Hollow, on the river-road, in about the centre of the 
Livingston patent. Of his seven children, two sons are 
now living, Ananias, in Stony Creek, Warren Co., and 
John on the homestead. He is a well-preserved old gentle- 
man of eighty-six years, who superintends the work of the 
fiirm, and even turns in and works, when circumstances re- 
quire, with remarkable strength and vigor for one of his 
age. To his active mind and retentive memory we are in- 
debted for many important facts in this history. 

Azariah Ellithorp and his wife, Elizabeth, removed 
from Guilford, Vt., in sleighs, and arrived in Edinburgh in 
the month of February, 1802. They .settled on lot 10 of 
the larger Livingston patent, on the farm now occupied by 
his son Solomon. Their family was made up of five boys 
and three girls. Two of these children are living, Azariah, 
aged eighty-seven, and Solomon, aged seventy-eight, both 
in Edinburgh. Solomon has served four times as supervisor. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



371 



and was a member of Assembly in 1824. Peter Van Vleok 
came to Edinburgh from Schenectady in 180U or 1801. He 
settled on the river-road, pretty well towards the present 
line of Day. While living here the first religious meetings 
in the neigliborhood were held in his barn. In 1807 he 
moved to the Samuel Rogers place at Day Centre. 

Jonathan Smith, Sampson Hosley, Aaron Van Patten, 
Hudson Benson, and Philander Hewitt were early settlers 
along the river-road northeast from Beeclier's Hollow. 

John Gordon, a native of Hesse, in Germany, was im- 
pressed into the army, and with his fellow-soldiers hired 
out to the British government to fight the battles of the 
Revolutionary war. He was placed in Colonel Baum's 
command and marched against Bennington. He was 
among the prisoners captured by the American forces, and 
soon after joined the American army, and fought with them 
through the war. At the close of the Revolution he mar- 
ried Susan Whitman, in Massachusetts, and removed to 
Henniker, N. H., where he lived till, in 1804, he came to 
" York State," and settled in Edinburgh on the south side 
of the river, on lot 4 of the larger Livingston patent. His 
children were named Mary, John, Elizabeth, Daniel, Zach- 
ariah, Su.san, Edward W., Thomas, Andrew, Holiis, and 
Sally. None of these are now living in this town. Ed- 
ward W. married Abigail Wight about ISIO, and had nine 
children. Of these John, Alvah, Daniel Y., and Sally A. 
live in Edinburgh. Daniel Y. lives on the old homestead. 

Isaac Noyes, with his wife, Sarah, and seven children, 
settled in Edinburgh in 1807, near Batehellerville. He 
was a farmer, and bought the Sumner saw-mill. Soon af- 
terwards he sold a half-interest to Ambrose Batcheller. 
He also owned a grist-mill that stood a little farther down 
the creek. He was very prominent in church matters, and 
the success of the Congregational or Presbyterian church 
was largely due to his untiring efforts and unselfish devo- 
tion. He died Sept. 6, 1826, aged .sixty-one years. His 
wife survived him, and died in June, 1847, in her eightieth 
year. Their family were named respectively Levi, Isaac, 
Henry, Jane, Enoch, Sarah, and Percy G. Of these Levi 
lives in Broome county, at the advanced age of eighty-five. 
Isaac lives on the homestead near Batehellerville, and is a 
worthy successor of his esteemed father. He served as 
supervisor five terms. Jane Noyes lives in Batehellerville ; 
Percy G., in Edinburgh ; Joel lives in Illinois ; Hon. Isaac 
Noyes, Jr., who served as member of Assembly in 1875-76 
and 1870-77, lives at Batehellerville, and is engaged in 
manufacturing measures and barrel-covers, in connection 
with his brother-in-law, Stewart Early. He has served 
as supervisor. 

Patrick Cain was an early settler about one mile south 
of Batehellerville, on the river-road. 

Elias and Mary Manning settled in Milton in 17'.I3. 
They removed to Edinburgh in 1808, and settled near the 
county line west of Beccher's Hollow. Elias Manning was 
a carpenter, and noted for his skill in handling the broad- 
axc. He helped to hew the timber for the Fish House bridge, 
and the smooth timbers bear testimony to his careful work- 
manship. He removed to Broadalbin after living here a 
few years. Two of his sons — Samuel and Melzor — live in 
Edinburgh, at Batehellerville. 



One of the oldest citizens of the town is Mr. Samuel 
Snow, now over eighty-eight years old. He came to Edin- 
burgh in 1815. His children are living in the town. 

The Batcheller family have contributed largely to the 
interests of the town. They started and for many years 
have carried on the business that created the village which 
bears their name. Ambrose and Sally Batcheller came from 
Vermont in 1808, and settled about a mile from Batehel- 
lerville on the south side of the river. They began farming, 
and Ambrose purchased one-half of the mill-property of 
Deacon Isaac Noyes and engaged in the manufacture of 
wooden-ware. They had five children, — Sherman, Samuel, 
Lucy, Sally, and Rensselaer. Sherman and Lucy are dead. 
Samuel and Rensselaer live at Batehellerville, and Mrs. Sally 
Shiles lives in Hamilton county. 

Sherman Batcheller left two children. Helen M. Conk- 
ling lives in Saratoga Springs. George S. graduated at 
Yale College, and began the practice of the law. In 1862 
he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 115th Reg- 
iment New l^ork Volunteers, and went with them to the 
front. He was afterwards appointed in.spector-general of 
this State, and served in that position for some time. Sub- 
sequently he went to Egypt, and is now a judge in the 
Khedive's court. 

Samuel has three children. Ililand G. is a lawyer in 
New York; Ada T., wife of Hon. Isaac Noyes, Jr., and 
Marion A., wife of Stewart Early, reside in Batehellerville. 

Rensselaer has three children. John and Albert live in 
the town of Day. Oliver H. was a student at the United 
States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Md., at the time of the 
breaking out of the Rebellion. He was graduated soon after 
with the rank of midshipman, and placed on board one of 
the ships of the fleet that sailed against Mobile, Ala. He 
participated in that action, and afterwards in the fight at 
Port Hudson. He was there on board the ill-fated " Missis- 
sippi," which ran aground in point-blank range of the rebel 
batteries, and had to be abandoned. Midshipman Batch- 
eller was detailed to fire the vessel, and was the last man 
except the captain to leave its deck. Ho passed through 
the battle uninjured, and was promoted for meritorious ser- 
vices. He is now lieutenant-commander in the United 
States navy, and is stationed at the Charlestown navy-yard, 
near Boston, Mass. 

The Batcheller family came originally from West Brook- 
field, Mass. 

Anthon De Golia came to this section from Steuben 
county. He lived in Edinburgh, then in Northville, and 
finally settled about one and a half miles south of Bateh- 
ellerville, on lot 21 of the Northampton patent, in 1837. 
He was a carpenter, and worked at his trade in addition to 
attending to his farm. There were nine children. Mrs. 
Samuel Batcheller, Sirs. Thomas Wren, Mrs. Tabor, and 
Lucien De Golia are the only ones residing in Edinburgh. 
Henry M. and Jane B. Torrey came from Vermont in 
1827, and settled in the Gordon neighborhood. They had 
six children. Silas H., David A., and Emily, wife of E. 
D. Ellithorp, are still living in Edinburgh. Silas has served 
as supervisor for three years, and was chairman of the com- 
mittee appointed to examine and report on the books and 
accounts of Mann, the defaulting county treasurer. 



372 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Among the early settlers in the Gordon neighborhood 
were Justus Olmstead, Abraham B. Walker, Jacob and 
James Armstrong, Joseph King, and Daniel Deming. 

In the north and northwest part of the town Joseph 
Corey, David Cole, John Greenfield, Thomas Grimes, and 
John Kinnicut were early settlers. 

Other early settlers whose residences are unknown, but 
all of whom resided in the town previous to 1805, and most 
of them as early as 1802, were Thurston Wells, Ephraim 
Potter, Joshua Wells, Jonathan Towusend, Elisha Mix, 
William Feller (all previous to 1801), James Cooper, 
Jacob Groat, Ebenezer Getchell (previous to 1802), Amos 
Cook, Dr. George Benham, Samuel Darance, Stephen 
Walker, Je.ssc Worden, Job King, Andrew Petty, Moses 
Crane, Jacobus Filkins, Ezra Bartlett, Jesse Barker, and 
a man named Parmenter, who was carried off by the 
Indians. 

The first woolen-mill or clothiery was built by Palmer 
Monroe, in 1808. It was located near the foot of Beecher's 
Hollow. In 1821 it was sold to Isaac Brewster. Martin 
H. Butler afterwards purchased it. It is still standing, and 
is used by Chester D. Butler as a machine-shop. 

The first tannery was built in Beecher's Hollow, in 
1825, by Lyons & Prindle. It passed through many hands, 
and is now owned by George F. Cameron. Tanning, 
currying, and shoemaking are carried on there now. 

Arad Copeland built a carriage- and blaeksmith-shop at 
Beecher's Hollow in 1870. 

The first bridge across the Sacandaga river, in Saratoga 
County, was built in the fall of 1801 and the winter fol- 
lowing. It was about two miles below the Fish House, was 
built of hewed timber, in three spans, and was between two 
and three hundred feet long. Robert Sumner, Daniel 
Washburn, Jr., and Jordan Spraguo were the building 
committee, and their bills were audited by James Goodwin 
and Willard Trowbridge. This bridge was destroyed, and 
in July, 1827, a floating bridge, built of logs and plank, 
and chained to the bank at either end, was built, at an 
expense of $150. It was built where the present bridge 
stands. Azariah Ellithorp, Samuel Noyes, and Ely Beecher 
were the committee in charge of the work. In 1844 the 
bridge was built as it at present stands. 

Daniel Washburn and Ely Davis went with their teams, 
and carried soldiers of 1812 to Watorford, which was the 
place of rendezvous for this section. 

The first distillery was built by Azariah Ellithorp, in 
1801, on the present site of Cameron's tannery. It was 
.sold to Ely Beecher, within a few years of its erection. 

Dr. Edson was an early physician in the Washburn 
neighborhood. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 
This town, the third in the county in extent of surface, 
was originally a part of the town of Providence. In the 
spring of 1801, on the 1.3th day of March, it was erected 
into a separate township, and was called '' Northfield." 
How this name came to be conferred is not known, but it 
was a very appropriate name for the broad fields of the 
Sacandaga valley, that lay stretching away to the north 
from the more thickly settled part of the town of which it 
had been a part. In 1808, however, it was decided to 



change the name, because of another township having pre- 
viously adopted it, and an informal meeting was called at 
the residence of Esquire James Goodwin to decide upon 
its future appellation. Two stories are told as to the de- 
rivation of its present name. One is that Mrs. Goodwin 
agreed to brew a mug of steaming- flip for the company if 
she could have the privilege of naming the town ; that her 
offer was accepted, and that she called it Edinburgh. The 
other is that George Bradford, a Scotchman who lived in 
Hadley, wished it to be called after the capital of his 
native land. At any rate, whichever be true, it is certain 
that " Edinburgh" was the name chosen, and that the new 
town was christened with the beverage prepared by the 
housewife's skillful hands. 

Upon the pa.ssage of the act erecting the town, an elec- 
tion was called to choose officers and transact the necessary 
town business. It was held at the house of Esquire James 
Goodwin. Following is a copy of the record of the pro- 
ceedings of the first meeting : 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of North- 
field, assembled for the purpo.se of choosing town officers, 
at the dwelling-house of Esquire James Goodwin, elected 
Israel Woodford town clerk for the year ensuing. 

" Robert Sumner, supervisor. 

" Willard Trowbridge, Jordan Sprague, Jonathan Smith, 
assessors. 

" Thurston Wells, Sampson Ilosley, Ephraim Potter, 
commissioners of highways. 

" Daniel Wa.sbbuni, Jr., John Sumner, overseers of the 
poor. 

" Jordan Sprague, collector of the town tax. 

" Jordan Sprague, Abel Brown, constables. 

" Daniel Washburn, Jr., Charles Rhodes, Joshua Wells, 
D.ivid Cole, Jonathan Townsend, John Hamilton, Arba 
Perry, Samuel Rogers, James Andrus, Reuben Coriiwell, 
Nathaniel Bass, overseers of highways. 

"Esquire James Goodwin, Elisha Mix, Daniel Wash- 
burn, Jr., fence-viewers and damage-prizers. 

" William Fellow, Isaac Deming, pound-keepers. 

" Legally voted to raise fifty dollars for the support of 
the poor. 

" Also voted that hogs shall run at large. 

" Likewise that the next annual town-meeting is to be 
held at the dwelling-house of Esquire James Goodwin. 
" Israel Woodford, Clerk. 

" NoitTHFiEi.p, April 7, ISOl." 

The following items of interest are from the records of 
the town : 

In 1802 it was decided that hogs might run at large, 
but it specified that they should wear " a good and sufficient 
yonk.^^ 

A bargain was also made with Jordan Sprague to keep 
one William Clark for one year, at the rate of $2,122 per 
week. 

A bounty of $5 was offered for every wolf killed in 
Saratoga County in 1803. 

The town was divided into eight .school districts in 1813, 
by Ephraim Potter, John Younglove, and Guy Culver, 
commissioners appointed for that purpose. They reported 
June 10, 1813. 





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RESIDENCE^ L. DE GOLIA , BATCH£LL£f?V/LL£. SARATOGA 00. M-^- 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



373 



A sorrel mare strayed from her owner's premises in 1814, 
and was " took up" by Daniel Rhodes. In pursuance of 
the directions of law, as well as in accord with the customs 
of the people, he advertised the fact, and appended a de- 
scription commencing as follows : " a sorrel mare, with a 
large, squire Dock, a small white spot just back of her fore- 
shoulders," etc. 

At the town-meeting of 1S17 it was voted to hold the 
next town-meeting " in Ely Beecher's liarn." This showed 
the democratic principle of the people. But the growth 
of their aristocratic tendencies cropped out in 1822, when 
they repudiated the barn as a place of meeting, and ad- 
journed to meet " in Ely Beecher's wood-house." In 1824 
the Congregational church was built, and after that the 
elections were held there. 

In 1849 a bounty of $10 was offered for every panther 
killed in the limits of the town. 



LIST OP TOWN OFFICERS. 



Year. 
1801. 
1S02. 
1803. 
1804. 
1805. 
1806. 
1S07. 
1808. 
1809. 
1810. 
1811. 
1812. 
1813. 
1814. 
1815. 
1816. 
1817. 
1818. 
1819. 
1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1824. 
1825. 
1826. 
1827. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1S32. 
1833. 
1834. 
1835. 
1836. 
1837. 
18.38. 
1839. 
1840. 
1841. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 



Supervisors. 
Robert Sumner. 



Ely Beeoher. 
(t (( 
It tt 

Will'nl Trowbriilg 

(( it 

Ely Beecher. 

John Hamilton. 



Amos Cook. 
Ely Bcechcr. 



Amos Cook. 
Ely Beecher. 



Town Clerks. 
Israel Woodford. 
II II 

Ely Beecher. 

it it 

James Goodwin. 
Israel Woodiord. 



Robert Sumner. 
Andrew Comstock. 
Stephen Jackson. 



Ely Beecher. 



Robert Sumner. 
Amos Cook. 



Martin Butler. 
Flavel Grccnieaf. 



Amos Cook. 
Solomon Ellithorp. 
Amos Cook. 
Ely Beecher. 
Isaac Noyes. 
t< it 

Solomon Ellithorp. 

Isaac Noyes. 

Samuel Manning. 

Sherman BatchcUer. 
tt it 

Isaac Noyes. 

Joseph Covin. 

it it 

Samuel Batchellcr. 
Isaac Noyes. 
Samuel Batcheller, 
Henry M. Torrey. 
Joseph L. Snow. 
Solomon Ellithorp. 



James Barker. 

a li 

William Prindle. 
Banford Edmonds. 

it it 

Martin II. Butler. 



William S. Butler. 
Geo. B. Robertson. 
Chester D. Butler. 



Collectors. 
Jordan Sprague. 

Thurston Wells. 
John Rhodes. 
Azariah Ellithorp. 

Philander Hewitt. 



Anson Fowler. 

it it 

Isaac G. Brewster. 
John Cook, Jr. 
John Brown. 
John Cook, Jr. 



Solomon T. Scott. 
James L. Belong. 
Elisha Oakley. 
Nathaniel Griggs, 

John L. Graves. 
James Partridge, Jr. 



John Hudson. 
Enoch Scribner. 
John W. Sprague. 
Amos Beecher. 

it a 

James Partridge, Jr. 
Samuel C. Scribner. 
Samuel Snow. 
it a 

Arba W. Berry. 

a it 

Levi S. Kinnicut. 



Walter G. Vaughan. 
Ely T. Beecher. 

K it 

Joseph L, Snow. 
Robert Kennedy. 



John Ellithorp. 
Elisha G. King. 

ti n 

John W. Gordon. 
Zenas Whitney. 
George H. AVhedcn. 
Lcman Partridge. 



1S51. 

1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1S64. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1S76. 
1877. 
1878. 



Supervisors. 
Ira Beecher. 

a n 

Samuel Batcheller. 
John K. Anderson. 

Sherman Batcheller. 
(( it 

James Partridge. 
Joseph Covin. 
Eugene Damon. 
Levi S. Noyes. 

it a 

William W. Hunt. 
Winslow E. Snow. 
Isaac Noyes, Jr. 
Leman Partridge. 
Winslow E. Snow. 
Cyrus Sumner. 

tt tc 

Winslow E. Snow. 
Silas H. Torrey. 
Winslow E. Snow. 
James Green. 
John W. Latcher. 
Lucien Be Golia. 
Silas H. Torrey. 

it it 

Leman Partridge. 
Ervin Be GoUa. 



Town Clerks. 

Arad Copelaud. 



Levi S. Noyes. 
Arad Copelaud. 



Henry Eglin. 
George F. Cameron. 
George Wright. 

a a 

Lehman Partridge. 
Arad Copeland. 
Henry S. Barker. 

Walter B. Butts. 

Albert Allen. 
John G. Pettit. 
Amos E. Barker. 
John G. Olmstead. 
Bavid L. Bowman. 
Edmund C. Quimby. 
Leonard Hyer. 



Joseph W. Allen. 



Collectors. 
Leman Partridge. 
Henry Eglin. 
Squire Stark. 

ti it 

John Y. Wheeler. 

Robert T. Sumner. 

if tt 

Levi S. Noyes. 
Arba W. Perry. 
, J. M. Ellithorp. 
AVilliam Vanavery. 
William E. Snow. 
James R. Steers. 
John W. Barker. 
John G. Batcheller. 
Holden Tenant. 
ti tt 

John Steers. 

John Partridge. 

tt tt 

Bavid A. Torrey. 
Foster S. Taylor. 
Falkner E. Noyes. 
Calvin S. Edwards. 

Leonard Lyon. 
Levi Akley. 
M. II. Frasier. 



A few of the earlier justices of the peace, before election 
by the people, were the followiuf;^ : James Goodwin, 1801 ; 
Jordan Sprague, 1801; Eobert Sumner, 1805; AVillard 
Trowbridge, 1807; Thomas Grimes, 1807; John Kinni- 
cut, 1812; Solomon Slate, 1814; Azariah Ellithorp and 
Philander Hewitt, 1816; John Hamilton, 1818; Samuel 
Stimson, 1820 ; William Capron, 1822; Amos Cook, 1826 ; 
Solomon Ellithorp, Samuel Noyes, 1829. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BT THE PEOPLE. 



John Barker. 
, Joseph Fulton, long term. 
W. G. Vaughan, short term. 
William AV. Hunt. 
Russell Smith. 

Joseph Fuller. 
William W. Hunt. 
Russell Smith, long terra. 
G. F. Cameron, short term. 
Elipbaz B. Ellithorp. 
G. F. Cameron, long term. 

H. K. Colson, short term. 

(( ti 

Silas H. Torrey. 
Henry Hamilton. 
Leman Partridge. 
H. Ransom Colson. 
Norman M. Stark. 
John Ford. 
James M. Ellithorp. 
H. R. Colson, long term. 
James Green, short term. 
F. E. Noyes, long term. 
" " short term. 

Holden Tenant, 
Lcman Partridge. 
James B. Manning. 
8. J. M. Ellithorp. 



1831. 


Amos Cook. 


1855 


1832. 


Jacob Wight. 


1856 


1833. 


Samuel Manning. 




1834. 


Jas. Trowbridge, 4 years. 


1857 




Martin H. Butler, 3 years. 


1858 


1835. 


Amos Cooli. 


1859 


1830. 


Walton Hamilton. 


1860 


1837. 


Samuel M.anning. 


1861 


1838. 


Ira Beecher, 4 years. 
Solomon Ellithorp, 3 years. 


1862 




John Hamilton, 2 years. 


1863 




Joseph Covin, 1 year. 


1864 


1839. 


Harvey Mattison. 




1840. 


Henry M. Torrey. 


18G5 


1841. 


Samuel Manning. 


1866 


1842. 


James Partridge. 


1867 


1843. 


Harvey Mattison. 


1868 


1844. 


Joseph Covin, 


1869 


1845. 


Henry M. Torrey. 


1870 


1846. 


William Easterly. 


1871 


1847. 


Obadiah Wood. 


1872 


1848. 


Jno. K. Anderson, 4 years. 
N. L. Barker, 3 years. 


1873 


1849. 


Joseph Covin, 4 years. 
Sol'n Ellithorp, 2 years. 


1874 


1850. 


Joseph L. Snow. 


1875 


1851. 


Henry Hamilton. 


1876 


1852. 


Eugene Deming. 


1877 


1853. 


,Tohn K. Anderson. 


1878 


1854. 


Husscll Smith. 





374 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 
Beecher's Hollow is an old settlement near the centre of 
the western half of the town, and contains about twenty 
dwellings, one store, two blacksmith-shops, one cabinet- 
shop, one carriage-shop, one grist-mill, one tannery and 
shoe-.shop, one machine-shop, a hotel, school-house, and 
church, and about one hundred and fifty inhabitants. 
Business is conducted on a small scale. Batchellerville is a 
thriving village a mile and a half southeast of Beecher's 
Hollow. It lies on the southeast side of the river, contains 
about seventy dwellings, some of them of a superior qual- 
ity, three woodenware manufactories, two stores, a hotel, 
a school-house, and a fine church. It has about five hun- 
dred inhabitants. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

Daniel Abbott, from Connecticut, taught the first school, 
in 1794. A school was kept in Abijah Stark's house in 
1812. It was taught by Titus Andrews. 

The Liberty Hill school-house was built about 1816, the 
Sand Hill school-house still earlier. 



commissioners' apportionment, march, 1878. 




VII.— CHURCHES. 

The first church was organized in 1798, by Rev. Mr. 
Munroe, from Galway. It was a BaptLst church. They 
built a church in 1816 opposite the house now occupied 
by Allen Olmstead. It was a square building, two stories 
high, with a gallery around three sides of it. The pews 
were box pews, wherein one-half of the congregation were 
forced to sit staring into the faces of the other half, while 
the minister, from some hidden corner, mysteriously thun- 
dered forth his expositions of the law and the gospel, un- 
seen by the larger part of his congregation. That our 
fathers were a church-going people speaks volumes in praise 
of their devotion and self-sacrifice. In 1852 the church 
was torn down. Early religious meetings were held in 
houses, barns, school-houses, or in the woods, as circum- 
stances dictated or allowed. Among the early preachers 
were Samuel Covill, Asa Cummings, and Rev. Mr. Meeker, 
who held services before 1802. 

* Joint. 



EDINBUROH HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This church was first organized previous to 1824, but 
had no house of worship till some time about 1885, when 
a church was built. It was a frame building, about thirty- 
six by forty feet in dimensions, and had no belfry or tower. 
This building was torn down in 1871, and a new church 
erected, at a cost of $1400. This new church was dedi- 
cated in 1872, Rev. J. K. Wager delivering the sermon on 
that occasion. It is a good wooden building, well finished 
and tasty in appearance. 

Among the first members of the society were Peleg 
Tenant, David Rhodes, John Hill, David Nicholson, Mrs. 
D. Rhodes, Betsey Hill, Thomas Francisco, and Norman 
Rhodes. 

The ministers who are known to have ministered to this 
church are Rev. Mr. Potter, Rev. Mr. JNIiner, Rev. Mr. 
Sherman, Rev. Mr. Stead, Rev. Mr. Lake, Rev. Mr. Mo- 
ranti, Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, Rev. Mr. Coville, Revs. George 
W. Farrington, J. K. Wager, H. Slocum, S. M. Williams, 
J. W. Butcher, Amos Osborne, F. K. Potter, John Sum- 
ner, E. L. Arnold, and H. H. Smith. The first Sunday- 
school in this neighborhood was organized about 1830. 
Norman Rhodes was the first superintendent. It was a 
quite small school, and has grown a little from year to year, 
until it now numbers about fifty scholars. Henry Van 
Avery is the superintendent. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OP BEECHER's HOLLOW. 

The first religious meetings connected with the incipient 
stages of the growth of this church were held at various 
times and places previous to 1815. One of the most prom- 
inent places of meeting was the house of Mr. James Bar- 
ker. At the times when quarterly meetings were held 
there the attendance would be very large, many people 
coming ten, fifteen, or twenty miles to attend the services. 
At such times the hospitality of the brethren was freely 
given, and it is said that at one of these meetings Mr. Icha- 
bod Barker housed and fed forty persons and cared for 
their teams. 

The church was not organized till several years later, and 
hold its meetings in the school-house until the church was 
built. The church is a plain, square, wooden structure, 
with a belfry and bell, and is valued at $2500. Its first 
cost was about $800, but additions, improvements, and re- 
pairs have increased its value to the above amount. Rev. 
Mr. Brayton and Rev. Mr. Stead were among the earlier 
preachers. 

Rev. H. H. Smith is the present pastor. Newman L. 
Barker, John Steers, Lysander Edwards, and Arad Cope- 
land are the stewards. 

Except for a short time immediately after its organization, 
a Sunday-school has been maintained, in connection with the 
church. Amos Barker, superintendent, and John Steers, 
assistant superintendent, are the present ofiicers. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BATCHELLERVILLE. 

The second religious society formed in the town of Edin- 
burgh was the Edinburgh Congregational society. A meet- 
ing was held on Sept. 5, 1808, at the house of James 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



375 



Goodwin, Esq., at which twenty-one people were present. 
James Goodwin, Esq., was chairman, and Israel Woodford 
was clerk. Rev. Mr. Haight, of Galway, instituted the 
church, which was composed of the following members : 
Daniel, Lydia, and Lucy Knight, Isaac and Sally Noyes, 
David and Lydia Stoddard, Pliineas and Polly Warren, 
David C. and Eunice Jones, John and Susan Gordon, Eben- 
ezer and Sarah Sherwiu, Lydia Beecher, Sally Houghtalin, 
Abigail Stimson, James and Abigail Goodwin, and Israel 
Woodford. 

Occasional meetings were held at school-houses and pri- 
vate houses till 1813-14, when a revival was experienced, 
and a large number of members added to the church. Most 
of these new members lived at the Fish House ( Northamp- 
ton), and in 1815 a church was built by the society in 
that village. Meetings were held alternately there and in 
Edinburgli. BIcantime, the society had become Presbyte- 
rian in form and doctrine. In 1824, by the aid of many 
citizens of the town, who desired a place in which to hold 
town and political meetings, the society was enabled to build 
a church in Edinburgh. The editice was erected on the 
road that crosses the river near its junction with the river- 
road from Huntsville to Beecher's Hollow. The foundation 
and grave-yard are still there to mark the spot. This church 
was built in the old style, — wide and low, with a steep roof. 
There was a gallery across the rear end. Mrs. Alexander 
Armstrong made a pencil sketch of the building just before 
it was torn down, and this sketch has been photographed, 
and several pictures are preserved in the neighborhood. 

This church, dedicated in 1824, was occupied until 186G, 
when it was abandoned and torn down. In 1824 the society 
divided, part going to the Northampton church, and part 
remaining in Edinburgh. In 1831 the church received 
permission to change its form of government, and became 
a Congregational society, though still maintaining its rela- 
tions to, and connection witii, Albany presbytery. 

This state of affairs continued until the year 1866, when 
the church gave up its mixed character and became a purely 
Presbyterian society. 

At this time they abandoned the old house of worship, 
and, procuring a site in the village of Batchellerville, erected 
there a very fine church at a cost of 88000. The outside 
of the building presents a fine appearance. The inside is 
finished in black walnut, and the walls are beautifully fres- 
coed. The bell, weighing one thousand and forty pounds, 
was purchased from Meneely's bell-foundry, in Troy, at a 
cost of upwards of $500. It is of fine tone and (juality. 

The list of church officers comprises the names of James 
Goodwin, Isaac Noyes, Sr., Abraham Beecher, Isaac Noyes, 
Jr., Joseph Corey, Henry Bartlett, John Ford, Henry 
Herrick, and Willis Noyes, who were deacons ; and Isaac 
Noyes, Sr., Phineas Warren, Wm. W. Elliott, Harvey 
Goodwin, Abraham Beecher, Willard Trowbridge, Salmon 
Hunt, Godfrey I. Shew, and Isaac Noyes, Jr., were elders. 

The first minister who is recorded as sustaining the pas- 
toral relation to this church was Rev. N. M. Wells, who 
preached for them in 1814. He was followed in order by 
Rev. Lebbeus Armstrong, Rev. Mr. Williams, Rev. Joseph 
Farrar, Rev. Halsey A. Wood, Rev. Mr. Monteith, Rev. 
M. Donalds, Rev. Benjamin II. Pitman, Rev. Royal .\. 



Avery, Rev. P. R. Burnham, Rev. H. Rinker, Rev. S. P. 
Rollo, Rev. L. H. Pease (who served several months in the 
army as chaplain of the Forty-fourth New York Infantry), 
Rev. Isaac De Voe, Rev. B. P. Johnson, Rev. Henry Lan- 
cashire, Rev. H. C. Stanton. Rev. Mr. Bryant is the 
present pastor. 

The total number of names appearing on the church 
rolls show that at different times over sis hundred persons 
have been members. These have dropped off in various 
ways, and the membership is about one hvindred and 
seventy. 

The Sabbath-school has about one hundred and thirty 
members, and is in a very prosperous condition. Wm. S. 
De Golia is the superintendent, F. E. Noyes the assistant 
superintendent, and Wm. W. Davenport secretary and 
treasurer. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PL.^CES. 

The first burial was Alfred Perry, a child of James Perry, 
two or three years old. This was about 1802. There was 
no road for wagons, and Azariah Ellithorp carried the coffin 
before him on horseback to the Hewitt burying-ground. 
There, surrounded by a group of mourning friends and sym- 
pathizing pioneers, the little one was laid to rest, waiting 
the resurrection of the just. 

IX.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

In the eastern part of the town, on the south side of the 
river, near the line of Day, traces of an Indian burying- 
ground are seen. Bones and skulls have frequently been 
brought to the surface by the plow and harrow. Arrow- 
heads, tomahawks, and other warlike implements have fre- 
quently been found there. It is supposed that at some early 
day a party of Indians camped by the river, or, attempting 
to cross it, were attacked by another party, and a fierce 
battle fought. 

X.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The town is not favorable to agriculture, and general 
farming is only limited in extent. Some portions of the 
town afford good pasturage for stock-raising and for dairy 
purposes. The people are, however, largely engaged in 
wood business, in lumbering, mills, tanneries, and manu- 
factories. 

Bachellerville in 1833 consisted of two dwellings, a saw- 
mill, and a grist-mill. The water-power and mills at that 
time passed entirely into the hands of Ambrose Batcheller. 
In 1837, Sherman and Samuel Batcheller came to this place 
and built a new shop where the present Noyes & Early shop 
stands. This shop has been twice burned and rebuilt, once 
in February, 1851, and again in 1859. In 1848 the saw- 
mill that stood on the site of De Golia's shop was torn down 
and a larger shop built. In 1853, Sherman Batcheller 
built the present King, Snow & Co.'s shop. The one shop 
was sold to Lucien De Golia in 1858. The other remained 
in Samuel Batcheller's hands until 1865, when it was sold 
to Benjamin R. Jenkins. In 1876 it passed into the hands 
of Samuel Batcheller, and from him to Noyes & Early, the 
present occupants. This shop manufactures half-bushels 
and smaller measures, and barrel-covers. It employs from 
ten tu twenlv men. 



370 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The shop built in 1S53 by Sherman Batcheller was, in 
1S60, sold to Henry C. Whitney. In 1864 it was sold to 
Cyrus Sumner. In 1868, George S. Batcheller bought it, 
and in 1869 sold it to King, Steers & Persons. In 1870 it 
was sold to the present owners. King, Snow & Co. They 
employ about fifteen hands, and turn out an annual produet 
of four hundred to five hundred dozen nests of flour-buckets, 
five thousand lard-tubs, and five thousand tobacco-pails. 
They use an overshot watei'-whcel. about seventeen feet in 
diameter, with eleven-feet wide buckets. 

In 1858, Lucien De Golia and Levi Porter began the 
manufacture of washboards in tlie old shop ho purchased of 
S. & S. Batcheller. In 1863 high water carried oif the dam 
and shop. Lucien De Golia then went to work and rebuilt 
the shop a little farther down than the old one, and resumed 
business on an enlarged scale. In 1867 he took out a 
patent on what is called the " Combination Washboard," 
one side being zinc and the other wood. In 1876, on the 
26th of July, this shop was destroyed by fire, and a heavy 
loss fell on its proprietor. It was immediately rebuilt, how- 
ever, and the business resumed with vigor. The present 
firm is L. De Golia & Son. They manufacture about a 
dozen diflerent kinds of boards. Their power is furnished 
by a sixty horse-power engine, with one large boiler. The 
engine-house, which is built of stone and is fire-proof, is 
about thirty feet square. This engine drives about thirty 
diflferent pieces of machinery, which take the lumber in the 
log and send it out in finished boards. They use about 
five thousand market logs each year. They are hard wood, 
spruce, and basswood. They also use from one hundred 
and twenty thousand to one hundred and forty thousand 
pounds of sheet zinc in a year. They employ thirty-five 
hands, and turn out an annual product of twenty-five thou- 
sand dozen finished boards. 

Jo.seph L. Snow kept the first store in Batchellerville. 
Henry C. Whitney kept the first hotel. The latter also 
built and ran a small wooden-ware .shop in 1855 and 1856. 

There was a shoe-peg factory here at one time. 

XL— JIILITARY. 

Of the heroes of the Revolution, several came and 
settled in this town. Among them we find the following 
names: Jonathan Smith was a captain in the continental 
army. Azariah Ellithorp served under Washington in 
Pennsylvania ; was at the battle of Trenton, and passed 
the winter at Valley Forge. Samuel Stimson was at the 
battle of Bunker Hill. Isaac Noyes, Sr., Sampson Hosley, 
John Gordon, Samuel Downing, Robert and Benjamin Sum- 
ner were all veterans of that fateful struggle. 

The War of 1812 also called out a good many citizens 
of the town. The following is as perfect a list as we have 
been able to obtain ; Orderly Sergt. Silas Washburne re- 
moved to the west and died there. John Akley lives in 
Edinburgli, aged eighty-six years. Ananias lives in Stony 
Creek, Warren county. Wm. Vanavery died in Water- 
ford. Daniel Buekalow died in Fulton cjunty. Myron 
White died in Edinburgh. Nathaniel Robinson died in 
Edinburgh. Ephraim Potter moved to Black river country 
and died. Wm. Hill died in Orleans county. Solomon 
Scott moved to the west. Lieutenant John Brown died in 



Ballston. James Rhodes died in Edinburgh. Stephen 
White died in the State of New York. John Gordon was 
one of General Porter's aids. 

SOLDIEBS OF 1861-65. 

Wm. Henry Ames, corp., Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 , disch. 1SG3 ; living 

in weatL-rn Nt.'\v Vork. 
Tliomiis Andrews, jn'iv., 4tli II. Art, ; enl. 1861 ; disch. witli regiment; re-enl. in 

2d N. Y, Vet, C',HV.,and served till the close of the war ; mustered out witli 

regiment; living in Albany, 
Tlios. Barney, priv., 4tli H. Art. ; enl. Sept, 3, 1802 ; disch, with regiment, and 

lives in Warrensbnrg, Warren Co., N, Y, 
David W, Darry, priv,, 115th N, Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug, 8, 1862; discharged. 
George S, Batcheller. lient.-cul., ll.'ith N, Y. Inf. ; was afterwards made inspec- 

tor-gencial of N. Y, State, and is now serving as a judge in Egypt, 
Oliver H, Batcheller, lient.; graduated from U, S. nival .icadeniy at .\nnapoIis, 

Bid. ; served with Farragnt at Mobile and Port Hudson ; pro. to he lieut- 

coinniander, and is now at Boston in command of Charlestowo navy-yard. 
Preserved A. Benson, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; cut. Aug. ,i, 1862; disch. 

with the regiment; living at Batcliellerville. 
Wes.soii Benson, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y, Inf. ; enl. Aug, 5, 1862 ; killed in action, 
George W, Bidwell, priv,, 22d N, Y, Cav,; enl, April i, I860, 
David L. Bownnin, priv., Co. D, 4th II, Art.; enl, 18G2; wounded; discharged 

with regiment; living at Batchellerville. 
Amos 0, Brown, priv,, Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Aug, 8, 1862 ; disch. with 

regiment; living at Jackson Summit when last heard from, 
Calvin Brown, priv,, Co. D, 4th II. Art,; enl. 18G2; discharged; living in 

Edinlnirgh, 
Daniel \V. Barney, wagoner, Co, O, 115th N, Y. Inf, ; enl, .Aug, 8, 1802. 
Amos Bnrk, priv., 115th N. Y, Inf, ; enl, .\ug. !), 1862, 

Carmi Betts, nmsician, Co, D, 4th H, Art, ; enl, 1862 ; disch, with regiment ; liv- 
ing in Batchellerville, 
John Booth, priv., enl. 1861 : living in Edinburgh, 
Daniel Cady, priv,,115th N, Y, Inf, ; enl, Aug, 9, 1862; discharged; living in 

Batchellerville, 
Tiuiotby Cady, priv., 2d N, Y. Vet, Cav, ; enl, 1862 ; died in the service, 
John G, Casey, priv,, Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf, ; enl. 1861; di->ch, with the regiment ; 

removed to the west, 
Lorin Cole, priv,, Co, C, 77th N, Y, Inf.; enl, Oct, 1, 1861 ; died in hospital at 

Georgetown ; friends live in the west. 
Wm, T. Coukling, Ist lient., Co, G, 30th N, Y, Inf,; mustered in June 1, 1861; 

died in hospital, of disease; is buried at Rensselaerville, N, Y. 
Charles D, Cozens, piiv., Co. C, 115th N. Y, Inf. ; enl. Aug, 8, 1862; disch, with 

regiment ; living at Mayfield, N, Y. 
Addison L, Davenimrt, priv,, V-o. C, 115th N, Y, Inf. ; enl, Aug. 9, 1862 ; died of 

yellow fever, at Smithville, N. C, June 22, 1865 ; buried at Batchellerville, 
John S, Dean, prfv., 14th H. Art, ; enl. Sept, 1, 1864; discharged, 
A.sa Deming, priv., Co. B, 2d U, Art,; enl, Jan, 5, 1864; discharged; living in 

West Day, N, Y. 
Asa Deming, priv, ; substitute for Chiis, II. Barker; enl. Aug, 30, 18G4; dia- 

chui'ged ; living at Carthage, Jelfersou Co., N. Y, 
Deming, priv., 2d N. Y. Yet. Cav.; enl. 1862; died of disease while i[i the 

service. 
Ezekiel Deming, priv., 2d Vet. Cav.; enl. I80L ; discharged ; living in Editi- 

bnrgli. 
Horace Deming, priv,, C«, G, 30th N, Y, Inf, ; enl, 1861 ; le-eid, in 2d N, Y, Vet. 

Cav. ; disch. at the close of the war ; died since. 
John II. Deming, priv., Co. B, 2d H. Art.; enl. Jan, .5, 1864; disch, at close of the 

war; living at West Day. 
Mansfield A. Deming, priv,, Co, B; enl, Aug. 15,1862; died in sei-vice, at Perrys- 

villo, Ky,, in 1803, 
Simeon Deming, priv., Co. G, 30th N, Y, Inf, ; enl, 1861 ; re-enl, in 2d N, Y, Vet. 

Cav. ; disch. ut close of the war; living in Edinburgh, 
Jann-s B, Douglas, priv,, Co. D, 4th 11, Art.; enl. Dec, 25, 1861; wouuded at 

Spottsylvania, and died of wounds in 1864, at Washington, D, C, 
Anson J. Downing, priv, ; enl, 1861 ; discharged ; living irt Edinburgh. 
Geo, T, Downing, connnissary ; living. 
Blorris J. Dryman, priv,, Co, C, 115th N, Y, Inf, ; enl. Aug, 8, 1802 ; died on the 

battle-field, 
Wm, Dullard, sergt., Co, G, 30th N, Y, Inf. ; enl, 1861 ; deserted at Bull Run ; 

re-enl. in the regular army. 
Geo, M, Evans, priv,, Co, C, 115th N, Y, Inf.; enl. Aug. 11, 1S62, 

Flack, priv,, 2d N. Y, Vet, Cav. ; enl. 1801 ; died in service, of disease. 

Geol'ge Fox, priv., Co. D, 4th H, .^rt. ; enl, Jan, 1, 1864 ; discharged ; living in 

Edinburgh, 
John Freeman, priv., U.S. navy; enl, Aug. 31, 1864; disch. at expiration of 

term of service ; living at Conklingville, N. Y, 
Leman Fiost, priv., Co. D, 93d N, Y. Inf; enl, Aug. 30, 1864; disch, June, 1865 ; 

substitute for Leman Partridge; living in Edinburgh, 
Otis Frost, priv., Co. D, 9 Id N, Y, Inf ; enl, March 15, 1865; disch, with regi- 
ment, July 9, 1865 ; living in Edinburgh, 
John G. Graves, priv,, Co. G, 3Uth N. Y, Inf, ; enl. Sept, 21, 1861 ; killed Aug. 30, 

1862, at second battle of Bull Hun. 
Julian W. Graves, priv., Co, D,4th H. Art,; enl. Aug, 28, 1862; trans, to Co. E ; 

disch, with regiment ; living at Greenfield, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



377 



Wm. Graves, priv., Co. G, 30th N.T. Inf. ; rnl. Muy 7, 18G1 ; killed Aug. 30, 18G2, 

at second battle of Bull Run. 
Wm. Greenfield, priv., 4th 11. Art.; cnl. Aug, 9, 18G2 ; disch. with regiment; 

living at Huntsvillo. 
Abner Hall, priv., Co. E, 4th H. Art; enl. Aug. 13, 1862. 
"Will. n. Hull, priv., Co. E, 4th U. Art.; enl. Aug. 13, 1862. 

Emery W. Hosley, priv., Co. C, H5th N. Y. Inf.; eul. Aug. 5, 18G2; died of dis- 
ease while in the service. 
George L. Hayden, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 7, ISfil ; fell overboard 
from U. S. steamer " Knickerbocker" and wa.s drowned ; the body was re- 
covered, and buried Blay 17, 1802. 
Charles I). Herrick, corp., Co. T>, 4th II. Art, ; enl. Dec. 25, 1861 ; pro. to be 2d 

lieut. ; disch. with the regiment; living in Michigan. 
Jos. M. Herrick, priv., Co. C, 115th N, Y. Inf.; en!. Aug. 5,1802; pro. to be Ist 

lieut. ; disch. with the regiment, and living in Michigan. 
Wm. Douglass Herrick, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art. ; enl. July 29, 1802 ; pro. to be 

1st lieut. ; disch. with regiment ; living in Ohio. 
Charles J. Huughtalin, priv., 193d Inf. ; enl. April 4, 1H65. 
John H. Hulburt, corp., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; disch. with the 

regiment, Dec. 13, 1804; living near Albany. 
George W. Hutchinson, priv., Co. C, llSIh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862. 
Chas. W. Jenkins, priv.. Co. C, lloth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 8, 1862 ; discharged 

with regiment; living in Day, 
W'm. H. Jenkins, priv., 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1801 ; died of disease at S«r;itoga 

Springs soon after enlistment. 
Nicholas Jeusser, priv., Co. E, 4th H. Art. ; enl. Sept. 3, 1802 ; died in Iiospitil 

from wounds received in battle. 
David W. Jones, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Ang. 6, 1802; was wounded 
and left on battle-field; taken prisoner, and has not been heard from 
since; supposed to have died from wounds. 
\VilIard Jones, priv., Co. E, 4th H. Art. ; enl. July 25, 1862; died of starvation 

at Andersonville piison, Ga. 
George B. King, sergt., Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. with regiment ; 

died in Edinburgh since. 
John S. King, priv.; enl. Feb. 16, 1862; captured at Gettysburg and paroled ; 
he was again taken prisoner, Aug. 19, 1HG4, and confined in prison at 
Salisbury, N. C. ; e.vchanged Feb. 27, 1865 ; disch. at close of the war, and 
lives at Conklingville. 
Samuel W. King, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 31, 1862; disch. at close of 

war; living in Edinburgh. 
Warren E. Kinney, priv,, U. S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 31, 1804; disch. at close of war ; 

living in Batchellerville. 
Charies W. Knight, sergt., Co. M, 4th H. Art. ; enl. Dec. 26, 1803; he enlisted 
early in the war, served two years, and re-enl. for three years ; served till 
he was disch. for disability ; living in Edinburgh. 
Jesse Lewis, priv., Co. E, 4th H. Art. ; enl. Sept. 3, 1862 ; discharged ; living in 

Edinburgh. 
\Vm. n.Lewis, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art.; enl. Ang. 30, 1862; disch. Oct. 18, 1863, 
for disability, caused by an afTection of the spine; living in Edinburgh. 
James Lockwood, musician, 4th H. Art.; enl. Dec. 12, 1861; re-ent. Jan. 4, 

1863; disch. at close of war; living in Edinburgh. 
Jesse Low, priv., Ist Metropolitan liegt. ; eul. Sept. 4, 1862; disch. at close of 

war; living in Stony Creek. 
David E. Lyon, priv., 4th H. Art.; enl. Sept. 10,1862. 

Louis Mackay, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 8, 1861 ; was taken pris- 
oner at the seven days' fisht before Richmond ; exchanged ; re-enl. Dec. 
21,1862; wounded at Antietain; participated in about twenty different 
battles ; disch. July 7, 1805 ; lives in Edinburgh. 
Henry C. McCuen, priv., 14th H. Art. ; enl. Aug. 25,1864; disch. at close of war; 

lives in Edinburgh. 
James McLean, musician, Co. D, 4th H. Art.; enl. 1862 ; disch. with regiment; 

ilied in the west since the war. 
Jonas McLean, sergt., Co. D, 4th H. Art. ; eul. 1862 ; enlisted about 145 recruits, 
mostly for three years; disch. at close of war; lives near Northville, Ful- 
ton Co., N. Y. 
Jesse Moore, priv., Co. D, 93d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Fob. 3, 1863 ; was wounded in the 
knee-joint, at the Wilderness, and made a cripple for life; disch. May 30, 
1865; living in Batchellerville. 
Franklin Morrill, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862; discharged; living 

at Saratoga Springs. 
Edward Mott, priv., 192d N. Y. Inf.; enl. April 5, 1863. 

Levi Myers, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; onl. Ang. 8, 1862; disch. with regi- 
ment; living in Edinburgh. 
John H. Noyes, priv., Co. D, 4th N. Y. H. Art.; onl. Aug. 26, 1862; served with 
his regiment as infantry at Cold Harbor and Petersburg; disch. at close 
of war; living in Edinburgh. 
Newton S. Noyes, priv., Co. C. 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct, 1, 1861 ; served in the 
ambulance corj'S of the Army of tlio Potomac; disch. with regiment, Dec. 
13, 1804; living in Brattleboro', Vt. 
Chailos A. Perkins, priv., U. S. Navy; enl. Aug. 31, 1864. 
Henry P. Perry, musician, Co. D, 4th Art.; enl. Dec. 14, 1861 ; disch. Dec. 25, 

186.'5 ; living at Batchellerville. 
Franklin I'riest, priv., Co. E, 4th H. Art.; enl. Aug. 5, 1862; served with regi- 
ini'nt, participating in several battles; disch. Juno 10, 1865; living in 
Edinburgh. 
George R. Priest, priv., 4th H, Art. ; enl. Aug. 12, 1862; diach. for disability in 
1S63 ; living in Gloverville, Fulton Co. 

48 



Peter S. Putnam, pri?., Co. B, 4th H. Art.; enl. 1802 ; mustered out with regi- 
ment; living in Batchellerville. 

Edwin C. Mossegnie, priv., 4th H. Art. ; enl. Sept. 3, 18G2; he lost his health 
while in service, and became an invalid ; disch. with the regiment ; died 
in Edinburgh of disease contracted in the service. 

Henry Rhodes, priv.; enl. 18G1. 

Samuel Khodes, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art. ; enl. 1862 ; disch. with the regiment ; 
living near Northville, Fulton Co. 

Wm. Khodes, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art.; enl. 1803. 

Francis Rice, priv., Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 11, 1862; living. 

Michael Rice, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 9, 1862 ; living in Schenectady. 

John Ross, priv., 2d H. Art. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1864 ; living in Day. 

Hayden Shew, priv.; enl. 1861. ' 

Mahlon Robinson, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art.; enl. Dec. 25,1861 ; living at Glover- 
ville, N. Y. 

Amasa D. Shippey, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 15, 1861 ; trans, to Vet. 
Bat. 77tli Regt. 

Robert P. Smith, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art. ; enl. July 24, 1862; disch. with regi- 
ment; living at Iluntsville, N. Y. 

Joseph H. Snow, priv., Co. C, Iloth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 9, 1862; disch. with 
regiment; living in .\lbany, 

George Steele, sergt., Co. C, :i(lth N. Y. Inf ; enl. 1801 ; at the expiration of his 
term of enlistment be re-enlisted in the 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; pro. to be 1st 
lieut.; disch. at close of the war; living at Gloverville, N. Y. 

Lyman Steele, priv., 1st Metropolitan Regt.; enl. Sept. 4,1802; died in the 
service. 

Wm. F. Stewart, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf; enl. Ang. 7, 1802; died of disease 
in hospital at New York. 

James Tabor, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art. ; enl. Sept. 3, 1862 ; disch. at close of war; 
living in Edinburgh. 

Foster Taylor, sergt., Co. G, 3nth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861 ; served till expiration of 
time; re-enl. in 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. as q.-m. -sergt.; di-scli. at close of war; 
lives at Batchellerville. 

Charles E. Thorn, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1862. 

Smith Tr,avis, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 13, 1864 ; disch. at close of war ; 
lives in Hope, Hamilton Co., N. Y. 

James Varney, priv., 4th H. Art.; enl. 1862; disch. at close of war; living in 
Nebrask.a. 

Russell Varney, sergt , Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf ; enl. 1801 ; was wounded at second 
battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862 ; disch. with regiment; lives in Batch- 
ellerville. 

Thomas J. Wheaton, priv., U. S. Navy; enl. Ang. 27,1804; disch. at close of 
war; living in Northampton, Fulton Co. 

John n. Whitaker, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1802; was taken 
sick, came home on furlough, and died March 27, 1865. 

Henry Wm. Whit.aker, priv., U. S. N.avy; enl. Aug. 27, 1864; served on U. S. 
steamer " Mahopac ;" participated in battle of Dutch Gap; disch. Nov. 16, 
1864, for di.sability ; living in the west. 

Myron White, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Ait. ; enl. Aug. 25, 1802 ; wounded at tho 
South-Side Railroad, and died from effects of wounds, April 11, 1865, in 
Army Square hospital, Washington, D. C. 

Wing A. White, priv., Co. C, 115th N.Y. Inf; onl. Aug. 31, 1862; disch. at close 

of war; living in Ballston. 
Frank Whitney, priv., Co. C, 77lh N. Y. Inf ; enl. Oct. 1, 1861 ; parlicipate.l in 
the battles of Yorktown, Mechanicsville, Antietani, South Mountain, 
first and second battles Fredericksburg, Wilderness, and before Peters- 
burg; disch. Dec. 27, 1804; living in Datihcllerville. 
Hartwell H. Whitney, priv., Co. D, 4th II. Art.; enl. Dec. 28, 1803; wounded in 

front of Petersburg; died in hospital. 
John H. Wickus, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 31, 1862 ; re-enl. in 2d N. Y. 

Vet. Cav. ; killed in battle. 
Paul R. Williams, priv.; enl. Aug. 16, 1804; substitute for Henry Wadsworth. 
John Wood, priv., Co. K, 14th H. Art. ; enl. Aug. 28, 1864 ; disch. June 26, 1865 ; 

living in Edinburgh. 
Norman B. Wood, priv., Cii. E, 4th H. Art.; enl. Sept. 3, 1862; disch. with regi- 
ment; living in Northampton. 
Theodore Worden, priv.; enl. Aug. 30, 1804; substitute for Chas. n. Barker; 
disch. at close of war; lives at Carthage, Jefferson Co., N.Y. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



JAMES PARTRIDGE. 

James Partridge, Esq., was born May 28, a.d. 1797, in 
E(linburfi;h, Saratoga Co., N. Y. (formerly the town of 
Northfield), and is now in the eighty-second year of his 
age, having from childhood resided on the farm he now 
occupies. He was married March 28, 1819, to Miss 
Clarissa Colson. They have lived together over fifty-nine 



378 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



years, and have had born unto them fourteen children, 
two of whom have died. Her first-born son, Heman, 
died August 27, aged two years seven months and eleven 
days, having been born Jan. 8, 1820. Arnold P., an- 
other son, was born Feb. 23, 1830, and died Jan. 3, 1874, 
leaving a wife and three children. The remaining twelve 
are living, and all reside in the vicinity of their parental 
home. 

Mrs. Partridge believed the death of her first child to be 
the result of the bad management of the physician ; she 
therefore dismissed him, and treated the others, sick with 
the same disease, herself, and their lives were all saved, and 
for the succeeding fifteen years no doctor was called to visit 
any of the family. 

The father of Mrs. Partridge was Wm. Colson, of Ru- 
pert, Vt., where she was born Dec. 3, 1798. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and a native of that State. He subse- 
quently removed to Edinburgh, and died Aug. 13, 1845, 
aged seventy-six years one month and nineteen days, leaving 
a wife and eleven children, his wife having outlived him 
about nine years. She died April 25, 1854, aged seventy- 
seven years nine months twenty-one days. Mrs. Partridge 
is now in the seventy-ninth year of her age, and in excel- 
lent health for a matron of her great age. Her mother's 
name was Huldali Fraker. 

The father of Mr. Partridge, whose name was also James, 
was born in Connecticut, March 9, 1748, and subsequently 
removed to Greenbush, N. Y., and afterwards to Northfield, 
now Edinburgh, where he raised a family of nine children. 

The grandfather, Thomas Partridge, was born in Eng!;ind, 
and with a brother removed to America and landed in Phila- 
delphia, about two hundred years ago. His wife's name 
was Geers, who also was born in England. The mother of 
the subject of this sketch, whose name was Ama, was a 
daughter of Nathan Herrick, of Connecticut. They were 
married Feb. 8, 1776, and of the nine children James was 
the youngest. 

The oldest sister of James, whose name was Rebecca, was 
born Jan. 4, 1778, and was married to Marcus Goodin, and 
became the mother of eight children. 

The second, a sister, whose name was Ruama, was born 
Nov. 14, 1780, and married Stephen Jackson, and became 
the mother of six children. 

The third, a son, and oldest brother of James, was born 
May 23, 1782 ; his name was Thomas, and married Miss 
Katie Bank, but had no children. 

The fourth, a sister, whose name was Polly, was born 
April 8, 1784, and married Augustus McKay, and became 
the mother of six children. 

The fifth, a son, whose name was Frederick, was born 
Feb. 4, 1786, and married to Hannah Burnette, by whom 
he had two children. 

The sixth, a son, whose name was Augustus, who was 
born April 8, 1789, and married and had eight children 
born unto him. 

The seventh, a sister, whose name was Roxa, was born 
Oct. 5, 1790, and married Samuel Walsworth, and became 
the mother of six children. 

The eighth, a sister, who.se name was Eunice, was born 
March 28, 1795, and was married to Solomon Demming, 



and became the mother of five children. James was the 
ninth and last. 

The surviving children of Mr. James Partridge and 
Clarissa Colson are as follows : 

Truman, born Jan. 1, 1821, and married Miss Pamelia 
Brundage, of the town of Hope, by whom he has had four 
children, two of whom have died. Truman is a farmer. 

Ruama was born Jan. 24, 1822, and married John C. 
Olmsted, cabinet-maker and undertaker. Eleven children 
have been born unto them, three of whom have died. 

Huldah was born July 11, 1823, and married Jacob W. 
Ellithorp, of Edinburgh. They have had five children, one 
of whom has died. Mr. Ellithorp was a farmer, and died 
April 22, 1866. 

Leman was born Nov. 27, 1824, and married Miss Grace 
Ann Gorthy, by whom he had three children. She died 
May 25, 1863, and the three children survive her. He 
subsequently married Miss Isabel Gorthy, sister of his first 
wife, by whom he has two children. 

James S. was born May 28, 1827, and married Adelina 
Little, of Orleans county, by whom he had three children. 

Emily M. was born Nov. 21, 1828, and was married to 
Wm. Jenkins, a farmer, of Edinburgh, by whom she has 
had no children. 

The wife of Arnold P. was Miss Lillie Cook, of North- 
ampton, by whom he had three children. 

William was born July 6, 1831, and married Lorancy 
Blason, by whom he had seven children, three of whom, 
with his wife, have departed this life. She died July 1, 
1873. He married Susan A. Walch, of Day, Nov. 27, 
1875, by whom he has had one child. 

Darius Wright was born April 10, 1833, and married 
Anna W. Maekay, by whom he has had three children, one 
of whom has died. He is a farmer by occupation. 

Jane was born Aug. 19, 1835, and was married to John 
A. Cole ; they have no children. 

John H. was born March 8, 1837; is not married, but 
resides at the parental home in care of his aged parents. 

HoUis Augustus was born Sept. 2, 1838, and married 
Miss Martha J. Wemple. No children survive. 

Polly was born Aug. 23, 1840, and married Henry 
Goodin ; they have no children. 

The mother of James Partridge, and grandmother of 
the above children, Ama Herrick, lived to the great ago of 
ninety-nine years nine months and twenty-nine days, and 
her companion died at the age of eighty-two. 

Mr. Partridge has been a prominent business man and 
active citizen of Edinburgh for many years. In his earlier 
life he was engaged in farming and purchase and sale of 
cattle, — often driving large herds to Stonington, Conn., and 
mules to New Haven, for the West India market. 

He has shared largely the confidence of his fellow-citizens, 
having been elected to the office of constable for eighteen 
years, and for seventeen years of this time he served in the 
office of town collector. 

He held the office of assessor for eight years, and was 
justice of the peace for four years. He has held the offices 
of school-commissioner and poor-master. He was super- 
visor for the town of Edinburgh for one term, and held the 
office of deputy sheriff for twelve years. For years he was 





^RS. James partridge 



James Partrid&l. 




RESIDENCE or JAMeS PARTRIDGE £oiNBUF?GH,SAfrATOCA CouNry New Yokk. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



379 



appointed one of the judges of the State fair, and elected a 
meraber of the Democratic State Convention. For the last 
twenty years he has been afflicted with rheumatism, and 
compelled to use crutches, and yet most of his life he has 
possessed a strong constitution and enjoyed excellent health. 

Mr. Partridge had the contract for building the bridge 
across the Sacandaga at Bachellerville, and also at Day 
Centre, and was mail-contractor from Ballston to Northamp- 
ton in 1840, and ran the first stage over the route. He 
had the route also from Northampton to Luzerne, and also 
from Galway to Schenectady, and over these routes carried 
the United States mail. 

He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been connected with 
the order fifty-nine years. His sons are also members of 
the order, and seven of them are members of the Fish House 
lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 298, and the 
father and six of the sons belong to the Sacandaga Chapter, 
No. IIG. 

There were no deaths in the family for fifty-five years 
after the death of the first, and on the mother's side there 
were no deaths for the same length of time among her 
brothers and sisters. 



It has been the custom of his children, grandchildren, 
and greatgrandchildren to observe the anniversary of his 
birth, and also of his marriage, by a gathering of all these, 
together with the wives of his married sons, at the parental 
home. For the year 1875 there were present sixty-four 
persons, whose united ages amounted to one thousand eight 
hundred and seventy-five years. 

At the last aimiversary of their marriage the venerable 
patriarch lay upon a bed of sickness, from which it was 
feared he would not recover. On the evening of that day 
he was surprised to find all his children gathering around 
him. The pastor of the church near by was invited, and, 
after an earnest conversation with the venerable man, he 
requested that prayer should be offered. The clergyman, 
after a few appropriate remarks, bowed with the children 
around the bed of the aged father, and oifered up an earnest 
prayer to God for his blessing upon the aged couple and 
their children. The table was spread, and refreshments 
provided, at which the venerable matron sat at the right 
hand of the minister, but the father could not leave his 
bed. Since the above gathering he has been partially 
restored, and able to sit at table with his family. 



MALTA. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

The town of Malta includes a part of Saratoga lake, 
and is southeast of the centre of the county. (This ex- 
pres.9ion, centre of the county, is used so often, it may 
be well to indicate it, as the centre of a tract with an 
irregular outline is perhaps open to some question. Draw 
diagonals upon the map of the county, and they will inter- 
sect near Jamesville ; draw perpendiculars, and their inter- 
section will be only a little farther east. In either case 
the centre will be found about on the north line of Milton, 
and not far from the central point of that line.) Malta is 
bounded north by Saratoga Springs, east by Stillwater, 
south by Clifton Park and Half-Moon, west by Ballston. 
It contains thirteen thou.sand nine hundred and three acres 
of improved land, three thousand one hundred and six 
acres of unimproved, and of this last amount one thousand 
nine hundred and ninety-six are woodland. The Kayad- 
rossera creek forms the northern boundary line, though 
several maps in use erroneously give Drummond creek as 
part of the north line, and include jNIalta Ridge in Saratoga 
Springs. Malta includes a small portion of the Saratoga 
patent, but is mostly within the Kayadrossera patent. Popu- 
lation in 1875 was twelve hundred and fourteen. 

In the revised statutes of the State this town is described, 

and its boundary lines defined, as follows : 

" The town of Malta shall contain all that part of saiil county 
eotiiprc'heuded within the following bounds, to wit: beginning in the 
north bounds of the town of Half-Muon, at a place where a small 
creek, known by the name of Dwaas Kill, empties into Anthony's Kill, 
and running thence northerly on a straight line to a place where the 
most easterly small creek empties into the south end of the Saratoga 
lake; then northwesterly through the middle of said lake to the 
southwesterly corner of Saratoga; thence westerly along a continu- 
ation of the north line of Stillwater to the easterly bounds of Milton; 
then south along the easterly bounds of Milton and Ballston to the 
southeast corner of Ballston ; then on a straight line to the place of 
beginning." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

Its surface is chiefly an undulating upland, sixty to 
eighty feet above the level of the lake, and broken some- 
what by the deep gulleys of the small streams. 

The principal stream is the Kayadrossera, which forms 
part of the northern boundary. 

The Mourning Kill is the main tributary from the south, 
though its course in this town is only for a short distance 
across the northwest part. There are two smaller creeks 
flowing into the K;iyadro.ssera at points below the entrance 
of the Mourning Kill. Near the upper end of Saratoga 
lake there are no less than five small creeks flowing in 
from the town of Malta, not of sufficient importance to be 
given names. But north of these Drummond creek, a long, 
winding stream, flowing across a large portion of the town, 
finds its way into the lake 
380 



The outlet of Ballston lake, flowing into Malta at East 
Line, becomes an inlet of Round lake. There are also five 
small rivulets that empty into Round lake. And Anthony's 
Kill, a more important stream, the outlet of the lake, forms 
a part of the southern boundary of the town. Round lake 
derives its name from the fact that it is very nearly circular. 
It is about one mile in diameter, and in the dense forest of 
olden times must have been a sparkling gem of rare beauty, 
as it is indeed even now. 

IIL— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

It is stated in gazetteers that the first settlements within 
the present limits of the town of Malta were made by two 
men named Drummond and McKelpin. They were here 
before the Revolution, were loyalists, and obliged to leave 
during the war. Little is known of them, and it is believed 
they never returned. The name of Drummond creek is no 
doubt derived from the settler of that name, and suggests 
also the part of the town where they located. 

It is by no means certain, however, that they were here 
in advance of John Hunter and Ashbel Andrews. John 
Hunter came with the Connecticut colony to Stillwater as 
early as 1764, and settled near Round lake, on what is 
now the Scotland place. Robert Hunter was, no doubt, a 
connection, and settled in the same neighborhood about the 
same time. From the frequency of the name of Andrews 
in the early annals of that Connecticut church, and from 
other circuniistances, it is inferred that Ashbel Andrews, Sr., 
was also with the Hunters a pioneer at that early date. 
Unless, therefore, the loyalists were really here before, or 
in the year 17G3, the members of the Connecticut colony 
pushing back from the Hudson were, no doubt, the earliest, 
especially as the colony very likely came in 1762. 

Michael Dunning, with six sons and three daughters, 
came from Connecticut in 1771 or 1772, and settled on 
the site of what is now Dunning Street Corners, or Malta 
Post-Office. His pioneer farm included a large tract of land 
at that point, and his first hou.se was erected on or near the 
site of the present store of Zacluiriah Seddon. Michael 
Dunning joined the Presbyterian church at Ballston Centre 
at an early day. 

John Rhoades was an early settler on Malta Ridge. 

Timothy Sliipinan settled northwest of Malta Ridge, on 
the present farm of Joseph Rowley. Hiram Shipman was 
a son of Timothy. 

Jehial Parks was probably in Malta about the time of 
the Revolutionary struggle. His sons were John and 
Patrick. His homestead was a little east of Maltaville. 

The list of town officers chosen at the first meeting, 1802, 
affijrds information as to the pioneers about that time. 

Samuel Clark, the first supervisor, lived at East Line, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



381 



south of the present Corners, on the farm now owned by 
Henry Van Hyning. He was a man of great prominence, 
a presidential elector in 1792, voting for George Washing- 
ton at the second election under the new constitution. His 
homestead is a venerable relic of the past, opposite the old 
Smith place, and is noted, as elsewhere shown, for having 
been the place of the first court for Saratoga County. 

Luther Landon was an early .settler north of Malta, on 
the farm now owned by Charles Sickler. 

Dean Chase lived at Malta Ridge. 

Ebenezer Valentine, south of Malta, on the present Van 
Aruam place. 

Ebenezer Dibble, on the farm now owned by George 
Rogers, Es(]. 

Ebenezer Millard lived northwest of Malta, on the Eighmy 
farm. 

Obadiah Tompkins settled on Malta Ridge. 

Reuben Doolittle was an early pioneer on the farm still 
in the family, owned by a son, Harvey Doolittle. 

Cornelius Abeel lived a little east of Round lake, on the 
farm now occupied by a daughter, Mrs. Parks. 

Stephen Ireland settled near Saratoga lake, on the place 
now owned by Joseph Smith. 

Robert Ilemple, father of A. H. Hemple, of Malta, 
came to the town about 1804. He bought a part of the 
Dunning tract, including the Dunning tavern, on the site 
of Seddou's store. Mr. Hemple kept a public-house fifteen 
years. A noted circumstance of this family is stated, that 
Robert Hemple was the eldest of eighteen children ; that 
there was no death in the family until the youngest child 
was fifteen years of age. The name is frequently spelled 
Hemphill. 

We add the following, obtained of James H. Clark, East 
Line : His grandfather, Samuel Clark, came from New- 
burg, on the Hudson, about 177G or 1777. He had been 
the owner of property now covered largely by Newburg 
itself, and if retained, would have been an immen.se fortune 
for his descendants. Selling that, he came to East Line, 
and settled first on the Ballston side of the road. Soon 
afterwards, liowever, he bought a tract of six hundred 
acres, and built the well-known dwelling-house which is 
now standing on the Malta side of the line. The house is 
therefore nearly or quite one hundred years old. The 
sons of Samuel Clark were Jehial, who settled in Sullivan 
county ; Samuel, in Saratoga County ; James (^father of 
James H.), also in Saratoga County. The daughters were 
Charlotte, who became Mrs. Miller, of Ballston ; Eliz- 
abeth, the wife of Rev. Wm. Anson, who finally settled on 
her father's old homestead ; Lydia, Mrs. Cooper, of Cayuga 
county, and Patty, who became Mrs. Valentine, and settled 
in Michigan. 

Samuel Smith kept a tavern on the Ballston side of the 
line, opposite the Clark place. 

Noah Olmstead wa.s an early settler in Malta, near East 
Line ; also Mr. Rockwell. 

Mr. Benedict lived in Ballston, near East Line. 

Wm. Marvin wa.s an early settler in Malta. His deed, 
dated in 17G1, would indicate him to be the first .settler, 
provided he came at the time of the purchase. Judge 
Marvin, of Saratoga Springs, is a gi'andsou. 



While the courts were held at Samuel Clark's, there was 
a building near the road and just opposite the Smith Hotel, 
that was u.scd and was called the court-house, — though it is 
the opinion of James H. Clark that the legal business was 
mostly done in the dwelling-house. One room in the latter 
was used to keep the prisoners brought from Albany county 
jail for trial. 

The country near Round lake had a touch of the oil 
excitement, which broke out so violently in almost every 
town in the land about the time the great discoveries in 
Pennsylvania were astonishing the world. There was 
thought to be an oil spring northeast of the lake, near the 
place of J. Deyoe, and a well was sunk in the search for 
oil south from the lake, but no decisive results were achieved 
that could satisfy any one that there was oil worth working 
for. 

The early mills in this town were on the various small 
streams that have become of little importance in later years, 
since the clearing up of the country has so much diminished 
their volume. There was a grist-mill on the site of the 
present one at Jlaltaville. It was run by the water-power of 
one of the Round lake streams. There was also a saw- 
mill near the present place of Mr. Lent ; another on one of 
the Saratoga lake streams. At the Stillwater line, and near 
the upper end of the lake, was both a grist-mill and a saw- 
mill. It is somewhat uncertain just what year milling 
operations began at these points, but in several cases it was 
no doubt before 1800. 

REMINISCENCE.S OP LEWIS SMITH, NOW OF MECHANIC- 

VILLE. 

He was born Jan. 15, 1786, at East Line, being now 
(1878) in his ninety-third year. He states that his father, 
Samuel Smith, came from Norwalk, Conn., to Ballston 
somewhat earlier than the Burgoyne campaign. He is not 
certain of the exact date. The family came by water to 
New York, and up the Hudson to Albany. 

From there the pioneer with his wife and one child went 
on foot to Schenectady, and then made their way to Balls- 
ton. When they reached their destination they had 
twenty-five cent,s left, and no tools for work or housekeep- 
ing furniture. Samuel Smith was a blacksmith, and he 
told his neighbors, among whom was Noah Olmstead, that 
if they would go to Stillwater and procure blacksmith tools 
from Burgoyne's surrendered camp he would do their black- 
smithing until they were satisfied. They went and pro- 
cured an English bellows, a vise, two hammers, and two 
pair of tongs. Brought them on a pole slung across their 
shoulders to East Line; and thus Mr. Smith w;is established 
in blacksraithing. 

He also procured considerable of his chop]iing and clear- 
ing done by men for whom he did blacksmith work. The 
vise and the anvil were sold many years ago, but at his 
father's re(|uest the old bellows was saved, slung up in the 
upper part of the shop on the old Smith place at East 
Line. It is there now, and it was Samuel Smith's desire to 
have it remain as a family relic, — the foundation of the pio- 
neer s fortune. Mr. Smith's children were Samuel (born 
before removing to Boston), who settled north of East 
Line, and whose grandson, James H. Smith, now lives on 



382 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



the pioneer homestead south of East Line ; Esther, who 
became Mrs. Alexander Weed, and settled east of Ballston 
Spa, in Malta ; Hannah, who became Mrs. Moses Landon, 
and settled in Malta ; Lewis, from whom this account is 
derived, cow of Mechauicville ; Silas, who succeeded to 
the old homestead, and died at the age of eighty-four. 

Lewis Smith remembers something of the courts, being a 
boy of seven or eight years before they were removed from 
Mr. Clark's, opposite his father's place. He remembers 
Dirck Swart, the first county clerk, who always stopped at 
his father's house, and who gave the little boy many shil- 
lings for waiting upon him from time to time. He also re- 
members Major Buel. He relates an anecdote showing that 
penmanship in the old times was not much better than it 
now is. A lawyer in Charlton had written a letter to one 
of his clients, then attending court at East Line. The 
client could not read it ; neither could the judge, nor the 
lawyers, nor anybody else at East Line. So the " little 
shaver," Lewis Smith, was mounted on a horse and sent to 
Charlton to carry the letter to the lawyer who wrote it, and 
see if he could read the document himself The boy was 
instructed not to tell him anything, who wrote it or where 
it came from. The lawyer took the letter, looked it over, 
turned it upside-down, studied it diagonally and perpendicu- 
larly, and then broke out with, " Who in h — 1 wrote that? 
The devil couldn't read it !" Lewis did as he was directed, 
and kept still for awhile, but was finally obliged to tell all 
about it. The lawyer picked it up again. " Oh," said he, 
" that is phii7i enough ; anyhocly could read that." 

Mr. Smith says that in his boyhood days the children had 
to work ; there was no time to go off on expensive sprees 
with nice carriages. If a boy was able to pull up a weed 
or to burn brush, he must keep busy. He could go fishing 
sometimes in the outlet of Ballston lake. The men used to 
go to Saratoga lake with nets, and catch a wagon-load in a 
few hours, divide them, and pack them away for family use. 
He used to go to general training, and expected to have 
three cents pocket-money to buy a card of gingerbread with. 
He had one pair of shoes a year, and usually one suit of 
home-made winter clothes. His summer wear was made 
at home, of brown tow-cloth. Mr. Smith remembers going 
to Saratoga Springs and seeing the water bubble out of the 
top of the High Rock. 

In the War of 1812, Lewis Smith was captain of an ar- 
tillery company of which Lansing was a lieutenant. The 
colonel procured permission to draft by companies, and Cap- 
tain Smith's company drew clear. Mr. Smith was married 
in 1809 to a daughter of Isaac Garnsey, of Clifton Park. 
She died Nov. 1-1, 1877, — their married life having ex- 
tended for sixty-eight years. They had six children ; 
one died young. Of the others, Lewis E. settled in 
Mechauicville; Esther became Mrs. Sears, of Mechau- 
icville ; Silas, three miles west ; Daniel, in Waterford ; 
Isaac N., a lumber dealer, died some years since. Lewis 
Smith, soon after his marriage, settled at Crow Hill, where 
he in time acquired a farm of nearly six hundred acres. 
He lived there forty-three years. In his earlier farming he 
raised and sold wheat. After that failed, went in to rais- 
ing hogs rather largely, fattening from twenty to thirty, and 
sometimes forty and fifty, a year. He also kept at times 



from six hundred to one thousand sheep. In 1853 he 
moved into Mechanicville. His neighbors said he would 
not live long if he moved ofi' his farm ; but he has passed 
a quarter of a century since in his pleasant village home. 
He is one of the few links left that connect this generation 
to the past, — three years older than the constitution ; five 
years older than Saratoga County. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

The designation of this town, like that of some others, 
seems to have been a merely arbitrary selection. Any 
tradition witli reference to its origin is vague and uncer- 
tain. The name of Dunning is intimately connected with 
the place in the conversation of elderly people, reaching 
back to the commencement of the present century. The 
centre of the town — Malta P. O. — is still much better 
known by the name of Dunning Street, and is still con- 
stantly referred to under that name rather than that of 
Malta. Whoever suggested the name certainly chose a 
brief and convenient one, which probably no citizen has 
ever regretted. Three of the post-oflices or villages take 
their names from the town itself: Malta Ridge in the 
north, Maltaville in the south, and Malta, as before stated, 
at the centre. If a name for the town was chosen at the 
present time, from the reputation the beautiful sheet of 
water in the south is acquiring among pleasure-seekers and 
religious associations, it would probably be Round lake. 
Thousands have heard of Round lake without knowing 
anything of Malta, unless they knew of the European name 
or had been initiated into the mystic rites of the " Sons of 
Malta." 

Courtenay Neilson, of Stillwater, suggests the following 
rather unpoetical origin of the name : In early times a 
malt^brewery was erected within what is now the territory 
of this town. The cluster of buildings around it gradually 
became known as Malt-ville, and hence Malta. With this 
final effort to account for the name, we pass the question 
on to the next historian. 

The town of Malta was formed from Stillwater, March 
3, 1802. A portion of Saratoga was added March 28, 
1805. The first town-meeting was held at the house of 
Michael Dunning, Jr., April 6, 1802. The following offi- 
cers were chosen : Supervisor, Samuel Clark ; Town Clerk, 
Ashbel Andrews, Jr. ; Assessors, Joseph Rockwell, Luther 
Landon, Dean Chase ; Commissioners of Highways, Abra- 
ham Valentine, Ebenezer Dibble, Uriah Hawkins ; Over- 
seers of the Poor, William Dunning, Samuel Gates ; Con- 
stables, Pontius Hooper, Eleazer Millard, Jr. ; Collector, 
Pontius Hooper; Overseers of Highways, No. 1, Obadiah 
Tompkins ; No. 2, Elisha Wood ; No. 3, Samuel Gregory ; 
No. 4, David Keeler ; No. 5, Reuben Doolittle ; No. 6, 
Jesse How ; No. 7, Cornelius Abeel ; No. 8, Stephen Ire- 
land ; No. 9, Timothy Shipman ; Fence-viewers, Obadiah 
Mather, Robert Hunter ; Pound-keeper, William Dun- 
ning. The supervisor was authorized, conjointly with the 
supervisor of Stillwater, to prosecute the town of Easton 
for moneys alleged to be due. 

The same year it was decided that seven twenty-fifths of 
the State tax apportioned to the old town of Stillwater be 
paid by the town of Malta, and eighteen twenty-fifths by 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



383 



the town of Stillwater. This, with thirteen other items of 
settlement between the two towns, was arranged and signed 
by Samuel Clark, Samuel Gates, and William Dunning on 
the part of Malta, and John Hunter, William Strang, and 
Thomas Morey on the part of Stillwater. 

The assessment roll of 1813 shows two hundred and 
eleven property-holders. Those assessed for $2000 or over 
were Cornelius Abcel, $3732; Isaac Andrews, $2280; 
John Burr, $3000 ; Eddy Baker, $3797 ; Eddy Baker, Jr., 
82382; Jasper Burch, $2867; Samuel Clark, $6758; 
Orrin and William Culver, $2220 ; James Clark, $2532 ; 
Dean Chase, $3600; Thomas Collamer, $2400; Marvin 
Collamer, $2400 ; Barker Collamer, $2780 (the Schuyler 
lot), $2000; Palmer Cady, $2800; William Dunning, 
$4115; Richard Dunning, $2001; Moses Dunning, $2129; 
John Fish, $3390 ; George W. Fish, $2448 ; Joshua Fish, 
$4374 ; George Gorham, $2660 ; Samuel and Coleman 
Gates, $2128; John B. Gould, $5991; Adam Gould, 
$2242 ; Preserved Gardner, $2265 ; Lawrence Hooper, 
$3200 ; Thomas Hall, $3460 ; Robert Hemphill, $3500 ; 
Isaac Kellogg, $2340 ; Aaron Kellogg, $3028 ; Melaliah 
Lathrop, $2388 ; James Merritt, $8000 ; Ephraim Miller, 
$4048; Dennis, Samuel, and David Marvin, $3155; David 
Newton, $2261 ; James Ostrander, $3900 ; Joseph Rock- 
well, $2221 ; John Swartwout, $2710 ; Simeon Simmons, 
$2060 ; John Southard, $2220 ; John Scidmore, $2204 ; 
Timothy Shipman, $2476 ; Ezra Talmage, $3875 ; Lovett 
Tripp, $2593 ; Abraham Valentino, $7592 ; Stephen Val- 
entine, $2000 ; Jacob and Michael Van Wagoner, $2054 ; 
George Wiggins, $2629 ; Alexander Weed, $6120 ; John 
Wilde, $2730; James Weeks, $2785; Daniel Weeks, 
$2660 ; John Weeks, $2299. 

At the election for members of Assembly, commencing 
April 27, 1802, and continuing for three days, the follow- 
ing result is recorded : Samuel Hunter, 87 votes ; Adam 
Comstock, 83; Gideon Goodrich, 73; Othniel Looker, 76 
Asahel Porter, 25 ; John Taylor, 1 ; John Hunter, 34 
Samuel Lewis, 15 ; Henry Davis, 31 ; Abner Carpenter, 2 
John McCrea, 2. The inspectors of the election were 
Samuel Clark, Ashbel Andrews, Jr., Luther Landon, Dean 
Chase, and Jo.scph Rockwell. 

In 1833 there are recorded innkeepers' licenses to the 
following: William Marvin, whose tavern was at East Line; 
Richard Chase, at Malta Ridge ; Abner Carpenter, at Dun- 
ning Street, in the old building now bearing the name of 
Northern Hotel ; George Badgley, then at the south end 
of Saratoga lake ; and Joseph Soules, at the present Rogers 
house, Dunning Street. In 1833 there are others named : 
Henry Van Hyning, in the old stone building south of 
Round lake ; George Rogers, at Dunning Street ; Samuel 
Irish, south end of Saratoga lake ; and Isaac Van Hyning, 
south of Round lake, where the railroad now crosses the 
common road. Jerry Payne, a grocery license. 

The list of three town officers following is complete from 
1802 to 1877, inclusive, — three-quarters of a century. 

It will be noticed by the facts recorded in another place 
that several of these town officers attained great prominence 
in the wider fields of county, State, -and national history. 
In the humble spheres of town business they developed 
such ijualities as made them appropriate candidates for 



the honors and responsibilities of more exalted public 
service. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

Supervisors. Town Clerks. Collectors. 

1802. Samuel Clark. Ashbel Andrews, Jr. Pontius Hooper. 

1803. Samuel Clark, Jr. " " Eleazer Millard, Jr. 

1804. Ashbel Andrews, Jr. Nathan Bennett. " " 

1805. " " " " " " 

1806. " " " " Samuel Knight. 

1807. " " John Dunning. " " 
180S. ** " " " Lewis Dunning. 

1809. " " " " Samuel Knight. 

1810. " " " " Lewis Dunning. 

1811. " " " " Samuel Knight. 

1812. " " Luther Hulbert. " 

181.S. John Dunning. Epiphraz Fish. Wm. Baker. 

1814. " " Philo T. Beebc. Doty Seaman. 

1815. " " " " John Dunning, Jr. 

1816. " " " " " " 

1817. " *' Luther Landon. Alva D. Marvin. 

1818. " " Philo T. Beebe. Samuel Knight. 

1819. Palmer Cady. " " Ziba Dyckerman. 

1820. " " " " " " 

1821. " " " " " " 

1822. " " " " John Wilde. 

1823. Dennis Marvin. Gould Morehouse. " " 

1824. " " " " " " 

1825. " " " " James Hunter. 

1826. " " Philo T. Beebc. " " 

1827. Samuel Hunter. " " Jeremiah Barrett. 

1828. Palmer Cady. " " James Hunter. 

1829. " " " " John Wiggins. 

1830. " " " " " " 

1831. Gould Morehouse. Ira Payne. David Rowley. 

1832. " " " " " " 

1833. Timothy Tripp. " " " " 

1834. " " George Rogers. Benjamin Harris. 

1835. " " Nathan C. Sweet. Richard Chase. 

1836. Gould Morehouse. George Rogers. Henry Van Hyning. 

1837. Timothy Tripp. " " " " 

1838. George Rogers. Wm. B. Noxon. John Riley. 

1839. Robert Hunter. " " Henry Van Hyning. 

1840. Timothy Tripp. Lewis J. Fish. Walton Haight. 

1841. David Coggeshall. " " Ira Ogden. 

1842. George Burr. " " John W. Purington. 

1843. G. Burr (no choice). " " " 

1844. Oliver P. Raymond. " '* Joseph Simpson. 

1845. Samuel A. Doughty. " " Walton Haight. 

1846. Lewis J. Fish. George W. Vsiil. Daniel Baker. 

1847. Wm. A. Collamer. Jesse Denton. Alex. H. Badgley. 

1848. David Rowley. " " " " 

1849. James Van Hyning. " " George Rogers. 

1850. George Rogers. " " Reuben S. Shipman. 

1851. John M. Olmstead. Courthmd Rogers. George W. Vail. 

1852. George Rogers. Jesse Denton. George N. Riley. 

1853. Peters Sickler. " " Wm. H. Thompson. 

1854. Robert K. Landon. George W. Vail. Frederick Cole. 

1855. Wm. D. Marvin. W. W. Stillwoll. Morgan L. Barnard. 

1856. David Rowley. Jesse Denton. George W. Vail. 

1857. James Tripp. " " George D. Storey. 

1858. Henry Van Hyning. Charles Rogers. Thad. Goodfcllow. 

1859. " " " " Dennis M. Davis. 

1860. James Tripp. " " John C. Ramsdell. 

1861. Harmess Bentley. " " George Tripp. 

1862. " " " " Peter R. Corp. 

1863. Peters Sickler. " " John B. Hall. 

1864. James Tripp. " " Charles Newton. 

1865. " " " " Thomas Eldridgc. 

1866. Charles Rogers. George W. Vail. Piatt Vincent. 

1867. Robert K. Landon. " " Geo. T. Van Hyning. 

1868. Henry Van Hyning. " " John W. Rogers. 

1869. " " John W. Rogers. John R. Lockwood. 

1870. " " George W. Vail. Charles Corp. 

1871. " " " " Piatt Vincent. 



384 



HISTOEr OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 





Supervisors. 


Town Clerkt 


Collectors. 


1872. 


Henry Van Hyuing. 


George 


AV. Vail. Dennis M. Davis. 


1873. 


Wm.A.ColIamer, Jr. John W. Rogers. Orville J. Wing. 


1874. 


(( (f 


<( 


" 


Thomas Mohan. 


1875. 
1876. 


Thomas Sweet. 
Win. A. CoUamer, Jr. 


tt 

it 


it 


John H. Tr.iver. 
Wm. W. Stillwell 


1877. 


(( it 


George 


W. Vail. Wm. J. Simpson. 


1S7S. 


(( it 


John W. Rogers. Henry J. Harris. 




JUSTICES OF 


THE 


PEACE. 


1831. 


Samnel Hunter. 




1854. 


Wm. A. Collamer. 


1832. 


Ira Payne. 




1855. 


Henry C. Swift. 


1832. 


Alvah D. Marvin. 




1856. 


Wm. D. Marvin. 


18.33. 


Obadiah S. Haight. 




1857. 


Stephen Badgley. 


1833. 


Ira Payne. 




1858. 


Lewis J. Fish. 


1833. 


Eli Foster. 




1859. 


Walton Haight. 


1834. 


David Rowley. 




I860. 


Henry C. Swift. 


1834. 


ZaJoc Dunning. 




1861. 


Henry Van Hyning. 


1835. 


James Van Hyning. 




1862. 


Lewis J. Fish. 


1835. 


Timothy Riggs, 




1863. 


Wm. D. Marvin. 


1836. 


George Rogers. 




1864. 


George Rowley. 


18.37. 


Zadoc Dunning. 




1865. 


Henry Van Hyning. 


1838. 


David Rowley. 




1865. 


Henry C. Swift. 


1839. 


James Van Hyning. 




1866. 


Lewis J. Fish. 


1840. 


Wm. B. Noxon. 




1867. 


Seymour Rowley. 


1841. 


Benjamin Harris. 




1868. 


Henry C. Swift. 


1842. 


David Rowley. 




1869. 


Wm. D. Marvin. 


184.3. 


.^timpson Ostrandcr 




1870. 


Lewis J. Fish. 


1844. 


Robert A. Ogden. 




1870. 


Robert A. Ogden. 


1845. 


Henry Van Hyning. 




1871. 


Seymour Rowley. 


1846. 


David Rowley. 




1872. 


Henry C. Swift. 


1847. 


Stimson Ostrander. 




1872. 


Stephen Badgley. 


1848. 


Robert A. Ogden. 




1873. 


Robert A. Ogden. 


1849. 


Henry Van Hyning. 




1874. 


Le Grand D. Marvin. 


18511. 


Lewis J. Fisli. 




1S75. 


Walton Haight. 


1851. 


Henry Van Olinda. 




1876. 


Calvin J. Peek. 


1852. 


Wm. D. Marvin. 




1877. 


Henry C. Swift. 


1852. 


Stimpson Ostrander. 




1878. 


Le Grand D. Barton. 


1853. 


Henry Van Hyning. 









v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

East Line, as already mentioned, takes its name from 
its situation. It is an old point in Saratoga County, well 
known on the route from the south and east to the county- 
seat, when the public buildings were at Court-House Hill 
as well as afterwards. 

Dunning Street Corners. — This takes its name from 
the large pioneer family that settled here. It has one fea- 
ture that scarcely any other village in the county has, — its 
wide-open public square. This was due to the liberal views 
of the Dunning proprietors. 

The opening of the system of railroads in this county 
cannot be said to have isolated this town, and yet it has 
materially changed lines of travel and centres of trade and 
business. Dunning Street, or Malta, was once a competi- 
tor for the county-seat, and General Dunning made a hand- 
some offer of land for that purpose. 

The fine public square was the place of the old militia- 
trainings, still remembered by many of the citizens. The 
regiment was considered one of the best drilled and best 
equipped in the State. 

Dunning Street was the birthplace of Colonel Elmer E. 
Ellsworth. His father was a tailor, and worked at his 
trade over the store opposite the present Rogers Hotel. 
He was married to Miss Denton in this village. Mr. Ells- 
worth and wife boarded at the Rogers tavern, and there 
Elmer was born. 



As the birthplace of the heroes of old was eagerly 
sought, and became the shrine of a people's patriotic love, 
so let this place grow historic in future years, as the native 
village of one whose record of high chivalrous daring was 
written in blood upon the most enduring page of our coun- 
try's history. 

Maltaville was an old business place that grew up 
around the grist-mill there. It is not far from Round Lake 
station. 

Malta Ridge. — This is in the north part of the town, 
its name Indicating the nature of the country in and around 
it. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

From 1812 to 1843, inclusive, the following school com- 
missioners served one or more years each : Thomas Hall, 
Richard Dunning, John B. Hall, Elliot Green, Zadock 
Dunning, Reuben Doolittle, David Everts, William Baker, 
Dennis Marvin, Stephen Valentine, Peter Fort, Robert 
Hunter, Palmer Cady, Gould Morehouse, David Morehouse, 
Zalmon Olmstead, Moses Dunning, Thomas Collamer, Dan- 
iel A. Collamer, Alford Scribner, John Valentine, Luther 
Landon, Jr., Samuel Hunter, Philo T. Beebe, John Staats, 
Levi Hemphill, Oliver P. Raymond, Joseph Raymond, 
Abraham Wigg, Daniel Phillips, David Newton, Phineas 
Thompson, Reuben Rogers, William A. Collamer, Moses 
Langdun, John Chase, Abirain Fellows, Simeon Arnold, 
Thomas Staats, Jr., Elisha Miller, John Shurter, Abram 
Green, Wm. G. Hermance, Stephen Reno, Silas G. Smith, 
James Foster, John M. Olmstead, Henry Van Hyning, 
Wm. D. Marvin, Phineas Tlionipsun, Rit;hard Hermance. 

During the same period the following inspectors were in 
oflSce one or more years each : 

Philo T. Beebe, Mataliah Lathrop, Jr., Luther Hulbert, 
Samuel Hunter, John B. Hall, Wm. Baker, Gould More- 
house, Jared Seymour, Thomas Hall, Isaac Andrews, David 
Powers, Henry Doolittle, Lewis Waterbury, Thomas Colla- 
mer, Dennis Marvin, Bockes Barrett, Peter Fort, Stephen 
Thorn, Abner Carpenter, Danforth Shumway, Moses Lan- 
don, Barzillai Millard, Jacob Hulm, Daniel A. Collamer, 
Wra. JIarvin, Roswell Day, Benjamin Armington, Moses 
Dunning, Simon Calkins, John Staats, Wm. Baker, Mar- 
ville Shumway, Oliver P. Raymond, Abner Carpenter, Jr., 
Phineas Thompson, Wm. C. Grassie, Robert Simpson, Wm. 
Belts, Jr., Abraham Wigg, Nicholas Green, Stephen Becker, 
Ozias Kellogg, Abiram Fellows, Wm. D. Marvin, Reuben 
Rogers, Lewis I. Fish, George W. Marvin, John M. Olm- 
stead, Walter S. Landon, Nathaniel Brockway, and Arthur 
W. Hunter. 

The town superintendents following the system of com- 
missioners and inspectors were : 1844, Wm. D. Marvin, 
annual election ; 1845, John M. Olmstead, annual election ; 
1846, Arthur W. Hunter, annual election ; 1847, John B. 
Emigh, annual election ; 1848, Andrew Day, biennial elec- 
tion ; 1850, Levi L. Weeks, biennial election ; 1852, David 
N. Collamer, biennial election ; 1854, Gilbert P. Rowley, 
biennial election. 

The records do not give the election of 1856. In June 
of that year town supervisors ceased, and Assembly district 
commissioners were appointed. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



385 



The report of the school commissioners, March 18, 1828, 
is as follows : 

Cliiidreii from 
Districts. 5 to l.'j ypars. PuMic Money. 

No. 1 6(i $,S3.i)0 

" 2 54 50.6.S 

" 3 67 57.46 

" 4 <J'J 125.2:i 

'• 6 i'J fil.98 

" 7 28 32.89 

Part " 3 48 60.72 

" " 5 3G 45.54 

" " 7 7 8.75 

" "14 4 5.06 

456 $531.81 

The school-books mcst iu use were reported to be Mar- 
shall's spelling-book, WooJbridge's geography, Murray's 
grammar, DaboH's arithmetic. 

Fifty years later, March, 1878, the apportiotimeut is as 
follows : 

Cliildreii from 
District. 5 to 21 years. I'ublic Money. 

No. 1 45 $113.03 

" 2 45 121.31 

" 3 61 136.49 

" 4 94 187.29 

" 5 55 122.91 

" 6 36 112.30 

" 7 37 110.63 

" 8 78 164.72 

451 $1068.68 

commissioners' apportionment, march, 1878, MALTA. 







o 

g 




"5 3 




















District. 


m 


§1 


o S a 


11 

o a «■ 


a 
o 


2 




S 01 a 

0i 




8= a 
.S22 




u 
3 


3 


No. 1.... 


45 


$52.14 


$30.95 


$28.44 


$1.50 


$113.03 


" 2 


45 


52.14 


30.95 


.36.72 


1.50 


121.30 


" 3 


61 


52.14 


41.95 


40.36 


2.04 


136.49 


" 4 


94 


52.14 


64.65 


67.32 


3.14 


187.25 


'• 5 


55 


52.14 


37.83 


31.11 


1.83 


122.91 


" 6 


36 


52.14 


24.76 


34.20 


1.20 


112.30 


" 7 


37 


52.14 


25.45 


31.81 


1.23 


110.63 


" 8.... 


78 


52.14 


53.65 


56.33 


2.60 


144.72 




451 


$417.12 


$310.19 


$326.29 


$15.04 


$1068.64 



VII.— CHURCHES. 

CHURCH AT MALTA, PRESBYTERIAN. 
The finst organizatiou here was in 1843. A Congrega- 
tional church was established under the labors of Rev. Mr. 
Marsh, who became the first pastor. The trustees chosen were 
Jjuther Landun, Zadock Dunning, and James Hunter. 
The number of communicants was twelve, — Polly Dunning, 
L. Landon, Eli Dunning, Mark T. Dunning, Sarah Betts, 
Deborah Foster, Betsey Ireland, Reuben Anderson, Emeline 
Ireland, Polly Vail, Delia Hemphill, and Belinda An- 
derson. The second pastor was Rev. Wm. Hill. He 
was followed by Samml Dunton, under whom the church 
became Presbyterian. Since that the several ministers 
have been Rev. Peter Talmadge, Alexander Proudfit, 
James Gilmour, A. Me A. Tlioiburne, Thomas A. Lam.son, 
J. H. Crocker, George I. Taylor, and H. Lancashire. The 
house of worship cost $1500. A parsonage was built in 
1848, at a cost of $700. The present elders are Wm. H. 
4"J 



Coon, S. N. Howell, and John H. Traver. This church 
is either the successor or the continuation of one much 
older. 

Malta is .said to be celebrated for extinct churches. This 
i.s probably no reflection upon the character of the people, 
but is due to the location, — to the fact that Ballston Spa 
is so near a large portion of the town, — to the removal of 
many of the children of early citizens to other towns, and 
partly to the large numbers of different denominations en- 
deavoring to found churches in the town or near its borders, 
no less than six denominations, or seven, counting the old 
First Baptist church of Stillwater, not far from the eastern 
portion of Malta. 

" The Presbyterian Society of East Ballston" was incor- 
porated March 1, 1793. The trustees were Uriah Bene- 
dict, David Rumsey, Gershom Gilbert, Wm. Dunning, 
Samuel Clark, and Joseph Rockwell. David Gregory was 
one of the officers of the meeting, and the certificate was 
acknowledged before Jacobus Van Sehoonhoven. The old 
meeting-house of this society was on the East Line road, 
built about 1800, a quarter of a mile south of Samuel 
Clark's. The church afterwards became Congregational, 
and the house was removed farther south, to the corner of 
the old cemetery. In process of years, this society was re- 
moved to Maltaville, the old house at the cemetery aban- 
doned, and one erected at Maltaville. There the society 
has had a varied Presbyterian-Congregational history, until 
the organization at Malta, in 1843, of the present Presby- 
terian church. The house of worship erected at Maltaville 
has in late years been used for union meetings, and for 
Methodist services to a considerable extent. 

A memorandum by Abiram Fellows states the succes- 
sion above alluded as follows : The first church was Pres- 
byterian. Its old house of worship was on the west side 
of the East Line road, on what is now the Esmond farm. 
That society went down. Rev. Lebbeus Armstrong bought 
the building and moved it to the next corner south, known 
as Benedict's Corners, but no church was organized. The 
house was used for funerals, miscellaneous religious meet- 
ings, and temperance gatherings. Earlier than this, from 
1820 to 1825, a Presbyterian church was formed at Malta- 
ville, and the present house of worship at that place was 
erected. About 1834 the church became Congregational, 
but in 1840 returned to Presbyterianism. 

Meanwhile, there had been no church at Dunning Street, 
and most of the people attended at Maltaville. But a 
house of worsliip was finally erected there, and for a time 
preaching was alternate between the two places. Finally, 
the organization at Dunning Street absorbed whatever there 
was of the other society, and the lattcu- became extinct. 
The house at Maltaville remained as a place for union meet- 
ings, occupied principally by tlie MethodLsts. A church 
of this denomination has been organized within a year, and 
with the aid of tlie influences developing at Round Lake 
may very probably become a strong and active society. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, EAST LINE. 

This body is now dissolved, but it was a point where 
Methodism was established in very early years. Tlie house 
of worship, now changed into a spacious school-house, was 



386 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



built in 1809, and this was a prominent point in the work 
of the Methodist church. The book of church records at 
the county clerk's office shows that "The Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Stillwater" was incorporated Blarch 26, 
1800, and this no doubt refers to the pioneer church of 
East Line. The officers were Jeremiah Hart, Frederick 
Conley, John Myers, Stephen Hart, Frederick Conley. 
The town of Stillwater then, and for two years later, in- 
cluded Malta. 

This Methodist church was for sixty years or more an 
active working society, but owing to various cau.ses it de- 
clined in numbers, and services were discontinued in 1870. 
Methodist families interested in this old church transferred 
their relations either to Ballston Spa or to Jonesville. Con- 
siderable inquiry has failed to find the old book of records. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MALT.\ RIDGE. 

This organization was formed about fifty years ago, and 
religious services have usually been continued through all 
that period. The society has not had a very vigorous ex- 
istence, but like many other quiet, unobtrusive country 
churches, it has nevertheless borne its part in the religious 
instruction of the people. If it has erected no splendid 
temple and has remained conifiarativel}' unknown, it may 
have, however, earned the commendation bestowed by 
Christ upon the woman, " She did what she could." No 
statistics have been received from the officers in reply to 
circulars. 

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH OF JIALT.i RIDGE 

was formed in the year 1829, with the following members : 
Thomas Collamer, Edward Dunning. Samuel Crouch, Pili- 
jah Armstrong, John Evans, Polly Collamer, Bcts"y Crouch, 
Hannah Armstrong. The house of worship, thirty by 
forty feet, was erected in 1832, at a cost of $1000. The 
building committee were Thomas Collamer, Edward Dun- 
ning, Isaac Andrews, Jr., James B. Wiggins. The first 
trustees were Thomas Collamer, Edward Dunning, and Isaac 
Andrews. The first ministers were James Jermon and 
Daniel Ireland. Others since have been J. Taylor, Mr. 
lloUiston, George Thomas, William Carr, Lorenzo Blakely, 
James Conley. Robert Beard, Willi;uu Crabtree, Peter D. 
Esmond, John Croker, Peleg Weaver, Reuben Bertolph, 
Ransom Spear, Anson Spear, Charles Stokes, M. Ashley, 
Aaron Sornberger, Robert WoodruiF, George Miller, Mati- 
nus Hollenbeck, and William Walton. 

The above memorandum is furnished by James B. Wig- 
gins, one of the present board of trustees. 

In view of the historic importance of East Line in 
connection with the pioneer labors of the Methodists, it 
seems a fitting place to add a brief sketch of their work 
applicable to Saratoga County as a whole. The insertion 
of the following paper in the history of the town of Malta 
will appear still more appropriate from the fact that Round 
Lake is, year by year, growing into a famous summer resort 
for the members of that church throughout the whole 
country, and is also frequented by the active workers of 
other Christian denominations. 

Amid the cool shades of the delightful groves and luxur- 



ies of this rare and beautiful place, it will be well to recall 
the sturdy labors of the fathers for whom the only rest was 
a change of labor from one far-reaching wilderness circuit 
to another of equal hardship. 

EARLY METHODISM IN SARATOGA COUNTY. 

The organization of the Methodist churches is so largely 
by circuits at the opening of their work in a new country, 
and individual societies in after-years have usually so few 
records bearing upon this early period, we have at con- 
siderable labor secured the following statement of Method- 
ist organization throughout the county of Saratoga, leaving, 
however, individual churches for the last forty years to be 
mentioned in the local history of the several towns, so far 
as their officers have furnished the facts. 

This section of country as early as 1788 was probably 
included in Methodist minutes under the name of either 
Lake Champlain circuit or that of Cambridge, more prob- 
ably the latter. Or perhaps there was no preci.se defining 
of circuit limits at that time, and this county may have not 
been assigned to any circuit until the 3-ear 1790, when the 
name of Albany appears for the first time among the 
records. As this county was a part of Albany then, Al- 
bany circuit may be supposed to have included Saratoga. 
In 1791 the name oi Saratoga first appears in the minutes 
of the conferences. 

It was grouped with Dutchess, Columbia, New Britain, 
Cambridge, Albany, and Otsego ; constituting a district 
over which Freeborn Garretson was presiding elder. Lee's 
" History of Methodism" says this district included all the cir- 
cuits north of New York city to Lake Champlain. The 
name "annual conference" had not then been used to 
designate a permanently organized body, but Saratoga 
circuit, with the district of which it was a part, practically 
belonged to what afterwards was called " The Philadelphia 
Annual Conference." In 1794 a readjustment of districts 
took place, and Saratoga was united with Herkimer, Otsego, 
Delaware, Albany (Middletown), Newburgh, Flanders, 
Elizabethtown, and Staten Island; a district bounded as it 
appears on the east by the whole length of the Hudson 
from Glen's Falls to the bay of New York, with indefinite 
extension westward. Thomas Ware was the presiding 
elder. Freeborn Garretson still presided over a district of 
equal if not greater length on the east side of the river, 
extending from Long Lsland to Lake Champlain. 

In 179.5 the northern portion of this eastern district 
seems to have been added to the western, for we find Cam- 
bridge, in Washington county, grouped with Saratoga. 

In 1797 another rearrangement brought into one im- 
mense district the territoi'y upon both sides of the river, 
extending far to tlw west, and also far to the east and south, 
comprising portions of Mas.sachusetts and Connecticut. 
Freeborn Garretson was the presiding elder of this consoli- 
dated district. The circuits included were New London, 
Ponifret, Middletown, Tolland, Litchfield, Granville, Red- 
ding. Cambridge, Saratoga, Pittsfield, Columbia, Dutchess, 
New Rochelle, Long Island, and New York. 

In 1798 the territory east of the river was taken off; 
but almost the whole of New York, west of the Hudson, 
was brought together; for we find Saratoga grouped with 




JOSEPH HILLMAN, Esq. 



Although not a citizen of this county, Mr. Hillman has 
been so identified with its interests during the last ten years 
at Hound Lake, that it seems eminently proper to notice 
him in this work. He was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., 
March 10, 1823. With his father he removed to Troy, in 
182G, where ho has resided nearly the whole time since, and 
where he still resides. He entered into mercantile business 
at the age of eighteen. He was unfortunate at the com- 
mencement, but soon rallied. He has si ace been a very 
successful financier, both in church and secular affairs. 

He has occupied many important offices of trust. In 
1867 he organized an association of Christian gentlemen, 
with whom, on invitation, he visited churches and conducted 
religious meetings. They visited nearly all the prominent 
Methodist churches in the Troy conference, and many in 
the Now England and other conferences. At these meetings 
many thousand persons have professed conversion. The 
churches they visited were always crowded. 

In 18G7 he also organized the Round Lake C. M. associa- 
tion, purchased the land, and advanced the money to carry 
on the Round Lake enterprise. Although many supposed 
he was receiving pecuniary benefit from it, the facts are, that 
his connection with Round Lake has cost him, above all he 
has secured, valuing his time, at least two thousand dollars 
per year. Mr. Hillman is author of several singing books. 



The most noted and successful of these is " The Revivalist," 
a book containing over six hundred hymns and tunes. It 
is a book of real merit, as appears from the fiict that it has 
had a sale of over one hundred and twenty-five thousand 
copies, and that it is still in great demand. 

Mr. Hillman has also been one of the most efficient and 
successful Sunday-school workers and superintendents in 
the State. In 1860 he brought one of the largest and most 
successful Sunday-school excursions to Saratoga Springs 
that ever visited the place. This immense excursion con- 
sisted of three trains, — two from Troy and one from Albany, 
— and contained fifty-four cars, crowded to their utmost 
capacity. Probably no other Sunday-school excursion ever 
created such general interest and furor as this. It paid to 
the Sunday-school of which Mr. Hillman was the superin- 
tendent — Congress street, Troy — $850 above all expenses. 
Mr. Hillman was a member of the electoral college of his 
own church in 1876, and was elected first reserve delegate 
to the general conference in the same year. He is the 
junior member of the firm of Peck & Hillman, which was 
organized in 1848. This firm hits long represented, as 
general agents of the State of New York, the Connecticut 
Mutual Life Insurance Comp.any, of Hartford, Conn., one 
of the oldest, largest, and most successful life insurance 
compajies in the world. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



387 



Seneca and Cayuga. Freeborn Garretson was appointed 
presiding elder, and by tliis time he was, no doubt, accus- 
tomed to rule, ecclesia.stically, over a large empire. In 
1802 the names of "annual conferences" and of "dis- 
tricts" were first regularly applied in the minutes, and 
Saratoga was designated as belonging to the " Albany dis- 
trict" and the " Pliiladelphia Annual Conference." In 1804 
the Albany district was transferred from the Philadelphia 
annual conference to that of New York, including, of 
course, Saratoga circuit. 

In 1806 Saratoga circuit was made a part of " Ashgrove 
district," named from the pioneer church of that title in 
Washington county. This brought the Methodists of Sara- 
toga County into organic local union with those upon the 
opposite side of the river, and this was continued for fifteen 
years. In 1821 the Saratoga district was constituted, with 
Daniel Ostrander as the first presiding elder. It comprised 
the circuits of Montgomery, Saratoga, Pittstown, Troy, 
Schenectady, Berne, Cambridge, and Warren. 

In 1828 the Albany circuit became a part of the Sara- 
toga district. Previous to this Albany had been attached 
sometimes to the old " Hudson river district," and some- 
times to the " Rhinebeck district." The Saratoga district, 
that at first included two cities, — Troy and Schenectady, — 
again comprised two, though Troy had been erected into a 
separate district. 

In 1832 the rapid growth of the church compelled a re- 
organization. Troy Conference was formed, and has con- 
tinued forty-six years to the present time. The districts 
at first were four, — Troy, Saratoga, MiddleLury,and Platts- 
burg. 

The Conference relations of Saratoga circuit, then, have 
been, first, Philadelphia, eleven years ; second, New York, 
twenty-eight years ; third, Troy, forty-seven years. As to 
districts, Saratoga belonged first to the several unnamed 
districts described ; then from 1802, to Albany district, four 
years ; seventeen years to Ashgrove, becoming the Saratoga 
district in 1821. This was dissolved and united to the 
Albany district in 1835. In 18-t2 Saratoga district was 
again established, and John M. Weaver appointed presiding 
elder. Under this name the district has continued to the 
present time. 

The following-named Methodist preachers have been 
appointed to this section of the State : 

1789. — John Bloodgood, Samuel Wigton, to Columbia; David Ken- 
dall, William Losee, to Lake Champlaiu ; Darius Durham, 
to Cambridge. 

1790. ^Lemuel Smith, Thomas Everad, to New Lebanon; Andrew 
Harpending, .John Crawford, to Columbia; James Campbell, 
to Albany ; Darius Dunham, Philip Wager, to Cambridge. 

1791. — David Kendall, to Saratoga. 

1792-93. — Matthias Swaim, to Saratoga. 

1794. — Thomas Woolsoy, Jacob Egbert, to Saratoga. 

1795. — Robert M. Coy, to Saratoga. 

1796. — Shadrach Bostwick, Smith Weeks, Roger Searle, to Saratoga 
and Cambridge. 

1797. — Joel Ketchum, Joseph Sawyer, to Saratoga. 

1798. — Anthony Turck, to Saratoga. 

1799. — Anthony Turck, William Vredenburg, to Saratoga. 

1800. — Daniel Iligby, Smith Arnold, to Saratoga. 

1801. — Zenas Covel, Alexander Morton, to Saratoga. 

1802. — William M. Lcnahcn, Eber Cowlcs, to Saratoga. 

1803. — Matthias Swaini, A. McKcan, S. Arnold, to Saratoga. 



1804 — John Finnegan, Mitchell B. Bull, to Saratoga. 

ISOo. — Gideon A. Knowlton, I\Iatthcw Vanduzen, to Saratoga. 

1806. — John Crawford, Smith Arnold, to Saratoga. 

1807. — John Robertson, to Saratoga. 

1808. — Gcrshorn Picrcn, to Saratoga. 

1809. — Samuel Draper, to Saratoga. 

1810.— John Finnegan, Mitchell B. Bull, to Saratoga. 

ISll. — Datus Ensign, Benjamin Griffin, to Saratoga. 

1812. — Smith Arnold, Abram Daniels, to Saratoga. 

1813. — Tobias Spicer, Hawley Sandford, to Saratoga. 

1814. — Andrew McKean, Samuel Luckey, to Saratoga. 

1815. — Samuel Howe, Jesse Hunt, to Saratoga. 

1816. — William .'\nson, David Barclay, to Saratog.a. 

1817. — William Anson, D. J. Wright, to Saratoga. 

1818.— Friend Draper, John Lovejoy, to Saratoga. 

1819. — Friend Draper, Peter Bussing, to Saratoga. 

1820. — Samuel Eighmey, Peter Bussing, to Saratoga. 

1821. — Jacob Hall, Noah Levings, to Saratoga. 

1822. — Samuel Howe, Andrew McKean, to Saratoga. 

1823. — Samuel IIowc, Andrew McKcan, to Saratoga; William .\nson, 

Elisha P. Jacob, to Ballston and .Saratoga Springs. 
1824. — Theodosius Clark, William P. Lake, William Auson, to 

Saratoga. 
1825. — Benjamin Griffin, Wesley P. Lake, William Anson, to Sara- 
toga. 
1S27. — Datus Ensign, Jacob Becnian, William Anson, Gilbert Lyon, 
to Saratoga; Joseph MoCreary, Wright Ilazen, Andrew 
McKean, to Half-Mocm. 
1828. — Datus Ensign, S. Dayton, William Anson, G. Lyon, to Sara- 
toga; Joseph McCrcary, Wright Hazcn, Andrew McKcan, 
to Half-Moon. 
1829. — S. Stebbins, N. Rice, William Anson, Datus Ensign, to Sara- 
toga; J. W. Dennison, E. Goss, A. McKean, G. Lyon, 
to Ualf-Moon. 
1830. — John D. Moriarty, Nathan Rice, William Anson, Datus En- 
sign, to Saratoga; .John W. Dennison, E. Goss, A. Mc- 
Kean, G. Lyon, to Half-Moon ; Seymour Laudou, to Water- 
ford. 
1831. — John Luckey, Wm. Anson, John D. Moriarty, Datus Ensign, 
to Saratoga; James Quintan, Andrew McKean, to Half- 
Moon; Timothy Smith, to Waterford. 
1832. — D. Brayton, T. Newman, D. Ensign, AVm. Anson, to Saratoga 
and Mechanicville; J. Quinlan, W. Amer, G. Lyon, A. 
McKean, to Half-Moon ; T. Benedict, to Waterford. 
1833. — D. Brayton, Orrin Pier, Wm. Anson, Datus Ensign, to Sara- 
toga; S. Covel, 6. Scott, G. Lyon, A. McKean, to Half- 
Moon; J. D. Moriarty, to Saratoga Springs. 
1834. — Ephraim Goss, John Harwood, Wm. Anson, Henry .Stead, to 
Saratoga; D. Stevens, H. L. Starks, D. Ensign, A. McKean, 
to Half-Moon ; Charles Pomeroy, Gilbert Lyon, Henry Wil- 
liams, to Galway ; J. D. Moriarty, to Saratoga Springs; 
Freeborn Hibbard, to Waterford. 
1835. — E. Goss, H. Burton, G. Lyim, to Saratoga; D. Stevens, D. 
Ensign, A. McKean, to Half-Moon; S. Coleman, D. Bray- 
ton, to Galway ; Wright Hazcn, to Waterford; J. Harwood, 
0. Emerson, Wm. Anson, H. Stead, J. D. Moriarty, to Sara- 
toga Springs. 
1830.— C. Meeker, J. Quinlan, G. Lyon, to Saratoga; 0. Pier, 0. 
Emerson, D. Ensign, A. McKean, to Half-Moon; S. Colo- 
man, J. P. Foster, to Galway ; S. D. Simonds, to Water- 
ford; E. Andrews, W. H. Backus, W. Anson, H. Stead, 
J. D. Moriarty, to Saratoga Springs. 
1837. — Cyrus Meeker, James Quinlan, to Saratoga; Orrin Pier, Cicero 
Barber, D. Ensign, A. McKean, to Half-Moon ; Roswell 
Kelly, John P. Foster, to Galway; P. Green, to Waterford; 
S. Coleman, W. H. Backus, W. Anson, II. Stead, J. D. Mori- 
arty, to Saratoga Springs. 
1838. — D. Stevens, H. Chase, A. McKean, to Saratoga; C. Meeker, 
D. Ensign, to Half-Moon ; M. Withercll, W. Anson, to Gal- 
way ; E. Crawford, to Waterford; S. Coleman, J. Quintan, 
H. Stead, to Saratoga Springs. 

The perseverance of the early workers is shown by the 
regularity of their appointments, and their faithful zeal, 
notwithstanding the slow growth of the church in Saratoga 



388 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



County. The reported membership for the first thirty- 
five years is as follows : 

Surotoga Circuit.— \1^\, 100; 1792, 182; 1793, 270; 
1794, 100 ; 1795, 241 ; 179G, 246 ; 1797, 241 ; 1798, 
311; 1799,409; 1800,444; 1801,405; 1802,580; 
1803,535; 1804,323; 1805,303; 1800,310; 1807, 
300; 1808,310; 1809,324; 1810,455; 1811,478; 
1812,489; 1813,490; 1814,496; 1815,531; 1816, 
501; 1817,546; 1818,580; 1819,790; 1820,790; 
1821,761; 1822,711; 1823,666; 1824,640; 1825, 
771. 

VIIL— BURIAL-PLACES. 

The principal ones are tlie cemetery near Mr. Yeager's, 
the one near Armstrong's on the west town line, Dunning 
Street burying-ground, one near the place of B. V. Hall, 
and also northwest of Malta Eidge. 

IX.— SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. 

The present Rogers Hotel at Dunning Street was the 
place where the old FraiMin Lodge, No. 90, now of 
Ballston Spa, was first organized before 1800. The lodge- 
room itself in the old garret is in nearly the same form as 
when used by the Masonic brothers of 1791. As in the 
case of the churches, so with reference to societies, the 
citizens of Malta interested in such matters belong to 
bodies located just beyond the limits of the town. 

ROUND LAKE. 

This celebrated summer resort and camp-meeting ground 
is situate on the Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad, between 
Tioy and Saratoga, twelve miles from Saratoga, eighteen 
miles fiom Troy, and twenty-four from Albany. It has a 
capacious and elegant railroad passenger depot, at which 
trains stop daily from each way. This enterprise was 
inaugurated by Joseph Hillman, of Troy, N. Y., in 1868. 
His tireless energy has brought it from the smallest begin- 
ning to its present grand proportions. It has been duly 
incorporated by the Legislature of New York. Mr. Hill- 
man is president of the association. The grounds contain 
about two hundred acres, mostly gravelly loam, entirely free 
from malarious tendencies. In the midst of these grounds 
is a beautiful wood, containing over forty varieties of stately 
trees. Ample shade is thus provided, while the pines, 
hemlocks, and cedars give to the atmosphere that balsamic 
invigorating odor that renders the Adirondacks the Beth- 
esda of America. It is umjuestionably one of the health- 
iest localities in the country. Many cottages have been 
erected, and the number is rapidly increasing. All of 
them are neat, commodious structures, and many of them 
are considered models of elegance and beauty. 

In addition to these are a telegraph- and express-ofiice, 
a post-office, a book- and news-store, and many other build- 
ings. In the very centre of the city, among the trees, is a 
preaching-stand, surrounded by well-arranged, comfortable 
seats for thousands of hearers. A large, elegant hotel, 
with all modern improvements, has }ust been completed. 
The whole ground is artistically laid out into broad streets 
and avenues, bearing such names as Asbury, Wesley, Janes, 
and others, whose devoted lives have rendered their mem- 
ory sacred to all men and for all time. 



The water is of the best quality, brought to the grounds 
from a pure spring, and supplied in the greatest abundance, 
both for ordinary use and fountain adornments. Within two 
minutes' walk from the grove lies the lake, from which the 
place has taken its name. It is about a mile in diameter, 
well stocked with fish, and affords excellent facilities for 
boating, fishing, and bathing. It is one of the most beautiful 
of the numerous inland lakes for which New York is so 
justly faniou.s. Its old Indian name was Ta-nen-Ja-ho-wa. 

A mineral well, fourteen hundred feet deep, supplies an 
abundance of mineral water, composed of the most valuable 
medicinal properties. In taste and medical qualities it is 
similar to the best waters of Saratoga. 

A Palestine park, the largest and finest ever constructed, 
showing the general contour, the cities, rivers, and sacred 
mountains of the Holy Land, has just been added to the 
other attractions, under the direction of Rev. W. W. 
Wythe, M.D. 

Nature has made this one of the most beautiful and 
healthful, and the association have spared neither labor 
nor expense to make it one of the most instructive and 
attractive Christians resorts in America. 

The following is a list of the camp-meetings which have 
been held at Round Lake : 

Sept. 1, 1S68. — CoDference, ten d.iys, Rev. E. Watson, presiding. 

July, 1S69.— National, ten days, Rev. J. S. Inskip. 

Aug. .SI, 1869. — Conference, ten days, Rev. C. F. Burdiek. 

June 21, 1870. — Conference, ten days, Rev. S. Meredith. 

Sept. 5, 1870. — Conference, five days, Rev. E. Watson. 

July 4, 1871. — National, ten days, Rev. J. S, Inskip. 

July 16, 1872.— State, ten days, Rev. B. I. Ives. 

July 8, 187.3.— State, ten days, Rev. B. I. Ives. 

Sept. .3, 1873. — Conference, len days, Rev. S. AVashburn. 

■July 8, 1874. — Fraternal, fourteen days, Bishop Janes. 

July 1, 1875. — Fraternal, fourteen days, Bishop Janes. 

June 23, 1876. — Fraternal, ten days, Bishop Janes. 

Sept. 5, 1876. — Conference, ten days. Rev. Homer Eaton. 

July 10, 1877. — Union Evangelistic, ten days, Rev. S. H. Piatt. 

July 20, 1877.— S. S. Congress, eight days, Rev. Alfred Taylor. 

Sept. 1, 1877. — Conference, eight days. Rev. L. Marshall. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

The Mourning Kill has a name that suggests traditions 
of early slaughter and sorrow upon its banks, but the scenes 
of bloodshed from which it receives its name occurred 
within the present limits of Charlton. Round lake, called 
by the Indians Shanandhoi, was, no doubt, a place of en- 
campment by the aboriginal tribes. The beautiful groves 
near it and the placid waters were as attractive then as they 
are now, though the war-dance and the wild revelry of the 
savage were in strange contrast with the pleasure-gatherings 
and religious associations that now visit the locality. 

In the town of Malta, then a part of Stillwater, the first 
court of common pleas for the new county of Saratoga was 
held. May 10, 1791. The house of Samuel Clark, on the 
present farm of Henry Van Hyning, was the court-honse. 
The presidmg judge was John Thompson, and with him 
were the associate judges Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, Sidney 
Berry, James Gordon, and Beriah Palmer. These, with 
three justices, John Varnam, Eliphalet Kellogg, and 
Epenetus White, certainly made up a formidable bench. 
At this session, in the old pioneer farm-house, sixteen attor- 



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HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NKW YORK. 



389 



neys were admitted to practice, — Cornelius Vandenburgh, 
Gucrt Van Schoonhoven, Peter Ed. Elmcndorf, Myndert 
EviTon, Jr., John V. Henry, John D. Dickin.son, Gamaliel 
and HarnionLs H. Wcndall, John W. Yates, Niuhola.s Fonda, 
Abraham Hun, Peter D. Van Dyck, John Woodworth, 
Mos.s Kent, John Lovett, and Joseph C. Yates. Here, 
too. Major Ezra Buell commenced his long public career 
as crier ; the official " Hear ye, hear yc," first echoing 
through that old house and the surrounding fields. The 
long and brilliant career of Saratoga courts and Saratoga 
judges and attorneys, traced back through a period of eighty- 
six years, finds its beginning May 1(1, 17!)!, at the hou.se of 
Samuel Clark, in the town of Malta. Surely this is a p^«cc 
of historic iiilcrcxi. 

At this same time and place the criminal jurisprudence 
of the county was also inaugurated by a court of " general 
sessions," held, as the law required, by one judge of common 
pleas and, at least, three justices of the peace. Here the 
law was certainly complied with, as James Gordon, the 
judge, had associated with him r»'»e justices of the peace, — 
John Varnam, Epenctus White, Eliplialet Kellogg, Rich- 
ard Davis, Jr., Dowd J. Fonda, Elias Palmer, Nathan 
Douglas, John Ball, and John Hradstreet. A grand jury 
was also sworn, consisting of Richard Davis, Jr., Joshua 
Taylor, John Donald, Henry Davis, Hez. Ketehum, Seth C- 
Baldwin, Ezra Hallibort, John Wood, Samuel Wood, Eddy 
Baker, Eli.sha Andrews, Gideon Moore, Abraham Livings- 
ton, and John Bleeckcr. 

Just how all these parties, with the throng of court at- 
tendants, were entertained, history does not inform us ; but 
as there were forty taverns in Half-Moon in 1788, perhaps 
we may infer they were cciuaJly plenty in the rest of the 
county, and in the vicinity of East Line. The one tavern 
near by, on the opposite side of the road, was kept by Sam- 
uel Smith, ancestor of the present owner, and that, no doubt, 
as far as possible supplied the wants of the throng of dig- 
nitaries gathered there. 

The town of Malta was also honored in the year 1823 
by the session of the New York Annual Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. It met on the 28th of May, 
at East Line, in the old Methodist chapel, now remodeled 
into a school-house. The New York Conference then com- 
prised the New York district, having «me circuits ; New 
Haven district, stocen circuits; Rhineback, rn'iie circuits; 
Saratoga district, nine circuits; Hudson River district, 
thirteen circuits ; and Champlain district, eleven circuits. 
It included a large part of Connecticut, considerable por- 
tions of Massachusetts and Vermont, and extended from 
the Canada line on the north, to the bay of New York and 
the farthest point of Long Island on the south. From all 
this vast territory there came to East Line the hardy, self- 
denying itinerancy of the church, and then and there the 
annual business was transacted, and the plans laid that added 
to the growth and power of Methodist churches through 
all this .section of country. The conference was cheerfully 
entertained in the neighborhood, and the delegates wel- 
comed to the hearts and the homes of the people. Many 
of the oldest citizens have plea.sant memories of this eccle- 
siastical gathering, and relate many interesting incidents 
connected with it. 



The following extract from Judge Scott's address, July 
4, 1876, applies to trails, antiquities, and incidents that may 
appropriately lie included in the history of Malta : 

" The territory conqnised within the limits of the county 
of Saratoga, when first known to Europeans, formed a part 
of the extensive domain of the Moliawk Indians, one of the 
five nations composing the confederacy of the Jroqiiois. 
This territory had been reserved, and was kept by them, as 
their favorite hunting-ground. No one, not of their nation, 
whether savage or civilized, was permitted to encroach upon 
it. In the appropriate sca.sons, they would leave their vil- 
lages and castles up the Mohawk, and in their bark canoes 
glide down the river to the mouth of the Aal Plats (or Eel 
Place creek), about threci miles below Schenectady, row up 
that stream to a point near the head of Long (now called 
Ballston) lake, transport their canoes thither, pass down that 
lake at th(t\r leisure, and through its outlet to what is now 
the East Line Corners, and there encanqj, for the purpose 
of hunting, trapping, and fishing. 

'• Until some forty years ago there was upon the Marvin 
lot at that place a boulder, with an orifice on its surface 
in the shape of a mortar, scooped out either by artificial 
means or by the action of water at some remote period, 
which the Indians used for pounding or crushing their corn 
into meal. This interesting relic has unfortunately disap- 
peared, no one knows how or where, but it is supposed that 
it was broken up in the construction of the railroad in the 
immediate vicinity. 

" From this encampment they cro.ssed over to the Mourn- 
ing Kill, a short mile distant, and proceeded thence in their 
canoes down that stream to its confluence with the Kayad- 
rossera, and thence to Saratoga lake. There are still oc- 
casionally found upon the west shore, between the mouth 
of the Kayadros.scra and the Narrows, traces of their en- 
canqiment. That lake was then noted, as it is yet noted, 
for the abundance of its fish, and contained what have un- 
fortunately long since disappeared, large quantities of trout. 
The Kayadrossera, as far up as Rock City falls, for a con- 
siderable time after the advent of the whites, abounded not 
only in trout, but shad and herring. F'rom the lake, the 
Indians pas,sed down Fish creek to the Hudson, and down 
that river to the mouth of Anthony's Kill, up that stream, 
through the Round lake, and up the Ballston outlet, to 
their encampment by the old stone mortar. 

XL— INDUSTRIAIi PURSUITS. 

Agriculture is the principal occupation of the people of 
Malta, and the soil and conditions favor a fair degree of 
success. The northeast part of the town along the Kayad- 
rossera is a swampy region, comprising several hundred aeri s 
of land. Some of the higher portions of it that can be 
drained are of excellent fertility, producing a large amount 
of grass ])er acre. In the otlu'r parts of the town the soil 
is principally a light sandy loam, with clay and muck in the 
lowlands. Some portions of the town, under persevering 
and judicious cultivation, have become productive, yielding 
abundant crops of excellent quality. F'ormerly, considerable 
fruit was raised, but like other towns in this section, the 
great failures of fruit hav<^ discouraged tlie planting of new 
orchards, and most of the trees are the venerable remains of 



390 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



orchards planted by the earliest settlers. Rye, oats, potatoes, 
and corn constitute the principal crops raised. 



XII.— MILITARY. 

In the War of 1812 the following were soldiers from the 
town of Malta. The names are furnished by Lieutenants 
Colonel Shubacl Taylor, of Clifton Park : Seneca Hall, 
Daniel D. Tompkins, Eli Dunning, Peter Dunn, Barney 
Vail, John Storey, Adjutant Gould Morehouse, John Van 
Arnani, Henry Pell. 

The annexed list of those who went from this town into 
the army for the suppression of the Rebellion, in 1861-65, 
has been prepared from the printed muster-in rolls of the 
State, and from Colonel French's muster-out rolls of the 
Seventy-seventh. 

Unfortunately, as in many other cases, no record was 
written up in the town clerk's office under the law of 1865. 
But our list, in convenient form and in alphabetical order, was 
left for several months with the town clerk of 1877 for cor- 
rections and additions. It was also advertised. The vet- 



erans and citizens generally had full opportunity to make it 
perfect. 

WAR OF 1801-65. 

Charles D. Atkinson, enl. Sept. 19, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. H ; corp. 

Philip .1. Austin, enl. Sept. 15, 1861, 77tli Itegt., Co. H; Corp. 

Charles Atkina, enl. Sept. 20,1861,77th Ilegt.,Co. H; ilisdi. for disiibility. May 

10, 1862. 
Chauncey L. Beebe, enl. Jan. 4, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Charles C, Clark, enl. Jan. 4, 1804, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Charles S. Dnnham, enl. Sept. 24,1861, 77th Eegt, Co. II; ilisch. with regt. 

Dec. 13, 1864. 
Albert Dunning, enl. July 31, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
George D. Fish, enl. Dec. 26, 1S63, 1.3th Art., Co. F. 
Erastus II. Harder, enl. Jan. 11, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Wm. H. Kane, enl. Aug. 12, 1861,115th Kegt., Co. I; Corp. 
Charles W. Sliller, enl. Aug. 15, 1802, 115tl] llegt., Co. I ; Corp. 
Wm. McCarty, enl. Jan. 11, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Abner Mosher, enl. Dec. 31, 1863, 13tli Art., Co. F. 
Edward Olmsted, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, 115th llegt., Co. I. 
Joseph Fairer, enl. Jan. 13, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. B. 
Wm. H. Uosc, enl. Jan. 26, 1864, 25tb Cav., Co. B. 
George D. Storey, enl. Sept. 14,1861, 77th Regt., Co. II; 2d lieut.; pro. Ist 

lient., Jan. 30, 1862 ; resigned, Ulay 31, 1862. . 
Eugene Shears, enl. Sept. 25, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. H; disch. for disability, Dec, 

10, 1862. 
John Stewart, enl. Sept. 25, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. H; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th. 
Sidney Smith, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. I. 
Michael Van Horn, enl. Sept. 25, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. H; died of chronic diar- 

rhu>a, Sept. 21, 1862. 
George W. Vail, enl. Jan. 4, 1864, 13tb Art., Co. F. 



CORINTH. 



I.— GEOGRAPIirCAL POSITION. 

CoillNTn is one of the northern towns of the county. 
It is bounded on the north by Day and Hadley, east by 
Warren county and tlie town of Moreau, south by Wilton 
and Greenfield, west by Edinbur>;h. 

Of the territory, twelve thousand four iiundred and 
thirty-eight acres are improved, twenty-four thousand and 
twenty-one are unimproved ; and of the hitter only eight 
thousand five hundred and ninety-eight are forest, showing 
a large amount of waste land. The population in 1875 
was 1G59. The town is mostly within the twenty-second, 
twenty-third, and twenty-fourth allotments of the Kayad- 
rossera patent. A narrow strip across the western part is 
a portion uf the patent granted to John Glenn and others. 

In the revised statutes of the State this town is de- 
scribed and its boundary lines defined as follows : 

" The town of Cnrinth shall contain all that part of said county 
beginning at the southeast corner of the town of Edinburgh and run- 
ning thence south along the east bounds of Providence to a point due 
west from the middle of a public highwjiy south of and adjoining the 
late dwelling-house of George Shove, deceased, then eaet to the middle 
of the said highway, then east to the northwest corner of AViltou, then 
north thirty-two degrees east to a place called Flat Rock on or near 
the western bank of said river, then north to the bouuds of the county, 
then westerly and northerly along the bounds of the county to a point 
six miles north of the south bounds of said t^wn of Corinth, then 
west parallel to said south bounds to the east hounds of Edinburgh, 
and then south along the same to the place of beginning." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The .surface of this town is rough and mountainous, 
abounding in wild and diversified .scenery. 

Its northern and western portion is occupied by the Kay- 
adrossera range of mountains, and the Palmertown moun- 
tains occupy its southeastern part. These mountains are 
high, rocky ranges, mostly covered with thick forests of 
hemlock and hard-wood timber. Mount McGregor, a peak 
of the Palmertown range, is in the extreme southeast cor- 
ner, and lies partially in the towns of Wilton and Moreau. 
It is becoming somewhat famous as a resort for summer 
visitors at the watering-places in the vicinity, the lovely 
landscape seen from its summit amply ro])ayiiig the trouble 
incurred by a visit to the top of the mountain. A pleasant 
valley about four miles in width separates these two ranges 
of mountains. In the northwest part are several small 
lakes ; among the largest are Efiior, Hunt, and Jenny lakes, 
and Black pond. The scenery around these lakes is very 
picturesque, and the waters abound with bass, while the 
brooks leading into them are all fine trout streams, furnish- 
ing a fine scene for lovers of the piscatorial art to try their 
wiles upon the finny tribes. 



The principal streams are Early's creek, running along the 
base of the Kayadrossera range; Daily's creek, the outlet 
of the lakes above named, running northward across the west 
end of the town ; Clothier's creek, running along the north- 
western base of Mount McGregor ; and the Kayadrossera 
creek, which rises in the .southern part. The Hudson river 
flows along the eastern boundary in a generally south and 
easterly course. The great falls of the Hudson lie about 
the middle of the eastern boundary. They form a scene of 
remarkably grand and picturesque beauty. The river from 
Jessup's Landing runs swiftly in a series of rapids between 
high banks until it reaches the falls. The southern bank 
is a sheer, rocky precipice about one hundred and twenty 
feet high, fringed with pine, cedar, and hemlock at the top. 
The northern bank, though le.ss abrupt, is a steep ascent, 
thickly wooded. The river-bed is rocky and broken, and 
the waters of the river, for fifty rods above the falls, rush 
through a narrow channel, descending some thirty feet 
in the distance, and hurl themselves over with irresist- 
ible force, dashing themselves to foam and spray as they 
descend the ragged, broken, and shelving rocks that form 
the fiioe of the fall. The brink of the fall is in the shape 
of an arc, and in very low water can be crosseii on foot dry- 
shod. To the left of and above the fall stands a high, 
dark, sternl3'-silent pile of rocks, looking down with solemn 
grandeur upon the turbulent waters dashing themselves fret- 
fully and impotently against its immovable base. Below 
the falls the bank takes a wide curve to the north, and in 
the broad basin thus formed the great river calms its 
agitation, smooths its ruffled surface, and resumes its onward 
course to the sea. For beauty, and picturesque and grand 
effects, the .scenery of Palmer's Palls may well rank witli 
any in the States. At one point, a few rods above the falls, 
the river passes through a narrow channel worn in the rocks, 
and a fourteen-foot plank will spin from one side of it to 
the other. Here tradition says that several years previous 
to the Revolution a white trapper was pursued along the 
eastern bluff, and, dashing down the steep banks close to 
the falls, he made for this spot ; and reaching it, in order 
to escape what was certain capture and certain death, 
nerved himself for the effort and vaulted over the foaming 
flood, alighting safely on the other side. None of his sav- 
age pursuers dared to venture the leap, and he plunged into 
the forest and escaped. 

A half-mile above the falls a deep ravine runs down to 
the river. Its .sides are steep and thickly wooded with pines. 
It is called " Indian Hollow.'' Many years ago it was a 
summer camping-ground for a tribe of northern Indians, 
who came there to fish and hunt. 

The town is generally considered as pos.sessing a very 
healthy climate, the air and water being pure and refreshing. 

391 



392 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlements wore made near Mount McGregor 
and at Jessup's Landing. There is some doubt regarding 
the exact date. While it is usually asserted that 1790 was 
the earliest date of settlement, there were evidently a few 
settlers prior to and during the early part of the Revolu- 
tionary struggle. Ambrose Clothier came into the town in 
1775 and settled near Mount McGregor, in the southeastern 
part of the town. He had three sons and three daughters. 
The old gentleman and all his sons were noted " fiddlers" in 
their vicinity. It is said that when the old gentleman was 
over eighty years of age he heard, one evening, one of his 
sons playing a hornpipe. He crossed the road and, with 
nimble steps and unwonted vigor, danced a hornpipe and ran 
back home before the son got out of the house to see who 
was making the racket. Mrs. Alma Hikok, Morgan L. 
Clothier, Ebcnezer Clothier, Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Woodward, 
and Miss Clothier, grandchildren of his, are still living in 
Corinth. 

Samuel Eggleston, another eai'ly settler, came here before 
the Revolution. He settled near the Clothiers. He had a 
large family, consisting of seven sons and two or three 
daughters. Two of the sons are still living in Corinth. Two 
grandsons have became men of note in the west, where 
most of his descendants are living. Benjamin Eggleston, of 
Cincinnati, who has served several terms in Congress, and 
General Eggleston, a brigadier-general in the Union army 
and a prominent politician in Illinois, are the grandsons of 
Samuel Eggleston. 

Benjamin Ide came from Jonesville, in what is now 
the town of Clifton Park, about 1777, and settled in the 
Clothier neighborhood. He had si.\ children, Thomas, 
Benjamin, Jr., Timothy, Ebenezer, Patience, and Hannah. 
None of these are now living. Four grandchildren and a 
number of great-grandchildren are living in the town. 
The four grandchildren are William Ide, a son of Thomas 
Ide, and Mrs. Uriah Mallery, Mrs. Jno. C. Herrick, and 
Mrs. Simon Heath, daughters of Timothy Ide. 

Jonathan Hodges, a soldier of the Revolution, came from 
Rhode Island into Greenfield in 1788, and soon removed 
into what is now Corinth. He had si.K sons and one daugh- 
ter. One son, Claudius Hodges, is still living in Corinth. 
He is in his ninetieth year. 

Wm. (jrippen came to Corinth in 1778. Two of his 
sons are living, — one. Nelson W., in Corinth, the other, 
Alonzo J., in Ballston. One grandson, J. E. Grippen, 
lives at Jessup's Landing, and is now, and has been for 
several years, town clerk. 

Lawrence Barber and Hathaway Randall were early set- 
tlers in the Clothier neighborhood. 

Benjamin Cowles married Rosanna Boardman, a sister of 
Daniel Boardman, and in 1790-91 came from his former 
home in Sheffield, Miissachusetts, and settled about one 
mile north of Jessup's Landing. From Jessup's Landing 
he was obliged to cut his own road through the woods. He 
had nine children, Nathaniel, Zina H., Chauncey, Orlando, 
B. Sedgwick, Henry E., Daniel H., Hannah, and Rosetta. 
He cleared some land and sowed and planted his crops the 
succeeding spring. During his life he lived on this home- 
stead he had carved out of the wilderness, and died May 1, 



1854, aged eighty-three years. In his life he was very 
prominent in political affairs, and wiis often the recipient of 
official honors at the hands of his constituents. In 1801 
he was elected supervisor of the town of Hadley, and held 
that position for eighteen consecutive years. Upon the 
division of the town he w:is elected supervisor of Corinth, 
and served two years. In all he was supervisor twenty-four 
years. In 1812 he was appointed associate judge of the 
court of common pleas. In 1815 he was made master in 
chancery, and also elected to the A.ssembly. He also held 
the office of justice of the peace for many years. Two of his 
children, Elisha H. Cowles and Mrs. Rosetta Parmenter, 
are still living in Corinth. 

Daniel Boardman came to Jessup's Landing with his sis- 
ter and her husband. He lived in a house on the site now 
occupied by Mr. Brewer. He built a grist-mill and a store 
as early as 1793. Ho was an energetic business man and 
generally suecessful in his ventures. He accumulated prop- 
erty fast, an 1 bjoim ; the most wealthy man of the vicinity. 
He furnished most of the means to build the Baptist church, 
of which society he was an ardent and exemplary member. 

Stephen Ashley was an early settler at Jessup's Landing, 
and kept the first inn there, about 1800. 

The settlement at South Corinth was commenced about 
1790, though some of the settlers in the near vicinity came 
a few years earlier. Among these we name a few of the 
most prominent ones. 

Adam Comstock was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, in 
the year 1740, and in 1763 married Margaret McGregor. 
They had a family of seventeen children, the youngest of 
whom was born in Ballston, afterwards, by successive alter- 
ations, changed to Milton, Greenfield, Iladley, and Corinth. 
Entering the American army at the commencement of the 
Revolution, he became a colonel, and served in Washington's 
army. He was with the army during the winter of priva- 
tion, hardship, and suffering at Valley Forge. At the bat- 
tle of Red Bank, New Jersey, he distinguished himself by 
his valor, and at the defense of Mud fort (now Fort Mifflin) 
lie, alternately with General Smith, of Maryland, commanded 
the American forces. Before the close of the war he re- 
signed his commission, on account of the serious illness of 
his wife, and hastened to her bedside. Soon after his re- 
turn to his native State he was elected a member of its 
Legislature. In 1785 he removed to this State, locating at 
Schenectady, where he remained one year, and in the spring 
of 178l> removed to this town, settling on the farm now 
occupied by Frank Angell, near the south boundary. In 
1788 he erected the first frame building in the town. It 
was for many years used as a dwelling, but is now used as 
a corn-crib. He was appointed one of the first justices of 
the peace of Greenfield in 1794. Was associate judge of 
the court of common pleas in 1793. Elected a member 
of Assembly, from Milton, in 1792, he was, successively re- 
elected to that office for twelve years. He was a State sen- 
ator from 1805 till 1808, and held a seat in the council of 
appointment. during that time. In 1804 he was a presi- 
dential elector from Hadley, and had the honor of ca,sting 
his vote for the immortal Jefferson. The descendants of 
this legislator have for three generations worn the mantle 
of official life. Oliver C. Comstock, a son, was a member 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



393 



of Assembly from Seneca county in 1810 and in 1812, and 
a member of Congress from that district for three terms, 
beginning in 1813. Oliver C. Comstock, Jr., a grand- 
sou, has served several years as a member of the Legis- 
lature of the State of Michigan ; and Noah D. Comstock, 
a great-grandson, has served four years in the Wisconsin 
Legislature. Thus four generations of law-makers have 
sprung from this one family. Adam Comstock was a man 
of good education, of good ability, and of irreproachable 
character. He died in Corinth, April 10, 1829, and was 
buried in the family burial-ground. One grandson, William 
Comstock, and six great-grandchildren are living in this 
and neighboring towns. One of these, Thomas J. Com- 
stock, now has in his possession the sword carried by his 
great-grandfather during his military career. His eldest 
surviving child, a daughter, died in 1869, aged ninety-one 
years. When he first came to this vicinity, he at one time 
got out of meat, and hearing that a man in Wilton (at that 
time Saratoga) had some pork, he took a bag and went after 
some. On his way back night overtook him, and soon the 
wolves, scenting the meat, began to congregate around him. 
Ascending a large rock, he armed himself with a heavy 
club, and .«pent the long hours of the night in a battle with 
his canine foes. With the dawn of day his tormentors fled, 
and he reached home in safety with his supply of provisions. 
While engaged in clearing the land, he and his sons one 
day heard a noise of distant chopping. Marking the di- 
rection, they took the first opportunity to search for their 
new neighbors, and, after cutting a path through a long 
stretch of unbroken forest, found a small clearing, where a 
man named Benjamin Carpenter had settled. Of this man, 
Carpenter, but little is known, save that he was an early 
settler. 

Nathaniel Edwards served in the French and Indian 
war, and was a captain in the American army during the war 
for independence. He enlisted from Connecticut, and served 
the whole seven years. His son, Isaac, enlisted at sixteen 
years of age, and served till the close of the war. About 
1796 they came to Corinth through Greenfield Centre 
by a foot-path, or Indian trail, and located about one 
mile south of South Corinth village. Here they set to 
work clearing up the forest and making a home. Na- 
thaniel built a small frame house, the first in the town, 
and Isaac built a log house. In the spring of 1797 they 
sowed wheat, planted corn, and started an orchard from 
seeds brought with them from their eastern home. Isaac 
Edwards had six sons and one daughter. Hon. Edward 
Edwards, a member of the Assembly in 1845, and again in 
1864 and 1865, who resides at South Corinth, is the 
youngest of these children, and the only one living. He 
is a large land-owner, a prominent merchant for the past 
forty-six years, and a valuable citizen. He has in his pos- 
session some Indian relics in the shape of stone gouges, 
which the Indians used for tapping maple-trees when 
making sugar in the spring. They were picked up in the 
vicinity. 

Frederick Parkman settled on the site of the present 

Big Tree Hotel about 1796, and kept the first inn in the 

town. He built a grist-mill on Kayadrossera creek, 

which was the first grist-mill in the county north of Balls- 

50 



ton and south of Jessup's Landing. Frederick Parkman, 
a grandson, who lives at Jessup's Landing, is the only 
descendant living. 

Jeremiah Eddy settled here, and kept the first black- 
smith-shop, in 1796-97. He had a large family, but one 
of whom, Harvey Eddy, is still living in Corinth. 

John Purqua was a native of Hesse, in Germany. Go- 
ing to visit a brother, who was in one of the regiments of 
soldiers hired to the British government, he was impressed 
into the service and brought to America. He served 
three years, and then deserted the British flag, and soon 
after entered the American army, and served till the war 
closed. In 1793 he came from Rhode Island via Massa- 
chusetts and Vermont, and settled about one mile north of 
South Corinth. He had to cut his own road through the 
woods from the vicinity of Fort Edwards. He had three 
sons and three daughters. Peter, who lives on the 
homestead, and a daughter living in Illinois are the only 
ones living. 

Jephtha Clark, Jonathan Deuel, Zebedee Mosher, 
Washington Chapman, James Cooper, and Timothy Brown 
were other early settlers near South Corinth ; Stephen and 
William Brayton, at Jessup's Landing ; and Elial Lindsay, 
at Palmer's Falls. 

Silas Nims came from Rockland, Mass., about 1800, 
and settled in the Gray neighborhood, in the north part 
of the town. He had a large family, of which but one, 
a son, Mr. John Nims, is now living in Corinth. Clark 
H. Nims, an adopted son of John Nims, lives at Palmer's 
Falls, and keeps hotel and boarding-house and a livery- 
stable. 

The first lumber-mills in the town were built about 
1800. Jonathan Deuel owned one at South Corinth in 
that year. 

In 1810 there were between thirty and forty saw-mills 
in the town. 

The first clothiery was built by Washington Chapman, 
on Kayadrossera creek, about 1805. The old building 
is still standing, but not in its original shape, and is now 
used as a bolt-factory. 

The first store in South Corinth was kept by Hiram 
Chapman, in 1826. 

Dr. Asa C. Barney, who lived in the town as early as 
1805, was the first physician. 

A man named Soudan was an early preacher in the 
south part of the town. 

For the first and only time in the history of this town 
a murder was committed in 1819. The victim was a 
drinking man, well along in years, named Seth Haskins. 
He stopped at the house of his murderer, Benjamin 
Bennett, and asked for and received a drink of buttermilk. 
Upon leaving the house he was met by Bennett, who 
took a whip from a passing wagon and beat him unmerci- 
fully till the bystanders interfered and took the whip from 
him. Some three or four hours afterward Haskins was 
missed, and search being instituted, was found near by in 
a dying condition. A stone covered with blood and hair 
was found near by him. He lived but a few hours. 
Bennett was arrested, tried, and convicted, and was hung at 
Ballston, July 21, 1820. 



394 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



IV. -ORGANIZATION. 

Corinth was formed from Hadley, April 20, 1818. 

The first meeting held for the town was called for the 
purpose of deciding upon a name. This meeting was held 
at the residence of Washington Chapman, at South Corinth, 
at that time called " Chapman's Corners." Mrs. Chapman 
asked the privilege of naming the new town, which being 
accorded her, she turned to a Bible lying on the table, and 
opened it to look for a name. She chanced to open at the 
epistle to the Corinthians, and said, " There it is; it shall 
be called Corinth." 

The first regular meeting was held in April, 1819, at 
John Ensign's tavern, just opposite the present Palmer's 
Falls hotel. It was called to order in the road, and 
Esquires Benjamin Cowles, Barry Fenton, Washington 
Chapman, and David Rogers presided, sitting on a pile of 
pine boards. The meeting was held out of doors. John 
W. Taylor, afterward a distinguished member of Congress, 
acted as clerk. Benjamin Cowles was elected supervisor. 

The records of the town previous to 184-1 have been lost 
or destroyed, so that any details of the early political 
history of the town cannot be given. 

In the town books is the record of one marriage. The 
ceremony was performed by Esquire Thomas Brown, on 
the 25th day of February, 1865, at the bride's residence. 
The happy couple were Thomas D. Hayes, of Creek 
Centre, Warren county, and Mrs. Hannah Woodward, of 
Corinth. Thomas Watson was present as a subscribing 
witness, and the record was made by Olney L. Brown, 
town clerk. 

The town had a health officer appointed once in its his- 
tory. July 22, 1865, Dr. Elias Lester was appointed to 
take charge of a colored family suffering with the small- 
pox. 

LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS. 



Year. Supervisors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1819. Benjamin Cowles. 


Records lost. 


Records 


lost. 


1820. " 


it tt 






1821. Samuel McCrea. 


it It 






1822. " " 


ti tt 






1823. " << 


tt tt 






1824. " " 


tt it 






1825. Darid Rogers. 


tt t. 






1826. Benjamin Cowlea. 


tt tt 






1827. William Jones. 


tt tt 






1828. " " 


tt tt 






1829. DaTid Rogers. 


It tt 






1830. Thomas Dibble. 


tt tt 






1831. " 


tt tt 






1832. " " 


tt tt 






1833. Benjamin Cowles. 


tt tt 






1834. " " 


tt tt 






1835. Windsor Brown. 


tt tt 






1836. 


tt tt 






1837. " " 


tt tt 






1838. Jeduthan Lindsay. 


tt tt 






1839. Obadiah Wood. 


tt tt 






1840. " •< 


tt tt 






1841. William Ide. 


tt tt 






1842. Benjamin Cowles. 


ti tt 






1843. Benjamin F. Sims. 


tt tt 






1844. " 


William Brown. 


Ebenczerlv 


Clothier 


1845. Theo. W. Sanders. 


tt tt 


William Raymond. 


1846. " " 


David Eddy. 


Joseph Barrass, Jr. 





SuperviBora. 


Town Clerks. 


CoUectora. 


1847. 


Henry S. Efuor. 


Jeduthan Lindsay. 


Amos Clunis. 


IS-IS. 


Arden Heath. 


David Eddy. 


Nelson W. Grippen. 


1.849. 


Benjamin Grippen. 


John R. Houghton 


John H. Card. 


1850. 


Amasa B. Martin. 


Olney L. Brown. 


a 


1851. 


Asahel Deuel. 


N. W. Buckmaster. 


Hiram Barrass. 


1852. 


Arden Heath. 


it 


11 tt 


1S53. 


Asahel Deuel. 


Nelson W. Grippen 


a ti 


1854. 


Arden Heath. 


It 


William E. Buttles. 


1855. 


A. C. T. Sherman. 


N. W. Buckmaster. 


Nelson W. Grippen. 


1856. 


Arden Heath. 


Benjamin Grippen. 


Spencer E. Burnham 


1857. 


N. W. Buckmaster. 


Jere'h E. Grippen. 


James S. Brown. 


1858. 


A. C. T. Sherman. 


" 


Alfred Angell. 


1859. 


Nat'l M.Houghton. 


" " 


Charles L. Allen. 


1860. 


Sylvanus Rugg. 


11 tt 


" 


1861. 


Franklin Carpenter 


it It 


Nelson W. Grippen. 


1862. 


" " 


N. W. Buckmaster. 


Chester Allen. 


1863. 


N. W. Buckmaster. 


S. H. Hickok. 


." 


1864. 


Tilly Houghton. 


S.almon H. Hickok. 


Peleg J. Randall. 


1865. 


It ti 


Edmund Hickok. 


li II 


1866. 


tt it 


David D. Sturdevan 


Luther Cole. 


1S67. 


Franklin Carpenter. 


Jeremiah Grippen. 


" 


1S68. 


" " 


a >( 


Asel G. Hodges. 


1869. 


John C. Herrick. 


II It 


Gilbert C. Ide. 


1S70. 


John Ambler. 


It It 


II 11 


U^71. 


It 11 


tt ti 


Olney L. Brown. 


1872. 


ti It 


tt a 


" " 


1S73. 


It it 


tt tt 


David T. Burnham. 


1874. 


it It 


It it 


It It 


1875. 


Isaac S. Murray. 


tt II 


William H. Randall. 


1876. 


ti II 


11 ti 


Emery J.White. 


1877. 


Gilbert C. Ide. 


It II 


Clark H. Nims. 


1878. 


N. M. Houghton. 


A. L. Parmenter. 


It It 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1844 



1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 

1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1853. 

1854. 
1855. 
1856. 

1S57. 



Benjamin Grippen. 

Edward Edwards. 
David Eddy, I. t. 
Gideon Comstock, 1. t. 
Darling P. Mallery, s. t. 
Benjamin Grippen. 
Benjamin F. Sims. 
Gideon Comstock. 
David Eddy, 1. t. 
Elijah Trumbull. 
William Ide. 
Tilley Houghton, Jr. 
David Lyon. 
Benjamin Grippen. 
Amasa B. Martin. 
Nathan W. Buckmaster. 
Almerin D. Holden. 
Obadiah Wood. 
Tilley Houghton, 1. t. 
David Lyon. 
John E. Comstock, 1. 1. 
Truman Brown. 



1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865. 
1860. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1S75. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Almerin D. Holden. 
Truman Brown. 
Tilley Houghton. 
Enos Ambler. 
Thomas Brown. 
David Lyon. 
Daniel B. Ide. 
Nelson W. Grippen. 
Thomas Brown. 
Asahel Deuel. 
Daniel B. Ide. 
Nelson W. Grippen. 
Almerin D. Holden. 
Asahel Deuel. 
Daniel B. Ide. 
Nelson W. Grippen. 
James E. Hickok. 
David T. Burnham. 
Daniel B. Ide. 
Nelson W. Grippen. 
Linus Wandell. 



v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Jessup's Landing is a small village in the eastern 
part of the town upon the Hud.son. It was called Jessup's 
Landing because two brothers named Jessup, who were 
the first lumbermen in this section, and owned considerable 
land and some saw-mills in Warren county, used to land 
their rafts of lumber here, and carry the lumber by wagon 
across the country to a point on the river below. 

It is also said that a man named Jessup kept a ferry at 
the point where it still is, and that the place was named 
after him. As early as 1800 it was quite a business point, 
but it never developed much until since 1851. It now 
contains about sixty-five dwellings, three churches, one 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



395 



school-house, two hotels, about a dozen stores and shops, a 
saw-mill, and a grist-mill. It has about five hundred in- 
habitants. 

Palmer's Falls is a hamlet at the fall.s, and contains 
about twenty dwellings, two hotels and boarding-houses, 
the works of the Hudson River Pulp and Paper company, 
and (when the mills are all in operation) about two hun- 
dred inhabitants. 

South Corinth, in the centre of the southern part 
of the town, is a pleasant little village with about one 
hundred inhabitants. It contains twenty-five dwellings, six 
mills and shops, two stores, one hotel, one church (Metho- 
dist Episcopal), and a school-house. 

MooLEYViLLE is a small hamlet in the southwest part 
of the town. Saw-mills, lath-mills, and the lumber busi- 
ness generally, have given the place whatever of importance 
it may have. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

The early school-houses were built at South Corinth 
in 1800, and at Jessup's Landing about the same time. 
In 1811 the "Rock school-house" was built. It was the 
first frame school-house, and derived its name from being 
built upon a large flat rock. 

Among the early teachers were Widow Church, Stephen 
Olney, Nehemiah Price, Mr. Spaulding, and Mr. Sabine. 

Rev. Rodney D. Andrews came to Jessup's Landing in 
1871 as pastor of the Baptist church. In March, 1873, 
with a view to afford an opportunity for those who desired 
to pursue a higher course of study than that afforded by 
the district schools, he opened a private school called " Co- 
rinth High School." The venture has been quite success- 
ful, the average attendance being about thirty scholars. 
The curriculum embraces all the branches of science, lan- 
guages, etc., usually included in an academic course of 
study. Several teachers of the common schools in the 
vicinity have qualified themselves at this school. 

commissioners' apportionment, march, 187 S. 





gSi. 


o 


, ^ 












3 

3 


is 


fe") 




>» 




§«H 


fH 


< s 


■SI 


>i 


c 




Z-s-= 


r? 


rl 


n 


a 


O 


District. 




o o 

3 




§■<„■ 

3 3 o 


3 


3 

IS 
1 


No. 1 


112 


$52.14 


$77.03 


$67.08 


$3.74 


$199.99 


" 2 


33 


52.14 


22.70 


16.35 


1.10 


92.29 


" 3 


45 


62.14 


30.95 


33.39 


1.60 


117.98 


" i 


20 


52.14 


13.76 


16.12 


67 


82.69 


" 5 


39 


52.14 


26.82 


17.57 


1.30 


97.83 


" 6 


25 


52.14 


17.19 


7.48 


83 


77.64 


" 7 


145 


104.28 


99.73 


92.25 


4.84 


301.10 


" 8 


36 


52.14 


24.76 


17.58 


1.20 


95.68 


" 9 


28 


52.14 


19.26 


18.98 


94 


91.32 


" 10 


43 


52.14 


29.67 


34.49 


1.43 


117.63 


" 11 


24 


52.14 


16.51 


27.72 


80 


97.17 


" 12 


84 


52.14 


57.77 


66.73 


2.80 


179,44 




634 


$677.82 


$436.05 


$415.74 


$21.15 


$1550.76 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
THE BAPTIST CHURCH OP CORINTH. 
The Third Baptist church of Greenfield was constituted 
Aug. 20, 179.5, with seven male members. The number of 



female members is left in doubt. The only member named 
in the record was Daniel Boardman, 

The church edifice was built early in the present cen- 
tury, probably about 1808 or 1812. Daniel Boardman 
was the principal person interested, and advanced a large 
share of the money necessary to build it. In 1833 the 
property was fully deeded to the society. In 1858 the 
church underwent extensive repairs, and a bell was put in. 
It now stands as it was then. Its seating capacity is about 
three hundred. 

In 1801 the name was changed from Greenfield to Had- 
ley, and in 1819 to Corinth. 

The ministers who have served this church, named in 
the order in which they served, are Revs. Thomas Purring- 
ton, Samuel Savory, Joel W. Clark, Samuel M, Plumb, 
Benjamin St, John, Samuel Wood, Holt, H. H. Haff, 
Moses Randall, 0. Dwyer, Palmer, Nelson Combs, and 
Rodney D. Andrews, who is the present pastor, and com- 
menced his pastorate June 1, 1871. 

About three hundred and twenty different persons hava 
connected themselves with the church at various times. 
The present membership is about seventy-six. 

The present ofiicers of the society are Enos Ambler 
and Darius Martin, deacons ; John Ambler, clerk ; Daniel 
Barrett, treasurer. 

The salary paid the ministers has varied from $75 to 
$400. There has always been a Sunday-school connected 
with the church. 

At one time there was an extensive revival connected 
with the Baptist church of Jessup's Landing, while Elder 
St. John was the pastor. The meetings were very inter- 
esting, and the people were wrought up to a high pitch 
of spiritual fervor. Meetings were held at seven o'clock 
every morning, and at other hours of the day and evening. 
As there was no bell on the church at that time, the min- 
ister used to go up and down the street every morning 
ringing a large dinner-bell to call the people together for 
the morning service. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OP CORINTH. 

A meeting of the professed friends and followers of 
Christ was convened at the residence of Mr. William Sco- 
field, about two miles south of Luzerne, on the river-road, 
August 29, 1814, at which meeting was organized the 
Congregational church of Hadley and Luzerne. 

Rev. Cyrus Comstock, missionary, Rev. Lebbeus Arm- 
strong, of Moreau, and Rev. Reuben Armstrong, of Bolton, 
were the committee that instituted the church. Rev. Cyrus 
Comstock was moderator, and Rev. Reuben Armstrong was 
clerk of this first meeting. Edmund and Hannah Sherman, 
Nezer and Thankful Scofield, Jesse and Mary Howe, Allen 
and Christian Stewart, Michael and Jane Kennedy, Wil- 
liam Scofield, Charles and Catharine McEwen, Ruth More- 
house, Hannah Early, Lavinia Sherman, Lydia Sherman, 
Esther Holmes, Perula McQueen, Hannah Liud,sey, and 
Jerusha Sage were the first members. Edward Sherman 
and Nezer Scofield were elected deacons. The society con- 
nected itself with the presbytery of Albany in December, 
1814, and remained in this dual relation until 1822, when 



396 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



it changed to a Presbyterian society, and in 1831 assumed 
the name of the Presbyterian church of Corinth. 

In 1832 a church edifice was erected at Jessup's Landing, 
which was in use until about 1852, when the church died 
out, and the property was, in 1867, sold by an order of the 
county court. Judge McKean (since famous as a judge in 
Utah) presiding. It was bought by Mr. Matthew Owens 
for $300, and the money was applied to pay the debts of 
the society at Luzerne. The building is now occupied by 
Mr. Owens as a dwelling. 

The ministers were as follows : Rev. Joseph Farrar, 
1816 ; Rev. Wm. Williams, 1818 ; Rev. Mr. Manly, 1822 ; 
Rev. Mr. Cook, 1823; Rev. Mr. Beckley, 1825; Rev. 
Jcsiah Com.stock, 1826; Rev. T. Redfield, 1828; Rev. 
Joel Wood, 1832; Rev. T. Redfield. Rev. Jeremiah Wood, 
a Presbyterian missionary, also preached for the church at 
one time. 

The present Presbyterian church was organized Feb. 17, 
1867, with eight members, viz., Mrs. Burnham, Eliza 
Burnham, Mr. and Mrs. Yack, Mrs. John Hill, Dr. John 
C. Herrick, Thomas and Marion Brown. Rev. John 
Woodbridge, of Saratoga, was the moderator of the meeting 
and chairman of the committee of presbytery which organ- 
ized the church. Thomas Brown and John C. Herrick 
were elected elders. At a subsequent time R. P. Grant 
was also chosen to that ofiBce. The church edifice, a neat 
and tasty structure, situated near Palmer's Falls, was erected 
in the fall of 1873, and was dedicated in April, 1874. Rev. 
Henry Darling preached the dedicatory sermon, and Rev. 
Dr. Backus delivered the prayer. Tiie church cost $2500. 

The pastors have been Rev. Elihu Sandford, Rev. George 
Craig, Rev. William Durant, and Rev. Alexander Rankin, 
the present pastor, who began his connection with this 
church in January, 1872. The membership is now about 
thirty-six. 

For three years past there has been a Sabbath-school 
connected with this church. It numbers at present about 
forty scholars. John Alexander is the superintendent. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CORINTH. 

At some period between the years of 1825 and 1830, a 
Methodist Episcopal class was formed in Corinth, consist- 
ing of six members. These were James Creal, James A. 
Creal, John B. Rogers, Susan Carpenter, and two others. 
Services were held in the school-house, and in the Presby- 
terian church, until the Methodist Episcopal church was 
built. The church was built in the summer of 1858, and 
dedicated in September of that year. Rev. Mr. Robinson 
preached the dedicatory sermon. The size of the church 
is thirty-six by forty-eight feet, and it has a capacity to 
seat about two hundred and fifty. There is a bell on the 
church. Rev. P. M. Hitchcock was pastor in charge when 
the church was dedicated. This church has always been 
one charge, in connection with the Methodist Episcopal 
church at South Coriuth. The present membership is 
about sixty. William H. Ide, H. R. Grippen, and Matthew 
Owens are the class-leaders ; Matthew Owens, William H. 
Ide, J. E. Ilickok, and Edwin W. Wilcox are the stewards ; 
and Matthew Owens, Eugene Lawrence, Truman Young, 
J. E. Ilickok, and E. W. Wilco.\ are ihe (ru.stees. 



The Sunday-school connected with this church was 
started in 1850, as a union school. Subsequently, about 
1871 or 72, the school was divided, and there is now a school 
in connection with each of the churches. 

William H. Ide and Philip Rice were among the first 
superintendents. The present superintendent is Wm. H. 
Ide. Rev. Joel Martin is the present pastor of the church. 

FREE METHODIST CHURCH OF CORINTH. 

For some little time previous to November, 1867, Rev. 
Daniel M. St. Clair, from Saratoga, had held occasional 
week-day evening services in the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Jessup's Landing, and at that time (November, 
1 867), organized a Free Methodist class in that place. This 
class was composed of J. H. and Sally M. Davis, Allen H. 
and Emily Woodcock, John Mallery, and James Morris. 
The present membership is fourteen. The hall in which 
their meetings are held is over Mr. J. H. Davis' store, and is 
alight, airy, and commodious room, neatly finished off with 
native wood, and capable of seating from one hundred and 
twenty to one hundred and fifty persons. The church has 
never had a regular pastor, but various ministers of the de- 
nomination from diiferent places have preached occasion- 
ally; among others, Rev. Daniel M. St. Clair, Rev. William 
Gould, Rev. J. B. Freeland, Rev. Henry Matthews, and 
Rev. Benjamin Winget. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

The burying-grounds in the town are as follows: first, on 
the south line of the town, near the place of R. Cooper ; 
second, east of South Corinth, near the farm of T. G. Car- 
penter ; third, in the Eggleston neighborhood, near the 
place of Mrs. Woodward ; fourth, near the river, at the 
place of E. Woodworth ; fifth, near the school-house, in 
district 6, not far from J. Earley's ; sixth, south of the vil- 
lage of Jessup's Landing ; seventh, in the northwest part 
of the town, near school-house No. 9. 

IX.— TOWN SOCIETIES. 

In 1823 application was made to the Grand Lodge of 
the State of New York for a charter for a lodge of Free 
and Accepted Masons, to be located at Jessup's Landing, 
and to be known as Corinth Lodge. The charter was 
granted, and the lodge elected John W. Creal W. M. It 
flourished for a time, and had about thirty members. In 
1826, William Morgan was abducted from Canandaigua, 
and his abduction and probable murder caused such a wave 
of indignation throughout the State that many lodges suc- 
cumbed to the pressure and went down. Among these 
lodges was Corinth, which ceased to work in the fall of 
1826, or in the succeeding winter. The meetings were 
held in the second story of the Baptist church. 

For forty-one years the lodge remained in this condition, 
the charter, regalias, and officers' insignia having been 
taken to the west by J. W. Creal, W. M., when he removed 
there. But in 1867 a petition was presented to the Grand 
^Master of the State for a dispensation to organize a lodge. 
The dispensation was granted, and the lodge organized 
under the name of Corinth Lodge, No. G83, F. and A. M., 
ill Seplember of that year, with tliiiteen inember.s. June 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



397 



30, 1868, their charter was granted by the Grand Lodge. 
The first officers were George Decker, W. M. ; William Ide, 
Sec. ; Matthew Owens, S. W. ; Obadiah Wood, J. W. 

The meetings are now held in a well-furnished and com- 
modious hall over Dayton & Hough's store. The lodge 
now numbers about seventy members. The present offi- 
cers are: W. M., Isaac S. Murray; Sec, Appleton Holden; 
S. W., Henry W. Mallery; J. W., Clinton Clothier; Treas., 
James Early. 

The first and only Odd-Fellows' lodge organized in this 
town was chartered August 17, 1853, as " Corinth Lodge, 
No. 174, I. 0. O. F." There was something near a dozen 
members at the date of its institution. The first officers 
were Darling P. Mallery, N. G. ; Zina Mallery, Y. G. ; 
Luke C. Bartlett, R. S. ; William Ide, Fin. See., Silas 
Allen, Warden ; John 51. Ellsworth, Coud. 

The lodge has flourished from the commencement, and 
now has a membership of about one hundred and thirty. 
Among the present officers are Ezra Sayres, N. G. ; Henry 
Allen, V. G. ; Theodore Labram, R. S. ; William Brown, 
Fin. Sec. ; and Henry W. Mallery, Treas. The meetings 
are held in a pleasant and well-furnished hall over Daniel 
B. Ides hardware-store, at Jessup's Landing. 

At South Corinth is a flourishing lodge of I. 0. G. T. 
It is known as " Excelsior Lodge, No. 228," and was first 
instituted in 1867. In 1875 it surrendered its charter and 
took a new one. It has about sixty members. The meet- 
ings are held in a fine hall over E. & G. W. Edwards' 
store. The present officers are George B. Lyon, L. D. ; 
Albert Densmore, W. C. T. ; Smith Allen, W. Sec. ; Susan 
Lyon, W. Treas. 

X.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The agriculture of this town is of a limited character. 

The soil is generally a sandy and sometimes a clayey 
loam, and in the valley is quite productive. But little 
wheat is grown, and corn is the main crop. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The water-power at the great falls was utilized to a lim- 
ited extent in the early part of the century. The first mill 
was a saw-mill, built probably about 1804. It was owned 
by Ira Ilaskins as early as 1810. This mill stood until 
1825, when it was torn down, and a new mill was built by 
Thomas, Ebenezer, and William Ide. Meantime, Thomas 
Harshe had built a grist-mill, and George W. and Matthew 
Ilanslie a woolen-factory, about 1820. These mills ran 
till about 1828 or '30, when Beriah Palmer, of New York, 
purchased the power and property. From that time it was 
idle until 1859. At that time, Mr. Thomas Brown, from 
Niagara Falls, came and purchased the property. He 
built a large race or canal to conduct the water to his 
works, and then built a shop to be used as an edge-tool 
manufactory. This commenced running in 1860. Owing 
to the breaking out of the Rebellion, and the rise in price 
of iron and labor, the shop was not kept running long. In 
1865, Mr. Brown commenced building a woolen-factory, 
which began running in 1866. On the evening of the 7th 
of November, 1869, Mr. Brown left his home, and going 
to the factory, took an armful of cloth from the dryin;;- 



racks and carried it into the building. Coming out he was 
met by his night-watchman, who had just wakened from 
sleep, and who, mistaking him for a burglar or incendiary, 
drew a pistol and fired. The ball entered the breast and, 
passing through the lungs, lodged against the spine. Mr. 
Brown lived but a few moments after being shot. After 
his death the property passed into other hands. In July, 
1870, the factory wag burned. It was rebuilt about twenty 
rods south of its former location. It was run, under the 
superintendence of Mr. R. P. Grant, until about 1874, 
when it was purchased by the Hud.son River Pulp and 
Paper company, and is now used by them as a storehouse. 
In April, 1869, the foundations for the works of the 
Hudson River Pulp and Paper Co. were commenced, and 
the work was pushed .so rapidly to completion that Sept. 1, 
1869, saw the wood-pulp mill in successful operation. In 
1870 the old edge-tool factory was converted into a paper- 
mill with one eighty-inch machine, and the manufacture of 
printing-paper was begun. The business increased, and, in 
1872, a new mill was commenced on the site of the burned 
woolen-factory. This was completed in 1873, and com- 
menced running in May of that year. It contained one 
seventy-two-inch and one sixty-eight-inch machine, and 
manufactured a fine quality of printing-paper. 

The patent for the manufacture of wood into pulp for 
the manufacture of paper was issued in 1861, but was not 
utilized until this mill started in 1869. The pulp is made 
from spruce- and poplar-logs. The logs are cut into blocks 
about fifteen inches long, peeled, split, and washed clean. 
They are then put into a machine which presses the inner 
fiice of the block against a rapidly-revolving grindstone, 
which reduces it to a soft white pulp. This is run through 
a screen, taken up on another, transferred to a felt, and run 
between heavy rollers, the top one gathering the pulp into 
a thick sheet, which is stripped from the roll and folded, 
tied up in bales, and is the wood-pulp of commerce. The 
mills of this company use about five thousand market logs, 
three thousand five hundred cords of fire-wood, and one 
thousand five hundred tons of rags every year, and produce 
ten tons of dry pulp and seven tons of printing-paper every 
twenty-four hours. They employ about two hundred 
hands. The power is furnished by ten iron turbine water- 
wheels, furnishing in all between six hundred and seven 
hundred horse-power. They use but thirty feet of the 
seventy-feet fall. They also use four large boilers for heat- 
ing and drying purposes. 

The office of the company is at 45 Bearce St., New 
York. The officers are A. Pagenstecher, Germany, presi- 
dent; A. Pagenstecher, New York, treasurer; W. Miller, 
Herkimer, secretary ; Warren Curtis, Jr., Palmer's Falls, 
superintendent. The capital of the company is $250,000. 
In April, 1877, the large mill was burned. The fire was 
caused by spontaneous combustion generated in the rags 
in the store-room. Two weeks after the fire the wall of the 
race gave away and washed away the southern part of the 
pulp-mill. The company are now at work rebuilding the 
mills. 

At South Corinth, in 1855, Powell & Co. built a small 
tannery. It was located about half a mile west of the vil- 
Lii,'o, on Knyailnw.sera creek. lu August, 1874, the tan- 



398 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



nery was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt by 
Rugg & Sod, of Schenectady, who are present owners. The 
tannery uses about six hundred cords of bark in a year, and 
about five thousand " slaughter" hides and calf-skins. These 
are converted into sole, harness, and upper leathers, kip- 
and calf-skins. It furnishes employment for about six men. 
The power used is furnished by a water-wheel. 

The woolen-factory built by Washington Chapman, in 
1805, has been repaired, and additions built on from time 
to time, until the building presents but little trace of its 
former shape and size. It is now used by Morgan L. 
Prentiss, for the manufacture of carriage and other bolts, 
forged and turned nuts, and charcoal foundry facing. The 
works have a capacity for making a million and a half of 
bolts yearly, and can turn out twelve barrels of facing in a 
day. When running full capacity about ten hands are em- 
ployed. Water furnishes the motive power used. 

The most prominent of the business men of the town is 
Dr. Nathaniel M. Houghton, who resides at Jessup's 
Landing. He owns upwards of four hundred acres of 
farming lands, and two thousand two hundred acres cf forest 
lands, besides having a half-interest in other lands of con- 
siderable extent. He contracts and furnishes about two 
thousand cords of hemlock-bark every year. He has two 
steam saw-mills in the southwest part of the town, that turn 
off" an annual product of from one million to two million 
feet of spruce and hemlock lumber. This is shipped from 
South Corinth station, where large piles of lumber are kept 
constantly on hand ready for shipment when the market is 
iavorable. The mills furnish employment for from ten to 
one hundred men, who are engaged in felling, peeling, 
drawing, and sawing the logs. Upwards of fifty teams are 
kept busy through the winter hauling logs to the mills. 
Dr. Houghton is a son of Tilley and Lucy Houghton, who 
came from Vermont and settled in the western part of the 
town of Corinth in 1815. None of his brothers or sisters 
are living here now. He has been quite prominent in pub- 
lic affairs, has served as supervisor, and went twice to the 
Legislature, in 1862 and 1863. 

Xr.— PLACES OF HLSTORrC INTEREST. 

In the fastnesses of this wild, mountainous region there 
were doubtless many places where Indian battles occurred, 
but their history has not come down to the present time in 
the annals of the various tribes that roamed through this 
section of the State. 

At Jessup's Landing, too, was one of the haunts of the 
Tories in the Revolutionary war, and many incidents doubt- 
less occurred in that vicinity worthy the pen of the historian. 
Only in that indirect way did this portion of the county 
share in the great events occurring along the Ilud.son. 

XII.— MILITARY. 

A few items with reference to Revolutionary soldiers are 
already mentioned in the notes upon early settlement. 

With reference to the War of 1812, the citizens of this 
town shared to some extent in the excitement and alarm, 
particularly about the time of the battle of Plattsburg. It 
is not easy to obtain extended lists of those who were en- 
rolled in the militia or who served in the renuhir army. 



Among the people the names of Thomas Wheaton, Peleg 
Eddy, and Daniel Cole are mentioned as soldiers of the 
War of 1812. 

WAR OP 1861-65. 

When Fort Sumter was attacked, in 1861, the citizens 
of this town were aroused, and immediately set on foot 
measures to aid and sustain the general government in the 
work of putting down the Rebellion. And through all the 
long struggle their efibrts were not relaxed or their courage 
diminished, but they gave freely of their blood and treasure 
to carry on the work of maintaining the integrity of the 
government. As near as can now be ascertained, the fol- 
lowing is a substantially correct list of the soldiers of the 
Union array who went from this town : 

Frederick W. Andrews, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; died of disease 

at Davey's island, N. Y. 
Horace Ballon, priv., '2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. 1863 ; disch. at close of the war ; 

lives at Saratoga. 
Aaron Bratt, ptiv., 3lJth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; died of disease in the service. 
Timotliy Brewer, priv., 3uth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. for disability. 
Archiliald E. Brooks, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf ; enl. 1S62; captured with 

regiment at Harper's Ferry ; paroled, and died of disease at Camp Doug- 
las, Chicago, III. 
Geo. Brooks, priv., Co. G, lUith N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 7, 1.862; disch. with the 

regiment at close of the war; lives in Corinth. 
Francis Brower, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; disch. for disaliility at 

Camp Douglas ; re-enl. 2d Vet. Cav. ; disch. at close of the war ; living in 

Corinth. 
DavidT.Burnham, priv., 311th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861; pro. to 2d lieut.; disch. with 

tlie regiment; living in Corinth. 
Daniel Cady, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf ; enl. 1862; disch. with the regiment ; 

living in Corinth. 
Henry W. Cass, orderly sergt., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; pro. to a lieu- 
tenancy in a regiment of U. S. colored troops ; disch. at close of the war; 

living in Illinois. 
Chas. Chapman, priv., Co. G, 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. Nov. 1861; disch. with the 

regiment; living in Corinth. 
Asa J. (Clothier, corp., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. with the regi- 
ment; living in Minnesota. 
.1. S. Clothier, priv., Co, D, 77tb N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861. 
Wm. M. Clothier, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf.; enl. ISCl ; discli. with the regiment ; 

living in Corinth, 
Dwight Combs, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf; enl. 1861; disch. with tlie regiment; 

living at Sontli Corinth. 
Jnstin Combs, piiv., 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; died in hospital, of disease, while 

in the seivice. 
Charles Davis, priv.; captured, and died at Libby prison, Richmond, Va. 
E. H. Deusmore, piiv., Co. E, 41th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861 ; disch. for disability, 

caused by wounds ; living at South Corinth. 
S. T. Densmore, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl.lS62 ; captured in Ohistee, Fla., and 

starved to death in Andei-sonville prison, Georgiji. 
Peter Deuel, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; died witli tlie me.asles in 

U. S. hospital near Washington, D. C. 
Elijah Earls, Jr., priv., Co. E, 44th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. with the regi- 
ment; living in Corinth. 
James Early, priv., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; cid. 1863; disch. at close of the war; 

living at Jessup's Landing. 
Luther Frazier, priv., Co. G, iJOtli N. Y. Inf. ; died in the service. 
Truman Gray, iiriv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1S62; captured at Harper's 

Ferry ; living in Corinth. 
Byron Guiles, priv.; enl. 1862; disch. honorably ; living in Nebraska. 
Samuel Guiles, priv.; enl. 1862; died of disease while iu the service. 
Harmon Hagerdorn, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; was wounded, 

captured, confined three hundred days in Salisbury, N. C, and disch. for 

disability; living at Jessup's Landing. 
Jolin Haggerty, priv. ; enl. 1S62 ; disch. with the regiment ; living in Corinth. 
.Ambrose C. Hickok, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; trans, to Invalid 

Corjis; disch. at close of the war; living in Corinth. 
Solomon Hickok, priv., 44th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; pro. to sergt. ; died of disease 

in the service. 
Daniel B. Ide, Corp., Co. F, n5th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; captured at llarjier's 

Ferry, and disch. at Camp Dougl.as for enlargement of the heart; living 

at Jessup's Landing. 
Gilbert C. Ide, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; pro. to sorgt. ; disch. 

with the regiment; lives at Jessup's Landing. 
Nathan M. Ide, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1802; pro. to sergt. ; killed at 

Darbytown Koad, Va., Oct. 27, 1864. 
Havillah J. Loop, priv., Co. F, llnth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; captured at Olustee, 

Fla.; was exchanged, but was unable to again cuter upon active service; 

disch. witli the regiment; lives in Troy. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



399 



F. La Pierre, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 1861. 

George B. Lyon, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 18C2; disch. with the regiment; 
living in Soutli Corinth. 

Wm. P. Lyon, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. with the regiment ; living 
in Corinth. 

Henry W. Mallery, priv., Co. F, llMh N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; detailed for duty 
in hospital ; disch, with the regiment; living in Corinth. 

Levi Manning, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; diech. with the regi- 
ment; living in Stillwater. 

Hugh McCoucJiie, priv., 30th N.Y.Inf.; enl. 1861 ; re-enl.in 2d Vet. Cav., 1863; 
disch. at close of the war. 

Joseph McCouchie, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861 ; died of disea.se while in 
the service. 

John Merritt, priv., Co. F, 115th N.Y.Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. with the regi- 
ment; living in Corinth. 

J. T. Monroe, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 1861. 

Wm. H. Monroe, priv., Co. D, 77th Inf.; enl. Nov. 1861. 

Frederick Parkman, priv.; enl. 1861 ; diech. with the regiment; living at Je.s- 
sup's Landing. 

George Place, priv. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. with the regiment; living in Saratoga 
Springs. 

Isaac Plue, priv. ; enl. 1861 ; died in the service. 

John Redmond, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; captured at Harper's 
Ferry; living in Corinth. 

Philip Rice, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; pro. to 2d lieut. ; killed at Bull 
Kun, Aug. 29, 1862. 

John St. John, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. with the regiment; 
living in Corinth. 

Darius Schofield, M.D., priv. ; enl. 1863 ; pro. to assist, surg. ; disch. at close of 
the war; lives at Washington, Iowa. 

Chauncey Searls, priv., Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. with the regi- 
ment; lives at Putnam, Ohio. 

Augustus Sherman, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. for disability; lives 
at Jessup's Landing. 

Alexander Showers, priv., Co. F,n5th N.Y.Inf.; enl.1862; trans, to regimental 
band ; disch. with the regiment; living in Greenfield. 

Joseph H. Showers, priv., Co. F, 115th N.Y.Inf.; enl. 1862; died of disease while 
in Army Square hospital, Washington, D. C, Dec. 21, 1802. 



Thomas Smith, priv., 30th N.Y.Inf.; enl. 1861 ; pro. to 1st lieut.; re-en 1. as 
capt. in 2d Vet. Cav. ; disch. with the regiment ; died, since the war, of con- 
sumption contracted while in the service. 

Joel Taylor, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 18G2; disch. with the regiment; 
living in the west. 

James Turner, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; disch. with the regi- 
ment ; living at Jessup's Landing. 

Reuben Varney, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; captured at Harper's 
Ferry ; paroled. 

Alexander Walker, priv., 30th N.Y.Inf.; enl. 1861; pro. to color sergt., and 
riddled with bullets; fell on the field of Antietam, Md. ^ 

David L. Walker, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; re-enl. 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; 
disch. at close of the war; living at Jessup's Landing. 

Epaphroditas Walker, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1S61; re-enl. 2d N. Y. Vet. 
Cav.; disch. at close of the war; living at Jessup's Landing. 

Romaine Walker, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; re-enl. 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. . 
disch. at close of the war; living at Jessup's Landing. 

Lloyd Wesson, priv., Co. F, 115th N. Y. Inf ; enl. 1862; killed at Olustoe, Fla. 

Benj. Wheaton, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1^02; disch. with the regi- 
ment; died in Corinth since the war. 

Emory J. White, priv., 2d N. Vet. Cav. ; enl. 1863 ; disch. with the regiment ; 
died since the war. 

Myron W. Wilcox, priv. ; enl. 1861 ; trans, to medical department ; disch. with 
the regiment; living in the west. 

Hamilton B. Woodcock, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862; disch. for disability 
on account of wounds ; living in Greenfield. 

Henry J. Woodcock, priv., Co. G, llSth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; disch. with the 
regiment; living at Argyle, Washington county. 

Hiram Woodcock, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1862 ; died at Lake City, 
Fla., March 3, 1804, of wounds received at Olustee, Fla. 

Jesse F. Wood, priv. ; enl. 1861 ; disch. with the regiment ; died since the war. 

Wm. Woodward, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; killed in battle. 

Uriah Young, priv., Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; killed in battle. 

During the war the town of Corinth assisted the needy 
families of several volunteers, paying them from $1.50 to 
$3 per week. 



400 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 




Photo, by Baker & Record, Saratoga Springs. 




NATHANIEL M. HOUGHTON 

was born in Corinth, Saratoga Co., on the 23d of January, 
181G. His father was a native of Worcester, Mass., a 
farmer and stock-dealer. His mother, whose maiden name 
was Mitchell, was bora and reared in Proctorsville, Vt. 
His early educational advantages were very limited, — in 
fact, nothing but the energies of an educated mother ena- 
bled him to overcome the difficulties then existing, in the 
midst of small means and consequent discourasiements ; but 
with ambition unrivaled he obtained not only a common 
school education, fitting him for a teacher in districts about 
the town at eighteen, but subsequently, at about twenty- 
four, commenced the study of medicine with his uncle. Dr. 
Mitchell, completing the same in Castleton Medical College, 
of Vermont, from which he graduated in 1843. He then 
settled in his native town, where he practiced as a physi- 
cian for many years with marked success ; but alas ! his 
constitution was not adequate to the unceasing labors of a 
country practice, and ten years brought impaired health, 
compelling him to relinquish his chosen life-work. After 
recuperating suiBciently, he entered with the same zeal into 
the laborious life of lumbering and farming. Much might 
be said of his management iu both callings instructive and 
admonitory to the present and rising generation, viz., that to 
succeed one cannot leave business to itself, but in all points 



integrity and perseverance will bring the possessor its reward. 
His rye-field of sixty acres that waves in the breeze to-day, 
which, his friends tell him, is the pride of the county, came 
not by chance, but by well-directed labor and careful cultiva- 
tion. If in the panic that has visited this land his coifers 
are not well filled, many have found employment in his 
timber lands that had elsewhere sought for work without 
effect. And we find the subject of this sketch wearing 
his sixty years lightly. He has a jovial face and over- 
flowing vivacity of spirits in abundance. In 1846 he mar- 
ried Christy Dayton, who is still living. Of his family, 
one daughter married Rev. George Craig, yet living. Dr. 
N. M. Houghton's life has been a successful one. 

Dr. Houghton was a Whig until the organization of the 
Republican party, and has since been a firm and uncompro- 
mising Republican. Being always active and thoroughly 
reliable in his political attachments, he has fi-equently been 
selected to fill important offices. He has held the office of 
superintendent of schools of hb town four or five times, 
and has also been supervisor at different times. He at 
present holds that office. He has represented his district 
four times as member of Assembly, his majorities ranging 
from nine hundred and sixty-nine to fourteen hundred and 
thirty in 1862-63 and 1872 and 1874. His course in the 
Assembly has been exceedingly satisfactory to his constitu- 
ents, by whom he is held in the highest regard. 



NORTHUMBERLAND. 



I.— GEOGRAl'HICAL POSITION. 

The town lies upon the Hudson river northeast from 
the centre of the county. It is bounded north by Moreau, 
east by the county line, .south by Saratoga, west by Wilton. 
It contains fifteen thousand and two acres of improved land, 
four thousand four hundred and thirty-nine of unimproved, 
and of this last amount two thousand nine hundred and 
twenty-four are woodland. The population in 1S75 was 
sixteen hundred and twenty-two. It is wholly within the 
Kayadrossera patent. 

For the purpo.se of convenient reference we include the 
following legal description of the town and the definition 
of its boundary lines, as given in the revised statutes of the 
State. 

**Tbc town of Nortfnimbiirhntd sliall contiiiu ail that part of said 
county beginning in the cast bounds of the county, at an easterly 
continuation of tlie north bounds of lot number four, in the twentietli 
general allotment of the patent of Kayadrossera, and running thence 
westerly in the direction of said north bounds the distance of livje 
miles and tifty-thrce rods from the west bank of Hudson's river ; then 
southerly one degree east to the north bounds of the tenth allotment 
of said patent : then east along the same and continuation thereof 
to the bounds of the county j and then northerly along the same to 
place of beginning." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

A line of clay and slate bluffs thirty to one hundred feet 
high extends along the river. Snoek Kill and its tributary, 
the Beaver Dam creek, are the principal streams, fed by 
smaller rivulets. The Beaver Dam creek forms a singular 
natural boundary between the clay and slate soils of the 
eastern portion and the light sandy loam of the west. This 
creek derives its name from the beaver dams found along 
its course in early times. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

As early as the year 17G5, James Brisbin, a native of 
Scotland, came to what is now Northumberland, then Sara- 
toga, and settled about one and a half miles westerly of 
Fort Miller, towards Bacon Hill. Ilis fir.sfc wife had died 
in Scotland, and his two sons born there, William and 
Samuel, about the same time settled in what is now Wil- 
ton, in the Laing neighborhood. James Brisbin for his 
second wife married in Scotland Margaret Carruth, a some- 
what remarkable woman. By her he had the following- 
named children: Margaret C., died in Scotland; Elizabeth; 
John, who settled in Old Saratoga in 1771 ; Margaret, 
who married Conrad Cramer; Carruth; James, who married 
Mary Taylor, of Argyle, Washington Co.; Robert, the an- 
cestor of Sheriff Brisbin ; and Jane. 

Hugh Monro was al.so a pioneer before the Revolution, 
at what is now Gansevoort. He made, in 1705, a small 
51 



opening in the forest, buijt a log house, and erected a saw- 
mill. This Wits at the creek, near the site of the present 
unused woolen-factory. Whatever there was of a settle- 
ment in that section in those early times, and for many 
years later, was at that point, and not at the present rail- 
road station. There is still seen the building used as a 
law-ofiice by Judge Esek Cowen when associated with Gan- 
sevoort, in 1808. 

Mr. Monro, adhering to the English crown in the open- 
ing of the Revolutionary war, found it convenient to remove 
to Canada, and never returned to this place. 

On the river a Mr. Graham, of whose history or settle- 
ment we can obtain but little account, had purchased the 
farm now owned by Samuel Thompson before the Revolu- 
tion, cleared a small portion of the farm, and erected a 
house. This was burned by the scouts of Burgoyne's army 
in the campaign of 1777. Just what year Mr. Graham 
settled in this town is difficult to be determined. 

It is pretty certain, too, that John Mahawny was in 
this "town before the Revolutionary war, as early as 1770. 
His farm was the one now known as the Stephens place. 
This fact is all that we have obtained concerning his set- 
tlement. 

On the authority of Mrs. Metcalf, of Schuylerville, a.s 
well as of Abram Marshall and others, who are very likely 
to be correct on these matters, it is believed that Archibald 
McNeil was the first settler at the jiresent village of North- 
umberland, probably as early as the Revolutionary struggle. 
He was a gentleman of wealth and leisure, from Boston, 
Ma,ss., and lived in the style his means permitted. His 
house was a little below the old hotel called the Richards 
House, and on the other side of the road. 

The pioneer family of Vandewcrkers were also here 
before the war, perhaps for some years. This is rendered 
evident by the positive statements of Mrs. Metcalf, before 
alluded to, who, with her father, Mr. Van Tuyl, came to 
Northumberland in 1803. Mrs. Jletcalf .states that Mrs. 
Vandewcrker had often talked over in their house the 
dangers she and her family had passed through during the 
war, when the fear of the .scalping-knife and the tomahawk 
invaded every pioneer's home. She was often obliged to 
take her children across the river and hide them in the 
woods for safety. This Vandewcrker homestead was near 
the river, about two miles above Northumberland village. 
In going across the river for safety it is probable Mrs. Van- 
dewcrker went to her father's family at the I'eepin Pass, 
near Bald mountain. 

Isaac B. Payne was also here before the war, and lived 
nearly opposite the moutii of Moses Kill ; Stephen Payne 
and Nathan Payne a little farther north. There were four 
other brothers, Noah, Samuel, John, and Benjamin ; per- 

401 



402 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



baps these were all in or near this same neighborhood. 
Some of them on the other side of the river. 

In 1772 three brothers and a brother-in-law, Wynant 
Vandenburg, John Vandenburg, Cornelius Vandenburg, 
and Peter Winney, bought sixteen hundred acres of 
land, with a saw- and grist-mill already built. The first 
was at the upper falls, opposite Fort Miller village, where 
Harris' saw-mill now stands, and the grist-mill was at the 
lower falls. It is not ascertained who erected these mills, 
but they must have been built about the same time as 
Monroe's, or perhaps earlier. The Vandenburgs paid 
$2000 for the sixteen hundred acres. They came with 
their families in the fall of 1772, and Wynant built a log 
cabin on what is now the farm of Widow Harris. The 
next year he built a frame house. The location of the 
other three homes is not exactly ascertained. Here they 
endured the perils and anxieties of the opening war, added 
to the hardships incident to a new home in the thick forest. 
In 1777, Wynant Vandenburg and family went to Albany 
for safety, as very likely the other families did. Even after 
the defeat of Burgoyne it was difficult to live here with 
safety until the peace of 1783. 

The McCrea family, in which John and Jcanie are the 
ones principally remembered, settled before the Revolution, 
on the river, in the neighborhood of the Paynes. 

The murder of Jeanie by the Indian.s at Fort Edward, 
and the service of John in the Revolutionary army, render 
their names noted in history. 

These are about all the names that we have authenticated 
as residents within the present limits of Northumberland 
before the war. Further settlement was prevented by the 
seven years' struggle, and it was not till after the peace of 
17S3 that new settlers began to venture in. 

In 1785, James McCreedy and John Terhune, of Fish- 
kill, came into this county, and selected a tract of two hun- 
dred acres, purchased of a Mr. Campbell, in Schenectady. 
To reacli their farms they were obliged to cut a road a part 
of the way from the river. Taking an old path as a conve- 
nient line of division for their land, it left one one hundred 
and four acres, the other ninety-six. Mr. McCreedy settled 
where Abram Marshall now lives, and IMr. Terhune on the 
present Dodd farm. They had become informed about 
this section of country during the war. The McCreedy 
family has a war record surpassed by few or none. James 
McCreedy, his father, and grandfixthcr, were all in the 
American army during the Revolution. 

William McCreedy, .son of James McCreedy, now living 
in Schuylerville at an advanced age, from whom we have ob- 
tained many facts in the history of Northumberland, was in 
the army during the War of 1812, and three brothers, — 
Jeremiah, Gamaliel, and Charles. The last named wa.s a 
surgeon, and was drowned in Bcston harbor by the cap- 
sizing of a sail-boat while in the service. The name of 
McCreedy appears again upon the rolls of the vast army 
that went to the field of battle in 1861, to preserve the free 
institutions established by the Revolutionary struggle, and 
safely rescued from danger in 1812. William McCreedy 
had one sou in this war, making five successive generations 
who Ibught in defense of their country. 

John Terhune had also been in the American service 



during the war. He was a brother-in-law of James Mc- 
Creedy. He left three sons, — John, Albert, and Jeremiah. 
The last named was an adjutant in the War of 1812, and 
his son James was also a volunteer in the War of 1861 
-65. 

Other early settlers followed soon after. In 1807 or 
1808, Philip G. Viele and Richard Burt moved in. Mr. 
Burt settled somewhat below the falls at Fort Miller, and 
erected mills. Mr. Viele settled on what has since been 
known as the Albert Terhune farm, north of Bacon hill, 
and a mile west of the river. He came from Schaghti- 
coke, and was a blacksmith. He was a stout, heavy-built 
man, six feet in height, weighing two hundred and forty. 
When six Tories attacked him in his own shop at Schaghti- 
coke, he drew himself up against the side of the shop and, 
sledge-hammer in hand, defied them. As death was certain 
to one of them, they desisted from the attack. But not long 
after, with the courage of cowards, they dragged him from 
his bed at midnight, put a rope around his neck, threw it 
over an apple-tree, and compelled him to take the oath of 
allegiance to save his life. On this account he went to 
Canada, to avoid further " unpleasantness." 

Lothrop Pope came in about the same time, and perhaps 
divides with Mr. Viele the honor of being the first black- 
smith. He located where Mr. Cramer now lives. He is 
remembered by many old people as being the principal 
blacksmith in town for many years. 

Joseph Palmer settled on the farm now owned by George 
Peck. He was a surveyor. Jared Palmer, for many years 
a town oflBcer, was the son of Joseph. 

Nicholas Vandenburg, supposed to be a brother of those 
already mentioned, moved to this town about the year 1790. 
He bought a farm next north of the sisteen-hundred-acre 
tract, the old pioneer homestead being where Nicholas 
Vandenburg, a grandson, now lives at Fort Miller. There 
have been three of the same name, — grandfather, father, 
and son. The father is yet living at the age of eighty- 
five. 

Samuel Lewis, just after the war, bought the farm, a 
part of which is now owned by his grandson, Samuel 
Thon)pson. As already mentioned, it was purchased of a 
Mr. (iraluun. A house upon the place had been burned 
by the British army. Mr. Lewis had been a lieutenant in 
the force under General Gansevoort at the siege of Fort 
Stanwix. He was the father of Professor Tayler Lewis, 
late of Schenectady. In the old school-house in this neigh- 
borhood the future professor eommeneed his education, and 
in his later years he delighted to return, enter the school- 
house with spelling-book in hand, and with enthusiasm re- 
new the precious early memories of childhood. There he 
learned to "j«/)se," a vigorous grammatical exercise, which 
he was wont to remind his college students in after-years 
could never be supplanted by any modern diluted so-called 
analysis. 

Captain Samuel Lewis, as the old pioneer was called, left 
three other sons, — General Samuel Lewis, late of Gansevoort ; 
John Lewis, of Wisconsin ; and Morgan Lewis, still living 
at Gansevoort. In the War of 1812 the old captain sent 
his teams with loads of soldiers to Whitehall, at his own 
expense, not having learned the modern art of drawing 






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a'v> V, .,, - 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



403 



heavy bills on the government. A hired man walked out 
of the field one day to join the companies passing for 
Plattsburg. The captain took down the old Rovolutionaiy 
musket, gave it to him, saying, " Take it, but don't dishonor 
it; your time goes on, sir, in my employ while you are 
gone." 

About the close of the war General Peter Gansevoort 
bought tlie old Monroe property, sold by the State under 
the act of confiscation, and thenceforward his name and 
family became identified with all that section of country. 
General Gansevoort had been in the military service, — was 
in command of Fort Stanwix during the siege it suffered in 
the summer of 1777. The Gansevoorts resided at Albany, 
and the hotel built and still owned by the family was called 
Stanwix Hall, in memory of the old fort at Rome. The 
house Peter Gansevoort built upon his purchase in North- 
umberland is still standing, — a steep-roofed old building, 
recently repaired, — a little south of Gan.sevoort station, near 
the mill. The larger residence, known as the Gansevoort 
mansion, was built by Herman Gansevoort, .son of the gen- 
eral, and him.self having the same title in the militia. By 
subsequent purchases added to the original property, the 
estate of the Gansevoorts embraced a large tract of territory . 
in the northwest part of the town. It has been disposed of 
in later years until only about sixty acres remain in connec- 
tion with the mansion. There arc some other separate tracts 
in the vicinity. On coming in here, Peter Gansevoort found 
the irons of the old Monroe mill hid in the woods, and they 
were used in building the new mills. Soon after taking 
po.ssession. General Gansevoort cut out and made a road 
from the Hudson, near Fort Miller, to his new home in the 
forest. He made his new possessions in the woods his sum- 
mer residence, only returning in the winter season to his 
residence in the city of Albany. 

From 1790 to 1800 the following additional p'oneers 
found their way into this town : James Gamble, settled on 
the present farm of Sidney Thompson ; James Cramer, a 
little west of Lothrop Pope, where Hiram Cramer after- 
wards lived ; Mr. Buel, in the same neighborhood. 

Ebenezer Bacon came from Connecticut in 1794, and 
settled at the place which has for many years been known 
by his name, " Bacon Hill." He opened a tavern and also 
a store, and it became a large business place for many years, 
down to the opening of the canal. This finally diverted 
trade to the river at Northumberland and Sehuylerville. 
Bacon's store was probably the first in town. Daniel Viele 
states that he has seen thirty teams at a time stopping at 
Bacon Hill, indicating a large business. The timbers taken 
from the old Bacon store are in the wagun-house of Mr. 
Fake, and the old tavern is the present dwelling-house of 
Mr. Pettis. 

Reed Lewis settled at Bacon Hill perhaps a little later 
than 1800. He married a daughter of Ebenezer Bacon ; 
was a .saddler and harness-maker. A daughter of Reed 
Lewis became the wife of Mr. Fake. 

The sons of Ebenezer Bacon .settled at Ogdensburg and 
Prescott. 

Evert Waldron was an early settler at Bacon Hill ; was 
a blacksmith. He afterwards moved farther north, opposite 
Fort Miller, but back from the river a mile or more. 



Mr. Bradt bought the farm now owned by Charles Burt. 
The old house was near two apple-trees. On this farm is 
an old burial-ground. 

In the northeast part of the town quite a New Jersey 
colony settled. Sidney Berry, near the Moreau line, on 
the Doty farm. Nevins, on the farm still known by his 
name. Craig, where Isaac Woodworth now lives. To 
these should be added, as from New Jersey, the Paynes, 
already settled before the RcvTjlution, and the McCrea 
family. 

William Copeland settled on the Baker place, the first 
house being built on the .site of the present one. He mar- 
ried a daughter of Captain Palmer. 

Thomas Hartwell was the pioneer in the school district 
now known as Brownsville. 

John Hammond was also another pioneer about the year 
1790. He settled on the Mulford farm, between Northum- 
berland village and Bacon Hill. 

Sidney Berry, mentioned above, was a very prominent 
citizen of the town in the early years of its history. Ho 
was often called to official positions, as the civil lists of this 
volume will elsewhere show. His daughter Betsey married 
for her first husband James, the second son of General 
Thomas Rogers. James Rogers died in 1810, at the age 
of thirty-one ; and for her second husband his widow mar- 
ried Judge Esek Cowen, then a rising young lawyer of 
Gansevoort. 

After the Revolution John De Monts settled just above 
Fort Miller ; kept a store there, doing a large business in 
lumbering. He kept a ferry, long called after him De 
Monts' ferry. 

The first store was probably Alexander Bacon's, at Bacon 
Hill. The second was by Charles Carpenter, at Northum- 
berland village. This was about 1800. His store was 
burned in 1811. A large number of men gathered to assist 
in subduing the fire, and it is related that Mr. Carpenter 
rolled out a barrel of rum, and directed his friends to help 
themselves. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Tuyl, of New York, opened a store 
wlicre the union store is now located, — the same building, 
somewhat remodeled. He brought with him a piano, the 
first it is believed in the county. This instrument was a 
source of great astonishment to some of the early settlers, 
who used to call at the house of the New York merchant, 
and listen to Yankee Doodle drawn from a box. Jonas 
Olmstead was also an early merchant. 

At Gansevoort, Morgan Lewis opened the first store in 
1831 or '32. The mills have already been alluded to in 
speaking of the early settlers, and it is diificult to decide 
whether the Monroe mill or those on the Vandenburg pur- 
chase were the first. North of Gansevoort on the Snoek 
Kill was a saw-mill, long since abandoned. 

A son of Dr. Elisha Miller, of Ballston, settled in North- 
umberland in 1804. The same place is now owned by 
John Miller. He states that the earliest town-meetings of 
Northumberland were held at the house of John Palmer, 
on the ridge, a little west, this being a convenient point 
while the town of Wilton belonged to Northumberland. 
On the west of this ridge a cannon-ball was plowed up in 
early years. And there is a tradition that a solitary settler 



404 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



lived on this hill before the Revolution, as early or earlier 
than Monroe at Gansevoort. 

The law firm of Cowen and Gansevoort was established 
at Gansevoort in 1807 or 1808. Their office was the pres- 
ent residence of Judith Hurd. In 1803, John Metcalf and 
William Metealf, lawyers, settled at Northumberland vil- 
lage. Their practice extended northward to Sandy Hill, 
and they were long prominent lawyers there. These two 
law-offices, on opposite sides of the town, were on the lines 
of two great routes of travel north and south. That young 
lawyers of after-eminence in their profession settled at these 
points shows how comparatively unimportant at that time 
were Saratoga Springs and Baliston, and how great are the 
changes wrought in a country by the unexpected growth at 
one point and the consequent abandonment of another. 
Compare Gansevoort Mills now with the present village of 
Saratoga Springs, and it vecjuires some study of history to 
see why Judge Cowen lue.itcd at the one rather than the 
other. 

Early physicians in town were Dr. Collins, Dr. Reynolds, 
and Dr. Jesse Billings. Jesse Billings, Jr., and the third 
of the same name in direct line, has been a successful boat- 
builder at Northumberland village, and is now erecting a 
fine building for a bank. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

No special reason is assigned by the citizens of this town 
for the adoption of this name. Who had the honor of pro- 
posing it seems to be uncertain. How the different na- 
tionalities represented by the Mac's and the Van's, with the 
plentiful infusion of Yankees, compromised on the ponder- 
ous but substantial English name of Northumberland, is 
one of the unsolved problems of history. 

The town was formed from Saratoga, March 15, 1798. 
It included at that time the present towns of Moreau, Wil- 
ton, and a part of Hadley. The last was taken off in 1801 ; 
Moreau, in 1805 ; and Wilton in 1818. Colonel Sidney 
Berry was elected the first supervisor, and re-elected in 
1799. His place was the Doty farm, in the extreme north- 
east corner of the town. The records of the first and 
second town-meetings are not in the office of the clerk, and 
we are unable to give their proceedings, or the place where 
they were held, except as to the election of supervisors, 
which is obtained from the county records. At the town- 
meeting of 1800, Jared Palmer was chosen supervisor, and 
he continued to hold that office for seven consecutive years. 
The town clerk of 1800 was Thomas Laing, and he held 
this office three years. In 1803, Herman Gansevoort was 
chosen town clerk, and held the office three years. After 
being retired one year from the responsibilities of this 
office, he was advanced to the office of supervisor, and held 
that four years in succession. The collector of 1800 was 
Eber Lewis. 

A few items of interest are taken from the records in the 
town clerk's office: Oct. 30, 1805, Isaac B. Payne records 
the birth of " a male child, a slave, born in Northumberland, 
and called by the name of Frank, the property of the sub- 
scriber." In 1808, Thomas Laing records his mark for 
sheep, " a square crop off the right ear." Timothy Bishop 
advertises " a dark brindlc steer, with no natural or artificial 



mark," as having come into his inclosure. Among these 
other stock notices, Isaac Vandewerker inserts the follow- 
ing : " I do hereby certify that my black woman, a slave, 
had a female child born Sept. 20, 1807, named Silvia." 

In 1803 the bounty on wolves was §25. Afterwards it 
was reduced to $10, and was discontinued in 1808. After 
the town of Moreau was set off there is recorded a set- 
tlement between the two towns as to the support of the 
poor. The whole number of town-poor was found to be 
iKo, and the matter was very easily adjusted by assign- 
ing one to each town. Names of jurors entered in the 
records of 1 808 are John Collins, physician ; William 
Metealf, attorney ; David Killicut, Philip Mauger, Robert 
McGregor, Hosea Olney, John Newton, Seth Pope, Abra- 
ham Rouse, and Edmund Whitehead, farmers. 

The names of several justices of the peace appear in the 
oaths of various town officers. Thomas Laing and Jona- 
than Hawley, in 1801 ; Epenetus White, Seth Peri-y, and 
Harvey Granger, in 1808; Herman Gansevoort, in 1804. 
Thomas Laing and Jared Palmer were commissioners of 
excise in 1801. 

We select one tax-roll fifty years ago, 1827, as drawing 
a sharp contrast with the present wealth of the town. The 
amount of the taxable property assessed was $249,713, 
and the amount of taxes $560.28. The highest ten tax- 
payers were Herman Gansevoort, $61.38; Fort Miller 
bridge company, $19.57; Conrad Cramer, $16.80; Isaac 
B. Payne, $13.44 ; James Cramer, $10.75 ; John Garri- 
.soh, $10.44 ; John Burt, $10.18 ; Nioholas Palmer, $7.99 ; 
Russell Burt, $7.72 ; John Metealf, $7.17. lu some early 
years, however, the taxes were much heavier. In 1819 
they were $1340.74 ; in 1820, $914.21. Philip Schuyler 
was assessed for an island in the Hudson river, sixty-nine 
acres, $800. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



Town Clerks. 



Cullectors 



Thomas Laing. 



Eber Lewis. 



" " John Shing, 

Herm'n Gansevuort. Caleb Burrows. 



Supervisors. 
1798. Sidney Berry. 
1799. 
ISnO. Jared Palmer. 

1501. " " 

1502. " " 

1503. " " 

1804. " " " " " 

1805. " " " " Corruth Brisbin. 

1806. " ** Dudley Emerson. Thomas Carpenter. 

1807. Hgrm'n Gansevoort. James Cramer. Kichard Burt. 

1808. " " Ephraim Browncll. Seth Pope. 

1809. " " " " Peter Angle. 
ISIO. " " Daniel Ilicks. Jabcz Read. 

1811. Isaac B. Payne. Reed Lewis. John Durmont. 

1812. " " " " John Chadwick. 

1813. " " " " Jeremiah Terhune. 

1814. John Metealf. " " Jabez Reed. 
181,'). Herm'n Gansevoort. Daniel Hicks. J.ames Scidraore. 
ISIG. Daniel Hicks. I. Vandewerker. " " 

1817. Jonas Olmslead. John Metealf. Jabez Reed. 

1818. John Metealf. Henry Reynolds. Peter Laing. 

1819. " " Jas. Vandewerker. Hugh Thompson. 

1820. James Cramer. Thomas Ilowland. Pardon Elms. 

1821. " " " " Samuel Chapman. 

1822. " " " " Pasley Laing. 
182.'!. Nathan'l McCIelbn. Pasley Laing. John Caplin. 
1824. 

182,5. Thomas Howlan.l. " " Peter Jordan. 

1S2B. " " " " John Buvke. 

1827. " " " " George Guy. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



405 



1828. 

1829. 

1830. 

1831. 

18.32. 

1833. 

1834. 

1835. 

1836. 

1837. 

1838, 

1839. 

184fl. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

1851. 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

1855. 

1856. 

1857. 

1858. 

1859. 

1860. 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

1868. 

1S69. 

1870. 

1871. 

1872. 

1873. 

1874. 

1875. 

1876. 

1877. 

1878. 



Suporvisora. 
Jas. Vnndewcrkcr. 
Pasley Laing. 



Thomas Ilowlaml. 
.Tcsse Cillings. 
Hijrm'n (Tansevoort. 
Conrad ('ramer. 
Sidiu'y Thomiisou. 
Conrad Cramer. 
Thomas Howland. 
Hugh Thompson. 
Piatt C. Viele. 
Joseph Baucus. 

H It 

George Lansing 
Angus's H. Pearsall. 
Walter Doty, 
.lohn R. Fake. 
David Puriuton. 
John Terhune. 
David Purinton. 

ti n 

Joseph Baucus. 

Earl H. Whitford. 
J. H. Thompson. 
R. F. Houseworth. 
Harlow Lawrence. 
Hiram Cramer. 
Joseph Baucus. 

(t it 

It It 

ti tt 

tt tt 

Hiram Cramer. 

tt it 

Harlow Lawrence. 

tt ti 

A\cx. B. Baucus. 



William Tice. 
George Washburne. 
Alex. B. Baucus. 
Edwin W. Town. 
Alex. B. Baucus. 
Daniel H. Deyoc. 
J. 11. Vandewcrker. 



Town Clerks. 
Ellery Ketchum. 
Lothrop Pope, Jr. 
Nathan'l McClellan. 

John Terhuno, Jr. 
Charles N. Becbc. 
John Terhune, Jr. 
Charles N. Beebe. 
it it 

Augus's 11. Pearsall. 



.Jonathan Howland. 
Thomas Wilkinson. 
Hilyard Brown. 
John R. Fake. 
tt tt 

I. Vandewerkor. 
George Washburnc. 
ti it 

J. R. Vandewcrker. 

U ti 

Isaac P. Velzy. 

John R. Fake. 

H. Thompson (2d). 

Stephen 0. Burt. 
it it 

John Chapman. 

James M. Terhune. 
Derick Putfin. 
Harlow Lawrence. 
Marshall Rice. 
Edwin W. Town. 

a tl 

J. Vandewcrker. 
Charles R. Burt. 
C. M. Velsey. 
Moses N. Newell. 
P. B. Thompson. 

Orville B. Pcttit. 
Albert B. Burger. 
Alpheus Dabis. 
James E. Bennett. 
Orville D. Pettit. 
Sanders Lansing. 
William H. Palmer. 
James H. Chapman, 

it It 

Wm. H. Palmer. 



Collectors. 


1858 


George Guy. 


1859 


it it 


1860 


John Burke. 


1861 


George Guy. 


1862 


Lemuel Eldridge. 


1863 


John Burke. 




Lemuel Eldridgo. 


1864 


Jacob G. Ball. 


1865 


Solomon Hartwcll. 


1866 


John Burke. 


1867 


Solomon Hartwell. 


1868 


Richard Hagadorn. 




Edward Raymond. 




William Bobbins. 


T 



AVjnant De Garmo. 
Nathaniel White. 
Jonathan Brown. 
Nathaniel White. 
M. M. AVoodworth. 
Isaac P. Bemus. 
M. M. Woodworth. 
Martin Gifford. 
Egbert B. Losee. 
Martin J. Gifford. 
M. M. Woodworth, 
Egbert B. Losee. 

James H. Johnston, 
II. P. Woodworth. 
ft it 

Ami Palmer. 
Jeduthun Ilurd. 
Henry S. Freeman. 
it (( 

William Wood. 
Edward Van Order. 
John A. Palmer. 
Edward Van Order. 
Ilawley Ransom. 
Isaac II. Wilson. 
Elijah Sweet. 

Hawlcy Ransom. 
John A. Palmer. 

D. Vandewcrker. 
, John Grey. 

it li 

Stephen H. Morey. 
Wilson Fuller. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



18.30. 


Jesse Billings. 


1843. 


1831. 


Reed Lewis. 
Samuel Lewis. 


1844. 




Nath.aniel McClellan. 


1845. 


1832. 


Hugh Thompson. 


1846. 




William Velsey. 


1847. 


1833. 


Charles More. 


1848. 


1834. 


Abram Marshall. 




1835. 


.Jonathan Howland. 


1849. 


1836. 


Hugh Thompson. 




1837. 


Alexander Fullerton. 


1850 


1838. 


Pasley Laing. 






Winants V. D. Walker. 


1851 




Joseph Baucus. 


1852 


1839. 


Charles T. Fullerton. 


1853 


1840. 


John R. McGregor. 


1854 




.Tason Livcrmore. 


1855 




Thomas Howland. 


1856 


1841 


.Joseph Baucus. 


1857 


1842 


Thomas Howland. 





Charles T. Fullerton. 

John Metcalf. 

Jonas Olmstead. 

Mayhew Rice. 

Jonas Olmstead. 

Charles T. Fullerton. 

Richard English. 

Abrara Marshall. 

Mayhew Rice. 

Joseph Baucus. 

Robinson F. Houseworth. 

Benjamin Durham. 

George Washburn. 

William D. Laing. 
, Jeremiah Vandewcrker. 
, Mayhew Rice. 
, Abram Marshall. 
, Joseph Baucus. 
. Vincent Vandewcrker. 

Robinson F. Houseworth. 



Mayhew Rice. 
Abram Marshall. 
Robinson F. Houseworth. 
Harlow Lawrence. 
Mayhew Rice. 
George Washburn. 
Egbert B. Losee. 
Abram Marshall. 
Harlow Lawrence. 
Philip H. Lasher. 
George Washburn. 
Samuel Lewis. 



1869. 

1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877, 
1878, 



Harlow Lawrence. 
Abram Marshall. 
William D. Laing. 
George Washburn. 
Samuel Lewis. 
James V. Snyder. 
William D. Laing. 
George Washburn. 
Harlow Lawrence. 
James V. Snyder. 
Samuel Thompson. 



v.— VILLAGES. 

The villages of Bacon Hill and Gansevoort arc named 
from the well-known pioneers. Northumberland village in 
later years is known by the name of Fort Miller Bridge, 
from the fact that the river must be crossed at that point 
to reach Fort Miller village, three miles above. A bridge 
at this point was first erected by a company in 1803. The 
present bridge was built in 1845. The canal at this point 
crosses from the west to the east side of the river. Several 
unsuccessful attempts have been made to secure a charter 
for a bridge at Fort Miller. 

The village of Bacon Hill was known as Pope's Corners, 
and was also called " Fiddletown" in old times. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

An early teacher remembered by the old people in the 
town was Frazier, who seems to have taught for several 
years. The school system of Northumberland, like that of 
others, was organized under the act of 1813, while as yet 
Wilton was a part of the town. 

John Metcalf, Robert McGregor, an early settler men- 
tioned in the history of the town of Wilton, and Isaac B. 
Payne, were school commissioners in the early years. They 
gave much of their time and thought, and were largely 
instrumental in organizing districts, harmonizing conflicting 
interests, laying broad and deep the foundation of that 
system of common schools which has furnished for the 
children of successive generations not only the elements 
of an ordinary education, but developed many men of 
ability and distinguished culture. 

COMMISSIONEES' APPORTIONMENT, MARCH, 1878. 





Ill 


0) 


8 = 


O 

is 


>i 


if 

c 
o 




u o £ 


ce 5 


>> - 


>.s 


<L> 


















District. 




§3 


m 

m 


■==S 

Pi 


o 

s 
s 

13 


3 


No. 1 


32 


$52.14 


$22.01 


$24.88 


$1.07 


$100.10 


" 2 


52 


52.14 


36.76 


46.76 


1.73 


136..39 


" 3 


23 


52.14 


15.82 


13.55 


77 


82.28 


" 4 


50 


52.14 


34.39 


55.75 


1.67 


143.95 


" 5 


24 


52.14 


1(1,61 


15.72 


80 


85.17 


" 6 


108 


52.14 


74.28 


52.98 


3.60 


183.00 


" 7 


30 


52.14 


20.-63 


19.44 


1.00 


93.21 


" 8 


47 


52.14 


32.33 


35.58 


1.57 


121.62 


" 9 


26 


52.14 


17.88 


13.54 


87 


84.43 


" 10 


39 


52.14 


26.82 


48.62 


1..30 


128.88 


" 11 


37 


52.14 


25.45 


20.63 


1.23 


94.45 


" 12 


26 
494 


52.14 
.$625.68 


17.88 
$339.76 


25.22 
$372.67 


87 


96.11 




$16.48 


$1354.59 



406 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Vir.— CHURCHES. 
THE REFORMED CHURCH OF NORTHUMBERLAND 

was a branch of the old pioneer church at Schuylerville. 
Tlie citizens of Northumberland were very largely attracted 
to the faith and order of that church, but many of them 
were so far from the house of woi'ship that they found it a 
matter of convenience to have meetings nearer home. 
Accordingly, Philip Duryea, the old pastor, used to preach 
at Bacon Hill at intervals. Out of these meetings grew 
the necessity of a house. The records of the church of 
Schuylerville show that the consistory, at the time the old 
pioneer liouse was falling into decay, resolved that it was 
advisable to build two houses. There is a little disagree- 
ment of dates, as the action of the Schuylerville church 
was taken Feb. 7, 1821, whereas the first preliminary 
gathering for organizing a church at Bacon Hill is recorded 
as having been held in " the meeting-house," Nov. 30, 
1820. However this may be, the meeting at Bacon Hill 
petitioned the classis of Washington, setting forth the 
facts in the case. The classis responded favorably, and 
convened at Bacon Hill to institute the church. The pre- 
liminary meeting was presided over by Jonas Olnistead, and 
John Metcalf acted as secretary. At the institution of the 
church John Terhune and Carruth Brisbiu were ordained 
elders, and Andrew Johnson and Jonas Olmstead deacons. 
At a church-meeting soon after a call was voted to Rev. 
Philip Duryea to preach half of the time in connection 
with the church of Schuylerville. For this he was to be 
paid $225 cash and $25 labor and wood. The total num- 
ber of members admitted before 1832 was one hundred and 
twenty-eight. The statistics, May 1, 1833, were fifty-four 
families, si.xty-four members, congregation about one hun- 
dred and seventy. Jonas Olmstead remained clerk for 
many years. In the year 1833, John R. Vandewerker 
and Andrew Johnson were chosen ciders, and Russell Burt 
and Abram Marshall deacons. The present officers of the 
church are Abram Marshall, J. H. Thompson, John R. 
Vandewerker, James H. Deyoe, elders; John Marshall, 
Alonzo Johnson, Stephen J. Burt, Daniel S. Deyoe, deacons. 
Abram Marshall is clerk and treasurer, and has served in 
that capacity for more than twenty-five years. The suc- 
cessive ministers of this church have been Philip Duryea, 
Hugh Mair, D.D., Cornelius Wyckoff, Iliram Slauson, 
Polhemus Van Wyck, George McCartney, Josiah Markle, 
Charles D. Kellogg, George Labagh, and the present p;istor, 
William H. Ford. The church is collecting its annual 
revenue by the envelope system, and its carefully-kept 
books are a .specimen of what may be done by any society 
when they are willing to work under a regular system. 
Hugh Mair, the second of the pastors mentioned, is the 
one to whom Prof Tayler Lewis pays so high a tribute in 
Sprague's " Annals of the American Pulpit." It is the old 
story of a pious, devoted, and educated pastor leading a 
young man of his congregation not only into a life of piety, 
but of high Christian culture. Through Hugh Mair's 
persistent urging Taylor Lewis began to study Hebrew, 
and became the profound scholar, the solid defender of the 
Christian faitli against all assaults. Without that pastor's 
labor he would doubtless have been content with simply that 



superficial education that may be obtained without the study 
of the classic languages of antiquity. 

The house of worship is neat and comfortable, appro- 
priate to the place and the congregation, much better than 
to be in debt for one of more elaborate and costly design. 

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF GANSEVOORT. 

The Reformed church of Gansevoort was established in 
1839, and the house was built the next year, the corner- 
stone having been laid in June, 1840. In the corner-stone 
are a hymn-book, a Bible, coins, and a copy of the Intelli- 
gencer, the newspaper organ of the denomination. It was 
dedicated Feb. 4, 1841, and is rather picturesquely situated 
west of the village, with ample grounds surrounding it. 
Its value was about $3000. 

The committee of the classis who assisted at the organi- 
zation, Sept. 13, 1839, were Rev. Wm. Wyckoff, Rev. 
Benjamin Van Zandt, and Elder Lewis Thompson. The 
first elders of the church were Elijah Merchant and James 
Folmsbee. The deacons, Reuben Billings and Edward 
Ham. The number of constituent members was seventeen. 
Rev. John Birkly, from England, was installed the first 
pastor at the time of the dedication. The successive min- 
isters since have been Rev. John Dubois, Rev. Henry Van 
Wyck, Rev. George McCarthy, Rev. IMr. Markle, Rev. 
Alexander Proudfit, Cornelius Van Sandford, Rev. P. Q. 
Wilson, Rev. R. N. Rockwell, and Rev. A. G. Cochran. 
The present officers are Gerrit Richlin, Morton J. Van- 
dewerker, and E. G. Losee, elders ; Harvey Hinnamon 
and Elisha Welch, deacons. A Sabbath-school was organ- 
ized early in the history of the church, and soon after a 
branch was formed at Brownsville. This was sustained 
largely by the devoted and self-sacrificing energies of the 
lamented Miss Augusta Melville. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF GANSEVOORT. 

In early times Methodist meetings were held at various 
private houses. The house of James McCreedy, as related 
by his son William, was one such point. This must have 
been from 1810 to 1820. The society at Gansevoort village 
dates from a much later period. The house of worship 
was erected in 1839, at a cost of about $1600; At that 
time the men most prominent in forming a society and 
building the church were Solomon Ilartwell, William 
Shurter, and Benjamin Welch. The house stands upon the 
main street of the village, a little north from the railroad 
station. 

These three constituted the churches of the town. In 
early times a Congregationalist church within the town of, 
Moreau received the support of the citizens in the north 
part of this town. The convenient location of villages in 
other towns not far from the limits of Northumberland se- 
cures for the churches there much aid as well as a fair at- 
tendance from this town. 

Vril.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

In early times there was little or no concentration in any 

one public burying-ground. The dead were buried hero 

and there as family association or convenience dictated. 

Daniel Vielc, who has been au old seiton for forty-five 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



407 



years, born on this side of the river but spending his life on 
the other, has given special attention to this subject, and 
he actually enumerates seventeim places of burial in the 
town of Northumberland: on the Nevins farm, the Harris 
farm, and the Finney farm ; the public cemetery at Bacon 
hill ; the new public cemetery at Gansevoort, and the older 
one ; burials south from Gansevoort, near Mr. Ballard's ; 
burials near Coffinger's and in the Welch neighborhood ; also 
on the Laing farm, the Houseworth farm, the Pope farm, 
the Burt farm, the Waldron farm, the Cramer farm, the 
farm of Isaac Vandowerkor, and the farm of Thomas Wil- 
liams. 

But life and death arc ever the same solemn realities, 
and the Christian pioneer committing his loved ones to 
their final earthly rest in these quiet and secluded places 
left them with confident faith in the bauds of the heavenly 
Father, who needs no monument to show where his children 
sleep. 

IX.— SOCIETIES. 

A Bible Society was organized in 1821. The first officers 
were John Craig, president; William Metcalf, secretary; 
Isaac B. Payne, Nathaniel McClellan, John R. Vande- 
werker, directors. 

The society has continued its work steadily from that 
time to this. The third secretary was Abram Marshall, 
who has acted in that capacity down to the present time. 
Indeed, Mr. Marshall seems to be a universal secretary for 
churches, societies, and lodges iu Northumberland. This 
Bible Society is not merely holding meeting for mutual en- 
joyment, interesting addresses, and elaborate reports. It 
shows actual work by remitting annually to the county 
society $75. 

Home Lodge, No. 398, of Free and Accepted jMasons, 
was organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge, dated 
June 28, A.L. 5856. The charter members were G. Purdy, 
Robert Waishburn, P. D. Esmond, H. Reynolds, M.l)., 
Jeremiah Terhune, John Terhune, John Buike, Payne K. 
Burt, George W. Lincoln, H. D. Curtiss, David D. Garmo. 
The first Master of the lodge was Gilbert Purdy ; the 
second, S. R. Lawrence. 

The present year, 1877, Abram Y. Rogers is Master, and 
Abram Marshall, Secretary. 

A lodge of Odd-Fellows also existed in the town for a 
few years. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

These arc not so numerous as in the towns below, and 
are to some extent overshadowed and unnoticed in view of 
the commanding importance of those in Saratoga and Still- 
water. Yet the western shore of the river in this town 
was the theatre of border warfare common to all this valley. 
If the larger armies did not make this side their principal 
route, yet scouting-parties in the various wars climbed 
these hills and threaded the valleys between them, a.s they 
watched with .sleepless vigilance the movements of greater 
I'urces. Two fording-places or perhaps ferries were proba- 
bly in U.SC far back in Queen Anne's time ; the one at 
Northumberland village, the other at the angle in the river 
just above Fort Jliller village, situated on the ea.st side of 
the river. 



To guard this latter ford. Colonel Miller, in 1755, built 
the fort that has been known ever since by his name, the 
name which has been appropriated by the village on the 
eastern shore. The river at this point makes a sharp bend, 
and the fort was erected on the point in the angle. The 
flat was thus protected on three sides by the river and a 
cove at the entrance of a small creek. It was further 
defended by a strong parapet of timber covered with earth, 
and with a ditch in front. This perhaps inclo.sed nearly 
an acre. Within the indosure store-houses were erected. 
From the southwe.stern angle of the fort an additional 
intrenchment was thrown up, extending diagonally to the 
river, a few rods below. In the southern portion of the 
fort there was an opening protected by this intrenchment, 
through which water could be brought from the river into 
the fort. The site of the fort is on the De Garmo farm, 
and some of the timber taken from it was used in the barn 
on that place, still standing. The supplementary intrench- 
ment extends upon the farm of Nicholas Vandenburg. On 
the wooded hill overlooking the fort are still to be seen the 
roads cut for military purposes, — Mr. Vandenburg in his 
farm-work still drawing grain along the same track that 
army material and army supplies were hauled a hundred 
and fifty years ago. On the bluff north of the little rivu- 
let was probably a block-house for still further protection. 

On the farm now owned by Samuel Thompson were the 
remains of a large brick oven, understood to have been 
used by Burgoyne's army. These were visible within the 
memory of 3Iorgan Lewis, of Gansevoort, whose birthplace 
was that farm. 

The place where the army of Burgoyne reached the west 
shore of the river, when they crossed to attack the Ameri- 
can position at Stillwater, is also within this town, on the 
farm of D. A. Bullard, Esq., marked by a deep excavation 
in the bank. 

On one of the hills just above Northumberland village 
there was also a small fort or block-house, adapted to tem- 
porary use by picket-guards and scouting-parties. Mr. 
Hammond, grandson of an early pioneer, states that he h.is 
picked up balls in and near that place, on the Finney farm ; 
also that his uncle once found the bones, evidently of a 
British soldier, in the woods near there, the bones one side 
of a log and a gun the other. He adds, also, that it was 
an early tradition that money was buried in the gravo-yard 
near his place, that several men once stopped at his father's 
house under pretense of looking for farms, but before they 
went away frankly stated that they had been looking for 
buried money, but had found none. 

A collection of papers and relics in possession of Mr. 
John Miller, at Gansevoort, has considerable historic interest. 
The original copy of the tax-list of 1779, given in the 
chapter on Ballston, is among these papers. He also has: 
1. A tax-list under date of Feb. 2, 1780, signed by Jabcz 
Patchin, John Taylor, and Beriah Palmer, as assessors, 
and the warrant is signed by the supervisors of Albany 
county : John V. luiisselaer, Isaac Vrooman, Abraham 
Cuyler, Peter R. Livingston, John Ten Broeck, James 
Gordon, Isaac Fonda, Marcus Bellinger, Isaac Goss, Volkert 
P. Douw, John Younglove, Jolin L. Bronck, J. Roorback, 
Charles 11. Tnll, Pliili|> Terrill (perhaps). 2. An iijdict- 



408 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



ment for treason against- 



, a resident of Half- 
Moon, under date of May 19, 1778, a valuable document, 
with the names of the grand jurors. 3. The will of Dr. 
Elisha Miller, proved in Otsego county. 4. A release of 
mortgage from Lewis Edson to Dr. Elisha Miller, of very 
early date. 5. A copy of the Albany Argus extra with the 
treaty of peace, 1816; also a printed copy of the act 
authorizing the tax of 1779, which Elisha Miller collected. 
6. The will of Eliphalet Ball, witnessed by Dr. Elisha 
Miller, Elisha Miller, Jr., and Rhoda Calling. 7. A series 
of deeds and papers relating to Westchester county, some of 
them dating back to 1734, and one to 1702. 8. Maps re- 
lating to property in Ballston and elsewhere, about one hun- 
dred years old. The family also have several relics of the 
Burgoyne campaign, and a few Washiiifflon memorials. 

X[.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

Agriculture is the principal occupation of the people of 
Northumberland. A large part of the town is fertile, pro- 
ducing abundant crops. Rye, oats, and corn are the prin- 
cipal grains. Potatoes are also raised extensively. Fruit, 
abundant in former times, has failed in later years. 

XII.— MILITARY. 

In the War of 1812 several citizens of this town served 
for considerable time ; others still went to Whitehall and 
I'lattsburg for a few days. The only names secured are 
the following, and these are written down from the mem- 
ory of the older people, and not from any town record or 
muster-roll : William CoflBnger, Higgins CoflSnger, Joseph 
Stevens, Mr. Osborn, Jeremiah Terhune, an adjutant, 
Wm. McCurdy, Jeremiah McCreedy, Gamaliel McCreedy, 
and Charles McCreedy. 

It is a matter of regret that the names of those who went 
into the service are not on file in the town clerk's oiEce. 
Much interesting material for history is lost by this neglect. 
Too often the work of the present time is considered of 
very little importance ; no record of it is made, names and 
dates are forgotten, until after many years the historical 
societies of a State engage in long discussions and unsatis- 
factoi'y investigations, resulting in an uncertain decision of 
what might have been certain, definite, conclusive. Even 
the names of those who represented these towns fifteen 
years ago in the gi-eat struggle for national life are already 
in many cases a matter of doubt and uncertainty. Only 
five towns out of twenty in this county have written the 
record called for by the State in 1865 ; and in these five 
there is a great lack of dates, regiments, and companies, — 
those incidentals that make up a finished record. 

We annex to this sketch of the town a soldiers' list for 
the War of 1861-65, as found in the office of the town clerk, 
with such additions and corrections as a search among the 
muster-rolls of the regiments has enabled us to make. It 
is well for the citizens of this county to render clear and 
definite the great campaign of 1777, fixing by imperish- 
able memorials the decisive points of that contest ; but is it 
not also a patriotic duty to honor the memory of the brave 
men who went from these peaceful towns to the fe.irful 
scenes of modern battle and the horrors of southern pris- 
ons? Thrilling chapters of history were wrought in that 



struggle, — a struggle in which the issues involved equaled 
in magnitude those of earlier times, and far exceeded the 
old in the numbers of men engaged. This one county 
very likely sent into the last war as many men as fought at 
Stillwater, and that was a skirmLsh compared with the 
battle of Gettysburg as to men engaged and weight of 
artillery. In studying the olden campaigns, why shall 
citizens lose the names of the heroes who went out to the 
recent war from their own homes? The humblest and 
least-known laborer, who left home and family to die for 
the Union, is worthy of a place beside the conqueror of 
Burgoyne. 

WAR OF 18r.l-G5. 

Wm. H. Austin, enl. Oct. 10, 1861, 77tli Kegt., Co. G ; discli. Aug. 28, 1862. 

Joseph W. Abiol, enl. llStli Itegt., Co. C. 

Thomaa H. Adock, enl. Aug. 5, 186-J, llStli Regt., Co. F. 

Isa.ic Benins, enl. Sept. 2:i, 18G1, 77th Kegt., Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77tll 

Regt. 
EJwiml Brady, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Kcgt. 
James C. Brishin, enl. Sept. 20, 1861,77th Regt., Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Lewis A. Burdick, enl. Aug. 2, 1863, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Juiin Krainerd, enl. 115th Kegt. 
John P. Burns, enl. .\ug. 22, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. K; trans, to M Battery, Dec. 

11, 1803. 
George H. Brown, enl. Aug. 30, 1S62, 77th Regt., Co. ti ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Kegt. 
James Burns, enl. Aug. 22, 1802, 77tli Regt., Co. K; trans, to 3d Battery, April 

26, 1803. 
James Baths, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 77lh Regt., Go. G; died at .Acquia Creek, Oct. 

20, 1802. 
Fred. Bocher, eul. i 

John Burke. 
John A. Chase, enl. Sept. 20, ISOl, 77th Regt., C'j. G; trans, to Vet. B.it., 

77th Regt. 
John Case, enl. 77th Regt. 
James II. Carr, onl. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Kegt., C). G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
llhodolphus Cook, enl. 12.5th Regt. 
Jidin Conners, enl. 77th Regt. 
John C. Coon. 
Suinuer S. Clark. 
Joseph Carney. 
William Cullinger. 
Alfred Chaae, eul. 77th Regt., Co. G, 1864; killed at retersburg, Va. 

Debois, died in hospital. 

John Donnelly, killed. 

Henry J. Davis, eul. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D; died. 

George H. Ellison, eul. Aug. 30, 1802, 77tb Regt., Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77tli Regt. 
William Ellelt, enl. Oct. 5, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Wm. T. Fuller, enl. Aug. 13, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Thomas Scott Fuller, enl. Aug. 30, 1S62, 77th Regt., Co. G; pro. Corp.; a prisoner 

at Andersonville; wounded at battle of Wilderness; disch. June 30, 1805. 
Walter Giflbrd, enl. Sept. 26, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G ; disch. 1802. 
David Gaiusli.a, enl. 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Chailes Goodwin. 
Edward Gawner. 

James Galusha, enl. Nov. 6, 1861, 77tli Regt., Co. D; disch. April 13, 1864. 
James K. Galnsba, eul. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Regt., Co. D; dist:h. with regiment, 

Dec. 13, 1804. 
George M. Galusha, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D ; died of fever, Juno 

8, 1862. 
James Harrington, eul. Sept. 20. 1801, 77tb Regt., Co. O; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77tli Regt. 
John Horrigan, enl. Sept. 26, 1861,77th Regt., Co. G; killed at Cedar Creek, 

Oct. 19, 1864. 
James Hays, enl. 77th Regt. 
Thomas Ilaekett, eul. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Kegt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Kegt.; disch. with Hat., June 30, 1805; waa wounded at SpotLsylvania. 
Joseph M. Hays, enl. 77th Kegt. 
Henry Ilurd, ejil. Aug. 30. 1S02, .5th Regt. 
Philip Harder, enl. Nov. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G. 
George Hanner, enl. Nov. 18, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Fr.ank Hall, enl. Feb. 11, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. G; killed in action. 
Charles Juba, enl. Oct. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G ; disch. July 1, 1802. 
Patrick Keuey. 
Franklin Kirkham, enl. Aug. 22, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. A ; disch. for disability 

Jan. 0, 1S63. 
Geoige D. Lovejoy. enl. Aug. 5, 1802, lloth Kegt., Co. F. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



409 



diaries Lcack, enl. Aug. M, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. G ; died of sickness at Pliila- 

dflpliia, Jan.n, ISO:). 
Francis Leack, enl. Oct. :!n, 18C2, 771.U Kegt., Co. G ; disch. Dec. 24, 1803. 
William Limber, enl, .Inly 2.'>, 1804. 

Octiivius Landon, enl. Oct. 10, 18G1, 77th Kogt., Co. G ; diach. April 22, 1803. 
Amos Ladnke, enl. Nov. 18, 1803, 2d Vet. ClT., Co. L. 
Leandcr Ladnko, enl. Nov. 18, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Michael Laliarc, enl. Nov. 18, 18G3, 2a Vet. Cav., Co. li. 
David Laraw, enl. Nov. 18, ISOi, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 

Abraham Y. Lansing, enl. Feb. IS, 1804, 9 iil Kegt., Co. F ; with Grant at battle 
of the Wilderness. !ipotl.<ylvariia Court-llonse, Thatcher's Rnn, and was 
wounded at Siiilor's Rnn ; discharged June 17, 1805 
Ambrose McOdock,onl. Sept. 20, 18i;l, "Tth U-gt., Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt.; disch. with regiment. 
Victor Matott, enl. 113th Uegt.; died in the service. 
James McLane, enl. 77th Regt. 

Charles W. Mott, erd. Aug. 30, 1802, Co. K, 77th Regt. 
Hugh McMann, enl. 77lh Uegt. 

Peter IMurphy, enl. 77th Regr.; woumled at the battle of the Wilderness. 
Ambrose Matott, enl. Aug. 30, 1SG2, 77th Regt., Co. G; killed at Fort Stevens, 

July 12, 1804. 
Timothy Madigan, enl. A>ig. 23, 1SG2, 77th Regt., Co. K ; trans, to luv. Corps, 

Sept. 3, 1863. 
Josejth Merchant. , 

Wm. McCarty, enl. 22d Regt. 
Edward Morau. 
Thomas Money. 
Henry M. Moody, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G ; died at Washington, 

Aug. 4, 1803. 
Wm. H. McLane, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Eegt., Co. C; disch. for disability, 

Oct. 10, 1802. 
Samuel McGown, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt. 
Jacob Newman. 
Moses Newell, enl. 5th Regt. 

Thomas Newalk, enl. Sept. 2.), 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G. 

T.aylor I. Newell, enl. Sept. 20, ISGl, 77tli Regt., Co. G ; disch. Nov. 23, 1802. 
George S. Orr, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G; Ist lieut, Nov. 23, 1801; 

Ciipt., April 2.0, 1802; disch. Dec. 13, 1801; lost left arm. 
John L. Osborne, enl. July 30, 1802, lloth Regt., Co. F. 
Aaron H. 0,sborne, enl. July .30, 1802, lloth Regt., Co. F. 
nil-am A. Perkins, enl. July, 1862, lloth Regt, Co. I; taken prisoner in Florida; 

in Andersonville ten months; disch. June 18, 18G5. 
Charles E. Phillips, enl. Aug. 15, 18G2, 77fh Regt, Co. K; died in hospital. 
George U. Pearsall, enl. Aug. 12, 1802, 115th Regt, Co. P. 
John W. Palmer, enl. Sept 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. for disability, 

May 5, 1862. 
Daniel Peck, enl. Nov. 18, 1SG3, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Josepli Pepo, enl. Nov. 18, 1803, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 

Reuben E. Robiusou, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. G ; disch. May 18, 18G3 . 
Daniel Reardon, enl. 2d Vet. Cav. 

Uarper N. Rogei-s, enl. Nov. 30, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav.; 2J lieut; Ist lient; mus- 
tered out, Nov. 8, 18G5. 
John Robinson, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. G; died at AIe.\andria, April 

17, 1802. 
Calvin A. Rice, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77th Eegt, Co. G; capt. : pro. major, Mlth 
Regt., Dec. 27, 1862 ; pro. lieut-col.. Sept 25, 18G4 ; mustered out at close 
of the war. 
James Shaw, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
James G. Scott, enl. Aug. 20, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for wounds, Nov. 

20, 1864; lost both legs in the battle of tho Wilderness. 
Alviu Smith, enl.77(h Uegt 
Sauford Shearer, enl. 5lh Cav. 
Samuel A. Shaver. 
Joseph Smith. 

Washington Sherman, enl. Nov. 1, 1861, 77(h Regt, Co. G; wounrled in 
action. May 10, 1864, at Spottsylvania, and died a prisoner about May 14, 
1864. 
James Shurter, 77 th Regt.; died April 11, 1862; enlisted from Moreau. 
Patrick Savage, enl. Feb. 14, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. G; wounded; disch. June 

30, 1865. 
James M. Terhune, enl. 77th Regt. 
Loreu M. Toms, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. G; died at White Oak 

Church, Dec. 1862. 
Eeubcn K.Thompson, enl. Ang. 30, 1802,77th Regt, Co. G; disch. for disa- 
bility, on June 13, 1863, at SIcClellan Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Patrick Tonmey, enl. 77th Regt; trans, to 3d Battery. 
James H. Terlinne. 

William Vaiuiu/.en, enl. Sept 26, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. G; disch. Sept 1, 1862. 
Charles Van Kleeck, enl. Sept 26, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. G; died July 26, 1864. 
Taylor Vandcwerker, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt, Co.G ; re-onl. in 77th Bat- 

trtlion, and discharged with battalion. 
Sidney Vandenhurg, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. G ; disch. May 10, 1802. 
James Van Wagner, enl. 118th Regt; killed in action. 
Lewis W. Vaudenburg, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 77tli Regt, Co. G ; taken prisoner at 

Chantilly, ami died at Andersonville prison. 
James P. V.audewerker ; supposed to have died in the service. 

52 



James C. Vandenburg, enl. Sept 20,1801, 7Tth Regt, Co. G; killed, May 10, 

1SG4, at Spottsylvania. 
Lyman Vaudenbnrgh, enl. Sept 20, 1801, 77th Regt, Co.G; sergeant, Jan. 5, 

1803; re-enl.l8G4; trans, to Rlttjilion,77lh ; disch. with battalion. 
Dennison ,1. Willard, enl. Sept 20, 1801, 77lh Regt, Co.G; disch. March 23, 

1803. 
Isiwc II. Wilscui, enl. Sept 20, 1.8G1, 77lh Regt, Co. G; lost .an arm, .Sept. 10, 

1804. 
Shallum West, enl. Oct. 10, 1861. 77th Regt., Co. G ; disch. Selit 25, 1802. 
William Wlldy, enl. 77th Regt. 
John P. Winney, enl. 115th Regt. 

Henry Wilbur, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Uegt., Co. O; disch. June 30, 1SG5. 
Patrick Welch. 
Charles Wheeler, enl. Dec. 35, 1863, 77th Regt., Co. Q ; lost in action, May 10, 

1SG4. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



E. W. TOWN. 

E. W. Town was born in Kingsbury, Wasbington Co., 

on Juno 18, 1827, and was tbe son of Elijab and iMary A. 

Town. In 1836 his father removed to Fort Edward, where 

be died in 1839. In 1841 young Town removed to North- 




Photo, by Baker St Rocord, Saratoga Spring.s. 




uiiiberland, and resided with Asa Clements, whore be re- 
mained until be attained tbe age of twenty-one years. 

His early education was entirely aetiuired by bis own 
personal, diligent application, after the toils and labors of tbe 
day were ended. 

In 1849 be removed to Washington county and worked 
a farm, and in the winter of that year be attended the acad- 
emy at Greenwich. In 1853 he was employed as a clerk 
by tbe union store of Northumberland, and afterwards as 
agent, a position of trust and responsibility which he suc- 
cessfully filled for twenty-four years. At tbe end of that 
time be turned his attention to farming, which is his present 
occupation. 

He married on April 2G, 18G4, Carrie E., daughter of 



410 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Lodewick and Eliza Esmun, of Cambridge, Washington 
county, where she was born Dec. 20, 1835. They have 
three chiklren. 

Mr. Town has always been Republican in politics, and 
has held several town offices, being supervisor in 1875. 



ABRAHAM MARSHALL. 

Abraham Marshall, Sr., was born in Rawden, Yorkshire, 
England, in 1730, and emigrated to America in 1773, with 
a family of five children, — two sons and three daughters. 
Two more were born in America — one son and one daughter. 
Ho settled on lands of General Schuyler, one and one-half 
miles south of what is now called Schuylerville, taking a 
life lease, to continue during the natural lives of himself 
and his three sons, of one hundred and twenty acres of land 
for the yearly rent of six-pence per acre, or £3 sterling, 
with four days' work with team if called for. James died 
on the farm ; the fee-simple of the lands having been pur- 
chased of the heirs of General Schuyler prior to the death 
of James. He had four daughters and three sons. One 
of his grandsons lives on and owns the farm. Samuel, the 
youngest son of Abraham, removed from the old home- 
stead in 1817, with his family of six children, to the farm 
owned by Samuel Bushee, — his brother-in-law, — being the 
farm on which the dwelling known as the " headquarters 
of General Burgoyne" was located ; mentioned by all the 
historians of 15urgoyne's campaign as the residence of 
Madame Reidesel during the negotiations prior to the final 
surrender. Samuel, with his oldest son, Abraham, re- 
mained on this farm until his death. His youngest son, 
William, came in possession, but died in early life. The 
farm is now owned by his widow. Abraham, who was a 
partner with his father in the purchase of the farm, at his 
marriage settled on the west end of the farm, and is now 
living on a farm a few miles north, known as the McCreedy 
farm. He is eighty years of age. 

The children of Abraham Marshall, Sr., have lived to a 
good old age with their companions, — five children and 
five sons and daughters-in-law to ages between eighty and 
ninety-five years. The old patriarch died at eighty-two ; 
his wife, Susannah, at eighty-five. All the above died with 
the companions of their youth, none having married a 
second time. 

Two of the sons-in-law were in the Revolutionary 
struggle — Mr. Bushee and Mr. Jordan. Bushee wintered 
at Valley Forge with the small remnant of Washington's 
army, and was present at the battle of Monmouth. Jordan 
was in the bateau service at the advance of Burgoyne. 

But few of the Marshall name are now living. Of the 
descendants of James two are living, — his son and grand- 
son. Of the descendants of Samuel, one son, Abraham, is 
living, who has two sons living, and Thomas three. Of 
the female descendants many are living, scattered far and 
wide. 

Samuel Marshall died on Jan. 30, 1866, aged eighty- 
seven. 

Abraham Marshall, son of Samuel Marshall, and grand- 
son of Abraham IMarshall, w.as born near Schuylerville, 
Sept. 2, 1798. His mother's name was Phoebe (Benjamin) 



Marshall, who was born in Egremont, Mass., Jan. 18, 
1780, and died April 22, 1864, aged eighty-four years. 
In early life he enjoyed the advantages of the common 
school, which were then very inferior to those now afforded. 
His father, Samuel, being a tenant of Philip Schuyler, 
under a life lease from General Schuyler, could not afford 
his children any better opportunities for obtaining an edu- 
cation. The library of his father consisted of few books, 
yet through the favor of Mr. Schuyler and Richard M. 
Livingstone he was allowed the free use of their private 
libraries, a privilege which he continued to enjoy through 
life. " Rollin's Ancient History," the writings of Addison, 
Goldsmith, Pope, and other celebrated Engli.sh authors, 
with histories and biographies written by Hume and others, 
were his chosen authors. Having obtained what learning 
could be obtained from the common schools of the day, 
— reading, writing, arithmetic, and English grammar, — • 
and his services not being required during the winter 
season on the farm, at the age of sixteen he commenced 
teaching school, which was continued for twenty-one con- 
secutive winters. At the age of nineteen he, with his 
father, removed from the Schuyler farm, one mile north of 
Schuylerville, on the farm known as the headquarters of 
General Burgoyne after the battle at Bemus Heights, on his 
retreat. Mrs. Reidesel, wife of Baron Reidesel, rendered 
the house famous by a residence in the cellar for several 
days during the negotiations between Generals Gates and 
Burgoyne, prior to the capitulation. This farm and other 
lands, containing two hundred acres, were bought of Samuel 
Bushee by Samuel Marshall and his son Abraham, they 
agreeing to support said Bushee and wife during their lives. 
This contract fixed the future of the life of Abraham as a 
farmer, keeping school during the winter season and fiirni- 
ing during the summer. Jan. 8, 1823, he married the 
daughter of Job JMulford, one of his pupils, sixteen years 
of age, building a house on the west part of the two hun- 
dred acres, and residing there until the winter of 1837. 
While residing here his children — three sons and two 
daughters — were born. The house and farm were in the 
limits of the town of Northumberland. While here he 
was elected a justice of the peace, to which oflBce he was 
elected from time to time for twenty-four years. Here 
also he was elected commissioner of schools, and for many 
years, with his associates, managed the school districts and 
licensed the teachers for the town. When the offices of 
commissioners and inspectors of schools was abolished their 
whole duties were merged in one person, called superinten- 
dent of schools, which office was given to Mr. Marshall, 
who held it for two years. While residing here, he and 
his wife — May 25, 1827 — connected themselves with the 
Reformed church at Bacon Hill, under the pastorate of 
Rev. Philip Duryea, D.D. In the year 1831 he was elected 
deacon of this church, and in 1851 was elected elder, 
which office he has continued to hold ever since. He has 
often been a delegate to classis, also to particular synod, 
and eight times to general synod. He is a firm believer 
in the doctrines and government of the church. 

After the death of Samuel Bu-shee his father and he, 
coming in full possession of the two hundred acres, dis- 
solved partnership, and Abraham sold liis portion of the 



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ii 




HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



411 



farm to Jonas Olmstcad, and purchased the farm which was 
first settled by James McCreedy, near tlie centre of the 
town. In four years after the settlement here his wife 
died, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Blulford, taking an oversight 
of the family. In 18.52 ho married the daughter of Henry 
Timmerman, of Argyle, Washington Co., with whom he 
still lives. While here he was elected to the office of jus- 
tice of the sessions, to which he was re-elected, holding 
the office four years. In the year 1830 he became a mem- 
ber of the Northumberland Bible Society, auxiliary to the 
Saratoga County Bible Society. He has ever been a warm 
friend of the Bible cause ; elected by the town organization 
as president, and in 1838 its secretary and treasurer, which 
office he has held ever since. In 1845 he was elected 
president of the Saratoga County Bible Society. By vote 
of the town society he was elected a life member of the 
American Bible Society, and by the county society a life 
director of the same. He is at present president of the 
county society. 

Retiring from the active duties of farm life, he is residing 
with his youngest son, John (both of whose portraits may 
be seen elsewhere), occupying his advanced years in the 
garden in the cultivation of vegetables and flowers, in 
which he takes great delight. Rather than rush out in 
retiring wholly from the scenes of active lii'e, while physi- 
cally and mentally capable of doing something, he is agent 
for three fire insurance companies. Mr. Marshall's oldest 
son was educated as a physician in Albany, but afterwards 
engaged in the business of a wholesale and retail druggist 
at that place, where he died. 

Through life he never engaged in any business of a 
speculative nature. He has never acquired much property, 
is out of debt, has a small competence for the rest of his 
life, and a little to leave to his children. 



DANIEL H. DEYOE 

was boru in the town of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y^., Aug. 23, 1833, being the son of Daniel and Sarah M. 
Deyoe, who immigrated to this county from the county of 
Rensselaer the same year. In 1S40 he removed to the 
town of Westmoreland, where young Daniel was brought 
up on his father's farm, receiving his early education at 
the common schools, and afterwards attending the acade- 
mies at North Hebron, Washington Co., and at Claverack, 
Columbia Co. Soon after this he lost his father, and 
purchased his father's old homestead in Saratoga Springs ; 
but he finally disposed of it, and, after his marriage, removed 
to the farm he now occupies. He was married Sept. 13, 
1859, to Emma T., daughter of Stephen and Mary Thorn, 
who were among the oldest families in the county. Their 
daughter was born in the town of Saratoga Springs, Jan. 1, 
1841. The family of Mr. Deyoe consists of three children, 
four having died in infancy. 

Mr. Deyoe has always belonged to the Republican party, 
in whose ranks ho has been an earnest worker. He has 
been intrusted with many responsible offices, and is at pres- 
ent member of Assembly for his district, to which office he 
was elected by a majority of six hundred, and was super- 
visor of his town in 1877. 



Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist 
church of Bacon Hill. In occupation he has always been 
a- farmer. 



ISAAC VAN DE WERKER. 

Isaac Van De Werker, the subject of this sketch, is the 
only surviving son of Sovereign and Lucy Van De Werker, 
and was born Jan. 22, 1813, on the farm purchased of the 
original patentees by his grandfather, in 1783, in the central 
part of the town of Northumberland, near which he still 
lives. He married, in 1860, the only daughter of E. E. 
Saffijrd, Glen's Falls, Warren Co., N. Y., and by that union 
has two sons, — Isaac Eddie, born Oct. 16, 1863, and George 
Sovereign, born Nov. 23, 1867. Excepting those sous, he 
is the only Van De Werker living in the State of his grand- 
father's family. 

He was left without a father at the age of eighteen, and 
thus early was thrown into active business life, which de- 
veloped great perseverance and untiring industry, making 
him the chief help of his widowed mother. 

In 1846 he left the farm, and entered into contract with 
Sewall F. Belknap to build five miles of the Vermont Cen- 
tral railroad. When the work was nearly completed, Bel- 
knap failed and died, and Mr. Van De Werker lost twenty 
thousand dollars due him. Under such lo.ss he could not 
think of settling down to farming, and went south, where 
he remained two and a half years, engaged in successful 
business, and then joined in the rush and was one among 
the " Forty Ninens" who went to California. 

His courage and resolution, as well as business force, was 
well shown by the manner in which he surmounted all ob- 
stacles in the way of securing a pa.ssage, and when none 
could be obtained chartered a vessel himself and set out for 
California. 

He spent several years there, during which time he en- 
countered sickn3,ss and the many hardships and privations 
incidental upon such an adventurous life, and made many 
pleasing associations ; but on the death of his last surviving 
brother he returned home to see his mother in her last 
days. 

He is a man of culture, a thorough anatomist, a study to 
which lie has given much time and thought, possesses firm, 
unyielding principle, strong determination, and warm, gen- 
erous impulses. 

In religion he is orthodox in faith, a Bible student of no 
ordinary cast, earnestly endeavoring to walk in the light of 
its teachings. 

His ancestral line has been well preserved, and can be 
clearly traced far back, as is shown by the family records. 
His father, Sovereign Van De Werker, was born Aug. 12, 
1782, married Lucy Ross Oct. 19, 1806, and died Oct. 15, 
1831. Lucy Ross was born Aug. 6, 1783, and died March 
13, 1860. Sovereign Van De Werker was son of Isaac 
Van De Werker and Elizabeth Sybrandt, his wife. Isaac 
Van De Werker was born Feb. 23, 1750, married Eliza- 
beth Sybrandt Nov. 27, 1772, and died Jan. 25, 1824. 
Isaac Van De Werker was son of Martin Van De Werker 
and Margaret Owens, his wife, who was daughter of an 
English pliysician who came fmm England in 1720 and 



412 



HISTOIIY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



settled in Albany, N. Y. She was then one year old. 
Martin was born 1718. They were married in 17-14, and 
soon after their marriage they left Albany and settled on 
the Mohawk flat.s, near the village of Canajoharie, and there 
was born to them a family of seven children. Martin was 
son of Joseph Van De Worker, who emigrated from The 
Hague (Holland) when quite young, with two brothers, 
and settled in Albany about the year 1674. 

Elizabeth Sybrandt, wife of Isaac Van De Werkor, was 
daughter of Sovereign Sybrandt and Joanna Hatfield, a 
lady of English parentage. Sovereign Sybrandt and Isaac 
Van De Werker, together with their families, lived in 
Greenwich, Washington Co., during IJurgoyne's campaign, 
and had much of their property stolen and destroyed by 
his soldiers. In 1784, Isaac Van De Werker moved into 
what is now Northumberland, making the third family to 
enter the town as permanent residetits. 

Sovereign Sybrandt was son of John Sybrandt and Eliza- 
beth Van Dam, to whom he was married about the year 1730. 
John Sybrandt was a native of Denmark, and came to New 
York about the year 1724. His occupation was that of 
sea-captain, and about four years after his marriage, when 
coming through Hurl Gate in a storm, he was swept from 
his quarter-deck and lost his life. He left a wife and an 
only son, — Sovereign. Elizabeth, his wife, was daughter 
of Rip Van Dam and Sarah Van Der Speigle, to whom he 
was married Sept. 14, 1G84. 

Rip Van Dam was a stadtholder in IluUand, and came 
to New York about 1G85, and died June 9, 1749. He 
was elected governor of New York by the people, in the 
absence of one being sent or aj)pointed by the government 
of Great Britain. 

Sarah Van Der Speigle, wife of Rip Van Dam, was born 
Dec. IG, 1GG8 ; died Jan. IG, 1749. She was daughter of 
Lorens Van Der Speigle and Sarah Webber. 

Sarah Webber, wife of Lorens Van Der Speigle, was 
born Oct. 20, 1640, married Ajiril 1, 1661, and died Jan. 
2G, 1685. She was daughter of Wolfort Webber and 
Aneke Coos, who were married in 1631. Wolfort died 
1670. His wife Aneke died in 1694. They had five 
children, and they all emigrated to America. Wolfort's 
mother was sister to the father of William, Prince of 
Orancre. 



ASA F. THOMPSON. 

The subject of tliis memoir was born in the town of Mo- 
reau, Saratoga Co., on Dec. 22, 1815, and was a son of 
Ebenezer and Ann Thompson. The family was among the 
earliest settlers of that town. 

Until Mr. Thompson was eighteen years of age he passed 
his life in assisting his father as a farmer, meantime re- 
ceiving such education as the district schools of tlte locality 
afforded. Arriving at the age of eighteen, he left his home 
and became an itinerant, traveling over a great portion of 
the world. He finally settled in the south, where he en- 
gaged iu business. He returned to the north in 1855, and 
married Sarah A., daughter of Samuel and Sarah Chapman, 
on Dec. 26, 1855. This lady was born in the town of 
Northumberland on Jan. 26, 1834. The children of Mr. 



Thompson consist of three, — Mary E., born Nov. 13, 1857 ; 
Anna S., born May 31, 1859 ; and Isabella S., born Feb. 
9, 1865. 

In political affiliations Mr. Thompson was always attached 
to the principles of the Republican party. He was a mem- 
ber of no particular church, but was ever ready to assist 
any denomination. He died June 13, 1867, greatly 
lamented by a wide circle of friends. 



A. B. BAUCUS. 

This gentleman was born in the town of Northumber- 
land, Saratoga County, on April 5, 1838, and is a son of 
Joseph and Catharine Baucus. He is the oldest of a 
family of two children. 

His early life was passed on the farm of his father. 
He received his fir.st education at the district school of his 
neighborhood, afterwards enjoying the benefits of a thorough 
academic course. 

Mr. Baucus was united in marriage on February 27, 
18G2, to Esther, daughter of Samuel H. and Sarah M. 
Dcj'oe, a native of the town of Northumberland. To this 
union were born two children, — Joseph D., born Sept. 23, 
1864, and Fannie, born June 3, 1868. 

In politics he was an ardent Republican until the time 
of the liberal reform movement iu favor of Mr. Greeley, 
when he united with that party, and afterwards became an 
active worker in the Democratic ranks. He has filled the 
position of supervisor for a number of terms, and was the 
candidate of both parties for that office in 1876. 



JOHN HARRIS. 



William Harris, the grandfather of the subject of this 
notice, was born at Derbyshire, England, about 1724. He 
came to this country about the time of the Revolutionary 
war, entered the American army, and served through the 
war. He was granted lands by the government afterwards. 
Soon after the war he went to Northumberland, in this 
county, and either then, or a few years later, settled on the 
farm now owned and occupied by Henry Peck. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Herring, of Charlton, Mass., about 1772. 
She was born at Dedham, Mass., in 1749, and died June 
14, 1826, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. William 
Harris died on November 22, 1826, iu the one hundred 
and second year of his age. 

His children consisted of two sons and three daughters. 
The sons were Philip Harris, who settled in Northumber- 
land and died there ; William Harris, Jr., who was born 
Aug. 5, 1773, and who at first settled in Northumberland, 
but in the later years of his life removed to Whitehall, 
Washington Co., where he died Sept. 12, 1856, aged 
eighty-three years one month and seven days. He mar- 
ried on April 1, 1798, Sarah Burt, who was born Feb. 
14, 1777, and died May 22, 1811, in the thirty-Hah year 
of her age. Their children were John Harris (the subject 
of this sketch), Wm. B. Harris, and LucinJa Harris. Lu- 
cinda was born Oct. 28, 1805 ; manied Jay Olney, of 
Oneida county, settled there, and died April 24, 1854, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



413 



aged forty-eight years. Wm. B. Harris was born Nov. 30, 
1803, and settled at Whitehall, where he died Aug. 13, 
1849. 

The other children of William Harris, Sr., were Luey, 
who married Wm. Sutfin, and lived and died in Northum- 
berland ; another daughter, who married John Nevins, also 
lived and died in Northumberland ; and Eleanor, who died 
April 30, 1821, in the forty-third year of her age. 

John Harris, the subject of this memoir, was born on 
March 17, 1799. He passed his early life on his father's 
farm until the age of twelve yeare, when he started out in 
the world for himself. At about the age of sixteen he 
entered the employment of Myers & Co., of Whitehall, 
in the mercantile business, and subsequently, in connection 
with his brother, engaged in business for himself at the 
same place. On Aug. 7, 1831, he married Mary Clark, 
daughter of Joseph A. and Elizabeth Clark, of Oneida 
county. 

In 1832 he settled in Northumberland, on the same 
place where his family now resides. He erected a store, 
and also a saw- and grist-mill, continuing the milling busi- 
ness in connection with farming during the greater part of 
his life. His family consisted of five children, four of 
whom lived to years of maturity, viz., Mary Eliza, John 
C, Wm. A., and Gertrude J. Of these only John C. and 
Gertrude J. are now living. 

In politics Mr. Harris was formerly an old-line Whig ; 
but at the dissolution of that party he assumed an inde- 
pendent position, and henceforth acted free from party con- 
trol. 

Mr. Harris was a man of strict integrity, systematic and 
regular in his business habits, and much respected by those 
of his acquaintance. He died on April 2(J, 1SG2, at the 
age of sixty-three years. 



STEPHEN 0. BURT. 

On another page may be seen the engraving of the res- 
idence of Stephen 0. Burt, who is the only son of John 
Burt, and grandson of Richard Burt, Sr., who was born 
April 17, 1745. In the year 1770 he emigrated from 
Rhode Island, his native State, to Columbia Co., N. Y. 

John, the eldest of eleven children, was born June 14, 
1775, in the town of Chatham. He received a common- 
school education, and removed with the remainder of his 



father's family, in the year 1790, to the town of Northum- 
berland, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where they purchased five 
hundred and seventy-two acres of land, bordering on the 
Hudson river, in the vicinity of Fort Miller Falls. 

The 31st of December, 1807, John married Sarah OIney, 
daughter of Stephen Olney, of Saratoga. They commenced 
life for themselves in a log cabin. Owing to his untiring 
energies the small space then cleared rapidly enlarged, 
until the great forest became fertile fields. Two years 
later the cabin was replaced by a frame house that, with 
few alterations, still remains. In connection with farming, 
a portion of his time was spent in the lumber business. 

In polities he was a life-long Democrat. He was a good 
neighbor, a kind friend, and generous alike to rich and poor. 
The labors of his energetic life were crowned with success, 
and his chief study was the comfort and happiness of those 
around him. His strict integrity in all business transactions 
commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. 

In appearance he was of medium height, broad across 
the shoulders, and had brown hair and blue eyes. His 
habits were good, his intellect well balanced, and every 
lineament of his strongly-marked features proclaimed him 
a worker. He was the father of two children, — the eldest 
a daughter ; the youngest a son, Stephen 0., who was born 
Oct. 16, 1808. 

In his youth, Stephen 0. Burt enjoyed those advantages 
which the early days of this county afforded. He remained 
at home with his father until the spring of 1836, when he 
married Rebecca Salisbury, daughter of I'reserved Salis- 
bury, of Stillwater. 

The following year he spent in the lumber business, at 
Au.sable Forks, in Essex county. From thence they re- 
turned to the homestead, to make that their permanent 
home. His mother died Dec. 9, 1856. His fother, at an 
advanced age, was in full possession of all his faculties, and 
lived to enjoy many happy reunions of children, grand and 
great-grandchildren, until his death, which occurred March 
30, 1871, at the age of ninety-five. 

After his father's death Stephen O. left the homestead, 
and settled at Bacon Hill, where they now reside. Of their 
seven children there are three living. The eldest, Lewis 
P., married Sarah L. Waldo, of Northwestern, Feb. 18, 
1862, and resides at Woodworth Hill ; the next eldest, 
Ella, married W. S. Deyoe, of Bacon Hill, Dec. 5, 1866 ; 
the younger daughter, Sarah J., is living at home. 



H A D L E Y. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

Hadley is the east one of the two northernmost towns 
of the county. It is bounded, north and east by the county 
line, south by Corinth, and west by Day. It includes 9737 
acres of improved land, 77G0 of unimproved, and of this 
last amount 3995 are woodland. The population, in 1875, 
was 1063. Hadley contains a part of the twenty-fourth 
allotment of the Kayadrossera patent, and also a part of 
the patent granted to John Glen and others, also a part 
of the Palmer purchase, and a part of the Dartmouth patent. 

In the revised statutes of the State is the following legal 
description of this town and the definition of its boundaries : 

"The town of Hudley shall contain all that part of said county 
bounded, northerly and easterly, by the bounds of the county; south- 
erly, by Corinth ; and westerly, by Day." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The Hudson river borders the town upon the east. The 
surfiice of the country is very hilly and rough, the soil 
sandy and light, with many large boulders. The hills are 
generally thickly wooded. In the southeastern part of the 
town stands the " iron mountain" (Mount Anthony), which 
rises to a considerable height. It is the highest peak of 
the Kayadrossera range. Its western face rises quite ab- 
ruptly, and is rough and rocky, while the eastern declivity 
is much gentler and more thickly wooded. There is a bed 
of hematite iron ore in the mountain, but the ore is not 
rich enough to render working the mine a profitable busi- 
ness, and it has long been abandoned. 

There are no lakes wholly in the town, but a small part 
of Livingston's lake projects across its western border from 
the town of Day. The Sacandaga river runs in a very 
crooked easterly course across the southern part. The high 
hills shut down close to the river on either side, making 
the valley narrow and rather gloomy. 

There are no creeks of any size. The largest is Wolf, 
which runs across the northern part of the town, and 
empties into the Hudson about three miles above Hadley 
station. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlements in Hadley were about 1788. A 
man named Richard Hilton is credited with being the first 
settler. Further than his name nothing is known concern- 
ing him. 

In the spring of 1790, Alexander Stewart settled on the 
banks of the Hudson, on lot 9, river division of the small 
Dartmouth patent. His form consisted of one hundred and 
fifty acres of fine river-bottom lands, and was densely covered 
with a heavy growth of extremely fine white-pine timber. 
From Slay to December he cleared up fifteen acres without 
the aid of horses, cattle, or men. He sowed his first wheat iu 
4U 



1791, and every year after that had wheat to sell. He died 
iu May, 1823, aged seventy-seven years. His wife, Eliza- 
abeth, lived till 1835, and died in her eighty-fifth year. 
He had nine children, Nancy, John, Neal, David, Charles, 
Daniel, Bet.sey, James, and William. Daniel is the only 
one now living. He resides at Luzerne, at the age of 
eighty-six years, and his wonderful memory and extensive 
experience enabled him to give us valuable a.ssistance in 
collecting the facts for this work. Enjoying the peaceful 
pleasures of a quiet and healthy old age, may he still live 
many years. The only other descendant of Alexander 
Stewart, living in this vicinity, is DaTiiel A. Stewart, a son 
of Charles. He lives in Hadley, a little north of the depot. 
Neal Stewart was a very strong man, and is said to have 
carried a barrel of ]iork from the river to his father's house, 
a distance of eighty rods, stopping to rest but once. The 
feat seems to be a well-authenticated foct. David Stewart 
was a popular surveyor, and nearly every road .survey bears 
his signature. He was accurate and skillful. Daniel was 
the first child born in the town. He was born in 1791. 

David Dayton settled on lot 10 of the Dartmouth pat- 
ent in 1796. He had five sons, Joel, Henry, Telam, 
Orange, and Erastus. He died in 1807. Telam still lives 
in Hadley, on the old homestead. 

Elijah Ellis, formerly from Shaftsbury, Vermont, came 
from Warren county to Hadley in 1800. He first settled 
on the southern side of the Sacandaga, near its mouth, and 
subsequently removed to lot 3 of the Glen patent, near 
the western foot of Mount Anthony. He built a .saw-mill 
about a mile farther up the river, where a small creek enters 
from the south. He lived till 1855, when he died, sur- 
rounded by family and friends. His wife died in 1875, and 
lacked but a few months of being one hundred years old. 
Elijah Ellis had eleven children. Of these, seven are still 
living. Three, Anna, Sybil, wife of David Hyde, and 
Sarah, wife of W. H. Flansburgh, live in Hadley. 

Joseph Gilbert, a soldier of the Revolution, settled on 
Hadley Hill from 1800-2. He died in 1839, and his son 
John succeeded him on the farm. He died in 1872, and 
the homestead is now occupied by his son, James Gilbert. 

Henry Blackwood, with his five sons, settled on Hadley 
Hill in 1802. One of the sons, Charles Blackwood, is still 
living in that neighborhood. The place is quite commonly 
known throughout the vicinity as " Pluck Hill," in recog- 
nition of the plucky nature of some of its early inhabitants. 
Indissolubly connected with the history of the town is 
the name of Jeremy Rockwell. Coming into the town at 
an early period, he at once assumed a prominent position in 
social, political, and business affairs, and until his death was 
constantly engaged with all the energy and ability at his 
command in conducting public affairs, manifesting a laud- 




RESIDENCE or MANLIUS JEFFLRS ,HAOLEf. SARATOGA CO.NY 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



415 



able public spirit, and amidst all conducting his various 
business schemes to a successful issue. He rapidly ac- 
quired property, and became the largest land-holder in the 
town. He held many offices of trust and responsibility. 
As early as 1809 he was serving in the capacity of justice 
of the peace, and continued to act as such till about 1830. 
From 1816 to 1819 he was town clerk. Elected to the 
office of supervisor in the spring of that year, he continued 
to hold that office for fifteen successive years, and in 1835 
was again chosen to that office, and held it at the time of 
his death. He also held the offices of associate judge, 
member of Assembly, and was a member of the conven- 
tion that framed the constitution of 1821 for this State. 
He was seventy years old at the time of his death, Aug. 
1-1, 1835. He first married a Miss Miller, of Ballston, 
and by her had one child, a son. After her death he mar- 
ried Betsey Bird, and by her had twelve children. They 
were named respectively James, Henry, Harmon, Charlotte, 
Hiram, George T., Jeremy, Jr., Celina, Emeline, Caroline, 
Charles, Maria, and William W. Of these, Harmon and 
Charles live in Hadley ; George T., in connection with his 
son, George H., runs the deservedly-famous " Rockwell 
House" at Luzerne ; Celina Levens and William W. are 
living in Warren county. Harmon has held the office of 
justice of the peace for eight terms. Was town clerk six 
years, and supervisor eleven years. In 1843 he built the 
Cascade House at Hadley. It is a fine building, and from 
its broad piazza commands an uin-ivaled view of river and 
mountain scenery. The rest of the children are dead. The 
Rockwells trace their descent from a Norman knight. Sir 
Ralph de Rdcheville. The first of the name in America 
was Deacon William Rockwell, of Dorchester, who came 
from England about 1630. Jeremy's father was Joseph 
Rockwell, of Salisbury, Conn., and he was a great-grand- 
son of this Deacon William Rockwell. 

The JefFers family were among the early residents. The 
first representatives of the family came from Wales, and 
settled in Massachusetts. They were the great-grand- 
parents of Manlius, Sidney, and Jefferson Jeff'ers. David 
JefFers was the sou of these people, and married and raised 
a family in Massachusetts. Both he and his wife did 
valuable service for the cause of independence, he serving in 
the army and she ministering to the needs of the sick and 
wounded in the hospitals. Their eldest son, Deodatus, came 
to Hadley about 1800, and settled at Jessup's Landing, at 
what is now the town of Corinth. He lived there until 
about 1804, when he removed to Hadley and bought some 
land of Jeremiah Rockwell, on great lot 2 of Palmer's 
purchase, being a subdivision of what is known as the 
Nixon lot, and bordering on the north bank of the Sacandaga 
river, about two miles from its mouth. Deodatus JefFers was 
a man of iron constitution, wonderful strength, and great 
vitality. It was a boast of his that he never knew a qualm 
of sickness or a pang of pain from disease during his whole 
life. He never employed a physician till his first and last 
sickness came upon him. He was a lumberman by pro- 
fession, and held first rank among that hardy class of citi- 
zens. He worked many years for Jeremy Rockwell, cut- 
ting ofi" the splendid pine timber along the rivers, and died 
in 1854 from the effects of a cold taken while witnessing 



the building of a dam at Luzerne, at the age of eighty-eight 
years. Eunice, his wife, died in 1845 of slow consump- 
tion. Deodatus left three sons, Sidney, Jefierson, and Man- 
lius, all of them still living in this town. 

Among the other early settlers were Jonathan Flanders, 
Mr. Wilson, Mr. Richards, Mr. Delane, Mr. Hazard, David 
Lawton, Abel Houghton, Enoch Gray, John Johnson, and 
Stephen Kenyon. The first frame house in the .southern 
part of the town was built by Stephen Gray about 1830. 
Jonathan Flanders kept the first inn. It was near the 
ferry on the Rice farm. Drafting for the War of 1812 was 
conducted at this tavern. 

Alexander H. Palmer came to Hadley in 1848 as agent 
for Gordon Conkling. He was supervisor two terms, was 
elected member of Assembly in 1852, and is now a United 
States inspector in the New York custom-house. Kenyon's 
blacksmith-shop at Hadley, in 1818, was about the first one 
in the town. 

In 1846 the town voted for no license by a vote of 
eighty-five to forty-two. In 1847 the vote on the same 
question stood, against, eighty-four ; for, fifty-six. 

The Conklingville bridge was built in 1852, and was 
carried off by high water about 1860. In 1861, Luke 
Kathan, Robert Humphrey, and David Wait, acting in 
behalf of the town, built a new bridge at a cost of $1400. 

In 1 866 a road was surveyed, the location of which was 
determined by the surveyor in the following novel manner. 
The record reads : " Beginning at a point in the middle of 
an old road on the line between the town of D.iy and 
Hadley, and from which point the apex of the roof of the 
house of Widow Shijipey bears south fifty-seven degrees 
west, and runs thence," etc. 

In 1827 money to the amount of $30 was paid by the 
over.seer of the pOwr for the .support of " one Pixley, a 
porpor." 

At one time justices were elected for " long and short 
turms." One citizen tendered his resignation from office 
because he was " about to leave the town for an iiidifl'iiialc 
period." There is a road in the town, one part of which, 
if we believe the assertion of the surveyor, runs " taugia- 
tlally." 

In 1848 a minister named Benson, a Second Adventist, 
held meetings in a private house in Conklingville. The 
first clearing on the south side of the river, near Conkling- 
ville, was done by Thomas Ralph in 1828. He worked 
about one-half day and then crossed the river in a canoe. 
In returning, the canoe was upset and he was drowned. 
The body was recovered some time after and was buried 
on the river-bank, near the present saw-mill. 

The Adirondack railroad runs through the eastern part 
of the town parallel with the Hudson. This company's 
bridge across the Sacandaga river, near its mouth, is quite 
an imposing structure. It is a square truss-bridge, built 
of wood, thoroughly bolted and braced. It rests on solid 
piers of cut-stone, and is made up of four spans. The 
main or river-span is nearly two hundred feet in length. 
The tops of the rails are about ninety feet above the river 
at low water. The bridge was built in 1860. The bridge 
at the mouth of the river was Imilt by Obadiah Wilcox in 
1813, and still stands. It is supported by three arches, 



416 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



and is covered. It has a double roadway, and is about 
two hundred feet long. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

Tlie town of Hadley was formerly a portion of the town 
of Greenfield. In 1801 it was erected into a separate town, 
and comprised the present towns of Hadley, Corinth, and a 
portion of Day. In 1819 it was reduced to its present 
dimensions. 

Jeremy Rockwell was the first supervisor of the present 
town, and served in that capacity fifteen successive years. 
The records of the first town-meeting, and all othere previous 
to 1820, are not to be found. 

In the winter of 1829-30 bounties were paid for the 
killing of thirty-five foxes. The next town-raeetiug repealed 
the by-law authorizing the payment of such bounty. 

In 1841 the town was divided into eight school districts. 

LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS.* 

Town Clerk. Collector. 



Daniel Cliurch. 



Elish.a Brace. 
J. W. Taylor. 
Orlando Boardman. 
tt tt 

Elisha Wilson. 



Ye.ar. 


.Supervisor. 


1801. 


Benjamin 


Cowles. 


1802. 


(f 


(( 


ISCS. 


" 


tt 


1801. 


tt 


tt 


180,5. 


tt 


tt 


1806. 


tt 


tt 


1807. 


tt 


tt 


1808. 


ti 


" 


1809. 


tt 


tt 


1810. 


tt 


tt 


1811. 


" 


" 


1812. 


tt 


tt 


181.3. 


tt 


It 


1814. 


" 


" 


1815. 


Timotliy Brown. 


1816. 


Benjamin 


Cowles. 


1817. 


(( 


tt 


1S18. 


" 


It 


1819. 


Jeremy R 


jckwell. 


1820. 


" 


" 


1821. 


(( 


(( 


1822. 


" 


(( 


1823. 


" 


tt 


1824. 


tt 


tt 


1825. 


tt 


tt 


1826. 


" 


It 


1827. 


it 


" 


1828. 


tt 


tt 


1829. 


•> 


tt 


is:io. 


tt 


" 


IS.'Sl. 


tt 


tt 


1832. 


tt 


tt 


ISS.'i. 


" 


tt 


1834. 


Charles Slewart. 



Henry Rockwell. David Stewart. 



Harmon Rockwell. 



Georffc T. Rockwell. 



David Stewart. 

Orange Dayton. 

George T. Rockwell. Liberty Butler. 

Harmon Rockwell. Henry Blackwood. 

" " Decalvas S. G raves. 

" " David Stewart. 

** " elect. 

1835. Jeremy Rockwell.f Hiram A. Perry.f " " 
H. Rockwell, app. D. S. Graves, app. 

1836. Charles Stewart. " " George Kenyon. 

" " elected. 

1837. David Stewart. Peter Butler, app. Thomas Butler. 

1838. Harmon Rockwell. " " " " 

1839. " " Canni Lindsay. William Mallory. 

" " elected. 

1840. " " N.M.Houghton, app. Gordon Jenkins. 

1841. " " " " William Mallory. 

1842. " " David Stewart. " " 

1843. " " " " James Myers. 

■■'^" The records are lost for list of town clerks prior to 1805, and for 
collectors previous to 1821. 
f Died in office. 



Year. 
1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1S51. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
18.59. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
18G7. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Supervisor. 

Harmon Rockwell. 
(( tt 

Wm W. Rockwell. 

H (I 

Harmon Rockwell. 

it ti 

Jeflferson JcfFors. 
Alex. K. Palmer- 
Manlius Jeffcrs. 
Robert Humphrey. 
(I ti 

Davia Wait. 
Jefferson Jeffcrs. 
Manlius Jeffers. 
(( fi 

Robert Humphrey. 
Alex. H. Palmer. 
John J. Wait. 
G. Conkling, Jr. 
Manlius Jeffers. 
G. Conkling, Jr. 
John J. Wait. 
a a 

William H. Palmer, 

Benjamin Pickens. 

Manlius Jeffers. 
William H. Palmer. 
Stewart Early. 
John A. Kathan. 
(( li 

Lewis E. Wait. 
Darius Martin. 
John J, Wait. 



Town Clerk. 

Truman D. Stewart. 
i( t( 

Daniel B. Ketchum. 
Manlius Jeffers, 

a i( 

George Kenyon. 
Canni Lindsay, 
George Kenyon. 

John Cameron. 
David Wait. 
George Kenyon. 

H it 

Abner D. Wait. 

David Wait. 
Stephen Kenyon, Jr. 

a a 

George Kenyon. 
John J. Wait. 

(f li 

Chas. W. Reynolds. 
George Kenyon. 
Grove H. Moore. 
Martin H.Wilcox. 
A. J. Rockwell. 
Stephen Kenyon. 
. John A. Kathan. 
Joseph E. Morris. 
i* {( 

William P. Bunnell. 
Warren Johnson. 
James F. Austin. 
Charles H. Mills. 
Clark Early. 



Collector. 
Daniel A. Stewart. 
James P. Burnham. 
Aaron Houghton, 
Levi Sturdevant, 
Manlius Jeffers. 
John W. Sayre. 
John Johnson. 
John W. Sayre. 
Joseph Washburne. 
Briggs Gray. 
Henry Wilcox. 
Samuel Blackwood. 
Alexander Graham. 
David Sturdevant. 
Joseph Washburn. 
Anderson Holden. 
Henry S. Jenkins. 
James H. Mills. 
John H. Wagar. 
Caleb Graham. 
Joseph Smith. 
Hugh Aldrieh. 
Rollin L. Jenkins. 
James H, Mills. 
Edward Scovill. 
Joel Loveless. 
Jonathan D. Ford. 
John Johnson. 
John C, Palmer. 
James Boyce. 
Alex. H. Palmer(2d). 

tt tt 

Monroe Kathan. 
tt tt 

George W. Jenkins. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1830. .loel Dayton. 

1831. Stephen Gray, long term. 
U. II. Kendall, short term. 

1832. Harmon Rockwell. 

1833. Stephen Gray. 

1834. Decalvas S. Graves. 

1835. Uriah H. Kendall.- 

1836. David Stewart. 

1837. Stephen Gr.ay, long term. 
Thomas Frost, short term. 

1838. H. Rockwell, long term. 
Thomas Frost, short term. 

1839. " " 

1840. David Stewart. 

1841. Stephen Gray. 

1842. Harmon Rockwell. 

1843. Thomas Frost. 

1844. David Stewart. 

1845. John B. Aldrieh. 

1846. Ariel C. Loveless. 

1847. Harmon Rockwell. 

1848. Zina H. Cowles. 

1849. R. Humphrey, long term. 
Otis Kihlin, short term. 

1850. M. JctTers, long term. 

A. C. Loveless, short term. 

1851. " " long term. 
John Gilbert, short term. 

1852. Harmon Rockwell. 

1853. Robert Humphrey. 

1854. Manlius Jeffcrs. 

1855. John A. Ketlell. 

1856. Harmon Rockwell. 

1857. R. Humphrey, long term. 



1857. G. Kenyon, short term. 

1858. Manlius^Jeffers. 

1859. Elijah EHis. 

1860. George Kenyon. 

1861. Robert Humphrey. 

1862. Manlius Jeffers. 

1863. J. A. Kettell, long terra. 
A. H. Palmer, short terra. 

1864. Harmon Rockwell, 

L. D. Sabin, apjtointed. 

1865. " " 

1866. Manlius Jeffers. 

1867. C. Kennedy, long terra. 
M. Beattie, short term. 

1868. George Kenyon. 

1869. Lemuel D, Sabin. 

1870. II. S. Jenkins, long term. 
J. Gilbert, long vacancy. 
D. Martin, short vacancy. 

1871. H. Rockwell, long term. 
A. H. Palmer, short term. 

1872. G. Kenyou, long term. 
J. .Johnson, short term. 

1873. Solon Bingham. 

1874. David H. Yates. 

1875. M. H. Wilcox, long term. 
Mark Beattie, short term. 

1870. Joseph Dunn, long term. 
Joel Loveless, short term. 

1877. S. Bingham, long term. 
J. Scovill, long vacancy. 
J. Gilbert, short vacancy. 

1878. George Dunkier. 




Of FICE: iTANNERy QF LEWIS E .WAIT, HADLEV, SARATOGA CO.,N.V f Lumse(?M;»n i AsENT FOB H.FOQR & SOK 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



417 



v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Hadley is a small hamlet at the mouth of the Sacan- 
daga river. It contains about a dozen dwellings, two hotels, 
two stores, and a school-house. It is really a part of the 
village of Luzerne. It was commenced in 1790, by Henry 
Walker, who first settled there. The first saw-mill was 
built, in 1791, by Delane & Hazard. The first grist-mill 
by Jeremy Rockwell, in 1803. The first store was kept 
by Rockwell, in 1807. 

CONKI.INGVILLE lies on the western border of the town, 
on both sides of the river. It was started by Gurdon 
Conkling, who came there in 1848, and built a large tan- 
nery, a store, a hotel, and several dwellings. Previous to 
this there had been two saw-mills erected, one on each side 
of the river. The fir.st dam in this town was built in 1828, 
by Johnson & Wait. It was about forty feet above the 
present one. That dam, with the mill at its south end, built 
by Lsaac Barber, in 1831, was carried away by high water 
in 1848. It was then built where it now stands. The first 
school-house in Conklingville was built in 1849. Miss 
Mary A. Andrews was the first teacher. Perry Burton, 
Joel and Silas Dayton were also among the first teachers 
there. Conklingville at present consists of about fifty 
dwellings, two churches, four stores, two blacksmith-shops, 
one tannery, one woodenware-shop, one collar-bo.x factory, 
one hotel, one wagon-shop, one saw-mill, and a school-house. 
It has about three hundred inhabitants. The first store 
was kept by David Wait, about 1840. The building stands 
near the wooden-ware-works, and is used for a dwelling. 
William Wright was the first blacksmith there. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

A man named Wilson taught the first school, in 1791. 

The first school-house in the Stewart neighborhood was 
built at a very early day. It was made of pine logs, and 
when short of kindling-wood it was the practice to hew oiF 
a piece of the sides to get some. The seats were wooden 
slabs, with legs made of round sticks, and there were no 
desks. The floor was of loose boards. The house was 
near the ferry, at what is now the Rice place. A man 
named Pitcher taught there. 

Previous to 1820 there was a log .school-house in the 
Ellis neighborhood. John Johnson and Walter Knott 
were early teachers there. 

COM.MISSIONEKS' APPORTIONMENT, MARCH, 1878. 





go i-. 


y 


iS' 










.i: "J c 


.o 


0-2 


'c.< 




fc 




















0. 












G^S 


o >> 


t« 


rt 


s- 


g 


District. 


si' 

1111 


o o 


ill 


14. 


o 

g 

.a 


3 

5 

o 

EH 


No. 1 


2.1 


$52.14 


$15.82 


$17.10 


$0.77 


$85. S3 


•' 2 

" .S»... 


23 

39 


52.14 
52.14 


15.82 
26.'82 


26.25 
i'9'.82 


77 
i..30 


94 98 


" 4 


1(10. IIS 


" 5 


40 


62.14 


27.51 


29.30 


1.34 


110.29 


" 6 


96 


104.28 


66.03 


69.53 


3.20 


243.04 


" 7 


32 


52.14 


35.76 


51.64 


1.73 


141.27 




273 


$364.98 


$187.76 


$213.64 


$9.11 


$775.49 



* No house, no report. 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH OP HADLEY. 

In the year 1826 the first organization of the Baptist 
denomination in the present town of Hadley was formed. 

Rev. Chandler was pastor. John Loveless and John 

Jenkins were deacons. It was an open-communion society, 
and existed for several years. The meetings were held at 
the residence of John Loveless. The Free-Will Baptist 
church was organized in the summer of 1841, at the 
present residence of Elder David Hyde. In 1844 the 
first church edifice was built by Sir. Hyde. It was a 
cheaply-built house, intended for but temporary use, and 
cost the trifling sum of S300. The membership was small 
at first, but has gradually, spite of times of trial and de- 
pression, increased until the present number is thirty-nine. 
In the year 1869 the present church was built. Its cost 
was $2600. It is a building about thirty by fifty feet on 
the ground, with a square belfry and tower. Commodious 
sheds are attached. This house was dedicated January 20, 
1870, by Rev. George T. Day, of Dover, N. H. Rev. 
John H. Loveless was the first pastor of the church. He 
was succeeded by Rev. David Hyde, who has remained 
pastor, with the exception of an absence of nine years in 
Rensselaer county (where he had charge of a church), till 
the present time. The church during that time was under 
the charge of Rev. John H. Loveless and Rev. David Smith. 
Rev. Joseph Tripp was pastor for one j'ear since that time. 
The present oSicers are Richardson Woodcock, deacon ; 
Mrs. Anna Bingham, clerk. The Sabbath-school connected 
with the church was organized in 1844, with a small mem- 
bership. The average attendance during the past year was 
forty-one. Rev. David Hyde has long acted in the capacity 
of superintendent. There is a pleasantly-located and finely- 
inclosed cemetery near the church. Over the gate is the 
inscription, " Lynwood Cemetery;" on the inner face is 
the legend, " Will not the Judge of all the earth do 
right?" 

The first religious meetings in the neighborhood were 
held at the house of John Loveless, on the northern part 
of great lot 4 of the twenty-fourth allotment of the Kaya- 
drossera patent, about the year 1825. Services were held 
at the residence of Rev. David Hyde until the church was 
built in 1844. 

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH OF HADLEY. 

The Wesleyan Methodist church was organized in 1844. 
Walter R. SutlifF was class-leader. Among the first mem- 
bers were Walter and Sarah Sutlifi", Riel Loveless, Anna 
Johnson, Dennis Townsend, Mrs. Joseph Smith, Mrs. Den- 
nis Townsend, Mrs. Tilly Houghton, Laney Gray, Lucy 
Houghton, Ira Gray, and Robert Johnson. There was a 
class of about twenty-five members. This church is one 
of a circuit, and the ministers in charge at its organization 
were Rev. S. H. Foster, Rev. James Dayton, and Rev. 
William H. Hawkins. Changes have been made at difi"crent 
times, and the following ministers have been connected 
with the circuit, Rev. Enos Putnam, Rev. S. Abbott, Rev. 
William P. Ray, and Rev. W. H. Flansburgh. The mem- 
bership has sometimes been as high as fifty, but is now about 



53 



418 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



twenty-five. There has been a Sunday-school connected 
with this church, which was organized in 1845. Walter 
R. Sutliff was first superintendent. The average member- 
.sliip has been about forty scholars. The church edifice 
was built in 1845. It is a plain wooden structure, with- 
out blinds or tower, unpainted and quite badly out of re- 
pair, with a gallery on three sides of the room. Size about 
thirty by forty feet. First cost was S2000. 

CONKLINGVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCU. 

Previous to the year 1854 religious meetings were held 
at various times by Rev. David Lyon, of Northampton, and 
also by Rev. Mr. James, a Dutch Reformed minister of the 
town of Day. These meetings were held in the hall on the 
second floor of the residence of Colonel Gurdon Conkling, 
and also in the school-house. On the 26th of September, 
1854, a committee appointed by the presbytery of Albany, 
consisting of Rev. J. T. Backus, D.D., Rev. S. E. Lane, 
and Rev. John Woodbridge, met in the hall above men- 
tioned for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian church. 
Rev. J. T. Backus acted as moderator. Ten persons 
were admitted to membership and constituted the original 
society. Of these, Gurdon and Caroline Conkling, Mrs. 
Sarah Conkling, William S. Young, Orlando Barnes, Wil- 
liam Farquar, William Wittington, and Perry Burton 
joined by letter, and Henry and Lucy Wilcox on profession 
of faith. William S. Young was elected clerk of the 
session. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was admin- 
istered, and the first meeting of the Presbyterian church 
of Conklingville ended. 

June 1, 1825, C. H. Skillman, a licentiate of the pres- 
bytery of New Brunswick, was delegated by the board of 
missions to take charge of the church. January 9, 1856, 
he joined the presbytery of Albany, and on the 17th of the 
same month was ordained to the ministry, and settled as 
the pastor of the church. He remained connected with the 
church in this capacity until June 1, 1860, when he relin- 
quished his charge. He was succeeded by J. K. McLean, 
a licentiate of Albany presbytery, who supplied the pulpit 
until October of that year. From October to December the 
pulpit was vacant. December 16, ISGO, Rev. J. A. Pat- 
terson, an evangelist of the pre.sbytery of Huntington, be- 
came stated supply for a time. During the years of 1861 to 
1866 there was no regular supply for the pulpit, and only 
occasional meetings were held. The church, however, was 
used by the 3Iethodist denomination and meetings were held 
by Rev. J. K. Wager during those years. April 14, 1867, 
an efibrt having been made to revive the somewhat dormant 
church, Rev. David Edgar became stated supply, and re- 
mained about six months. Another period of quiet, and 
then on the 21st of July, 1871, Rev. George Craig became 
stated supply. Again for a long time the pulpit was vacant, 
until in June, 1874, J. D. Countermine, a student at 
Princeton College, supplied the pulpit for about three 
mouths. The pulpit was then left unoccupied until July 
1, 1875, when Rev. George S. Bell became stated supply, 
and remains in that capacity at present. 

In the fall of 1856 steps were taken to bring about the 
erection of a house of worship, and the work was carried 
along so far as to have the building inclosed and a lecture- 



room finished off by the 28th of November. On that day 
a preparatory lecture was delivered by the pastor, Rev. C. 
H. Skillman. This was the first service held in the church. 
For ten years following the church remained in an unfin- 
ished state, services being held in the lecture-room, and, 
when demanded by the size of the audience, in the unfin- 
ished room. Notably was this the case when, in April, 
1865, that dark and gloomy wave of grief and lu>rror swept 
over the land, darkening every hearth, and throwing the 
chilled life-blood back upon the fainting hearts of forty mil- 
lions of people. When the terrible news of the assassina- 
tion of that best-beloved President America ever possessed, 
came on the wings of the lightning, the people here, as else- 
where, were grieved, shocked, and almost stunned. And 
on' that day, when a sorrowing nation, from Maine to Cali- 
fornia, and from the northern lakes to the boundaries of the 
defeated south, met to pay tribute to the worth and wisdom, 
the justice, generosity, kindness, and statesmanship of the 
departed, and to manifest their appreciation of his many 
virtues, and to mourn not only the country's loss but a loss 
which each one felt to be a personal bereavement, the citizens 
of Hadley in common with the liosts of their fellow-country- 
men met to bold a memorial service. The meeting was 
held at the unfinished church, which was crowded full, and 
was addressed by Rev. J. K. Wager, a Methodist Episco- 
pal minister, who, standing on an upturned dry-goods box, 
delivered a powerful and touching sermon. In 1866 the 
church was finished off, and the dedicatory services were 
held in the fall of that year, Rev. John Woodbridge, of 
Saratoga, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The building 
is a plain structure, about thirty by sixty feet in size, and 
surmounted by a square tower. It is painted white, with 
green blinds, and presents a neat and tasty appearance. 
The Sunday-school connected with this church was first or- 
sranized as a Union Sabbath-school in 1853 or 1854. The 
sessions were held in the hall in the second story of Col- 
onel Conkling's house. Miss Mary Hedges was the prime 
mover in this enterprise, and was the first superintendent. 
Mr. Albert Conkling, Mrs. Caroline Conkling, and Mrs. A. 
H. Palmer, were among the first teachers in the Sunday- 
school. The school was not very large, but has been con- 
tinued since, and is now in excellent condition. The 
present number of names on the roll is one hundred and 
twenty. There are one hundred and forty volumes in the 
library. The present officers are D. H. Yates, superinten- 
dent ; John King, assistant superintendent ; Martin II. 
Wilcox, secretary ; E. G. Dunklee, treasurer. 

The membership of the church has varied considerably 
from time to time, and is now about thirty-five. 

The following is a list of the elders of the society since 
its organization : William S. Young, Orlando Barnes, Wil- 
liam Farquhar, Cleaves K. Hutchinson, William Parker, 
Isaac Noyes, Jr., and D.ivid H. Yates. The present session 
is composed of Rev. George S. Bell, pastor, and Elders 
Isaac Noyes, Jr., William Parker, and David H. Yates. 

ST. John's episcopal cuurch, conklingville. 

Late in the fall of the year 1868, in response to the re- 
quest of several individuals, the Rev. C. T. V. Eastman, 
rector of the Church of the Redeemer, Northampton, Ful- 




J.J.W4IT. 



J. J. Wait was bom in Saratoga County, N. Y., February 
18, 1811. His ancestors were among the early settlers of 
the county, and met the obstacles of a pioneer life with that 
resolution and self-sacrifice characteristic of the offspring. 
He spent his minority, and until he was twenty-four years of 
age, on the farm with his father, receiving very limited oppor- 
tunities for any education from books. In the year 1835 
he married Miss Louisa, daughter of Jeremiah Baker, and 
about that time struck out into the busy world for himself; 
he engaged in the construction of mills and lumbering, 
which business his father had previously carried on quite 
largely in connection with his farming. In this business 
he successfiiUy continued for some thirty-four years. His 



health became somewhat impaired by over taxation of 
body, and for the past two years — to 1878 — he has been 
occupied as a farmer about two miles from Luzerne, Warren 
county, N. Y. 

He has spent a life of active business, been known as a 
man of strict integrity of purpose, and strong resolution to 
do whatever he conceived to be right. His wife dying, he 
married for his second wife Mrs. Bovard, widow of the late 
John Bovard, by whom he had three children, Effie, Henry 
R., and Lena, all of whom are living. 

Mr. Wait is unostentatious in his ways, and, by his social 
and courteous address, wins to himself as friends all with 
whom he comes in contact. 




RES/DENCE Of J.J. WAIT, HADLEY. SARATOGA CO .NY 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NKW YORK. 



4I'J 



ton Co., N. Y., came to Conklingville for the purpose of or- 
ganizitiir an Episcopal church. The meeting was held in 
the Presbyterian church, was well attended, and the .society 
was sucee.s.sfully organized with twenty-four members. 
Among them appear the names of Thoma.s and Ann Gil- 
lespie, Samuel and Anna Kinnear, James and Mary Par- 
ker, William W. and Eliza A. Foulks, Joseph and Mary J. 
Ro.ss, Edward and Susan Godsell, John and Ann Ilall, 
Elizabeth McConliie, John, James, and Edward Keagan, 
Tliomas Jones, and Thomas Evan.s. The first officers of the 
church were Thomas Gillespie and Samuel Kinnear, war- 
dens ; James Parker, John Hall, Sr., Thomas Evans, and 
William W. Foulks, vestrymen ; Joseph Ro.ss, treasurer. 
Rev. C. T. V. Eastman continued to hold services in tlie 
Presbyterian church and in the school-house for about a 
year. Benjamin Webb then became rector, and continued 
in that capacity till 1871. He was followed by Rev. Jo- 
seph Ritchie, who conducted services for but a few weeks, 
and was in turn followed by Rev. Mr. Moran, who served 
about three months. The church was then without a rec- 
tor for about four years. Services were, however, held 
during the summer seasons of 1872 and 1873 by Rev. 
Montgomery Hooper, who passed the summers in this lo- 
cality. June 24, 1876, Rev. Anson J. Brockway entered 
upon the rectorship, and continues to hold that relation 
to the chyreh at present. He resides at Luzerne, Warren 
Co., and has charge of a.church there also. 

The church edifice, which is a neat, yet plain structure, 
twenty-two by fifty-five feet, with a vestry eight by sixteen 
feet, was built during the fall of 1870 and the winter fol- 
lowing. It was finished off in the .spring of 1871. The 
ceremony of laying the corner-stone occurred on the 17th 
of September, 1870. The Rt. Rev. William Crosswell 
Doane, S.T.D., bishop of the diocese of Albany, performed 
the ceremony, which was witnessed by a large concourse of 
people. The church was the result of the efforts of poor 
men dependent upon day labor for the means of providing 
food for them.sclvcs and their families, as well as for the 
means to build churches. The hard times came on, wages 
were reduced, and the members of the church have found 
it impossible to fully pay all the obligations incurred by 
the erection of the building. As a consequence, the 
church has not yet been formally dedicated. The cost of 
the building and site was about $2400. It is pleasantly 
situated near the Sacandaga river, in the eastern end of the 
village. At present the number of members is about 
twenty-five. The present officers of the church are Thomas 
Gill&spie and John Keagan, wardens; James Gillespie, 
John Parker, James Davison, David York, vestrymen ; 
Joseph Ro.ss, treasurer ; James Keagan, clerk of vestry ; 
William Cameron, collector. Rev. Benjamin Webb or- 
ganized a Sabbath-school in connection with this church in 
the year 1870, with about twenty-five scholars, he acting 
as superintendent. The school has been continued up to the 
present time. The present superintendent is the rector. 
Rev. A. J. Brockway. 

VIII.— UURI.\L-1'LACE.S. 

The first burial was that of Betsey, a daughter of Alex- 
ander Stewart", in 170G. She was but three or four years 



old, and was buried in the Stewart burying-ground. The 
school-teacher. Pitcher, died of consumption, and was 
buried there a few years later. 

IX.-SOCIETIES. 

An Odd-Fellows' lodge was instituted at Conklingville in 
1851. Hon. A. H. Palmer, N. G. ; Charles Hale, V. G. ; 
Robert Humphrey, See. ; John Todd, Trcas. ; James Pink- 
erton, F. Sec, were the first officers. The meetings were 
held in the hall in Gurdon Conkling's house. The 
lodge liad about fifty members. In 1858 the charter was 
surrendered. 

A lodge of Good Templars was instituted by Dr. Ch.aun- 
cey Boughton in 1869. D. E. King, W. C. T. ; Mary S. 
}>almer, W. V. T. ; Jacob Palmer, W. Sec; and M. H. 
Wilcox, L. D., were the first officers. The lodge now 
numbers thirty-five members. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTERE.ST. 
There are no places of particular historic interest in this 
town. Some Indian relics are found occasionally in the 
valley of the Hudson. At the falls near the Hadley 
bridge, it is reported that .some troops crossed on a plank 
during the Revolution, and one man, in his haste, was said 
to have leaped the chasm. The distance across it is some 
twelve or fifteen feet. The water beneath is said to be 
over sixty feet deep. A young man was crossing the river 
above the falls in a canoe in 1805, when he became fright- 
ened, lost control of the boat, and, drifting over the falls, 
was drowned. " Indian rock," so called, is a large rock in 
the bed of the Sacandaga river, just l)elow the curve known 
as the " horse-race." It is so called, becau.se a legendary 
Indian brave was wrecked by it while passing down the 
river in his canoe. 

XI.— IXDLSTRIAL ENTEllPRISES. 

There is considerable land devoted to agriculture, not- 
withstanding the rough, mountainous nature of the coun- 
try. Yet lumbering, manufacturing, and similar work 
largely engro.ss the attention of the people. 

Lynwood tannery was built, in 1848, by Gurdon Conk- 
ling. It pas.scd through several hands, and in 1863 was 
bought by Henry Poor & Son, of Bo.st<in, who still own it. 
The buildings are forty by seven hundred feet, two stories 
high, with a rolling-room forty by sixty feet, an engine-house 
twelve by eighteen feet, and an oil-house, built of stone, 
thirty by fifty feet, attached. The hide storehouse is thirty 
by fifty feet. There is also a fine office. The capital in- 
vested is about 8100,000. The power is furnished by five 
water-wheels, of five feet diameter, and a thirty horse-power 
engine. 

The tannery uses about four thousand five hundred cords 
of hemlock bark each year, and twenty thousand hides. 
The bark is mostly obtained in the town of Day, and is 
drawn down the river on scows by a small steam-tug owned 
by the company. The hides come from Texas, Mexico, and 
South America. The annual product of the tannery is 
about three hundred and fifty tons of sole-leather, valued 
at S150,000. The pay-rolls contain the names of about 
forty workmen. 

Tlie paper collar-box factory, owned by James L. Libby, 



420 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



of New York, was started in 1872. The buildings are 
forty by one hundred and forty feet, two stories and a base- 
ment. Theodore Franklin is the agent in charge of the 
shop. The shop is driven by a sixty horse-power engine 
with two boilers. It employs from sixty to eighty hands. 
The capital invested in buildings and machinery is about 
$15,000. The shop uses about ten thousand beech, maple, 
and birch logs every year. The proprietors own some four 
or five thousand acres of woodland up the river, and the 
logs come from that source. The articles manufactured 
are bent boxes of all kinds and descriptions. The ma- 
chinery is built with special adaptation to the work required, 
and turns out the boxes with great rapidity. The value of 
the yearly product is between $50,000 and $75,000. 

The Conklingville woodenware- works, Benj. R:- Jenkins, 
agent, is a mammoth shop. The building is L-shaped, and 
the dimensions of the respective parts are forty-five by 
eighty-three and forty by one hundred and eleven feet. 
The whole building is two stories high (twenty-eight-foot 
posts) with a ten-foot basement underneath. The power 
is furnished by three turbine water-wheels of six-foot 
diameter, one central discharge water-wheel, about the same 
size, and one thirty horse-power engine. The articles manu- 
factured are covered wooden buckets in nests, clothes-pins, 
barrel-covers, grain-measures, wash-boards, and wooden 
bowls. The annual consumption of logs is about ten thou- 
sand. They are beech, maple, birch, ash, oak, elm, spruce, 
ba.sswood, pine, and hemlock logs, and mostly procured 
from three thousand acres of woodland in Day, owned by 
the proprietors. From seventy-five to one hundred hands 
are employed in this shop. There is from four hundred to 
five hundred feet of shafting used. 

XII.— MILITARY. 

The town of Hadley did not exist at the time of the 
Revolutionary struggle, and of course none of its citizens 
participated in the privations of that fiUeful contest for free- 
dom. But several of the heroes of that war, after its close, 
came to Hadley and settled here, and their names attach a 
share of the glory of the Revolution to the history of this 
town. Following is a list of those Revolutionary heroes 
whose names we have been able to obtain : Thomas Reed 
lived in the town of Hadley, near Jessup's Landing, and 
died there; John Johnson, Sr., served seven years in the 
Revolutionary war, lived in Hadley several years, died in 
Day, Nov. 25, 1836 ; Joseph Gilbert died in Hadley in 
1839 ; Edward Sherman died in Hadley ; Abel Houghton 
died in Hadley ; Asel Gray served throughout the Revolu- 
tion, removed to Hadley, and died there in 1827 ; David 
Jefi"ers died in Hadley. 

The War of 1812 called forth a few of Hadley's sturdy 
sons. So far as can be ascertained, none of them ever saw 
active service. They went to Plattsburg in 1814, and the 
war ended before they were brought into conflict with the 
foe. Those who went from the present town of Hadley 
were John Gilbert, who was a famous drummer, died in 
Hadley in September, 1872; James Delong, still living at 
Conklingville at the age of eighty-four years ; Rufus Wells ; 
Harry Burke, now living in Hadley ; 'Squire Lawton, who 
died in Hamilton county in November, 1876. 



Turner Gray, a son of Enoch Gray, Jr., .served in the 
Mexican war. He is now living in Illinois. 

This brings us to that great and momentous struggle for 
national existence that was ushered in by the guns fired at 
Fort Sumter in April, 1861. In the long, fierce, and des- 
perate struggle that followed that event Hadley sent many 
of her noblest sons to battle for the integrity of the flag, 
the perpetuation of American ideas, and the maintenance 
of the national existence. Some of them shed their blood 
and laid down their lives in the performance of the sacred 
duty. Others passed through the fiery trial and escaped 
unhurt. All are worthy of a lasting remembrance in the 
hearts of the people, and their names will render this page 
lustrous and radiant with the glory of their achievements. 
As far as can now be ascertained, the following is a correct 
record of the names and deeds of tlie citizen soldiery of 
1861—65 from this town : 

Warren Baker, priv., Co. E, 169th N. Y. Inf. ; discb-. with the regiment ; living 
in Phihtdelphia, Pa. 

Aniasa Bavtlett, priv., llStli N. Y. Inf.; enl. ISGl ; killed in battle. 

Cliarles Blackwood, priv., IGtb H. .\rt. ; Uisch. with the regiment; living in 
Uadley. 

George N. Blackwood, priv., 115th N.Y. Inf. ; enl. 18G1 ; disch. witli the regi- 
ment; living at Lnzerne, Warren Co., N. Y. 

William Blackwood, priv., lloth N. Y. Inf.; enl. lyoi ; taken prisoner, and died 
of starvation at Andersonville, Ga. 

Edward Blower, priv., Co.G, aoth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1801. 

John Brown, reg.nient and company niikmtwn ; died in the service. 

Josepli Camphell, priv., Co. G, oUth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1801 ; wonmlcd, Aug. 311, 
1S02, at the battle of Bull Run, and died in liospital, Sept. Util, at Ale.\- 
aiidria, Va. 

Dennis Costello, priv., Co. B, 9Cth N. T. Inf.; enl.lSOl; disch. with the regi- 
ment; living in Iladley. 

William Dingman, priv., ll.ith N.Y. Inf.; enl. 1801; killed at the battle of 
Drnrj's Bluff, Va. 

Julm W. Dubos, jiriv., ll.jlh N. Y. Inf; enl. 1801 ; killed during the seven 
days' figlit liefore Riclimond, Va. 

Samuel Ellis, priv., Co. G, I15lh N.Y. Inf.; eul. 1801; mustered out with the 
regiment; living in Hadley. 

Elam Evans, priv., lloth N. Y'. Inf.; enl. 1801; killed at the I attle of the Wil- 
dernes.s, Va., in 1804. 

Geoige Evans, priv., Co. C, llStli N. Y'. Inf.; enl. 1802 ; died in the service. 

Samuel Evaus, priv., U. S. Regulars. 

Jobu J. Flanders, company and regiment unknown; living at Stony Creek, 
Warren Co. 

Jonathan Flanders, company and regiment unknown ; liv.ug at Stony Creek, 
Warren Co. 

John Gilbert, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861 ; mustered out with regiment; 
living at Balchellerville. 

Briggs Gray, priv., 115th N.Y. Inf.; enl. 1801 ; mustered out with regiment 
living in Hadley. 

George Hiiriiiigton, priv.. 12th U. 3. Regnlais; lost an arm, and died in hospital 
from effects of wound. 

Eugene Holland, sailor, on board U. S. Frigate " Hartford." 

John Holland, sailor, on board U. S. Steamer "Buckingham." 

Charles Jeffers, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; mustered out with the regiment ; living in 
Hadley. 

Rollin Jenkens, priv., Co. E, 169th N. Y. Inf. ; mustered out with the regi- 
ment. 

Joel J. Loveless, priv., Co. E, 109th N. Y. Inf.; disch. on account of sickness; 
living in Iowa. 

William Mahar, priv., CoF, lloth N. Y". Inf.; enl. Aug. 13, 1802; mustered out 
with the regiment; living in Fulton county, 

Slaioney, killed at the battle of Stono River. 

John McCormick, priv., Co. G, 3Uth N. Y. Inf. ; enl, 1861 ; disch, w ith the regi- 
ment, June 15, 1803; living in Albany. 

Zabin Mills, piiv,,Co, E, 169th N, Y, Inf,; enl, 1802; died in hospital at Wash- 
ington, D, C, 

William Newton, priv,, lloth N, Y, Inf, ; enl, 1862 ; killed by the explosion of 
mine at Fort Fisher, N. C. 

Charles U. Palmer, 1st lieut,, Co, E, 169lh N, Y, Inf, ; died in hospital at Ports- 
mouth, Va, 

Mandelbert J. Palmer, Corp., Co, E, 160th N. Y. Int.; died in seivice, Oct, 10, 
1803, 

Wm, H, Palmer, priv,, Co, B, l:^th N, Y, II, Art, ; mustered out with regiment; 
living in Philadelphia, Pa, 

John Peart, com, sergt,, Cu, A, 21st N, Y. Car, ; lost his hft leg at battle 
of .\shby's Gap, Va., in 1804; d.scharged for d.sability ; living in 
Hadley, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



421 



Joseph Reed, piiv., llSth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 18G2; lost an arm ; disch. for disabil- 
ity; living in Hiidloy. 

Flunk Rice, priv., — N. Y. Cav.; kilU-d in Lattle. 

Wade Rice, priv., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. 18G2 ; mustered out with regiment ; 
living in lladley. 

Joseph Rqss, priv., Co. G, 30tli N. Y. Inf. ; enl.l8Gl; mustered out with regi- 
ment; living at Coiiklingville. 

Samuel Ross. 

Edwin Ruthven, priv., Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 18G1; mustered out with 
regiment; living at Conklingville. 

Satilshury, onl. 18G1 ; killed Aug. liO, 18G2. at battle of Bull Run. 

Wesley Sctjvill, enl. 18G2; discharged ; living in Fulton county. 

Edward Sherman, priv., 22d N. Y. Inf.; enl. ISGl ; wounded at Bull Run ; disch. 
with regiment; living at Pitholc, Pa. 

Zabin Shippey, priv.. lir>th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1SG2 ; mustered out with regiment; 
living in lladley. 

Irving Simpson, priv., Co. F, llolli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 13, 1862; disch. with 
regiment ; died at Conklingville since the cluse of the war. 

Charles Stewart, priv., 2d N. Y. Yet. Cav. ; discharged. 

Daniel A. Stewart, piiv., 9^d N. Y. Inf.; disch. with regiment; lives in 
Hadley. 



Truman B. Stewart, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1801 ; disciiarged. 
Walter SutlifT, priv., Co. F.llSth N.Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 13,18G2; disch. for sick- 
ness; recently removed from Conklingville. 
Henry Townsend, piiv. ; died in the service. 
Cassius Varney, priv., Co. E, lG9th N. Y. Inf. ; died in rebel prison at Anderson- 

ville, Ga., in 18G4. 
Obadiuh Viirney, priv.,Co. E, lG9tli N. Y. Inf. ; died atDavey's island, near New 

York, Aug. G, 18G5. 
Simeon Wail, priv.; died in hospital. 

Blichael Ward, priv., Co. G, 3Utli N. Y. Inf. , enl. 18G1 ; living in Albany. 
Frederick Washburn, priv., 5th U. S. Reg. Cav. ; mustered out at close of the 

war; living in Hadley. 
Henry Washburn, priv., Co, G, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 18G1 ; disch. with regiment ; 

lives at Conklingville. 
Iia Wiushbnrn, priv., Co. F, lloth N.Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug.l3, 18C2 ; died at Ililion 

Head, S. C, in June, 18G3. 
Elbridge Wbeelock. priv., Co. E, 'JGth N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861; killed at the battle 

of the Wilderness, in 18G4. 
Wni. Wbeelock, enl. ISCl ; discharged. 

Ar.el Loveless, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 22, 18G1. 
Richard M. Sprague, priv., Cu. G, lloth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. July 29, 18G2. 



M O R E A U. 



r.— GEOflRAPIIICAL POSITION. 

MOREAU is embfiiced in the Great Bend of the Hudson, 
in the northeast corner of the county. It is bounded north 
and east by the county line, south by Northumberland and 
Wilton, west by Corinth and the county line. It is mostly 
a part of the Kayadrossera patent, and contains 18,896 
acres of improved land, 47ti0 acres of unimproved, and of 
this last amount 3083 are woodland. The population in 
1875 was 2315. 

To the geographical statement we add the legal descrip- 
tion of this town and the definition of its boundaries, as 
found in the revised statutes of the State. 

" The town of Moreau shall contain all that part of saul county 
bounded westerly by Corinth, southerly by Northumberland and 
Milton, and northerly and easterly by the bounds of the county." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The west part of the town is occupied by the rocky and 
precipitous peaks of the Palmertown mountains. The 
Hudson river forms the north, the east, and part of the 
west boundary of the town. The central and east portions 
of the town are broken and undulating, with many ravines 
in connection with the small rivulets. The Snoek Kill and 
its tributaries drain the southern part of the town. Upon 
the Hudson river are many rapids and falls, affording val- 
uable water-power at several points. The town is fertile in 
its central and southeastern parts, which are now divided 
into highly-cultivated and productive farms. Other por- 
tions of the town are less desirable, the soil in some sec- 
tions being a coarse sand hardly worth cultivation. 

The P.dinjrt;own mountaias at the west are full of grand 
and beautiful scenery. Som >what unnoticed in the popular 
rush for the Adirondacks and other more distant places in 
years past, they have not perhaps attracted the attention to 
which they are entitled. Rising suddenly from the plains 
of Moreau, a clear, well-defined mountain-range, their wood- 
crowned summits overlook an extensive country, affording 
views of surpassing loveliness. To the west and the north 
nature in its roughest, wildest forms greets the eye, while 
south and east cultivated fields, flourishing villages, and 
distant cities offer pictures of rare beauty. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

To .secure the names of the few families said to have 
been in the town of Moreau before the Revolution, with 
dates of settlement, has been a work of con.siderable diffi- 
culty. The following account is pretty well authenticated. 
There may be names not secured, but those who are men- 
tioned in the following pages are believed to be correctly 
given. 

Elijah Parks came from Salisbury, Conn., in 1766, and 
in connection with his sons — a part of them already mar- 
422 



ried — purchased eight hundred acres of land at South 
Glen's Falls. Elijah built the dwelling-house, afterwards 
known as the " old castle," and a saw-mill about on the 
site of the present lower mill of the Morgan lumber com- 
pany. His son Daniel settled on the flat down the river, 
the present Bcntley place. Lewis Brown, a son-in-law, and 
Ephraim Parks had another house near that of Elijah, 
above the old castle, a double log house. These were the 
first houses at South Glen's Falls, and perhaps the first in 
town. It is said there were twelve families between Fort 
Miller and Fort Edward on the west side of the river 
when the Revolutionary war broke out, but the dates and 
names are very difficult to obtain ; and as the date of the 
Parks emigration is well settled by records in the hands of 
Merwin Parks, Esq., 176G, as given above, this very likely 
constituted the fir.st opening in the forest of Moreau. In 
1775, when the news of Lexington was stirring the blood 
of Americans all over the land, about the same time that 
Colonel Ethan Allen was thundering at the gates of Tioon- 
deroga in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental 
Congress, Daniel Parks, a man of gigantic stature, " born 
to command," gathered a few neighbors from Fort Edward 
and, without any pretense of orders from Congress or 
anybody else, not claiming even the authority given by 
Colonel Allen, pushed through the woods nine miles, and 
demanded and received the keys of Fort George. This is 
the tradition in the Parks family, and it is well sustained 
by the fact that upon Daniel Parks' tombstone, who died in 
1818, there is the following inscription : " One of the vet- 
erans of the Revolutionary war. He was the man that 
took the keys from the British officer at Lake George in 
1775." 

This fact in Daniel Parks' life must have been well au- 
thenticated then, sixty years ago. It is true the capture of 
the fort has passed into history as the act of Colonel Ber- 
nard Romans, and he very probably did reach that point 
two or three days later, and as a military officer under 
authority of Congress, assumed charge of the fort. Now 
for the dates: Ethan Allen's force seized Fort Ticonderoga 
May 10. 1775 ; Colonel Romans is reported at Fort George 
the 12th, and soon after left for Ticonderoga. The seizure 
by Parks must have been at just the same time, or perhaps 
earlier than the capture of Ticonderoga. 

Another theory is given in Holden's " History of Queens- 
bury" : that Colonel Romans, reaching Fort Edward, secured 
the assistance of Daniel Parks and other volunteers ; but the 
tradition in the family, sustained by the tombstone record 
of 1818, is no doubt correct, that the act was the independ- 
ent move of Parks and his associates just previous to the 
arrival of Romans. 

Early in the summer of 1777, while the Burgoyne cam- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



423 



paigu was in its earlier stages, and Tories with their Indian 
allies thronged this vicinity, the house of Elijah I'arks was 
attacked by a murderous band. It is probable that on the 
first alarm Lewis Brown and Ephraim Parks, who lived in 
the double log house, hurriedly fled to the " old castle" of 
Elijah, and made the best defense possible. Some reports 
say they were not there at first. The eiact particulars of 
the struggle at the house cannot be given. The intimation 
in some of the accounts of the massacre that the Tories 
were led by one Richardson, who desired to obtain the title- 
deeds or other papers belonging to Elijah Parks, may pos- 
sibly be true, but it is not credited by Jlerwin Parks, a 
grandson of Daniel, now living at South Glen's Palls, who 
has given considerable attention to this and other legends 
of the family. It is his opinion that the attack was simply 
one of the marauding, plundering excursions common to 
that time, and that there was not probably any question of 
title-deeds. If any special rea.son led to the attack, it was 
probably something growing out of Elijah Park.s' doings as 
a noted patriot, and out of some service he had rendered 
against the Tories. 

Elisha and Isaac Parks resided with their father, but were 
away when the attack was made. They arrived to find 
their father dead, and Eli.sha, stepping to the door, was shot 
in the bowels by the Tories still concealed near the house. 
He had a light in his hand and his wife stood beside him. 
The wounded man fled to the house of Daniel, below, and 
the women of Elijah's household also fled. Elisha, with his 
hands over the wound, reached the house of Daniel, who 
had just come home, and on the way had heard the guns, 
but supposed it was his brothers discharging their pieces to 
load them again for safety through the night. Daniel was 
only detained from going at once to the scene of the fight 
by the earnest entreaties of the wounded man that he should 
try to save his own family. A bed was thrown into a 
canoe, the wounded man placed upon it, and also the wife 
and children of Daniel. They were all taken safely across 
the Hudson, probably to the house of Albert Baker, the 
second settler at Sandy Hill, who had come there in 17G8. 

A note to page 427 in Holden's " History of Queensbury" 
probably applies to the women of the two households at 
Glen's Falls, who are reported as having fled into the woods 
with a boy thirteen or fourteen j'ears of age. Being met 
by Indians, they saved themselves from capture by stating 
that the boy, who was considerably bundled up, had the 
smallpox. The Indians left with considerable haste. It 
needs no elaborate description to render clear the horrors of 
that fearful night. The father dead in the " old castle"' ; 
the son, Eli.sha, with his bowels, as it were, in his hands, 
fleeing to his brother's house ; the hasty gathering of the 
little children ; the wife and the dying brother crossing the 
Hudson in the darkness for safety; the other hnuschold.s, 
with the young wife .separated from her woumled husband, 
fleeing into the depths of the forests and reaching Fort Ed- 
ward. Such are the sacrifices met by those who settled 
these now peaceful plains and carved out for themselves the 
rich inheritance, the beautiful homes of their descendants. 
Elisha Parks died the next morning, and his body and that 
of his father were buried at Sandy Hill, on the site of the 
Presbyterian church. The rude stones which originally 



marked their graves are said to be laid into the foundation 
walls of the church. Lewis Brown and Isaac Parks were 
taken prisoners that night. Brown managed to escape the 
next morning. Andrew Lewis, a son-in-law of Abraham 
Wing, lived on the island, and the Tories attempted to cap- 
ture him ; but for want of boats they could only do it by 
wading, and he made this so dangerous by the use of his 
trusty rifle, that they gave up the attempt. A party formed 
at Fort Edward the next morning started in pursuit. 
Daniel Parks and Lewis Brown joined them. They found 
the smoking ruins of the elder Parks' house and the saw- 
mill. The double log house was not burned. 

The Tories, with Ephraim Parks and some other captives, 
though who they were does not appear, fled up the Hudson, 
crossing the Sacandaga at its mouth. At Stony creek they 
took the bed of the stream. The pursuers, baffled and 
losing the trail, returned. Doubtless the lives of the pris- 
oners were saved by this return, for Isaac Parks stated that 
they overheard the Tories decide to kill them if they were 
overtaken. Isaac Parks was carried to Canada, escaped 
three times, was re-taken, and kept three years. 

This raid broke up the Parks settlement. They re- 
moved within the protection of Fort Edward. 

Solomon Parks, son of Daniel, though a mere lad, is said 
to have been an orderly attached to the staff of Colonel 
Long, of the militia stationed at Fort Ann. About two 
weeks before Burgoyne's advance it was thought necessary 
to send all the families of this section to places of safety in 
Dutchess county and in Connecticut. Solomon Parks, with 
others, was detailed to assist in this flight. All the horses 
and oxen of the neighborhood were pressed into the service. 

The Parks families returned when peace was declared, 
and with their numerous branches have ever since been 
prominent in the northern section of the town. Three old 
wood-colored houses at Baker's Falls, and one farther west, 
towards Glen's Falls, are old homesteads of this family. 
Zina Parks, thought to be the oldest living resident born 
in the town, still survives at the age of eighty-one. 

The following note is here added from Holden's " History 
of Queensbury" : " Some confusion has arisen by reason of 
the different modes of spelling this family name. The 
family claims affinity with the Parke family of Virginia, 
so nearly allied to the Custis and Washington families. 
The autograph of Daniel Parks shows that he spelt the 
name Parhe. By permission, some years since, I copied 
from the fly-leaf of the Parks fiimily Bible the following, 
which affords support to the foregoing statement with refer- 
ence to early settlement : 

" ' I, S. Parks, and Susannah, my wife, were married in 
1789, in May. I was born in the town of Half-JIoon, 
now Waterford. When I was two months old my father 
moved his family to what was then called Wing's Falls, 
and now Glen's Falls, and there built the first mills that 
was ever built there. And we suffered a great deal in the 
struggle for liberty. We lost our lives and property, and 
became poor and weak.' " 

This young Solomon was the son of Daniel, and while it 
confirms on the whole the record at the beginning of this 
narrative, it shows that Daniel Parks must have come here 
earlier than his fatlier Elijah. This record shows also that 



424 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Solomon was only a boy of twelve when said to have been 
acting as orderly. The tradition of the family is, that he 
was only an officer's servant, and that is consistent with the 
age given, though hardly consistent with the idea that he 
had charge of the removal of I'amilies before the advance of 
Burgoyne. It carries the date of Daniel Parks' settlement 
at Glen's Falls back to 1765. 

At what is now South Glen'.s Falls in this town there is a 
tract of land, containing about two thousand acres, known 
as the Glen patent. It forms a gore between the north line 
of the Kayadrossera patent and the river. This patent was 
granted to John Glen, of Schenectady, in 1770. But the 
Parks' had made improvements there before this time, 
which they also sold to Glen. Glen cut a road through 
the woods from Schenectady, which ran through Saratoga 
Springs, and commenced operations on his patent about the 
year 1770, — some say earlier. After the Revolution, Glen 
occupied the place for many years. He came with his fam- 
ily and colored servaTits, and sjicnt his summer there, living 
in fine style in the " old castle." 

The place was first called Wing's Falls, but about the year 
1788 Glen purchased the right to the name of Mr. Wing, 
the proprietor on the north side of the river. Tradition 
says Glen agreed to pay the expenses of a wine-supper for 
the entertainment of a party of mutual friends. To this 
Mr. Wing assented ; the supper was had, and the name 
changed to Glen's Falls, which it has since borne.* 

Jacob Bitely. — From the account of Mr. Bitely, now 
a police officer in the village of Glen's Falls, we learn that 
his grandfather, Jacob Bitely, settled in Moreau before the 
Revolution. His farm was the present Hitchcock place on 
the river. During the most dangerous stage of the Bur- 
goyne campaign, the family left for safety and went over to 
the other side of the river. They were gone but seven 
days. They returned to find their buildings burned, and 
were obliged to erect temporary shelter and get through the 
following winter under circumstances of great difficulty and 
hardship. Like all other families in this section, they re- 
call many incidents of the great struggle. During the war 
a girl from a recent settler's family came to Mr. Bitely 's to 
ask for help. He put up for her a quantity of meal, and 
then told the " boys" to draw the seine and catch some fish 
for her. AVhile they were doing this they were surprised 
by some Tories and taken prisoners. John Bitely, Henry 
Bitely, Nathan Duryeo, Lydius Duryee, and Epliraim Cree- 
han were carried away to Canada and kept several months. 
The Duryees were from the other side of the river. 

Jacob Bitely left four sons, the two above mentioned and 
two more, Jacob and Peter. 

David Jones.. — Some years before the Revolution, just 
how many is uncertain, this family, destined to have a 
prominent place in history, in con.sequcncc of their relation 
to the murder of Jeanie McCrea, came from Leamington, 
N. J., and settled on the river. Their place w;vs the pres- 
ent Rogers farm. The family consisted of a widow and 
six sons. Four of the sons went farther north, and settled 
at Moss Street, above Sandy Hill. Two sons, David and 
Solomon, remained with their mother. A little earlier than 



-■ .Sec Hoi Jen's "History of Qucinsbury," page 359. 



this, John McCrea had settled on the same side of the 
river, within the present limits of the town of Northumber- 
land, and Jeanie McCrea, sister of John, came from New 
Jersey and lived with her brother. Here the old acquaint- 
ance between the families in New Jersey was continued, 
and David Jones and Jeanie BIcCrea were the mutual attrac- 
tion to each other in the respective homes. When the 
Revolution broke out, the fearful line of civil war was drawn 
through neighborhoods formerly united in peaceful associa- 
tion, and through families bound by the ties of home and 
love, sundering the tenderest relations and shattering the 
brightest of human hopes. John McCrea, a patriot, en- 
tered the American service. 

Before the Revolution, it is said General Thomas Rogers 
bargained for the Jones lot. After the war, about the 
year 17815, General Rogers took possession of the Jones 
homestead with his wife and children, and the place, now 
so adorned and beautified, is still in the possession of his 
descendant.s. One of his sons married a daughter of Colonel 
Sidney Borey, of Northumberland. Being early left a 
widow, she afterwards married Judge Esek Cowen, of Sara- 
toga Springs. 

David Jones, being a loyalist, entered the British army, 
and in the attempt to have his betrothed wife brought to the 
British camp, in the summer of 1777, the fearful massacre 
took place which sent a thrill of horror through the land 
and became a powerful agent in arousing the country to 
resist to the bitter end the onward march of Burgoyne. 

On the Olmstead farm were very early settlers undoubt- 
edly before the Revolution. The chain of title has been 
from Hilton to Reynolds, Reynolds to Shepherd, Shepherd 
to Olmstead. The first-named Hilton was no doubt the 
pioneer. An unusual circumstance connected with this 
farm is, that a mortgage executed by Hilton had an ex- 
tension of seventy-five yeitrs before it was paid. Interest 
was paid on it regularly through the time of Hilton, Rey- 
nolds, Shepherd, and the principal was at last paid up and 
the mortgage discharged after the Olmsteads came in pos- 
session. 

At the mouth of the Snoek Kill there was living in the 
time of the Revolution one Captain Tuttle. There is a 
tradition, but not fully authenticated, that his house was 
burned by Burgoyne's army. 

Some of the older people recall the name of Harrington 
as that of a family here in the time of the Revolution. 
Lent Hamlin states that there was a family also living on 
a part of the present Rogers property, whose house was 
secretly entered by the Tories and the milk poisoned for 
the purpose of destroying them and other patriots. 

These families, with perhaps a few others, constituted 
the population of the present town of Moreau when the 
fury of the fierce conflict between England and the colo- 
nies burst upon the land. The progress of settlement was 
stayed. The few who were here were divided into patriots 
and loyalists, or, to use the names they applied to each 
other, rebels and Tories. Henceforward lives and homes 
could only be saved by unceasing vigilance, by innumerable 
stratagems, by flight, or by the use of trusty firearms al- 
ways loaded and ready for instant use. Under such a state 
of society women, and even children, grew heroic, and often 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



425 



saved their lives and the lives of others by acts of heroism 
brighter than the deeds of chivalry. 

When the storm had passed and the sky cleared, the sun 
of peace, gently rising upon a free country, shone upon 
many a scene of desolation, many a home of soi'row. The 
Hudson breaking from the mountains, drew its curved and 
waving boundary line as before. The dark pine-forests 
still covered the plains of the interior, the hills rose in 
grandeur at the west, but the cabins and the cottages of 
the settlers were in ruins. Slowly they returned to gather 
about them the remnants of their broken households, and 
build again homes for themselves and their children. It 
was a work full of sad memories. There were some who 
would return no more forever. The ti-eaty of peace could 
not bring back the dead. Around the hearth-fires of the 
Parks family there were vacant chairs. The aged sire and 
the stalwart son were sleeping where neither the thunders 
of war nor the salutes of peace would ever again waken 
them to field or fireside. 

The boat of David Jones no longer cleft the waters of 
the river, and Jeanie McCrea was no longer waiting to catch 
the first sight of his flashing oar. She was at rest in the 
grave, where soldier hands had tenderly buried her mangled 
form, and he wa.s a sad, lone exile, mourning over a lost 
love and a lost land. 

But time and toil are God's angels of peace to sorrowing 
homes ; hope rises with labor ; hearts are strong when 
hands are busy ; courage conquers sorrow within and dan- 
ger without. New houses were built, no longer to be 
guarded by the rifle ; new fields were cleared ; grain again 
ripened in the war-swept valley ; new settlers, under the 
glad impulse of a land redeemed from foreign rule, came 
from their old homes and penetrated the wilderness ; and 
thus through toil and war and blood was reached the 
second pioneer period of Moreau, extending from the close 
of the Revolution to the organization of the town. 

About the year 1790 a large number of settlers came to 
this section of country. Daniel Hamlin, Paulinus Potter, 
and Mr. Churchill, three brothers-in-law, all came from 
Connecticut. With them, or soon after, came Moses Lewis. 
Daniel Hamlin's pioneer home was on what was afterwards 
known as the Tearse place. He had three sons, — Daniel, 
Truman, and Lent. 

The latter, born in 1799, is still living, and has furnished 
several items of early settlement for this work. Joel Potter, 
son of the early settler, Paulinus Potter, also resides with 
Hamlin, at an advanced age. The Churchill place was 
in the same neighborhood. Moses Lewis' farm was the 
present place of John Thompson. 

Just after the war, Colonel Thomas Rogers, said to be a 
descendant of John Rogers, the martyr, settled upon the 
river. It is understood that the Jones place was confis- 
cated, and purchased by Mr. Rogers of the State. Whether 
this was so or not, it became the early homestead of the 
Rogers family. Colonel Rogers had three sons, — Thomas, 
James, and Halsey. Edward Washburn, of Fort Edward, 
when a boy, lived at Colonel Rogers' ; was there when he died, 
in 1810. He stales that there was another pioneer family, 
that of Juhn Rogers, in the same neighborhood. Thomas 
Rogers was the first supervisor of the town. The old honie- 
54 



stead is now owned by a descendant, John Rogers, and with 
its hedges, beautiful groves, and grounds finely laid out, is 
one of the most delightful places upon the river. 

Billy J. Clark, the early physician, so well known, and 
spoken of at length in another place, settled in 1799 at the 
Corners that now bear his name. Dr. Clark and Dr. 
Littlefield were the earliest physicians in town. 

Previously, Dr. Wicker, of Easton, was sent for in sick- 
ness, and it was under his advice that the young Dr. Clark, 
then a student in his oflace, came to Moreau. 

Amos Hawley came from Connecticut in 1802, and 
settled on the present place of Edward Hawley. He bought 
the place of one Baird, who may have been a pioneer before 
the Revolution. Deacon Shepherd was also an early .settler, 
below the Rogers place, on the river. He had three sons, 
— John, Joseph, and Amos. James Burnham and Josiah 
Burnham settled in the Parks neighborhood, at Baker's 
Falls. John Reynolds was another pioneer, about 1800. 
His brother, George Reynolds, came a few years later. He 
opened a tavern at the Corners which bear his name. The 
house is now occupied by his son, Hon. Austin L. Reynolds. 
The Thompsons were early settlers. There were six 
brothers, — Hugh, Sidney, Berry, Eben, Lewis, and Asahel. 
In 1799, Giles Sill came from Lyme, Connecticut. He 
bought a farm of Mr. Hamilton, upon which mills were 
already built. 

Mr. Hamilton's name should perhaps be added to the 
pioneers before the Revolution. 

Giles Sill's purchase was the farm now owned by his 
grandson, John N. Sill. Of his sons, Enoch and Gurdon 
settled in this town. The former was an active member 
in the Congregational church, and the name of the latter 
appears as one of the presidents of the old temperance 
society. On his tombstone is recorded the following epitaph : 
" A temperance soldier of 1808 : ever faithful to the cause." 

At the " bend" there were several families very early. 
Dexter Whipple and Elisha Danford, brothers-in-law, came 
there about 1800, or 1802, from Connecticut. Oliver 
Hubbard, probably from the same State, was also a well- 
known resident there. Ichabod Hawley owned a large 
tract of land north from the bend, — the neighborhood where 
the Whipples now live, — and resided there. Mr. Andrews 
was an early settler with the Churchills from Connecticut. 

Henry Martin, whose name appears as the first town 
clerk, and held that office for many years, was an early 
merchant. 

John Albrow was an early settler near Fortsville, Irenus 
Hulbert at Clark's Corners, and Ezra Cooper. 

Lewis Brown was an early settler ; spoken of as a man 
of a humorous turn of mind, full of practical jokes. He 
once told a neighbor that he had lost sixty lambs that year. 
When inquired of as to the reason of so great a loss, he 
replied he had no sheep to raise them from. 

Arrested for some petty offense and taken to Albany, he 
quietly informed the landlord at some stopping-place that 
the sheriff, who was in charge of him, was the prisoner, 
and mu.st be locked up. Told the landlord the man would 
protest and pretend to be an officer, but he must pay no 
attention to it and lock him up. It was done, but by what 
legal or other process the sheriff escaped does not appear. 



426 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



In later years, Benjamin Barrett is remembered as a 
peculiar genius, a noted lumber-dealer and raftsman upon 
the river. On one occasion, not liking the looks of an 
untidy, dirty-faced girl that waited upon him and his 
friends at a tavern, he called for a tub, for two or three 
pails of water, for soap and towels, all of which were duly 
brought according to his order. 

Then suddenly seizing the unsuspecting girl, they gave 
her a bath and a scrubbing long to be remembered. 
"There," he says to the astonished landlady, "you have 
got a clean waiter once." The following has so often 
been told of so many, we may safely repeat it of Barrett : 
At Troy he laid a wager of five dollars with an Irishman 
that he could throw the said son of Erin across the Hudson 
river. The wager was accepted, and the money put up. 
Seizing the sturdy Irishman by the nape of the neck and 
the " northwest corner of his pants," as our informant 
describes it, he threw him plump into the stream. The 
man, puffing and blowing, clambered up the bank and 
demanded the money. " But," said Barrett, " I didn't 
promi.se to do it the first time ; I will do it yet if it takes 
all- day." The Irishman saw the point, and preferred to 
lose the money rather than have the experiment con- 
tinued. 

About a mile north of Fortsvilie, on the old stage-road 
from Saratoga Springs to Sandy Hill, Josiah J. Griswold 
kept a tavern at a very early period. This account of 
early settlement is already extended later probably than 
the year 1805, when the town was organized ; but we add 
a few more names. James Mott came from Half-Moon in 
1808, and settled on the William Haviland fiirm. His 
brother, Thomas Mott, a few years later, bought the present 
Alpheus place. Another brother, William, came about 
the same time as Thomas. His place was the present Ira 
Palmer farm. 

The two pioneer Mott families in this country were Jesse 
Mott, of Saratoga, and Zebulon Mott, of Half-Moon. The 
Moroau settlers were sons of Zebulon. The mother of Mr. 
Joseph A. Sweet was a sister of the elder Motts, and the 
late supervisor, S. Mott Sweet, unites the family names in 
his signature. 

Joseph A. Sweet has many manuscripts, interesting 
memorials of the family, unpublished poems, and other 
valuable material. Abraham I. Fort was a prominent set- 
tler, but not the first pioneer at the hamlet that bears his 
name, Fortsvilie. 

In connection with this point. Truman Wilcox was well 
known by his manufactory of earthenware. He came from 
Hartford, Conn., fir.st to Bald mountain, across the river, 
then to Gansevoort, and finally to Fortsvilie ; at this last 
place he carried on the business for forty-nine years, and 
died Juno 9, 1873, aged eighty-one. 

The notes from the town records, the lists of town offi- 
cei-s, the membership of the early " Temperate Society of 
Moreau," and the records of the churches together show 
many additional names of early settlens. It is believed that, 
with the preceding notices of pioneers, they constitute a 
correct .statement of the first settlement of the town. 

Jabez Hamilton was a settler in the western part of the 
town, over the mountains, as early as 1800. His son, Jabez 



Hamilton, Esq., of South Glen's Falls, has been a justice of 
the peace for many years. 

The Hayfords were also residents here, about the time 
of the Hamlins and Churchills. 

Grist-mills were established very early, before 1800, 
opposite Sandy Hill, and also at Fortsvilie. In building 
the present mill at Fortsvilie, which stands upon the site 
of the first one, the old mill-stones were taken out. Lent 
Hamlin remembers that people went to mill over the river, 
walking string-pieces with bags of grain on their shoulders. 
Has been to mill himself, horseback, when he was so young 
that if a bag with a peck in it fell off', he could only get 
it on again by lifting it upon a stump, and then on the 
horse. 

Tillottson's ferry, across the Hud.son, was established at 
the " Big Bend," in 1823. The timber rafted down the 
upper Hudson was taken out at this point, drawn across 
the country to the river again near Fort Edward. 

Glen's Falls was known as Wing's Falls until about 1788. 

In very early times there was a tavern at the present 
Ensign place, kept by Conrad Ollendorf This was on 
two important routes. The lumber and business travel 
from the " bend" across to the " roll-way," at Deadman's 
point, passed by this house. Also, the stage-line from 
Saratoga Springs, via Fortsvilie, to the old bridge at Sandy 
Hill. The old Mawney house, at Clark's Corners, the 
Reynolds tavern, on the route from Fort Edward to the 
old Saratoga line, at Fortsvilie, the tavern kept by Josiah 
Gri.swold, and another near the Wilton line by Betts, were 
all early taverns in this town. The opening of the railroad 
changed all the bu.siness features of the interior of the 
town. The railroad, drawn in a curve from Gansevoort 
clear around to Glen's Falls, furnishes the traveling facili- 
ties and the business connections. The small handets have 
lost the importance they once had. Most of the trade is 
at the villages just outside the boundary line of the town. 

At South Glen's Falls the Baptist church was organized 
in 1794, over which Rev. Calvin Hulbert was pastor for 
many years. At that time members connected with this 
church lived at the Great bend, four miles west. 

Elder John C. Holt, of Moreau, was at Glen's Falls in 
1832-33, in a great revival, when eighty were added to the 
church. 

The Congregational church of Moreau was established 
about 1796 (River), and from Qaeeiishnrt/ Earnest Cheny 
used to cross the ferries at Sand Beach or the Block-house 
to attend. Also, at Reynolds' Corners, in 1800, wives on 
hor.soback behind their husbands, or sometimes walking 
the string-pieces that were put across the Hudson at the 
island at Glen's Falls. 

Mr. John Folsom, soon after 1800, built the house so 
long known as the Rice mansion. He came from Albany ; 
was an elder in the Presbyterian church, and was very ac- 
tive in organizing the church at Glen's Falls. He was a 
man of considerable means, at one time owning a large in- 
terest in the toll-bridge. He was active in religious work 
in the neighborhood, and was regularly licensed as a 
n.inister, but seems never to have borne the title of Rev. 
He died in 1839, Dec. 2, aged eighty-three. His mansion 
is still spoken of as the " old Folsom house." 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



427 



Colonel Sidney Berry, of Noitliuniberland, had one son 
(Sidney), who settled atUlen's Falls, and married a, daugh- 
ter of John Folsom. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

The town is named in honor of Marshal Moreau, who 
visited this country in 1804-5. FIc had participated 
largely in public affairs in Franca, and been prominent in 
the wars which had desolated that country. Being com- 
promised by some real or suspected plot against the govern- 
ment, he was exiled, and passed the yeara 1805 and 1806 
in the United States. Returning to France, he re-entered 
the army, and died of wounds received at the battle of 
Dresden, Sept. 2, 1813. 

The town was organized ^lareh 28, 1805, its territory 
being taken from Northumberland. The first town-meeting 
was held at the dwelling-house of Samuel Scovill, Jr., 
on Tuesday, the 16th day of April, 1805. The following 
officers were elected : Thomas Rogers, supervisor ; Henry 
Martin, town clerk ; Amos Hawley, Nathaniel Sill, Caleb 
Burrows, assessors ; Elijah Dunham, Irenus Hulbert, 
Samuel Crippen, highway commissioners ; Amos Hawley, 
Abel Cadwell, overseers of the poor ; Nicholas W. Angle, 
Paulinus Potter, constables ; and the last named was also 
chosen collector. A pound was ordered to be built, near 
the dwelling-house of Henry Cole. A bounty of $10 was 
offered for each wolf killed in the lown. " Hogs not to be 
run at large unless well yoked and ringed." And the 
meeting adjourned to be held the next year at the house 
of Abel Cadwell. At the general election held the same 
spring, May 2, 1805, Adam Comstock i-eeeived fifty-seven 
votes for senator, John Veeder sixty-three, and Nicholas 
N. Quackenbush, sixty-one. For Assembly, John Cramer 
received seventy-eight, John McClellan seventy-seven, Jer- 
emy Rockwell, seventy-two, and Jesse Mott seventy-two. 

At the election, May 1, 1806, John Thompson, for mem- 
ber of Congress, received thirty-four votes, Asahel Porter 
twenty-five. 

In 1800 the town was divided into thirteen road districts. 
We give the description of No. 1 : "It begins at the south- 
cast corner of the said town, at the line between North- 
umberland and Moreau, and runs up the river to Snoek's 
Kill bridge ; thence west to Jesse Billings' east line ; from 
thence south to the east line of Samuel Payne's land ; from 
thence to the southeast corner of the town." 

At the second town-meeting new names appear among 
the town officers : Ichabod Hawley, John King, John 
Reynolds, John Bitely, Jr., Abel Cadwell, Solomon Parks, 
John Albrow, Samuel Crippen, and Asaph Putnam. The 
assessors' list of jurors, made out Sept. 30, 1805, includes 
sixty-six names. Among them Thomas Littlefield and 
Billy J. Clark are entered as physicians ; Peter L. Mawney, 
John LinnendiiU, Henry Martin, Abel Cadwell, Nicholas 
Tillinghast, and Samuel Scovill, Jr., as merchants ; Amos 
Baldwin, cordwainer ; Abraham Weed, Parks Putnam, 
Thomas Williams, carpenters. At the second town-meeting 
it was voted that " hogs be free commoners if well yoked." 
Tlie bounty un wolves was carried up to $25. And we 
notice as a specimen uf the care they took to protect their 
farms, they resolved that every man " must cut the Canada 



thistles within his own inclosure, once by the full moon 
in June, and once by the full moon in August." 

Dec. 28, 1810, John M. Berry certifies to the birth of 
a " child named Jane, born in my house of a black woman, 
my property or slave." The earlier records in the town- 
books show a large number of notices of stray cattle, and 
also the marks adopted by various citizens for their own 
sheep and cattle. 

The town-meeting in 1813 was held at the meeting-house, 
near John Reynolds' ; and that year the town was divided 
into six school districts by the school commissioners, Ichabod 
Hawley, B. J. Clark, and Nicholas W. Angle. At that 
town-meeting Thomas Mall was appointed a commissioner 
to prosecute for all offenses committed in violation of the 
excise law. Thus early was a struggle made to restrain the 
unlimited sale of liquors. 

In 1835 division fences were ordered to be four and a 
half feet high ; other fences four. The same year a bounty 
of 25 cents was offered for each fox killed. This must 
indicate either that the people cared but little for their 
extermination, or that they were so plenty, hunters could 
make money enough at that low figure. 



1S05. 
1800. 
18117. 
1808. 
18oy. 
1810. 
1811. 
1812. 
1813. 
ISH. 
1815. 
1816. 
1817. 
1818. 
]8I9. 
ISL'O. 
1S21. 
1822. 
1823. 
1S24. 
1825. 
1820. 
1827. 
1828. 
1820. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1833. 
1834. 
1835. 
1836. 
1837. 
1838. 
1839. 
1840. 
1841. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 



Supervisors. 
Thomas Rogers. 



Billy J. Clark. 
Henry Martin. 



James Mott. 



Thomas Mott. 



Paulinus Potter. 
Gordon 6. Sill. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 

Town Clerks. 
Henry Martin. 



John ReynolJs. 
it It 

Gordon G. Sill. 
Henry Martin. 
J. J. Griswold. 
Samuel Crippen. 
Gordon G. Sill. 



Nathan Kingsley. 

(( a 

Josiah J. Griswold. 



.Josiah J. Griswold. Joseph A. Sweet. 



Collectors. 
Paulinus Potter. 
John Albrow. 
Irenus Hulbert. 
Ezra Cooper. 

Solomon Parks. 
Thomas Cottou. 

Barzilla Parks. 
Anson Thompson. 



Ezra Cooper. 
Henry Billings. 

Nathan Kingsley. 
Timothy Andrews. 
Jesse Cowlcs. 



Timothy Andrews. 
Milton Wheeler. 
• ( (( 

James Herald. 



Billy J. Clark. 
George Reynolds. 
.( it 

Seth Hawley. 
Josiah J. Griswold. 

Joshua Fish. 
George Reynolds, 
Lucius Gary. 
Joseph A. Sweet. 



George Payne. 



Truman llaniliu. 



Jonathan Austin. 
Nicholas W. Angle. 



William Sprott, Jr. 



Josiah J. (iriswold. 
George P. Reynolds, 



Harvey Griswold. 
A. Van Rensselaer. 
R. Thompson. 
Hassan A. Hopkins, 
John S. Thompson. 



Reuben Crandall. 
Thomas Kimpland. 
James Kimpland. 
it tt 

Samuel Rhcubottom. 
ti it 

David B. How. 

Owen M. Roberts. 

Geo. I. Tillottson. 
John Stoddard. 



428 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
185.1. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Supervisors. 
Heman K. Hopkins. 
George P, Reynolds. 
Heman K. Hopkins. 
Joseph A. Sweet. 
it tt 

Heman K. Hopkins. 
Hassan A. Hopkins. 
Joseph A. Sweet. 
Truman Hamlin. 
Austin L. Reynolds. 



Town Clerks. 
John S. Thompson. 



R. Thompson. 
Peter Tearse. 



John Skyno. 
Peter Tearse. 
Richard Davenport. 
H. K. Hopkins. 
C. V. Kenyon. 
Heman K. Hopkins. 
C. v. Kenyon. 



Collectors. 
Abram S. Cornell. 



David Martin. 

John Stoddard. 
Alva Enos, Jr. 

David Martin. 
Vincent C. Stone. 



L. B. Swartwout. 
Isaac G. Stiilwell. 
Austin L. Reynolds, 

it (1 

George P. Reynolds. 



Austin L. Reynolds. 
A. T. Hitchcock. 
S. Mott Sweet. 
it tt 

Wm. A. Sherman. 
George W. Smith. 
S. Mott Sweet. 
John Campbell. 



Thom.as B. Brice. 
11 >> 

James Stevens. 
(( tt 

Rufus White. 
George W. Smith. 

tt tt 

tt tt 

Wm. Maloney. 



L. B. Edmonds. 

tt It 

George Palmer. 
George P. Reynolds 
De Witt C. Sprott. 
James H. Merrill. 
Joseph G. AVood. 
Thomas E. Brice. 
Squire White. 
Samuel Curuoll. 
David Martin. 

George I. .Jackson. 
Ransom K. Dwyer. 
B. B. Brush. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 



1830. Benjamin Olney. 

1831. Anson Thompson. 

1832. Nicholas W. Angle. 

1833. John Reynolds. 

1834. Gordon J. Hill, 
James Herald. 

1835. Leonard Husted. 

1836. Lucius M. Smith. 

1837. John Reynolds, 
Anson Thompson. 

1838. Joseph A. Sweet. 

1839. Julius H. Rice, 
Russel Grant. 

1840. Frederick Van Dusen. 

1841. Daniel S. Newton. 

1842. Stephen Shippcy. 

1843. James Herald. 

1844. Anson Thompson. 

1845. James R. Reynolds. 

1846. Daniel S. Newton. 

1847. Thomas C. Howe, 
Richard Davenport. 

1848. Anson Thompson. 

1849. Aaron M. Thompson. 

1850. Daniel S. Newton. 

1851. Thomas C. Howe. 

1852. George Coney. 

1853. Aaron M. Thompson, 
Thomas C. Howe. 

1854. Benjamin E. Newton. 



1855. Thomas C. Howe. 
1S56. Jabez Hamilton. 

1857. Aaron M. Thompson. 

1858. Theron P. King. 

1859. Richard Davenport, 
Peter Tearse. 

1860. Jahcz Hamilton, 
AVilliam Briggs. 

1861. Aaron M, Thompson, 
Perry C. Barker. 

1862. Waller Fradenburgh. 

1863. James Kimpland. 

1864. Jabez Hamilton. 

1865. Aaron M. Thompson. 

1866. John Stoddard. 

1867. James Kimpland. 

1868. Samuel Mott Sweet. 

1869. Aaron M. Thompson, 
William Howe. 

1870. William Howe. 

1871. Jabez Hamilton, 

1872. James Kimpland, 
John N. Sill. 

1873. John N. Sill. 

1874. William Howe. 

1875. Jabez Hamilton, 
S. Mott Sweet. 

1376. S, Mott Sweet. 

1877. Warren B. lugalsby. 

1878. George P. Reynolds. 



v.— VILLAGES. 

South Glen's Falls is comparatively a modern vil- 
lage. Frank L. Day, Esq., states that his father came to 
the place in 1828, and there was then but one saw-mill, a 
small affair, and not many dwelling-houses. The old Parks 
house, or the " old castle," as it was called, still existed as 
a mctuoriul of the Revoiutiontiry times, and the Ful-som 
house on the present Rice place. In 1840 the grist-mill, 



now owned by Lapham & Co., was owned by Mr, Cronk- 
hite. The business of the place is now very large. The 
Morgan lumber company operate four saw-mills, cutting 
sixty million feet of lumber a year. They run a planing- 
mill in connection with their works, and also a box-factory. 
William McEchron is president of the company. There 
is an establishment for burning lime, operating four kilns, 
and making about five hundred barrels a day. 

The Glens Falls paper company have a capital invested 
of $48,000. They employ about sixty hands, and manu- 
facture four tons a day. Augustus Sherman is president 
of the company ; A. T. Harris, secretary and treasurer ; 
S, A. Parks, superintendent. 

The present marble and stone company of South Glen's 
Falls was organized in 1872. The firm-name is Reynolds, 
Dis & Co. They employ about twenty-five hands ; and the 
work they are sending out consists of sawed marble, flag- 
stone, and limestone for building purposes. The surplus 
limestone goes to the kilns. The operations of the present 
company are not the first. In 1836, Julius H. Rice bought 
out the Folsom place, settled here, and established stone- 
works, which were continued until about 18G0, and they 
were then sold to Cheney & Arms. 

The village was laid out and surveyed under the direc- 
tion of Mr. Rice in 1837, and after that buildings began 
to be erected. It is now a place of about five hundred 
inhabitants, unincorporated ; and the citizens rather con- 
gratulate themselves upon their exemption, from the pay- 
ment of corporation taxes and interest upon bonds, such as 
have been so freely issued by larger and more ambitious 
villages. A cotton-factory was established by Mr. Folsom, 
and at one time quite an extensive business was done. The 
works were burned out in 1832, and were not renewed. 

Feeder Dam, in the north part of the town, contains 
two large saw-mills, cutting annually about fifteen million 
feet of lumber. Something of a village has grown up at 
this place, consisting of twenty-five or thirty dwellings. 

FoRTSVlLLE, southeast of the centre, is a fine rural vil- 
lage. It has a Methodist church, a store, several mechanic 
shops, a grist-mill, dating back to an early period, and per- 
haps twenty-five dwellings. 

Clark's Corners, in the southeast part, contains a 
Friends' meeting-house, a cheese-factory, and a few dwell- 
ings. It derives its name from the noted ]ihysician and 
temperance-worker who lived there for many years. 

Moreau Station no longer expresses a fact ; but it 
was a stopping-place at one time on the Rensselaer and 
Saratoga railroad. 

Reynolds' Corners takes its name from the early 
settlers of that name. Before the opening of the railroad 
system of the country, it was on important lines of travel 
by stage. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

Asahel Potter was an early teacher, also Miner, Clapp, 
Sherman, and Beebe. Some of these came over from Ver- 
mont. Dr. Gillott is also spoken of as an early teacher. 

The town system of schools was organized under the 
general school act of 1812. 

Services of the Epi-scopal church, about the year 1S44, 
were held once a month in Moreau, at Fortsville, tiiid also 




AU8T1N L. REYNOLDS. 



Austin L. Reynolds was born in the town of iMoreau, 
Saratoga Co., N. Y., on the lyth day of June, 1S2G, and is 
the fiftli child of George Reynolds and Luthena Potter Rey- 
nolds, the former a native of Rhode Island, who early in life 
ostabli.shed his homestead in Jloreau, where for many years 
he was one of the most active and energetic business men 
of the town. He was by occupation a farmer and lumber- 
man, a man of great force of character, took a prominent 
part in the affairs of his county, and was a member of the 
State Assembly in 1833. He had four sons and the same 
number of daughters. 

One of the principal characteristics of this family was 
their great desire for an education, and early in life our sub- 
ject availed himself of the opportunities offered by pursu- 
ing a thorough course, first as a student at the Glen's Falls 
Academy, and completing his studies at the Kinderhook 
Academy, in Columbia county. He next entered upon a 
course of legal studies, and thoroughly qualified himself for 
the bar, to which he was admitted in 1852. With flatter- 
ing prospects he entered upon the practice of a profession 
in which two of his brothers were engaged, — James L. 
Reynolds, of Fort Edward, taking high rank at the Wash- 
ington county bar, and Hon. John H. Reynolds, of Albany, 
distinguished as among the most eminent lawyers of the 
State. It soon became evident that his health would not 
permit him to remain in-doors, and he was therefore com- 
pelled to relin(iuish his practice and engage in the active 
pursuits of out-door business. He turned his attention to 
farming, in which he was not a novice, having had charge 
of his mother's estate for several years after the demise of 
his father. He also engaged in lumbering, and latterly in 
iron mining. At the age of twenty-eight he was a candi- 
date for member of Assembly, and was defeated by the small 
majority of thirteen votes. He was connected with the 
Democratic party until tlie commencement of the war of 
1861-65, when he joined the ranks of the Republican 
party. None were warmer in the support of the war for 



the preservation of the Union, and none have more firmly 
maintained the principles of the party to which he now 
belongs. He has held various positions in town and county. 
He was for seven terms supervisor of Moreau, being elected 
as a Democrat, previous to the war, five years in succession 
from a town largely Republican. He was also elected twice 
in succession to the State Legi.slature, where lie served on 
the most important committees of the Hou.se. Mr. Reynolds 
was married, Sept. 14, 1853, to Mary E., daughter of Dr. 
Benjamin F. Cornell, a physician of large practice in the town 
of Moreau, whore he has been held in high estimation as a 
practitioner for the past fifty years. Mrs. Reynolds is a lady 
of rare intellectual culture and refinement, of great decision of 
character, and pos,sessed of those especial qualities that grace 
true womanhood and influence the best interests of society. 
Hon. John H. Reynolds, the fourth child, and brother of 
our subject, was born at Moreau, on the 21st day of June, 
1819. He pursued the study of law at Kinderhook, Colum- 
bia Co., N. Y., and upon his admission to the bar became the 
co-partner of Hon. William H. Tobey, of that village. He 
almost immediately assumed a front rank in his chosen pro- 
fession, drawing around him the warm personal friendship 
of the Columbia county bar, and of the community in which 
he lived. While a resident of Kinderhook ho was united 
in marriage to the accomplished daughter of the late General 
Charles Whiting of that place, and subsequently removed to 
Albany, where he became one of the strongest and most popu- 
lar members of the bar of the State. Probably no lawyer 
of his age has ai-gued more causes or secured a more distin- 
guished reputation in the court of appeals and in the other 
higher tribunals of the State than he. During the early 
part of his residence in Albany he was elected a member of 
Congress in one of the most exciting and memorable political 
campaigns on record in that portion of the State. Was 
appointed judge by Governor Dix, where he served during 
the existence of the court. He died at his residence in 
Kinderhook, Sept. 24, 1875. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



429 



in tlie town of Wilton. In connection with this work a 
parochial school was establi-shcd at South Glen's Falls, and 
had a successful career for a time. 

Rev. Henry McVicker had charge of it. He is affec- 
tionately remembered for his pure life, his devoted piety. 
He died in 1852, and the school was soon after discon- 
tinued. 

commissioners" apportionment, march, 1878. 





SI 


J3 


-a O 


■si 








I" 




P.s 


o 




& 


District. 


= = ? 


a 

II 

3 

15 


.a 22 

3 tt9 


* OS 


a 
o 

g 


"13 






S 


s-s= 


i-^s 


s 


. ^ 


No. 1 


349 


$208.56 


$240.03 


$216.18 


$11.64 


$676.41 


" 2 


33 


52.14 


22.70 


12.94 


1.10 


88.88 


" 3 


45 


52.14 


30.95 


22.99 


1.50 


107.58 


" 4 


46 


52.14 


31.64 


39.21 


1.53 


124.52 


" 5 


55 


52.14 


37.83 


32.05 


1.84 


123.86 


" 6 


33 


52.14 


22.70 


30.70 


1.10 


106.64 


" 7 


42 


52.14 


28.89 


16.85 


1.40 


99.28 


" 8 


38 


52.14 


26.13 


24.80 


1.27 


104.34 


" 9 


46 


52.14 


31.64 


33.29 


1.54 


118.61 


" 10 


48 


52.14 


33.01 


44.53 


1.64 


131.28 


" 11 


63 


52.14 


43.33 


52.49 


2.10 


150.06 


" 12 


18 


52.14 


12.38 


18.62 


60 


83.44 




816 


$782.10 


$561.23 


$514.65 


$27.22 


$1915.20 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
CONGREGATIONAL. 

This was organized in 1802 by the earnest efforts of 
Amos Hawley, who had moved into this town from Con- 
necticut that year. A man of devout religious principles, 
he was greatly troubled immediately after reaching this 
town at the idea of bringing up his family in a new country 
without the institutions of the gospel. It is related of him 
that he actually rode back to Connecticut to consult with 
his old pastor in reference to his duty in this matter. Tiie 
prompt advice given was that he should return and raise 
the standard of the gospel in the wilderness, that this was 
the very place God had sent him, and that was the work he 
ought to do. Returning, he sought out his neighbors of 
similar religious views, and a church was soon after or- 
ganized. The old book of records, now in the hands of 
John N. Sill, has all of its earlier portions taken out, little 
being left before 1825. The roll of members who joined 
this pioneer church, the date of its organization, the first 
officers, the purchase of a site, and the erection and dedica- 
tion of the house are all left to conjecture and to the un- 
certainty of foding memories. There is a brief memoran- 
dum showing that Daniel Hamlin became a member in 
1802, John Craig in 1804, Enoch Sill, Joseph De Wolf, 
Seth Hawley, and Truman Hamlin in 1808 and 1809. It 
is also known that Amos Hawley was one of the fir.st 
deacons, that the church liad a large membership during a 
piirtion of its history, some stating it as high as three hun- 
dred and fifty communicants at one time. Lebbeus Arm- 
strong was the fir,st pastor installed, in 1804. The church 
was largely composed of Northumberland families, — Samuel 
Lewis, the Thompsons, Paynes, Berrys, Craigs, and 
Nevins. 



Enoch Sill was a deacon of the church for many years. 
In 1825 his name also appears as clerk of the society, and 
Lemuel Leggett as moderator. Strong and radical divisions 
of sentiments and views seem to have characterized the 
society from the first. Out of a sharp discussion as to the 
site of the meeting-house grew two houses, one at the river, 
one at Reynolds' Corners, and services alternated at the 
two places ; indeed, there was, perhaps, something of an 
attempt at organization at the west meeting-house. Prac- 
tically, however, it seems to have been one society with two 
houses. With the organization of churches of the same or 
similar faith, Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian at Bacon 
Hill, Gansevoort, Glen's Falls, Sandy Hill, and Fort Ed- 
ward, — in fact, a whole circle just outside of the town, — 
weakening the organization at every point, it finally became 
extinct, and no church of the kind exists in Moreau at the 
preisent time. The meeting-house at Reynolds' Corners, lit- 
erally built upon the sand, and not upon the rock, became 
gradually undermined, was taken down, and the timbers 
were used in the erection of the Methodist church. The 
last business meeting of the church was in 1859, and 
Charles P. Wood and Enoch Sill the last deacons. The 
final dissolution was brought about by a large number of 
members joining in a body the Fort Edward church. 

friends' monthly meeting OP MOREAU. 

This body belongs to the denomination of Friends known 
as Orthodox. It is a branch or offshoot of the society in 
Queensbury, which has a very early history, reaching back 
to 1767. The Friends living in Moreau met for many 
years with that body, but in 1851 they began meetings 
near Clark's Corners under the care of a committee from 
the Queensbury meeting. These were continued fur two 
years, when the present meeting-house was erected and a 
regular society instituted. Among the principal members 
active in organizing the society were James Mott and 
Lucius Carey. The monthly meeting is connected to the 
Glen's Falls quarterly meeting. The first preacher was 
Jonathan Duval, and he still exercises his gifts in the 
meetings. The wife of Mr. Duval, and also Wm. P. Angel, 
are acknowledged as preachers by the society. The present 
clerk is Anna J. Eddy. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTH GLEN's FALLS. 

Methodist services have been held on this side of the 
river, under the care of the Glen's Falls church, for more 
than thirty years, and a Sunday-school was maintained in 
connection with them. The place was finally made a sepa- 
rate charge in 1876. Previous to this, in 1869, the pres- 
ent small but neat and convenient chapel was erected. The 
corner-stone was laid July 1 of that year. The first class 
was gathered in 1843, by James Covill. An early class- 
leader in those times was Heman Hopkins. 

The present preacher for the society is Rev. Charles Ed- 
wards. The stewards are G. Parks, Leonard EduKinds, 
James Reynolds, Clark Smith, John Trickelt, William 
Fuller. 

THE FIRST HAI'Tl.ST CHURCH 
was cdiistitutod in 1795, became a member of Shaftsbui'y 



430 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Association in 1797, and the Saratoga Association in 1805. 
Tlie ministers of the church in earlier times were Calvin 
Hulbert, Joseph H. Ellice, James Rogers, Elisha Blake- 
man, Charles Williams, John C. Holt, Harvey Slade, J. H. 
Dwyer, Joseph W. Sawyer, R. O. Dwycr, Ebenezer Hall, 
L. L. Still, Amos R. Wells, and George Fisher. 

The house of worship is pleasantly located, and the ser- 
vices are well sustained. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF FORTSVILLE. 

This denomination were very early at work in this por- 
tion of the town with their wonted energy and perseverance. 
The records of early class-meetings are not easily obtained. 

The society has a convenient hou.se of worship, and is 
understood to be in a flourishing condition. No statistics 
have been received from tb.e oflicers in reply to our inquiries 
by circular. 

Y I II.— BURIALS. 

Very early burials in town occurred in many different 
places. Among these may be mentioned the Folsom farm, 
within the present village. As remembered by George 
Putnam, these were very old graves, going back before 
ISOO, as they were marked by rough stones, with simply 
initials. The old Parks burial-ground is on a pleasant 
knoll near the river, opposite Sandy Hill. There are also 
the two cemeteries in use at South Glen's Falls, also at the 
bend, and at Reynolds' Corners. Further ancient private 
burial-places may be seen on the Ohnstead farm, the old 
Bitely farm, the Rogers farm, and the Hamlin farm ; 
near the old Mawney house, on the Richards place, and 
probably several others could bo found. 

IX.— SOCIETIES. 

A prominent event in the history of the town of Moreau 
was the formation of a temperance society in 1808. As it 
is claimed, and no doubt justly, that this was the first tem- 
perance society in this country or in the world, its proceed- 
ings must be given at some length. Its foundation was 
the work of Billy J. Clark, an early physician. He is 
certainly entitled to the credit of beginning the first organ- 
ized, movement in this great struggle. Daily witnessing 
in his practice the fearful physical and moral ruin wrought 
by intemperance, he was aroused to the necessity of making 
an effort to resist the evil. In the winter of 1808 he 
endeavored to organize a county society at Ballston, but 
without success. Dr. Bull, then sheriff of the county, 
co-operated with him, but they were deemed by the entire 
bench and bar as visionary enthasiasts. Dr. Clark, not 
discouraged by this rebuff in high quarters, returned to 
work among his neighbors. A biographer, writing a few 
years since, gives the following as the starting-point of the 
famous society : 

" On a stormy night in March, 1808, and after a day of 
toil and anxiety in visits to his patients, dripping from rain 
and covered with mud. Dr. Clark unceremoniously entered 
the parsonage. The eager visitor's emphatic expression 
addressed to Mr. Armstrong, the pastor of the Congrega- 
tional church, was, " Sir, wc shall become a community of 



drunkards unless something is speedily done to arrest the 
progress of intemperance." 

The pastor cordially co-operating, the step was decided 
upon then and there. A call was issued for a public meet- 
ing. The locality of these events was Clark's Corners, in 
the south part of Moreau, two miles north of the Gaiise- 
voort station, on the railroad. The house of Billy J. Clark 
occupied the southeast corner, standing now just as it was 
during all the later years of his life. The Mawney house 
was on the northwest corner, a little north of the actual 
corner. It may be said to be standing, yet so much re- 
modeled that it docs not in any respect resemble the Maw- 
ney house of olden time. 

The parsonage within whose walls Billy J. Clark's idea 
took definite form in the shape of a call for a public meet- 
ing, was the jiresent place of Richard Davenport, and the 
old school-house where the society generally met was on 
the site of the present house of Mr. Spicer. The Mawney 
house was a tavern, and strange to say, this first pn'eliminary 
meeting was held in the very place of the rum traffic itself. 
The record of the first meeting, held April 13, 1808, is as 
follows : At a meeting of a number of inhabitants from 
the towns of Moreau and Northumberland, held at the 
house of Peter L. Mawney, agreeable to previous notice, 
for the purpose of establishing a temperance society under 
such laws and regulations as shall be hereafter agreed upon. 
Colonel Sidney Berry was chosen chairman, and Henry 
Martin, Esq., secretary of said meeting. 

1. RcnoirKd, In the opiniun of this meeting that it is proper, prac- 
ticable, and necessary to form a temperance society in tliis jilacc, and 
that the great and leading object of this society is wholly to .abstain 
from ardent spirits. 

2. lieHuU-ed, That a committee of live be appointed to draw the by- 
laws for said society, and that Billy J. Clark, Sidney Berry, Nicholas 
W. Angle, Ichabod Hawlcy, and Lebbeus Armstrong be the said com- 
mittee; and that said committee prepare the by-laws by the 20th of 
April instant, and present them at the house of Peter L. Mawney at 
twelve o'clock. 

3. RcHolvedj That the members of this meeting wholly abstain from 
all spirituous liquors. 

4. Jiesulved, That the names registered here of persons present con- 
sider themselves members of said society. Signed Isaac B. Payne, 
Nicholas W. Angle, Ichabod Hawlcy, Dan Kellogg, David Parsons, 
Ephraim Iloss, James Mott, John M. Berry, Alvord Hawlcy, John 
T. Sealey, Thomas Cotton, Cyrus Wood, David Tillottson, James 
Rogers, Billy J. Clark, Henry Martin, Charles Kellr>gg, Jr., Sidney 
Berry, Eluathan Spencer, Joseph Sill, Asaph Putnam, Solomon St. 
John, Hawlcy St. John. 

5. licHofreilf That this meeting be adjourned to the 20th instant at 
twelve o'clock, at the house of Peter L. Mawney. 

April 20, 1808, the meeting again assembled at the house 
of Peter L. Mawney, agreeable to adjournment. The com- 
mittee appointed to draft by-laws presented the following : 

" Considering the prevalcncy of intemperance in the excessive use 
of spirituous liquors : considering the numerous evils and calamities 
to which the inhabitants of this and other countries are exposed j con- 
sidering the immense sums of money expended in the purchase of 
ardent spirits, and heartily wishing for a general reformation by the 
abolition of intemperance, and a more economical and virtuous use of 
expenditures; we, the subscribers, inhabitants of the county of Sara- 
toga, in the State of New York, being convened by previous notice, 
on the 20th of .■ijiril, 180S, .at the house of Peter L. Mawney, in the 
town of Moreau, do agree, mutually, voluntarily, collectively, and 
individually, to form into a society for the purpose of suppressing 
vicious habits and encouraging moral virtue. For the regulation of 
said society and the better to carry its important designs into effect, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



431 



the following by-laws arc unanimously adopted by said society, to the 
strict adherence of which every member is bound by the penalties 
hereinafter uiontioncd. 

"by-laws of the MOUEAU and NOHTUUMBEnLANI) TEMi'ERATK 
SOCIETY. 

"ARTin.E I. — This society shall be known by the appellation of 
the Union Temperate Society of Morcau and Northumberland. 

"AiiT. II. — The last Monday in October, at ten o'clock a.m., shall 
forever hereafter bo the time for holding the anniversary meeting of 
the society, for the election of otficers, at such place as a majority of 
members present at their last annual meeting shall agree. And it 
shall be the duty of the secretary to put up written notification of the 
same in at least three public places in Moreau and Northumberland 
three weeks preceding such meeting. 

** Art. III. — The officers of the society shall consist of a jiresident, 
vice-president, secretary, treasurer, not more than seven nor less 
than three trustees, to be chosen annually by ballot, and a majority 
of the whole number of votes shall be necessary to a choice. 

"Art. IV. — The members of this society shall not be allowed to 
drink (iitif noil, hraudi/, (/hi, }chi»h/, or any kind of distilled spirits, 
nor any kind of -composition of the above liquors, except by the 
advice of a jihysician, or in case of actual disease, under such penal- 
ties as shall hereafter be mentioned. 

'* Art. V. — Any member of this society who shall drink any of 
the liquors mentioned in the preceding section, shall forfeit and pay 
to the treasurer, for the benefit of the society, the sum of twenty-five 
cents for each and every offense. 

"Art. VI. — If any member of this society shall be known to be 
intoxicated, it shall be the duty of the trustees of this society to 
admonish him of it. If said member will pay to the treasurer fifty 
cents and promise reformation for the future, he shall be excused; if 
not, he shall be considered a fit subject for expulsion. 

" Art. VII. — It shall be disreputable for any membei- of this society 
to ofl'er any of the liquors mentioned in Art. IV. to any member of said 
society, or to advise or urge any other person to drink of said liquors, 
except in cases mentioned in Art. IV. And if in case any member 
should so otier, advise, and urge any person to drink of said liquors, 
he shall forfeit and pay to the treasurer twenty-five cents for each and 
every such offense. 

" Art. VIII. — It shall be disreputable for any member uf the so- 
ciety to speak disrespectfully of said society, or utter any words with 
intent to injure or bring said society into disrejiute, and shall forleit 
and pay to the treasurer thereof twenty-five cents for each and every 
such ofl'ense. 

" Art. XX. — That it shall not be lawful fVu* any member of this 
society to drink wine, except at a public dinner (except in cases 
stated in Art. IV.). 

"Art. XXI. — That not any of the laws of this society shall in- 
fringe on the rite and ordinance of any church or religious society 
whatsoever. 

"Art. XXIV. — That each and every individual member of this 
society subscribe to the above laws and regulations, and consider 
himself bound strictly to observe and obey them.'* 

The articles omitted relate .simply to the ordinary man- 
agement and working details necessary to all similar organ- 
izations. The articles given above show the peculiar pledges 
and restrictions of this society, and in some respects they 
are decidedly curious compared with the orthodox iron-clad 
total abstinence pledge of modern times. A man could 
drink, but must pay twenty-five cents fine. He could get 
drunk, but it would cost him fifty cents more than it used 
to before he joined the society, and besides, in this case, he 
must promise reformation. 

Amusing as those things may seem, the society was never- 
theless a stout blow against intemperance. 

It was the work of men in earnest, men who understood 
the evils they sought to remove. When the good wrought 
by the long line of temperance societies in subsequent years 



shall be properly estimated, when the victories won for 
sobriety and virtue shall be entered in the grand record of 
earth's noble deeds, history will point back to the " Temper- 
ate Society of Moreau" as the first blow in all this long 
struggle. In the roll of earth's benefactors, Billy J. Clark 
is entitled to a high place. If the leaders in other enter- 
prises who develop a new idea and impre-ss it on those 
around them are worthy of distinguished honor, so is Billy 
J. Clark, the founder of temperance societies, the grand 
leader who in the then thick darkness existing upon this 
subject hung out a signal-light and called on his neighbors 
and countrymen to rally for temperance, — for peace, order, 
virtue. 

At the same meeting when the by-laws were adopted the 
first regular officers were elected, as follows : Sidney Berry, 
president ; Ichabod Hawley, vice-president ; Billy J. Clark, 
secretary ; Thomas Thompson, treasurer ; Charles Granger, 
Gurdon Sill, Cyrus Wood, trustees. 

The Rev. Lebbeus Armstrong was invited to deliver an 
address or oration at the next meeting. There were six, 
according to Hay's history of this society, who participated 
in the first meeting, but did not complete their membership 
by signing the constitution at the nest meeting. If we 
leave these out, and also those whose names the same his- 
torian says are not found in the written records of the 
society, but only in certain printed lists, the actual pioneer 
members would seem to be the following : Isaac B. Payne, 
Ichabod Hawley, David Parsons, James Mott, Alvaro Haw- 
ley, Billy J. Clark, Charles Kellogg, Jr., Elnathan Spencer, 
Asaph Putnam, Nicholas W. Angle, Dean Kellogg, John 
T. Seeley, Cyrus Wood, Henry Martin, Sidney Berry, 
Joseph Sill, Solomon St. John, Thomas Thompson, James 
Lambert, Thomas C. Bird, Calvin Wood, Esek Cowen, 
Charles Granger, Asahel Warren, Stephen Payne, David 
B. Keeler, William H. Jacobs, Shubael Wicks, Gurdon G. 
Sill, Lebbeus Armstrong, Joseph Sill, Charles Kellogg, 
John Berry, David Pierson, Isaac Chandler, Joseph Benja- 
min, Oliver Bissell, Jr., Ephraim Osborn, John Dumont, 
Joseph DeWolf, Isaac Annable, Gardner Stow, Horace Le 
Barnes, Daniel Baldwin, Alexander Sutherland, Rodiick 
Le Barnes, John Thompson, Samuel Hinche, Jes.se Billings, 
Jr., Simeon Berry, Jr., Russell Burrows, Jonas Murray, 
Jesse Woodruff, Park Freeman, John Le Barnes, I. J. 
Griswold, W. Angle, Jr., James Crocker, Stephen Sher- 
man, Abraham P. Green, John Coplin, William Velsey, 
Jr., Cyrus Andrews, Squire Harrington, Sliubacl Hicks, Eli 
Velsey, and Robert Brisbin. 

Neither Billy J. Clark's grave nor the site of the old 
school-house is 3'et marked by the monument elaborately 
described in a prophetic strain by his enthusiastic biogr^i- 
plier, Judge Hay. In the old cemetery at Reynolds' Cor- 
ners he .sleeps in an unmarked but not an uidiiiown grave. 
His best monument is the orderly, virtuous community, 
trained by him and his associates in the ways of temper- 
ance. Of him may emphatically bo written, " He rests 
from his labors and his works do follow him." The old 
house where he lived, the ofiice where he wrote the by- 
laws and resolutions, the well of pure cold water, delicious 
in its taste, which he loved to drink, and the Mawney 
I house, are spots to whiili toniperance pilgrims are even 



432 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



now directing their footsteps, and they may yet become 
chissic memorials of tlie temperance conflict. 

Rev. Lebbeus Armstrong seems to have cordially seconded 
the plan of organizing a society proposed by Mr. Clark, and 
shared largely in the work. He was the pastor of the 
then existing Congregational church in Moreau, — a man of 
energy and courage, not afraid to utter his opinions in the 
pulpit or out. 

Among the- names connected with the organization were 
several afterwards prominent at the bar and on the bench, 
— Esek Cowen, then just commencing his legal practice in 
the humble oflBce at Gansevoort Mills, and Gardner Stow, a 
student in the same office, afterwards attorney-general of 
the State. The other names upon that early roll are not so 
well known in public afl'airs, but none the less have many 
of them adorned the walks of private life equally honorable 
with those of greater prominence. They represent fairly 
the substantial body of citizens which have rendered 
Moreau noted for its virtuous, orderly, temperate society. 

The original society of Billy J. Clark existed for many 
years, holding its annual meetings, and steadily continuing 
its good work, but it has not been kept up to the present 
time. Though many temperance societies have been or- 
ganized on the same ground, and many meetings held, it 
would not be correct to say that they were the same oi'gani- 
zation. But though the apostolic succession of temperance 
workers has not come down to the present in an unbroken 
line, yet the spirit of Billy J. Clark survives upon the 
plains of Moreau, and even the stronger principle of legal 
prohibition, first proposed by Gardner Stow, of this old 
society, is dominant there, — no licenses being granted for the 
sale of intoxicating drinks. 

X.— PLACE.S OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

Situated as the town of Moreau is, with the Hudson on 
both the north and east, old Indian-trails must have crossed 
its territory, as well as the routes of other armies, to some 
extent. Yet the well-known points of actual French, Indian, 
and Revolutionary warfare are just without its limits, leav- 
ing only a few places that have any special historic interest. 
Just outside Fort Edward, on the hills near the end of the 
wagon bridge, were in early times the remains of intrench- 
nients, inclosing, perhaps, half an acre. Lent Hamlin once 
gathered seventy balls on that place. Doubtless the west 
bank of the Hudson, below the fort, furnished rallying- 
places for guarding the valley against the descent of enemies. 

The broad level plains in the central portion of the town 
must have been much easier to travel over than the moun- 
tains farther west, or even the broken country near the 
river. No doubt these were a favorite route for Indians 
crossing the river at Glen's Falls, on the way to the valley 
of the Mohawk. At South Glen's Falls the Parks massa- 
cre occurred, in 1777, a full account of which is given 
elsewhere, and there was also a fortified position, held there 
for a short time at another stage of the Revolutionary war. 
It is related by L. G. Olmstead that his maternal grandfather 
led a company of troops on their way to join the Revolu- 
tionary army up the valley, on the west side of the river, 
and that they encamped for one night at the mouth of 
Suoek Kill. The place at Fort Miller is called in the older 



histories the " second carrying-place of the Hudson," and 
the fort was built in 1755 by Colonel Miller. Noah Payne, 
living opposite the " Black house," above Fort 3Iillcr, is 
spoken of as a prominent Whig, at whose hou.se Mo.ses 
Harris, the noted scout employed by General Schuyler, 
often found shelter, protection, and assistance. 

XL— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

A part of the southern and eastern portions of the town 
are fertile, and agriculture is pursued with success. Other 
portions of the town are sandy and poor. The general oc- 
cupation of the people is farming, but in the northern part 
a large number are engaged in the various lumbering, mill- 
ing, and manufacturing enterprises that are in operation 
along the Hudson river. Perhaps the sandy portions of 
Moreau may have been settled by the stratagem which Hol- 
den's " History of Queensbury" relates with reference to -a 
Mr. Thurman, who is said to have taken beech-nuts to the 
south part of the county as specimens of the buckwheat 
that was raised here. The Moreau lands at that time were 
rather highly estimated, owners being unwilling, it is said, 
to exchange them acre for acre for the rich alluvial lands 
of Waterford. 

XII.— MILITARY. 

The War of 1812-15 called into the field some soldiers 
from Moreau, but we can only give their names as recol- 
lected by citizens, there being no record in town to copy 
from. The following have been secured : 

Tompkins, who lost his life ; James Coburn, Samuel 
Putnam, Bluster Merrill, Solomon Parks, Elisha Danfbrd, 
the latter was a captain in the service. Of one of the vol- 
unteers they relate the story that, being unaccustomed to 
military life, he did not for a time appreciate the strictness 
requisite to a proper discharge of duty. Being placed on 
guard before the tent of the oflicers, he went oflF just about 
when he saw fit to get something to drink. When arrested 
for the neglect of duty, he innocently replied, " He didn't 
suppose tilt officers were afraid !" He escaped punishment, 
but probably did better next time. Truman Wilcox was 
also in the army of 1812, perhaps from some other town 
than this. 

The activity of the town officers and the unanimity of 
the people in the War of 1861-65 is shown in the action of 
the town-meetings, where the war-measures passed without 
a dissenting voice, and the number of volunteers who actu- 
ally went into the service. The list of those who went, 
appended to this history, is made as accurate as possible, 
considering how rapidly history is lost when trusted to 
memory alone, and that the record was not written up in 
the town clerk's office under the law of 18G6. We are 
indebted, as are the citizens of the town, to Mr. Beecher, 
at the post-office. South Glen's Falls, for the valuable labor 
he bestowed upon the list for 1861-65. 

Aug. 9, 1862, a special town-meeting was held to con- 
sider the questions of enlistment for the war. A. L. Rey- 
nolds, supervisor, presided, and C. V. Kenyon, town clerk, 
acted as secretary. The committee on resolutions were J. 
G. Stillwell, Jabez Hamilton, B. Ingalsby, A. L. McOmber, 
and George J^ayne. Patriotic addresses were made and a 
strong series of resolutions adopted, fully organizing the 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



433 



town by school districts to canvass for volunteers and for 
subscriptions. Tlie entire resolutions passed without a dis- 
senting voice and amid great enthusiasm. Twenty-four 
volunteers were obtained on the spot. At another meet- 
in;^, Aug. 19, 1862, the town bounty was voted at $100. 

June 13, 1864, at a special town-meeting, a town bounty 
of $300 was offered for volunteers ; and at another meeting, 
July 23, 1864, the town bounty was increased to $500 ; 
Aug. 29, 1864, the bounty was increased to $800. 

A fine military company is maintaining an active organ- 
ization at the present time at South Glen's Falls. It was 
formed in the summer of 1876, and mustered into service 
in November of that year. The officers are (1877) Fred. 
Gleesettle, capt. ; William Higgins, 1st Heut. ; John H. 
Yattaw, 2d Heut. The company is known as the " Hughes 
Light Guard," 5th separate company, 10th brigade, 3d 
division, N. G. S. N. Y. The company musters about 
seventy-five men. During the great strike in July, 1877, 
they were called to Troy, and participated at the close of the 
" campaign" in the grand review at Albany. When they 
were about to return, Brigadier-General Alden sent ahead 
of them the following complimentary telegram : " Give a 
hearty greeting to the Hughes Light Guard. They de- 
serve it for their soldierly conduct." 

WAR OF 1861-65. 

The first call in the War of 1861-65 was for thirteen 
men. A bountj' of $50 was offered, and the men obtained 
in a single afternoon ; thought to be the first bounty in the 
United States. The following is a list of the soldiers from 
Moreau : 

Michael Ahr, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, lloth Rcgt., Co. A ; taken prisoner at Chcster- 

flelJ lloiglits, M«y 7, 1804; cxchangeil, Dec. 10, 1804 ; disch. with regt. 

June .-ill, 1805. 
Henry H. Barker, enl. Sept. 20, ISCI, TTIli Regt., Co. G ; disch. with Kegt., Dec. 

13, 1864. 
Albert M. Burroughs, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, "Tth Regt., Co. ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 

77th Regt. 
Walter D. Barnes, enl. Aug. 9,1802, 113th Regt., Co F; killed at the battle of 

01u^tee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804. 
Charles Brice, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, lloth Regt., Co. G; killed at Chesterfield 

Heights, Va., May 7, 1804. 
Thomas E. Brice, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, llStli Kegt., Co. G ; disch. with regt., June 

30, 1805. 
George Buniliam, enl. 77th Regt. 

Frank Broese, enl. 93d Regt.. Co. H; lost an eje in the Wilderness. 
James C.Brisbin, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77lh 

Regt. ; wounded in leg. 
Sergt. Jo(l Brown, enl.Oct.yo,186:i,Eat. I, lOtli Heavy Art., N.T.S. V.; disch. 

Aug. 28, 1805. 
Wm. U. Bennett, enl. Dec. 29, 1803, 54th N. Y. S. V., Co. C ; served through ; 

disch. with i-egt., April 14, 1860. 
Charles H. Brodie, 102d Regt. 
Walter Biodie, 162<1 Regt. 

George W. Campbell, enl. Sept. 20, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. 0. 
Luther Church, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, lloth R-gt., Co. G ; served through ; disch. 

with regt., June .'iO, 1805. 
Charles Cutler, enl. Dec. 25, 1863, 77th Regt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Reed Church, enl. Jan. 22, 1802, 93d Regt., Co. A; wounded in Wilderness; 

disch. Jan. 186.5. 
Patrick Ciillnn.enl. Aug. 9, lSC2,ie9lh Regt.,N. Y. S. V.,Co D; served through ; 

disch. with regt., Aug. 6, 1805. 
John Cnllan, enl. Jan. 22, 1862, Co. A, 93d Regt., Co. H; wounded in the Wil- 
derness, May 10, 1804 ; served through ; disch. with regt. 
C. M. Cool, enl. Oct. 10, 1803, Battery 1, 10th Heavy Art,, N. V. Vol.; disch. 

Aug. is, 1805. 
Palrick Conoly, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, Co. 1)., inilth N. Y. ; served through ; disch. 

witii regt., Aug. 0, 1S(;5. 
Asa J. Clothier, enl. Aug. II, 1802, ( o. F, I l.'.tli N. V. S. V: s.ne.l through; 

disch. with regt., June 30, 1865. 

55 



Walter Dwyer, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; killed in the Wilderness, 

May i;, 1804. 
Ransom O. Dwyer, enl. Oct. 26, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. G. 
Abram L. Davis, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G; served through ; disch. 

with regt,, June 30, 1865. 
Stephen Decker, enl. .\ug. 0, 1862, llStli Regt., Co. G ; missing at Battleof Deep 

Bottom, Va., Aug. 1804. 
Joseph Dorvee, enl. Aug. 22, 1802, 77th Regt., Co. D ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. 
George De Long, enl. Oct. 10, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G; disch. with regt,, Dec. 

13, 1804. 
Henry H. Day, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, Co. E, 92d N. Y. S. V. ; lost an arm and wounded 

in the side, and taken prisoner at the second battle of Fair Oaks, Va., Oct. 

27, 1864 ; disch. July 26, 1865. 
Wm. Dorvee. 
John Davis. 
Philip Douahee. 
Alonzo Ensign. 
David Klison, 2d Vet. Cav. 
A. Ellison, 2d Vet. Cav. 
James Ellison, 2d Vet. Cav. 

Danlord Edmonds, enl. Jan. 22, 1862, 93d Regt., Co. A. 
Datiford Edmonds (2d). 
Tobi.as Fr.->lei]burgh, enl. Dec. 26, 1863, Bat. I, 10th H. Art., N. Y. S. Vols. ; disch. 

Aug. 28, 1805. 
Henry G, Gurnoy, enl. Oct. 10, 1801, 77th Kegt., Co. G. 
Truman Gilbert, enl. Nov. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G. 
Enoch Gurney, enl. Oct. 2, 1S62, 153d Regt., Co. G ; wagoner. 
Fred. Gleesettlo, enl. Sept. 18, 1861, Co. G, .53d N. Y. Vols. (D. E. Zouaves), 

Corp.; disch. April 25, 1862; re-enl. Aug. 29, 1862; Co. B, 77th N. Y. 

S. V. ; served through ; disch. June 16, 1865, with regiment. 
John W. Uillon, enl. Oct. 26, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. G. 
John Hilton, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77th Regt., Co.G ; died Jan. 27, 1862. 
Timothy Hudges, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, 115th Kegt., Co. F; disch. for disability ; 

date unknown. 
George E. Hutchins, enl. Sept. 0, 1802, 153d Regt., Co. G. 
Lewis Hamlin, enl. 93d Rigt., Co. H. 
James Btisban. 
Clark Hawley. 
Wm. Higgins. 
Dick Isby, enl. 22d Regt.; wounded; biill through his head; came honf> ; went 

back, and was killed. 
Joseph Jump, enl. Nov, 9, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G. 
Sylvester Jacobus, enl. Sept. 10, 1804, Co. A; 51st N. \. Vols.; taken prisoner 

belbrt) Petersburg; died in prison; date unknown. 
Samuel E. Kidd, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77t)l Regt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77lh 

Kegt. 
Andrew J. Keys, enl. Oct. 10, 1803, Bat. I, 10th H. Art., N. Y. S. V.; served 

through ; disch. with regiment, Aug. 28, 1805. 
Franklin Kirkham, enl. 97th N. Y. Vols, 
N. J. Latimore, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. ; wounded at Fort Stevens iu 1364; disch. with regiment, July 7, 

1805, 
Joseph La Rose, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, Co. A, 115th N. Y. Vols. ; disch. for disabil- 
ity, Aug. 1803. 
Samuel Malison, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77tll Regt., Co. G; died March 22, 1862. 
Daniel Morse, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. G ; disch. Feb. 10, 1802. 
Daniel E. Morse, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77tli I^Jgt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77lh 

Regt. 
Michael Mehan, enl. Nov. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G. 
Nowtun F. McOmber, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, llStll Regt., Co. G ; served through ; 

di«ch. with regt., June 30, 1866. 
Wm. McNeil, enl. Aug. 21, 1862, 77th Rogt., Co. G ; trans, to 1st N. Y. B.ittery. 
Jeffrey Merrill, enl. Sept. 26, 1861,77th Regt, Co G; trans, to Ist N. Y. Battery. 
Henry Merrill, enl. 22d Regt., N. Y. S. V.; Ut lieut.; served through ; disch. 

with regt. 
George Merrill, enl. 77th. 
John McGinnis, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, Co. D, lG9th N. Y. S. V.; killed at Fort 

Fisher, N. C, Jan 16, 1866. 
Wm. McComiic, enl. Aug. 9, 1861, Co.C, 56th N. Y.S. V.; wounded at Malvern 

Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; disch. Oct. 9, 1802. 
Tabor Newton, enl. 77th Regt. 

William T. Norris, enl. Co. E, 22d N. Y. S. V.; killed at 2il Bull Kun. 
Henry C. Newton, Ist lieut., enl. Aug. 3, 1861; pro. captain, July 12, 1863; 

wounded. 
Andrew Normand, enl. March 15, 1863, Co. F, 96th N. Y. S. V. ; served through ; 

disch. with regt., Feb. 10, 1860. 
William Orton, enl. Aug. 19, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
Albert H. Ott, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; Corp. ; pro. sergt. ; wounded. 

May 4, 1864; disch. 
Morgan L. Purdy, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G ; wounded in foot, at the 

battle of Ohistee, Feb. 20, 1864; disch. soon after. 
George Purdy, enl. Aug. 21, 1802, 77th Regt., Co.G; trans, to 1st. N. Y.Battery. 
Solomon II. Parks, enl. Aug. 10, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. A; served through; 

disch, with regt,, Nov, 8, 1865. 
Wallace Parks 
I.awi ence P.dmer, enl. Jan. 29, 1862, 93d R'"gt., Co. H ; served through ; disch. 

.Ian, 25, 1805. 



434 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Geo. H. Putnam, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, Co. G, 115th N. Y. S. V. ; discli. for disability, 

Oct. 1862. 
Edward Pearson. 
George Ros3, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. G; Borgt. ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Eegt. 
Joseph R. Key, enl. Dec. 4, 1861, 77lh Regt., Co. D. 
William Rising, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 116th Regt., Co. G ; disch. with his regt, 

liut sick, and died soon after. 
James Reynolds, enl. Ang. 25, 1862, Co. B, 123d N. Y. S. V.; served through 

disch. with regt., April 28, 1865. 
Reuben Robinson, enl. Dec. 26, 186.3, Battery I, 16th Heavy Art., N. Y. S. V. 

disch. Aug. 28, 1865. 
Benjamin Robinson, enl. Dec. 26, 1863, Battery I, 16th Heavy Art., N. Y. S. V. 

disch. Aug. 28, 1805. 
Nathaniel Rice, enl. Co. G, 77th Regt., N. Y. S. V. 
Charles Sill, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. G. 

Wni. Sweet, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. G; died at Fortress Monroe. 
Milton F. Sweet, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. G ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Eegt. 
Kowland Sherman, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Eegt, Co.G; disch. with regiment, 

Dec. 13, 1864. 
James M. Shurter, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Eegt., Co. G ; died at Newport, April 

4, 1862. 
Dudley E. Lee, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G ; died Jan. 21, 1862. 
George W. Smith, enl. Aug. 9, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. F ; served through ; disch. 

with regiment, .huie 30, 1865. 
James Smith, enl. Aug. 9, 1S62, 115th Regt., Co. F; served through; disch. 

with regiment, June 3U, 1865. 
Reuben Sherman, eul. Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F; died of typhoid fevor 

at Yorktown, Jan. 7, 1863. 
Levi Shaffer, enl, Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G ; pro. to 2d lieut. ; killed at 

the battle of Olustee, Fla,, Feb. 20, 1S64. 
Jacob A. Sisson, enl. Aug. 1, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G ; served tluough ; disch. 

June 30,1866. 
George H. Skym, enl. Aug. 8, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. G; served through; disch. 

with regiment, June 30, 1865. 



Jaaies C. Smith, enl. July 27, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G; killed at the battle of 

Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1864. 
Ira Scott, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G ; served through; disch. with 

regiment, June 30, 1865. 
Geoige Sumner, enl. Feb. 21, 1864, 25th Cav., Co. B. 
George Scott, enl. Aug. 22, 1862, Co. G. 77th Eegt.; wounded, second kittle 

Fredericksburg, in left thigh ; disch. soon after. 
Martin Snyder, enl. Sept. 10, 1864, Co. G, 51st Eegt. N. Y. S. V.; taken pris- 
oner before Petersburg; died while a prisoner; date unknown. 
Franklin Smith. 

George Sleight, enl. 77th Eegt.; lost in action; never heard from. 
George Storer, enl. 77 Ih Regt. 

George C. Tucker, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G. 
Jesse Thompson, — died soon after returning home. 
James C. Vaiulenbnrg, enl. Sept. 26, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G; killed in the 

battle of the Wilderness, Ma.y 10, 1864. 
Lyman Vandenburg, enl. Oct. 26, 1861, Co. G, 77th Eegt. ; sergt. ; trans, to Vet. 

Bat,, 77th Regt.; served through; disch. with regt., July 7, 1865. 
Elias Washburn, enl. Aug. 9, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F; served through; disch. 

with regt., June 30, 1865. 
C. Frank Winsliip, enl. Oct, 20, 1801, Co. G, 77th N. Y. S. V. ; taken prisoner at 

battle of Chiintilly, Va., Oct. 15,186!; exchanged, Dec. 1, 1864; disch. 

with regt., Dec. 20, 1864. 
James White, enl. Dec. 26, 1863, Battery I, 10th Heavy Art., N. Y. S. V.; di.sch. 

Aug. 28, 1805. 
Loyd We..<ton, enl. July 28, 1863, Co. F, 115th N. Y. S. V. ; missing in a skir- 
mish, Feb. 8, 1864, near Olustee, Fla. 
Wm. H. Yattaw, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. G ; disch. July 9, 1863. 
Lieut. John J. Yattaw, eul. Sept. 0, 1862, Co. E, 92d N, Y. V.; trans, to 96tli N. 

Y. S. v., Oct. 30, 1864; served through ; disch. June 18, 1805. 
Christopher Yatfciw, enl. June 25, 1803, Co. C, 18th Corning Light Cav., N. Y. S. 

V. ; served through ; disch. June 20, 1866, with regt. 
Robert Yattaw, enl, Nov. 1863, in U. S. Navy; disch. by writ, uuder age. 
Hiram Yattaw, enl, Aug. 9, 1802, Co. A, 118th Regt., N. Y. S. V; wounded in 

left leg, at Hanover Junction, Va., July 4, 1801; served through ; disch. 

with rogt., June 23, 1805. 



GREENFIELD. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

The town of Greenfield lies just north of the centre of 
the county. Indeed, the exact geographical centre may be 
stated as being upon its southern boundary. Greenfield is 
bounded north by Corinth, east by Wilton, south by Sara- 
toga Springs and Milton, west by Providence and Edin- 
burgh, and lies wholly within the Kayadrossera patent. Its 
area includes 27,955 acres of improved land, 9790 of un- 
improved, and of this last amount 7997 is woodland. The 
population in 1875 was 2690. 

The legal description of this town and the definition of 
its boundaries as given in the revised statutes of the State 
will be valuable as a matter of convenient reference : 

" The town of Greenfield, shall contain all that part of said county 
beginning at the southeast corner of lot number seven, in the seven- 
teenth allotment of the patent of Kayadrossera, and running thence 
westerly along the north bounds of the sixteenth allotment of said 
patent to the southeast corner of Providence ; then north on the east 
line of the same to the southwest corner of ('orinth ; then easterly 
along the south bounds of Corinth to the west bounds of the twenty- 
third allotment ; then along the same southerly to the north bounds 
of the seventeenth allotment,- then along the same southwesterly 
to lot number seven in said seventeenth allotment ; then southerly 
along the east bounds thereof to the place of beginning." 

n.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The soil is generally a sort of gravelly loam, in some 
parts mixed with clay. The principal streams are the Kay- 
adrossera creek and its branches. From the northern 
boundary of the town the Kayadrossera range of moun- 
tains runs in a southwesterly direction to the southwest 
corner. The eastern part is occupied by broken hills form- 
ing a part of the Palmertown range. They are mostly 
rough and rocky on their summits. Between the two a 
valley of some six miles in width stretches across the town. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

From the most reliable data now obtainable it seems that 
this town was first settled permanently about the spring of 
1786. There is a supposition, however, that it was first 
.settled previous to 1778 by Anthony Haggerty and Thomas 
Root. To lend color to this theory it is stated that in the 
Haggerty Hill cemetery, which is undoubtedly the oldest 
in the town, were two pieces of common, rough sandstone 
set up at the heads of two graves, one of which bore the 
inscription " T. K., Sept. 5, 1778," and the other, " A. H., 
1789." These inscriptions were roughly cut, evidently 
with some crudely-formed instrument, and arc believed to 
have marked the resting-place of the original settlers or 
some members of their families. But this rests mainly on 
tradition. The first settlements that we know to have been 
made were started in the spring of 1786 by Gershom 



Morehouse, Charles Deake, Charles Dcake, Jr., William 
Deake, John Deake, and Benjamin Deake, near Middle 
Grove ; William Scott, at Scott's Corners, now North 
Greenfield ; Lsaac Reynolds, near Greenfield Centre ; and 
the Fitch family at St. Johns Corners. The settlements 
at Porter's Corners and South Greenfield were commenced 
in the following year. 

Among the earliest settlers were many men of eminent 
character, ability, and worth ; and while we cannot under- 
take to give a detailed history of them all, we do not mean 
thereby to discriminate against any of them. 

Isaac Reynolds was a native of Dutchess county, and 
in 1774 moved to Peru, Clinton Co., and settled; but 
being driven oS' by the Indian forays during the Revolu- 
tion, he never returned there, but, after peace was declared, 
determined to settle in this section, and purchased a farm 
a little north of Greenfield Centre. He moved on to this 
farm in the spring of 1786. Here, with his five sons, 
Isaac, Darius, Stephen, Jeremiah, and David, he began the 
work of creating a home in the wilderness. He lived till 
1800, when he died, and his remains found a resting-place 
on Haggerty hill. The farm has latterly passed out of 
the family. Of the sons, Isaac, Stephen, and Jeremiah 
lived and died in Greenfield ; Darius was a Quaker preacher 
and went to Jefierson county. 

Gershom Morehouse had a brother who settled in the 
town of Ballston at an early day. He saw the many fine 
water-privileges furnished by the Kayadros.sera creek, and 
sent word to Gershom, who was a young man of twenty-two 
and a millwright by trade, to come here and settle. He 
was then living at Greenfield, Litchfield Co., Conn., and 
came to Greenfield, at Middle Grove, in 1786. During 
that summer he built Gordon's mill, at Milton Centre, and 
a saw-mill at Middle Grove, on lands he had purchased 
upon his arrival. This was the first saw-mill in the town. 
At the end of two years he returned to his native place 
after the lady of his choice. Miss Hannah Smith, whom he 
married, and with her returned to his home, near Middle 
Grove. In 1792 he erected a grist-mill on his land on the 
Kayadrossera creek. This was the first grist-mill in town. 
He sold the saw-mill, grist-mill, and land to Dr. Isaac 
Youngs in 1792, and then settled on the farm now occupied 
by George Bishop. Here he lived till 1850, when he left 
the farm and lived with his children till his death, which 
occurred in 1857. He was during his life the leading 
millwright of this section and a superior workman. His 
work was performed in a very careful and conscientious 
manner, and very few mills were built in the vicinity which 
did not bear the impress of his work. Four of his chil- 
dren still survive him. They are Mrs. Esther Turrill, of 
Greenfield ; Mrs. Henry Cluto, of Providence ; JMrs. John 

435 



436 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Crawford, of Galway ; and Mrs. Mary A. Haner, of Wis- 
consin. 

Charles Deake, with his four married sons, William, 
Charles, John, and Benjamin, settled about a mile and a 
half north of Middle Grove, in 1786. Near the place was 
a fine large spring of deliciously cool and sparkling water, 
and here were found large quantities of bones of animals, 
showing that at some past time it had been used as a camp- 
ing ground by some one, either Indians or Tories, probably, 
during the Revolutionary war. The family came originally 
from Rhode Island, but removed here from White Creek, 
Washington Co. The original settlers are all dead, and 
the only member of the family, of the second generation, 
now living in town, is Mrs. Joel B. Gardiner, who was a 
daughter of Charles Deake, Jr. Calvin W. Deake, who was 
commissioner of the United States deposit fund in 1848, 
and again in 1865, and Alvah Deake, who held the same 
office in 1843, were grandsons of Charles Deake. Warren 
Deake, a grandson of Charles Deake, Jr., is now holding 
the same position. He was elected supervisor in 18GG, 
when he was but twenty-nine years old. A cousin, Starks 
Deake, was elected justice of the peace in 1876, when he 
was only twenty-four years old. These are the youngest 
men on whom such responsible offices have been conferred 
in the history of this town. 

William Scott was an Irishman, and emigrated to this 
country a few years before the breaking out of the Revolu- 
tionary war. Becoming interested in the fortunes of his 
adopted country, he joined the American forces at the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and served through the war with 
distinction. For meritorious service he was promoted to 
the different grades, until the close of the war found him 
bearing a colonel's commission. It is related of him that 
once the fortunes of war brought him in friendly contact 
with a British colonel, who was desirous to leave his horse 
in some one's charge for a short time. Riding up to Scott, 
he said, in a haughty tone, '' Hold this horse." Said Scott, 
with Irish wit and brogue, " Docs it take two to hould 
'im ?" " No !" said the officer. " Then hould him yer- 
sclf," said he, turning on his heel and leaving the officer to 
bitter reflections over his discomfiture. 

He left his eastern home after the close of the war, and 
settled in 'Greenfield in 1786, locating near the north line 
of the town on the farm now occupied by Samuel Bailey. 
Upon the erection of the town of Greenfield he was elected 
to the office of supervisor, and received an appointment as 
justice of the peace, which latter office he held for many 
years. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and his son, Lewis, was one of the charter mem- 
bers of the Greenfield lodge, and at the time of his death, in 
1866, the only survivor of the founders of that organiza- 
tion. William Scott died in 1814. Six of his grand- 
children are still living in the town. 

James Vail came to Greenfield in 1787, and settled at 
Porter's Corners. He was an early merchant there, and 
subsequently removed to St. John's Corners, and from 
there to Saratoga Springs, where he died in 1832. 

Isaac Demmou settled at Locust Grove, on the farm now 
occupied by Mrs. F. G. Chamberlain, in 1787. At one 
time there was a remarkable mortality among the members 



of this family, some seventeen deaths occurring in the 
short space of three weeks. 

Benjamin Clinch came to Porter's Corners in 1787, and 
started the first store in the town. Nothing further is 
known about him. 

Caleb Sherman, a native of Rhode Island, came from 
Washington county to Greenfield in 1787. and settled a 
little north of Middle Grove, on the farm now occupied by 
Joel B. Morehouse. He died about 1812. Mrs. J. B. 
Gardiner is a granddaughter of his. 

In the south part of the town, on the Gardiner farm, 
John Benedict settled in 1787, and, when he .sold to 
Howell Gardiner in 1799, he removed to the Black river 
country. Next northeast of him, on the road to Green- 
field Centre, Nathaniel Seymour settled at about the same 
time. One of his sons, Thomas H. Seymour, is still living, 
and resides at Saratoga Spripgs. Alexander H. Scott, 
whose wife is a granddaughter of Nathaniel Seymour, now 
occupies the homestead. 

The next farm was taken up by Benjamin Ingham in 
the same year. He had a son, who afterwards settled in 
the north part of the town. His name was Rufus, and his 
wife and one son and daughter still live on the farm he 
bought. Benjamin Ingham's farm is now occupied by 
S. W. Hoyt. 

Joel Reynolds settled at Greenfield Centre in 1789, and 
kept the first inn in the town. The place is now owned 
by Dr. lanthus G. Johnson. 

Peter Robinson came from Washington county in 1792 
or 1793, and settled near Greenfield Centre. He was fol- 
lowed at difierent intervals by his four brothers, Peleg, 
Sanford, Giles, and Benjamin, and his brother-in-law, Silas 
Giffijrd. All settled in the Haggerty hill neighborhood. 
The farms purchased by Sanford and Benjamin are still 
retained in their respective families and occupied by their 
descendants. Benjamin purchased the Haggerty farm of 
Anthony Haggerty 's son William, and his grandson, Ben- 
jamin S. Robinson, the present clerk of the board of super- 
visors, now occupies it. 

Esek Tourtelot came from Thompsontown, Conn., about 
1795, and bought a large tract of land two miles north of 
Porter's Corners, where he lived till his death, which oc- 
curred in 1850. Mrs. Phoebe Allen, Miss Lydia Tourtelot, 
and Mrs. Cornelia Morehouse, three of his daughters, are 
still living in town. 

Rev. Elias Gilbert was Uving in Newport, R. I., at the 
breaking out of the Revolution, and when that place was 
occupied by the British he removed to Stockbridge, Mass., 
from there to Great Barrington, and then to Manchester, 
Vt. From there he came to this State, and lived for a time 
at Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., from whence, about 1789, he 
came to Greenfield, and settled near the southern line of 
the town. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, and con- 
tinued to work at that business, more or less, tlnoughout 
his life. He was an intellectual but not a highly-educated 
man, and first began to preach while living at Pittstown. 
Coming to Greenfield, he was principally the means of or- 
ganizing the Congregational church, and was called and 
installed as it« first pastor. lie continued to hold this 
relation to the church till his death, in the fall of 1814, a 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



437 



period of twenty-one yeare, and by his faithful preaching 
and careful, consistent Christian walk and conversation en- 
deared himself to all the members of his congregation. He 
left no family, never having been blessed with children. 
He was one of the founders of the Greenfield Temperance 
Society, and its first president. 

Jonathan Hoyt was an early settler previous to 1790. 
One daughter, Mrs. Lydia Darrow, is still living in the 
southern part of the town. She is the oldest surviving 
member of the Congregational church. 

Jonathan Wood, who lived about one mile east of the 
Consregational church, settled there before 1790. He had 
two sous, James and Jeremiah, who graduated from Union 
College and became ministers of the gospel. Jeremiah 
was pastor of a church at Mayfield, Fulton Co., for up- 
wards of fifty years. 

Walter Hewitt, among whose descendants are found 
many sterling business men, settled on a part of the farm 
now occupied by Seneca Weed in 1790. He sold this 
farm to Noah Weed in 1793, and moved on to the farm 
now occupied by Nelson D. Morehouse. He was an esti- 
mable Christian man, and enjoyed the respect and confidence 
of all who knew him. Three of his sons, Richard, Alex- 
ander, and Christopher, are still living ; the two former in 
Greenfield and the latter in Saratoga Springs. He was a 
deacon of the Congregational church and one of the 
founders of the Greenfield Total Abstinence Society. 

Dan Cronkhite was a plain, substantial farmer, a consci- 
entious, consistent Christian, and was respected by all his 
fellow-townsmen for his sterling qualities of head and 
heart. Formerly from Hillsdale (then in Dutchess county), 
he settled two miles east of Greenfield Centre, on the farm 
now occupied by his son, Justus A. Cronkhite, April 19, 
1791. He voted at seventy consecutive town-meetings, and 
missed but one general election in the time. The first town- 
meeting he attended was in 1792. He then lived in the 
town of Saratoga, and the polls were located at the old 
Force place, about six miles east of Saratoga, near Stafford 
bridge. He died April 25, 1863. At that time there 
were three persons lying dead within a radius of two miles, 
whose united ages aggregated two hundred and seventy- 
three years, — Dan Cronkhite, aged ninety-five years, two 
months, and sixteen days ; Elihu Anthony, aged ninety- 
four years, eleven months, and eighteen days ; and Mrs. 
Lydia Billings, aged eighty-three years. 

John Pettit was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 
in August, 1764. Being of a studious turn of mind, he 
early began to study, and his first lessons in writing were 
taken with a coal for a pencil and a strip of birch-bark for 
a copy-book. As soon as he was old enough to do so he 
enlisted in the Continental army, and served till the close of 
the Revolution, and then returned to his JNIassachusetts 
home. Here he soon after married Mary Barnes, and in 
1793 emigrated to New York, and settled a little north of 
Greenfield Centre, on the farm now occupied by Hiram T. 
Lawton. Upon the erection of the town he became, by 
appointment, one of the justices of the peace, and held that 
office for forty-one consecutive years. He was elected su- 
pervisor four times, and was a member of the Assembly in 
1817 and again in 1823. His family consisted of eight sons 



and five daughters. Three of his sons, John, James, and Paris, 
were soldiers in the War of 1812. Paris was killed in 
battle at Sacket's Harbor. John was taken prisoner, and 
carried to Quebec. James passed through the war un- 
harmed. Another son, William R. Pettit, removed to 
Gorhani, Ontario Co., where he still lives, at an ad- 
vanced age. He was a member of the Assembly, from the 
first district of Ontario county, in 1852. The only other 
surviving child is Alexander H. Pettit, of Fairweather, 
Adams Co., HI. John Pettit died, full of years and 
honore, Jan. 1, 1840. 

Nathaniel Daniels was a prominent and honored mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He located on 
the north branch of the Kayadrossera creek, sometimes 
called " Ellis' creek," about a mile north of the southern 
boundary of the town. He came from New England in 
the spring of 1794, and built a cloth-dressing and fulling- 
mill soon after, which was the first mill of the kind in the 
town. 

Elihu Anthony was a settler of 1792 on a farm in the 
north part of the town, and lived in Greenfield until April 
23, 1863, when he died at the advanced age of almost 
ninety-five years. He was a member of the denomination 
of Orthodox Friends and a preacher. He was pastor of 
the church in North Greenfield for many years. 

Isaac Youngs came to Greenfield in 1792, and purchased 
the farm and water-power owned by Gershoni Morehouse. 
He was a physician and practiced a little, but not much. 
One of his sons was also a physician. About the ye;ir 
1810, or before that year, he built the first carding-mill in 
town. But one of his descendants is now living in town, 
Mr. Edwin R. Youngs, who is a great-grandson. 

Asahel Porter was a prominent business man of this town. 
He was born in Massachusetts in 1768, and settled at St. 
John's Corners, in Greenfield, in 1793 or 1794, and em- 
barked in the mercantile business. He also kept a tavern 
in 1795 and 1796. After a few years he traded property 
with a merchant at Porter's Corners (so named after him), 
and removed there and kept store till his death, in April, 
1821. He was very successful in his busine.ss ventures, 
and rapidly accumulated wealth until he became the richest 
man in the town. He was supervisor for five years, and 
was the only citizen of this town who was ever honored 
with the position of chairman of the board of supervisors. 
He was sheriff in 1807, and again in 1810, by appoint- 
ment of the council of appointment, and served two years 
in the State Assembly in 1805 and 1806. He was a prom- 
inent member of St. John's Lodge of F. and A. M,, ami 
was buried at the Greenfield Centre burying-ground with 
Masonic ceremonies. The funeral was the largest ever wit- 
nessed in the town. Mrs. William A. Beach, wife of the 
eminent New York lawyer, is his only surviving child. 

Noah Weed came from Cambridge, W;ishington Co., in 
March, 1793, and bought three hundred acres of land in 
South Greenfield, of Walter Hewitt, Daniel Crawford, and 
James Dunning, who were the original settlers. Forty-eight 
years after, on the same day of the month, March 11, 1841, 
he died. His son, Seneca, still U\'es on the homestead where 
he was born. 

One of the most highly respected of the citizens of this 



438 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



town'was Howell Gardiner, who settled in the south part 
of the town in 1799, buying the farm of John Benedict. 
He left his wife in East Hampton, Long Island, and re- 
turning cast in the fall, in the spring of 1800 brought her 
with him to their new home. He was a descendant, in the 
fifth generation, of Lyon Gardiner, who purchased Gar- 
diner's island of the Indians in 1639. His father was 
Jeremiah Gardiner, of East Hampton, and he was the 
youngest of eight children. He was born Jan. 6, 1776, 
in East Hampton, L. I., and died in Greenfield, Feb. 
26, 1866, aged upwards of ninety years. He was a 
man of thoughtful habit, yet full of nervous energy, 
and having formed a careful opinion on any subject, was 
earnest and untiring in its advocacy. These traits of char- 
acter brought him into prominence in whatever position he 
was placed, and he filled many ofiices of trust and responsi- 
bility. He was one of the mainstays of the Congregational 
church, which owed much of its prosperity to his indefati- 
gable efforts in its behalf. At a time when it required 
great moral courage to be even a moderate temperance 
man, he came out firm and strong on the ground of " total 
abstinence," and was mainly instrumental in the formation 
of the Greenfield Total Abstinence Society in 1809, and 
remained an honored and influential member of it till death 
closed his career. Appointed to the oflice of justice of the 
peace, he held that office for twenty consecutive years. He 
was elected to the State Assembly in 181.5, 1827, and 1831, 
and was a presidential elector in 1820, and east his vote 
in the electoral college for James Monroe. His fiimily con- 
sisted of six children, four of whom are still living, — Mrs. 
B. N. Loomis, of Binghamton ; Joel B. Gardiner, Henry 
L. Gardiner, and Juliet Gardiner, of Greenfield. The two 
last named occupy the old homestead. 

John Prior was an early settler near King's Station, and 
a prominent man in public affairs. He was the recipient 
of several public offices, among which were member of As- 
sembly in 1813, and associate judge of the court of com- 
mon pleas, to which latter position he was appointed in 
1818. 

Salmon Child was one of the pioneer settlers of Green- 
field, and one of its most highly honored citizens. He was 
born in Connecticut in the year 1762. His father was a 
captain in the Continental army, and in 1791 Salmon joined 
the army, and participated in the march to Virginia, and 
the final triumph at Yorktown. He was a farmer, pos- 
sessed of a large fund of plain common sense and good 
judgment, and his character as exemplified by his life was 
above reproach. 

With his father he came to Greenfield soon after the 
close of the Revolution, and located in the south part of 
the town. In 1794 he was appointed as one of the first 
justices of the peace for Greenfield. His upright life and 
weight of moral character brought him into public life, 
and kept his record pure and unsullied throughout his 
career. He was a member of the State Assembly at the 
sessions of 1808 and 1809. In the latter year he was 
appointed first judge of the court of common pleas by 
Governor Daniel I). Tompkins, and held that responsible 
position until the reorganization of the court in 1818, 
when he yielded his seat to Hon. James Thonip.son (a son 



of Hon. John Thompson, whom he succeeded in oflace), 
and accepted a seat on the same bench as associate judge, 
and held it for five years. He was a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1821, and a member of the elec- 
toral college in 1828, and cast his vote for John Quincy 
Adams. This was his last public office. He was repeat- 
edly elected supervisor of his town, and enjoyed the fullest 
respect, confidence, and esteem of all who knew him. In 
1836 he removed to the west, and died in Walworth Co., 
Wis., Jan. 28, 1856, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. 
As a tribute to his worth, we append the words written of 
him by one of his pastors, Rev. Thomas Powell, who says : 
'• He was one of the most conscientious and consistent 
Christians I ever knew." Can words express more ? 

Esek Cowen, the noted writer on legal jurisprudence, 
was born in Rhode Island, Feb. 24, 1784, and came to 
Greenfield with his father's family in 1793. His father 
was Joseph Cowen, a descendant of a Scotch emigrant who 
settled in Scituate, Mass., in 16.56. He came to Green- 
field with a colony from Connecticut, including the Fitch 
and Child families, and located near Scott's Corners. Soon 
after he removed to Washington county. Esek returned 
to this county in 1812, and settled at Saratoga Springs. 
Having been admitted to the bar in 1810, he entered upon 
the practice of the law, and met with gratifying success. 
In 1824 he was appointed reporter in the Supreme Court 
and court of errors, and held that position four years. His 
reports form nine volumes. He was appointed circuit 
judge by Governor Pitcher, April 22, 1828, and Governor 
William L. .Marcy made him a judge of the Supremo 
Court, Aug. 31, 1836, which position he held at the time 
of his death, Feb. 11, 1844. 

The Fitch family were among the earliest settlers of 
Greenfield, and came in 1786. They came from Wilton 
and Norwalk, Connecticut, and settled at the place after- 
wards called St. John's Corners, a little east of Greenfield 
Centre. The colony consisted of Ebenezer Fitch, Giles 
Fitch, Captain John St. John, who married Hannah Fitch, 
their sister, and a Mr. Smith. They selected their farms, 
all of which cornered at one point, by Ebenezer Fitch 
choosing the northwest corner of two hundred acres, Giles 
Fitch the southwest corner, John St. John the northeast 
corner, and Mr. Smith the southeast corner. They built 
their log cabins on the adjoining corners, and the roads 
now run in a shape to define the lines of the lota selected 
by them. Shortly afterwards Major Jabez Fitch also came, 
from Fairfield, Connecticut, and purchased five hundred 
acres of land, in the neighborhood known as Locust Grove, 
of Dirck Lefferts, and in a short time built a grist- and saw- 
mill on the creek near that place. These three Fitches were 
brothers, and .sons of Ebenezer Fitch, who died at Wilton, 
Connecticut, in 1702. He was the third son of Governor 
Thomas Fitch, of Connecticut, who died July 18, 1774, at 
the age of seventy-five years. Ebenezer Fitch erected the 
first frame dwelling in the town of Greenfield, and in that 
house, in 1817, Hon. Augustus Bockes first saw the light 
of day. Ebenezer Fitch moved to near StaflFord's bridge 
in 1798, having sold his farm to Ephraim Bullock, the 
grandfather of Judge Bockes. 

Major Jabez Fitch, Captain John St. John, and Giles 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



439 



Fitch all served in the Revolutionary war, the two first as 
officers and the hitter as a private. 

Ebenezer Fitch had a daughter born to him, Sept. 9, 
1787, who was the third female white child born in this 
section, and probably the first in the town. She was 
named Hannah, and married Alpheus Bullard, of Schuyler- 
ville. David A. Bullard, of Schuylerville, and General E. 
F. Bullard, of Saratoga Springs, arc among her sons who 
are still living. 

Among the sons of Greenfield who have occupied con- 
spicuous positions before the world, and reflected credit 
upon the town of their nativity by their useful and worthy 
lives, none can be found more worthy of notice than Au- 
gustus Bockes, of Saratoga Springs. He was a son of. 
Adam Bockes, .Jr., who was quite an early settler in Green- 
field. Adanj Bockes, though a plain farmer, was held in 
high esteem by iiis fellow-townsmen. He was supervisor 
of the town in 1832-34, and for several years a justice of 
the peace Augustus Bockes was born at St. John's Cor- 
ners, Oct. 1, 1817, and for the first eighteen years of his 
life enjoyed the educational advantages ofl'ered by the com- 
mon district schools. At that age he entered upon a course 
of study at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vermont, teaching 
in some country school during the winters, and devoting 
his entire attention to his studies in the summers. In 
1838 he began the study of the law in the office of Judiali 
Ellsworth. In 1839 he entered the ofiice of Beach & 
Cowen, and studied with them till he was admitted to the 
bar in 1842. Upon his admission he formed a law-partner- 
ship with Hon. William A. Beach, which lasted until he 
was elected as the first county judge of Saratoga County, 
by the Whigs, June 4, 1847. He was re-elected to the 
same office in 1851 ; and upon the expiration of his second 
term in 1855 he was appointed circuit judge by Governor 
Myron H. Clark. In 1860 he was the Republican candi- 
date for judge of the Supreme Court, and was triumphantly 
elected. In 1867 he was again nominated for the same 
office, and was elected without opposition. In 1875 he 
was the candidate of both political parties, and received the 
uncommon, but not undeserved, compliment of a unani- 
mous re-election. In 1866 he occupied a seat on the bench 
of the court of appeals, in accordance with the then exist- 
ing provision of the constitution. In his judicial career he 
has exhibited a peculiar fitness for his position. 

Among the other early settlers in Greenfield were Captain 
Allen Hale, a Revolutionary officer, Lsrael Williams, Stephen 
Comstock, John and Elijah Smith, James Dunning, Jere- 
miah Westcott, Prince Wing, Lewis Graves, Paul Anthony, 
Ambrose Cole, Nathan Medbury, Abner Williams, Esek 
Whipple, Job Whipple, Jonathan Deuel, Samuel Bailey, 
John Harris, Robert Early, Abraham Weed, John Weed, 
Olney Latham, Benjamin Grinnell, Jared Weed, William 
Belden, Dr. Asa C. Barney, one of the earliest physicians 
and an honored and respected citizen, Joseph Wood, Daniel 
Crawford, Israel Hose, Gideon Hoyt, Zenas Winsor, the 
first town clerk, John King, Joseph Mitchell, and Ezekiel 
Harris, all of whom were residents of the town previous 
to 1795. 

Peter Hendricks came from Connecticut to Greenfield in 
1791, and settled on what has since been well known as (he 



Samuel Westcott place. His children all died young ex- 
cept Burr. He was eight years old when his father came 
to Greenfield. 

The children of Burr were Walter J., now merchant of 
Saratoga Springs ; Mrs. Henry P. Hyde, of Saratoga 
Springs ; Mrs. William Bennett, of Saratoga Springs ; 
Mrs. Boehm, of New York ; and one daughter died un- 
married. 

Nathaniel Waterbury states that when his father moved 
into Greenfield, there were then living a little south of the 
Congregational church, Israel Rose, and his four sons. 
Simeon, Benjamin, Cephas, and Joseph. 

Wolcott Adsit and James Dunning were the commis- 
sioners by whom most of the early roads were laid out. 
Nathan Green, Alpheus Williams, and Martin Blaekmar 
were some of the early surveyors who assisted them. 

The first mowing-machine brought into town was owned 
by John Masten, who introduced it in 1853. 

The first stores in the south part of the town were kept 
by Benjamin Grirmell, at Jamesville, and Jared Weed, at 
Page's Corners, both as early as 1800. 

In 1812 the bears were very troublesome and did much 
damage to the standing corn, so that parties to hunt them 
were frequently formed. At one such hunt, in September, 
Martin Blaekmar was accidentally shot and killed by 
William Williams. 

The first apple-trees in the town were planted by William 
Scott, on the farm now occupied by Samuel Bailey, in 
1790. 

At the present time there are thirteen voters in the town 
who are upwards of eighty years of age. They are Phineas 
Jones, aged ninety-three ; Thomas M. Caswell, eighty-seven ; 
John Drake, John Leggett, Richard Hewitt, and Amasa 
Martin, eighty-six ; and Lyman Sessions, Simeon Schouten, 
Otis Olds, Prince Deuel, Marvin Rowland, Justus A. 
Cronkhite, and Seneca Weed, who are over eighty. 

The oldest person living in the town is Mrs. Lydia Med- 
bury, who is now ninety-six years old. She has two sisters 
between eighty -six and ninety -four, and one brother, Ama.sa 
Martin, aged eighty-six. 

IV.— ORfiANIZATION. 

This, the largest township of Saratoga County, was, pre- 
vious to the erection of Saratoga County, partly in the dis- 
trict of " Balls-town" and partly in the district of " Sarah- 
toaa." The dividing line was a little east of the centre of 
the town. In 1791 it belonged to the towns of Saratoga 
and Ballston. In 1792 the western half was in the town 
of Milton. March 12, 1793, it was erected into a separate 
town, and embraced the territory it now has and all lying 
directly north, including the towns of Hadley, Corinth, and 
the eastern part of Day. In 1801 it was reduced to its 
present dimensions. There is a tradition that this town 
was first called Fairfield by some of the earliest settlers, 
after their former home in Connecticut. It is also sup- 
posed that the town was finally named after the former 
home of some of the earliest settlers, Greenfield, Conn. 

The town was erected by act of the Legislature, March 
12, 1793, but the first town-meeting for the election of 
officers, etc., wa.x not held until the following .spring, on 



440 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



April 1. It was held in a log house near King's Station, 
on the Adirondack railroad. AVm. Scott was elected su- 
pervisor, and Zenas Winsor town clerk. The record of 
this meeting has not been preserved, but the following 
record of laws passed still remains on the book, viz. : 

" Record of Laws Made and Past at the first Town-meeting held in 
and For the town of Greenfield, County of Saratoga, and State of 
New York, on the first Day of April, in the year 1794. 

" Voted, That the Constables Shall Give Bonds For the FaithfuU 
performance of theyr oflice. 

" Voted, That the pathmastera Shall Return theyr warrants ten 
Days Before the Next Annual town-meeting. 

" Vuled, That hogs that Run on the Common Shall be yoked in the 
following m.inner : the yoke to Be the Wedth of the Neck above the 
neck, and half the Wedth Below; & the Cross-piece twice the thick- 
ness of the neck." 

The following is a copy of the proceedings of the second 
town-meeting, which is the first of which a record has been 
preserved : 

" At a town-Meeting held on the seventh of April, a.d. 1795, in the 
town of Greenfield, the Following Acts was passed : 

" Voted, That Fences four feet and half high and well Built Shall 
Be a Lawfull fence. 

" Voted, That Fence-viewers Shall have Six shillings per Day 
when Called to Doe Duty in their oflice. 

" Voted, That the Law Respecting hogs Shall Be the Same as it 
was the year past. 

** Voted, That the following men Serve in the ofice Set to their 
Respective Names : 

" Zen as Winsor, town Clerk; John St. John, Supervisor; Prince 
Wing, Jonathan Deuel, Charles Deak, Jr., Commissioners of high- 
w.iys; Jonathan Wood, Luis Graves, Jonathan Deuel, James Dun- 
ning,John Prior, Assessors ; Rufus Price, Ezra Abbott, Poor-masters; 
Daniel Scott, Jonathan Deykman, Constables and Collectors ; Joseph 
Deuel, .Tames Dunning, Benjamin Ingham, Fence-Viewers ; Israel 
Rose, AVaKer Hewet, Benjamin Greanold, Eseck Whipple, Pound- 
masters ; John St. John, Abel Deuel, Benjamin Worden, Luis Graves, 
Doc. Tifi'any, Asahel Porter, Joel Reynolds, Given Recognizance for 
Keeping taverns, March 1st, .\.i). 1796." 

In the year 1798 the citizens authorized the payment of 
the following bounties out of the excise money, viz. : one 
cent per head for killing striped squirrels and blackbirds; 
two cents each for black and gray squirrels ; and three cents 
per head for crows. 

A bounty of $50 per head for killing wolves started in 
the town and killed in the county was voted at the town- 
meeting of 1801, and it was also resolved to elect officers 
by ballot at subsequent meetings. The wolf-bo«nty was 
reduced to $20 in 1802, and to $10 in 1804. 

In 1805, to prevent the spread of noxious weeds, a fine 
of $5 was imposed upon every land-owner who allowed any 
Canada thistles to go to seed upon his land, and a sum of 
$10 for the erection of guide-boards was voted at the same 
meeting. One of the acts of 1806 was, " Voted, that a 
pound should be Bilt at or near the dwelling-house of 
Isaac Cliaces and Bilt according to the construction and 
plan of the Justices Supervi.sor and town Cleark." 

A few of the early settlers owned slaves, — among them 
were Doctor Isaac Young, of Middle Grove, and William 
Scott, the first supervisor. Several records of births of 
slave children appear on the town book. The first one was 
recorded June 1, 1800, as '' a negro child Born of Nancy, 
the wench of William Scott, Es({i-." 

In 1813, the school commissioners, Salmon Cliild, Asahel 



Porter, and Samuel Deake, divided the town into sixteen 
school districts in accordance with the law of the State. 

At an election held for members of Assembly on the 
25th, 26th, and 27th of April, 1815, about 340 votes were 
cast. On one ticket Asa C. Barney received 1 98 votes ; 
George Cramer, 198; Isaac Gere, 194; and Esek Cowen, 
176. On the other ticket Thaddeus Jewett had 138 ; John 
L. Viele, 138 ; William Hamilton, 135 ; and Nathan S. 
Hollister, 135. Samuel Young also received 68 votes and 
Howell Gardiner 1. On the question of license or no license 
the town has voted at several times. The first was in 1846, 
and the vote stood — for license, 223 ; against license, 315. 
In 1846 the vote stood — for license, 265 ; iigainst license, 
293. From that time till 1875 the question did not form 
a direct issue. Then the new law of 1874 went into efiect, 
and a license board of excise commissioners was elected by 
a vote of 229 to 185. In 1876 the town voted for license 
212 to 170, and in 1877 for license, 227 to 192. 

LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS. 





Supervisors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors.' 


1794. 


William Scott. 


Zenas Winsor. 




1795. 


John St. John. 


tt ti 


Daniel Scott, Jona- 
than Dykeman. 


1796. 


William Scott. 


tt It 


C. Bailey, J. Dyke- 
man, C. Heathern. 


1797. 


Asahel Porter. 


II It 


Abel Deuel, Colins 
Heathern, Abia- 
thar Millard. 


1798. 


(( it 


George Shove. 


Abel Deuel. 


1799. 


It ti 


Lewis Graves. 


John H. Youngs. 


ISOO. 


ti tt 


" 


William Johnson. 


1801. 


H It 


it tt 


Thaddeus Curtis. 


1802. 


John S. John. 


John Bockes. 


Lewis Scolt. 


180.3. 


" 


tt It 


John Pctlit. 


1804. 


Salmon Child. 


" 


Zenas Behlen. 


1805. 


(( it 


It tt 


Jonathan James. 


1806. 


" 


tt tt 


Nath'n Medbury, Jr. 


1807. 


tt tt 


John King. 


«• It 


1808. 


Asa C. Barney. 


tt tt 


it It 


1809. 


tt tt 


Giles Robinson. 


It It 


1810. 


John Prior. 


" 


Thaddeus Curtis. 


1811. 


(( tt 


« « 


Nath'n Medbury, Jr. 


1812. 


John Pettit. 


Elihu Wing. 


Jonathan Williams. 


181,3. 


" 


ti it 


" 


1814. 


tt tt 


" 


ti tt 


1815. 


tt tt 


It it 


Levi Smith. 


1816. 


Samuel McCrca. 


Ch.irles Lewis. 


tt it 


1817. 


tt t. 


John Williams. 


Nathan Green. 


1818. 


Charles Deake. 


tt tt 


John Deake. 


1819. 


It tt 


John Bockes. 


Otis Ballou. 


1820. 


Elihu Wing. 


It It 


" " 


1821. 


Nchemiah Wing. 


tt It 


11 it 


1822. 


tt tt 


John Williams. 


It It 


1823. 


tt tt 


Elihu Gifford* 
Elihu Wing. 


Richard Hewitt. 


1824. 


tt tt 


Asahel P. Cronkhite 


It II 


1825. 


Jonathan Lapham. 


Nchemiah Wing. 


ti It 


1826. 


tt tt 


" " 


It II 


1827. 


tt tt 


*( It 


Levi Smith. 


1828. 


tt It 


Solomon Dake. 


it « 


1829. 


tt tt 


tt it 


ti tt 


18.30. 


Henry Miller. 


Nehemiah Wing. 


it It 


1831. 


(( tt 


Levi Smith. 


Samuel Bailey. 


1832. 


Adam Bockes. 


Darius Johnson. 


It it 


1833. 


tt tt 


■• 


It It 


1834. 


tt It 


Levi Smith. 


Daniel Williams. 


1835. 


Edwin C. Weed. 


it a 


Zimri Lawrence. 



* Removed from town. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



4+1 





Supervisors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1836. 


Edwin C. Weed. 


Levi Smith. 


Zimri Lawrence. 


1837. 


tt it 


It it 


Ama.sa R. Day. 


1838. 


'• " 


tt tt 


Seymour B. Ingham 


1839. 


Levi Smith. 


John S. Peacock. 


tt tt 


1840. 


" 


" " 


" 


1841. 


Freera.an Tourtcldt. 


Warren Bockes. 


MerrittC.Cronkhite 


1842. 


Edwin C. Weed. 


" 


Hamilton Early. 


1843. 


Joseph Wood. 


tt tt 


Jeremiah Coon. 


1844. 


Chester Foot. 


N. D. Morehi>use. 


Orrin Peacock. 


1845. 


Calvin W. Dake. 


Joseph Carr. 


Smith Sherwood. 


1846. 


Freeman Tourtelot. 


Wni. H. Bushuell. 


" 


1847. 


Frederick J. Wing. 


" " 


(( tt 


1848. 


tt It 


tt tt 


Aaron Ingnlls. 


1849. 


tt it 


Therou Barrows. 


George B. Rowland. 


1850. 


Benj. F. Prior. 


tt tt 


Wyllis Peacock. 


1851. 


(( tt 


" " 


George B. Rowland. 


1852. 


Harmon G. Sweeney 


Charles B. Wing. 


John Scott. 


1853. 


tt tt 


James V. Smith. 


Samuel S. Scott. 


1854. 


Oscar Granger. 


Ambrose Young. 


George B. Rowland. 


1855. 


H. G. Sweeney. 


Richard Hewitt. 


Orrin Peacock. 


1856. 


Hiram S. Freeman. 


'• 


Samuel H. Craig. 


1857. 


Lewis Wood. 


Andrew M. Young. 


Jerem'h G. Smith. 


1858. 


(( tt 


Richard Hewitt. 


tt tt 


1859. 


Abial C. Allard. 


Geo. W. Hazard. 


Alonzo Russell. 


1860. 


" " 


" . 


tt tt 


1861. 


Aionzo Russell. 


tt tt 


Wm. H. Gib'.s. 


1862. 


" 


tt It 


Gideon W. Schotield 


1863. 


lanthus G. Johnson 


Henry C. Olds. 


N. M. Carpenter. 


1864. 


tt tt 


tt tt 


" 


1865. 


Freeman Tourtelot. 


Benj. S. Robinson. 


John N. Peacock. 


1866. 


Warren Dake. 


It tt 


Chas. W. Mosher. 


1867. 


" 


tt tt 


H. B. Woodcock. 


1868. 


De Witt C. Iloyt. 


tt tt 


Geo. H. Hodges. 


1869. 


'• 


John H. Smith. 


Henry C. Wood. 


1870. 


Warren Dake. 


Chas. S. Tubbs. 


Albert H. Kassan. 


1871. 


Warren Bockes. 


Stuart Early. 


Seth Hill. 


1872. 


tt It 


Chas. S. Tubbs. 


Chiirles Rowland. 


1873. 


John H. Smith. 


" 


Daniel W. Lovett. 


1874. 


James V. Smith. 


" " 


Edward A. Rood. 


1S75. 


tt tt 


Melvin S|iaulding. 


Thomas W. Brown. 


1876. 


Jos. L. Kowland. 


tt 


Ezra plarris. 


1877. 


tt tt 


tt tt 


Nathan W. Burdick 


1878. 


John R. Harris. 


J. G. Wecden. 


A. S. Allard. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1794. 
1831. 
1832. 

1833. 
1834. 

1835. 
1836. 
1837. 
1838. 
1839. 
1840. 

1841. 
1842. 
1843. 

1844. 
1845, 
1846, 
1847. 
1848, 
1849, 
1850, 
1851 
1852, 

1863 



— Adam Comstock, William 

John Morehouse. 

Stafford Lapham. 

Alexander H. Scott, 1. t. 

Stafford Lapham. 

Nathan Daniels. 

Henry Miller. 

Alexander II. Scott. 

John Williams. 

Nath.an Daniels. 

Henry ^liller. 

Alexander H. Scott, 1. t. 

John Morehouse. 

John Williams. 

Andrew ^IctJafTey. 

John Morehouse, 1. t. 

Asa Ingersun. 

John Gilford. 

John Williams. 

Richard Hewitt. 

Devine II. Young. 

John Gifford. 

John AA'illiams. 

Richard Hewitt. 
. Hiram S. Freeman. 
, John Gifford, 1. t. 

Lewis Wood. 
, Nelson D. Morehouse. 

5G 



Scott, John Petcit, Salmon Child. 

1854. Moses Ballou. 

1855. Joel B. Morehouse. 

1856. John Gifford. 

1857. Nelson E. Morehouse. 

1858. William H. Ingerson. 

1859. Moses Ballou, 1. t. 
Alexander H. Scott. 

1860. James V. Smith. 
1S61. Seymour B. Ingham. 
18G2. Alexander H. Scott. 

1863. Muses Ballou. 

1864. Daniel Palmer. 

1865. Seymour B. Ingham, 1. t. 
John AVagraan. 

1866. James V. Smith, 1. t. 
Benjamin F. Weed. 

1867. Benjamin F. Weed, 1. t. 
Alexander H. Scott. 

1868. Alexander H. Scott, 1. t. 
Calvin W. Dake. 

1869. Seymour B. Ingham. 

1870. Charles S. Latham. 

1871. Calvin W. Dake. 

1872. Benjamin S. Robinson, 1. 1. 
John H. Smith. 

1873. Theodore Comstock. 
1S74. Ch.arles S. Latham. 



1875. James M. Dake. 

1876. Benjamin S. Robinson. 1. 1. 
Starks Dake. 



1877. Theodore Comstock. 

1878. Charles S. Latham. 



v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

There are three vilhigcs in the town, and five post-offices. 

Middle Grove, or Jamesville, lies on the southwest 
part, on the Kayadrossera creek, and contains about thirty 
dwellings, one church, two paperiuills, two stores, a hotel, 
saw-mill, grist-mill, some mechanics' shops, and about two 
hundred inhabitants. It was named Jamesville after John W. 
James, the man who was the most instrumental in causing 
its growth, and the name Middle Grove comes from a hand- 
some pine-grove, covering several acres, that separates the 
eastern and western portions of the village. 

Greenfield Centre is a little east of the centre of the 
town, and has twenty dwellings, two churches, two stores, a 
hotel, and two or three shops. Its population is about one 
hundred. 

Porter's Corners, a little northwest of the centre, is 
a small village, containing about twenty dwellings, two 
churches, a .store, a saw-mill, two grist-mills, a carriage- 
shop, and about one hundred inhabitants. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

The first school now remembered was kept in a log school- 
house that was built on what is known as the Morris lot, 
about two miles east of Greenfield Centre, in 1795 or 179G. 
Among the early teachers were two men, named respect- 
ively Richard Fish and Slaughter Close. Richard Fish 
afterwards, about 1S15, in connection with Jeremiah Good- 
rich, kept a select school in the vicinity which attained con- 
siderable celebrity, and was finally removed to Albany. 

commissioners' apportionment, march, 1878. 





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o 3 






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a 


District. 


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5 

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In 


No. 1 


40 


$52.14 


$27.51 


$20.37 


$1 .30 


$101.35 


" 9 


50 


52.14 


34.39 


34.92 


1.67 


123.12 


" 3 


27 


52.14 


18.57 


14.07 


90 


85.68 


" 4 


59 


52.14 


40.68 


26.85 


1.97 


121.64 


" 5 


20 


52.14 


13.76 


12.74 


07 


79.31 


" 6 


32 


52.14 


22.01 


17.52 


1.07 


92.74 


" 7 


43 


52.14 


29.57 


36.09 


1.44 


119.24 


" 8 


53 


52.14 


36.45 


33.24 


1.77 


123.00 


" 9 


42 


52.14 


28.89 


33.23 


1.40 


115.66 


" 10 


56 


52.14 


38.64 


56.17 


1.87 


1 IS. 69 


" u 


66 


52.14 


46.39 


51.25 


2.20 


160.98 


" 12 


32 


52.14 


22.01 


19.14 


1.07 


94.36 


" i:i 


22 


52.14 


15.13 


11.96 


73 


79.96 


" 14 


59 


52.14 


40.58 


39.26 


1.97 


133.95 


" 15 


54 


62.14 


37.14 


36.64 


1.80 


127.72 


" 16 


51 


52.14 


36.08 


18.23 


1.70 


107.16 


" 17 


40 


52.14 


27.61 


30.05 


1.34 


111.04 


" 18 


19 


52.14 


13.07 


17.32 


63 


83.16 


" 19 


31 


52.14 


21.32 


25.03 


1.03 


99.52 


" 20 


22 


52.14 


15.13 


17.64 


73 


85.64 


" 21 


20 


52.14 


13.76 


18.84 


67 


85.41 


" 22 


96 


52.14 


66.03 


43.66 


3.20 


166.02 




934 


$1147.08 


$642.39 


$614.21 


S31.16 


$2434.84 



442 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
FIRST CONGREGATIO.VAL CHURCH OF GREENFIELD. 

Tlii.s was the first clmreh organization in the town, and 
was formed in July, 1700. At that time a covenant and 
articles of faith were drawn up and signed, and among the 
names attached we find those of Elnathan Scofield, William 
Belden, Benjamin Iniiliaiii, Jonathan Wood, Joseph Wood, 
Nathaniel Seymour, Isaac Weed, John Benedict, Jonathan 
IJoyt, James Dunning, Stephen Crawford, Elisha Scofield, 
Enoch Kellogg, Nathan Fitch, Daniel Calkins, David Cal- 
kins, Eli Weed, Mary Scofield, Priscilla Belden, Mary 
Wcstcott, Martha Wood, Mary Seymour, Hannah Weed, 
Lucy Benedict, Elizabeth Hoyt, Abigail Hoyt, and Elias 
Gilbert. 

The first meeting for the transaction of business was 
held Aug. 17, 171)0, and Benjamin Ingham was chosen 
chairman and Gilbert Weed clerk. 

Tiie first officers chosen were Deacons Elnathan Scofield 
and Benjamin Ingham, and Church Clerk Gilbert Weed. 

The church joined the convention of churches at Ben- 
nington, Vt., in Sejitember, 1700, and maintained its con- 
nection with that body for several yeai'S. About 1707 it 
withdrew and united itself to Albany presbytery. 

The meetings were at first held at the house of William 
Belden, the same place where Mrs. Lydia Darrow now re- 
sides, and subsequently at other houses. The first church 
was erected in 1793. The location was determined by 
" the centre of the subscriptions ;" that is, by selecting the 
most central point to all who were subscribers. This 
church was a frame building thirty by forty feet, and fitted 
up with temporary benches, which shortly afterwards were 
supplanted by the old-fashioned bos-pews. The gallery 
was very wide, and nearly covered the whole of the lower 
floor. The pulpit was a veiy high one. This church stood 
just across the road from the present one. In 1831 a house 
and lot containing thirteen acres of land were purchased of 
Vincent Youmans for $500 to be used for a parsonage, and 
in 1832 the church was moved across the road and rebuilt 
at a cost of $597.50. In 1855 the church was newly 
roofed and painted, and a new parsonage built at a total 
cost of $1280.80. This amount was rai.sed b}' voluntary 
siibscriptions, and was all paid in before the 16th of March, 
1858. In 1860 the church was again repaired, and was 
enlarged by the addition of one bent to the frame. The 
ladies of the congregation, by their indefatigable efforts, 
succeeded in raising a sufficient amount to newly carpet 
the church, cu.shion the pews, and furnish the pulpit. 

March 0, 1707, it was voted that thereafter the annual 
meetings should be held on the finst Tuesday in March of 
each year. This was subsequently changed to the second 
Tuesday, and the regular meeting has never been oiuitted. 

At a meeting held March 20, 1817, it was decided to 
have some one person take charge of the sweeping of the 
house for a month, and another one for each suceeedin<r 
month. The places were quickly spoken for by volunteers, 
and the list appears on the books as follows : March, Joseph 
Wood ; April, Aaron Belden ; May (to be washed), Howell 
Gardiner; June, Walter Hewitt; July, Andrew Seymour; 
August, Aaron Dunning; September. Kben Darrow; Oc- 
tober, Jonathan Wood; November, Nathaniel Seymour; 



December, Jonathan Hoyt ; January, William Belden, Jr. ; 
February, Daniel Scott. 

Since its first organization the following members have 
held the office of deacon, viz. : Elnathan Scofield, Benja- 
min Ingham, Daniel Kellogg, Joseph Wood, Samuel Wood, 
Jonathan Wood, Walter Hewitt, Alexander Hewitt, Aaron 
Hickok, Lyman Sessions, Joel B. Gardiner, Enoch Kellogg, 

The first pastor was the Rev. Elias Gilbert, who was in- 
stalled May 30, 1793, at a salary of £70, New York cur- 
rency, per annum. He held this relation to the church at 
the time of his death in 1811. Since that time the follow- 
ing ministers have had charge of the church for different 
periods of time, viz. : Revs. Mr. Ingalls, Mr. Williams, 
Silas Parsons, James B. Ambler, Henry Benedict, Theophi- 
lus Redfield, Harvey Smith, Joseph B. Eastman, Philander 
Bates, W. H. Phelps, Charles H. Chester, and Zerah T. 
Hoyt, the present pastor, who was installed in 1855, and 
has held the pleasantest relations with his people for up- 
wards of twenty-two years. 

The present officers of the church are Joel B. Gardiner 
and Lyman Sessions, deacons ; Charles D. Gardiner, clerk 
of the church ; William King, Benjamin F. Prior, Samuel 
W. Hoyt, S. E. Darrow, Nathan Hickok, and Elihu Wing, 
trustees; Henry L. Gardiner, clerk of society. 

There has been a pro.sperous Sabbath-school connected 
with the church since 1820. Charles D. Gardiner is the 
superintendent. The membership was sixty -eight in March, 
1800. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OP GREENFIELD. 

This church is located at Greenfield Centre, and was 
formed in the year 1791, and recognized by its sister 
churches in the vicinity. The membership at first was 
small, but soon increased to a respectable number, and in 
1800 amounted to ninety- two names. Among the first 
members were Samuel Bailey, Benjamin Close, Daniel W. 
Bailey, Mrs. Fanny Bailey, Daniel Wood, and Ezra Weld. 

The first officers were Samuel Bailey, Daniel Wood, dea- 
cons ; Daniel W. Bailey, clerk. Rev. Joseph Craw was 
the first minister. For several years after the organization 
of this church no house of worship was built, and the 
meetings were held in houses, barns, and school-houses, as 
circumstances rendered necessary or convenient. The first 
church building was erected in 1816-17, and though several 
times repaired, is still standing on the original site. It is 
a commodious frame building, will comfortably seat about 
two hundred and fifty people, and is valued at $2500. 

In 1792 the church joined the Shaftsbury Association, 
and remained connected with that body till 1805, when it 
was transferred to the Saratoga association, which relation 
it still continues to hold. 

The several pastors of this church, in order, have been 
Revs. Joseph Craw, Israel Craw, Isaac Brewster, Elisha 
Blakemau, James N. Seaman, Benjamin St. John, Samuel 
M. Plumb, Timothy Day, Henry C. Skinner, H. H. Haff, 
T. T. St. John, 0. II. Capron, R. Hastings, G. Farr, Ed- 
win Wescott, William Bowen, J. ];. Barlow, C. C. Hart, 
F. S. Parke, Jacob Timbcrman, E. Jewett, C. F. Blake- 
man, Levi Wheelock, and Rodney D. Andrews, who now 
suiiplies the puljiit but resides at Jessup's Lauding. 




HON. HOWP]LL GARDINER. 



Fow niuu were better known ur mure highly esteemed in 
the town wliere he resided than the subject of this sketch. 
He was the youngest child and the only son of Jeremiah 
Gardiner, and was born at West Hampton, Long Island, 
January 6, 1776. At the age of sixteen he went to Araenia, 
Dutchess count}-, and there learned the trade of a cabinet- 
maker, removing witli his employer, at the age of twenty, 
to Schagticoke, Rensselaer county, where he changed his 
occupation from cabinet-making proper to the manufacture 
of fonning-mills. 

In 1798 he married Eleanor Groesbeck, of Schagticoke, 
and in 1799 came to the town of Greenfield, Saratoga 
County, where, with the savings from his trade, he 
purchased a small place adjoining the present family home- 
stead. For many years he carried on the business of 
making fanning-mills, keeping a shop and employing sev- 
eral hands, — the invention being then new, and the business 
profitable. 

In 186G he purcha.sed the present homestead, consisting 
of 106 acres of land, where he resided until his death, 
adding to his trade, for many years, the occupation also of 
a farmer. 

lu early youth Mr. Gardiner's education was quite limited, 
but he possessed a mind eager for knowledge, and gratified 



his inclination by extensive reading. He became one of 
the best- informed men of his time, especially in politics, 
the principles of which he thoroughly studied, and, upon 
deliberate conviction, adopted those of Jefferson, or the 
Democratic school. His fir.st vote was cast for Thomas 
Jefferson for president. He was first appointed a justice 
of the peace by the council of appointment, under the old 
constitution, and in that manner held the office for sixteen 
consecutive years. He afterwards held the .same office for 
four years by election, and in the discharge of its duties 
was an efficient, courteous, and faithful magistrate. He was 
elected to fill nearly every office in his town, and repre- 
sented his district in the legislature in 1815, 1828, and 
1831, in which public service he made an honorable record. 
His private life was equally honorable and above reproach. 
He closed liis long and useful career at his residence in the 
town of Greenfield, on the 2Gth of February, 1866, aged 
ninety years and twenty days. 

Mr. Gardiner left two sons and two daughters, who still 
survive him, viz. : Joel B. and Henry L. Gardiner, farmers, 
occupying the homestead and the adjoining flirm ; Juliet, 
his eldest daughter, who resides in the house which he 
built in 1815 ; and Sarah Ann, wife of B. N. Loomis, Esq., 
of Binghamton, N. Y. 




"SJ* 







riiutu. I.y Baker A Keconl, Siinitoga Springs. 



SIMEON SCHOUTEN. 



Simeon Schouten, the subject of this brief sketch, was 
born ill the town of Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y., on 
the 3d of November, 17113. Hi.s father and uiutber were 
Jolin and Charity Schoutcn, old settlers in the county, 
who had a family of six children. He is the fourth son ; 
the youngest of the family, and the only daughter, Lena, 
now the widow of the late Stephen Lewis, resides in the 
town of Greenfield. 

Mr. Sehouten was nut blessed in early life with much 
knowledge of books obtained at schools; but he possessed a 



sound mind, a vigorous constitution, and a strong determi- 
nation of will, which have carried him through the adversi- 
ties and struggles incident to his career, and given him 
comfort and competence in his old age. He is now in his 
eighty-fifth year, and was married to Ann I'arker in 1S13. 
Has never had any children. 

In 1848 he settled on the farm where he now resides, 
and where, by hard labor, economy, and penseverancc, he 
has made him a desirable and pleasant home for the rest of 
his days. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



443 



The following persons have been deacons of the church, 
viz. : Samuel Bailey, Daniel Wood, Smith Sherwood, 
Daniel D. A. Green, O.scar Granger, Lyman Keith, Allen 
Parker, Stephen D. Williams, C. J. Do Witt, and Charles 
E. Ambler. Charles E. Ambler and D. D. A. Green are 
the present deacons. 

The board of trustees is composed of D. D. A. Green, 
George E. Shewmaker, C. E. Ambler, Nelson D. More- 
house, and A. C. Lawton. Charles E. Ambler is church 
clerk. The present number of members is eighty-six. 

For a great many years a Sunday-school has been main- 
tained in connection with the church. It now numbers 
about one hundred and ten members, and has a library of 
upwards of two hundred volumes. William J. Le Grange 
is superintendent ; Hiram C. Hewitt, assistant superinten- 
dent ; Frances Morehouse, secretary ; Adelia Mosher, treas- 
urer ; Reuben D. Morehouse, librarian ; and Harry Pen- 
drick, assistant librarian. 

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OP GREENFIELD. 

This church was more familiarly known to the inhabi- 
tants of the vicinity as the Daketown church, and was 
located about a mile and a half northwest of Middle Grove. 
It was constituted in 1794, and joined the Shaft.sbury 
Association in 1795. It dissolved its connection with that 
body in 1808, and was finally broken up and disbanded in 
1822, most of the members uniting with the other churches 
in the vicinity. 

Charles Deake was a very prominent member, and held 
the oflSce of deacon for many years. His son, Charles 
Deake, Jr., also was a deacon, and at the time of dissolution 
became a member of the church at Greenfield Centre. 

Revs. Abel Brown, John Lewis, and Timothy Day served 
this church in the capacity of pastors. 

THE THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH OP GREENFIELD. 

This church was constituted in 1795, and became a 
member of the Shaftsbury A.ssociation in 1796. It trans- 
ferred its relations tu the Saratoga Association in 1805. 

In 1800, Lemuel Taylor and 31r. Jeflbrds represented 
this church in the meeting of the association. 

The records of this church cannot be found, and its 
history is necessarily a meagre one. 

The ministers, in order from 1795, have been Mr. Had- 
ley, Jonathan Nichols, Timothy Day, Jacob St. John, T. 
T. St. John, S. Carr, and Timothy Day. 

The church assumed the title of the Second church upon 
the dissolution of that body in 1822, and gave up its dis- 
tinct organization and united with the Greenfield Centre 
" church. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OP .lAMESVU.LE. 

This society was an outgrowth of the old stone church 
in Milton, and formed a separate organization April 4, 1846. 
At that time it started with about seventy-five members. 
It soon after united with the Saratoga A.ssociation, of which 
body it is still a member. 

The first mooting was held in the church, which was 
built by the united society in 1839, and was presided over 
by Deacon George Benton. Alvah Dake acted as clerk. 



The meeting was opened with prayer by Deacon John 
Wood. John Wood, George Benton, and Jarvis Emigh 
were elected as deacons, and Alvah Dake as church clerk. 

The edifice for public wor.ship was built in 1839, by Elias 
Thorpe, and cost §3000. It is a frame building thirty-six 
by fifty feet, and has a seating capacity of two hundred and 
fifty. Soon after the church was finished a fine bell was 
hung in the tower, to call the people together for divine 
worship. The church has since been repaired at a moder- 
ate cost, and is in a good state of preservation and valued 
at §2500. 

From the time the church was formed a considerable share 
of the time and attention of its members has been devoted 
to Sabbath-school labor, but no continuous school has been 
sustained till within about four years. For that length 
of time, under the care and attention of its superintendent, 
Moses D. Rowley, a flourishing school has been maintained. 
The average attendance is now about fifty, but has been as 
high as ninety. INIr. Thomas W. Brown acts in the triple 
capacity of secretary, treasurer, and librarian. The library 
contains about one hundred volumes. 

John Wood, George Benton, Jarvis Emigh, Divine H. 
Young, Samuel Benton, Orin Benton, Orlando P. Mixter, 
and Moses D. Rowell have held the office of deacon. The 
two last named are the present incumbents. 

The present membership of the church is forty-four, and 
the following are the present officers, viz. : Trustees, Charles 
Dake, Orlando P. Mixter, Manley James, Moses D. Rowell, 
Joseph Wheeler, Isaac Wager, S. H. Craig, J. M. Dake, 
Jacob Schermerhorn ; Church Clerk, S. H. Craig. 

The several pastors since 1846, in the order of their 
ministration, are Revs. Samuel R. Shotwell, William 
Bogart, NeLson Combs, Timothy Day, A. S. Curtis, Lewis 

Sellcck, F. N. Barlow, Bordon, R. Collins, Arthur 

Day, William Ilumpstone, and Leander Hall, the present 
pastor, who began his labors here April 18, 1875. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF GREENFIELD CENTRE. 

Previous to the year 1800, the exact date being unknown 
to the writer, a traveling preacher of the Methodist Episco- 
pal denomination passed through this section of country, 
making future appointments to preach, and filling these ap- 
pointments on his return. He w;us named Babbitt, and was 
a " thundering preacher," i.e., a very loud-voiced one. So 
powerful was his voice that tradition says some of his hearers 
averred that they could feel his tones pass through their heads 
and hear them strike the trees behind them. As a result of 
his preaching a class was formed at an early day. Among 
the first members were Nathaniel Daniels and his wife, The- 
ophilus Daniels, Mrs. Captain Hale, Betsey Bump, the first 
class-leader, Lorina Conklin, Polly, Katy, and Fanny Jones, 
and Clara Sherman, afterwards Mrs. Smiley. 

Theophilus Daniels was at the time of his conversion 
conducting a number of dancing-schools in different places, 
and felt it necessary to give them up. As a result, he was 
pestered with a large number of petty lawsuits, brought by 
those of whom ho had hired rooms in which to hold his 
schools, and in their complaints they sued for anticipated 
profits of table and bar. He afterwards became a local 
preacher of some celebrity. 



444 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The early services were irregularly held in such places as 
could be obtained, and for some years previous to the 
building of their church meetings were held in the Baptist 
church. 

There vpas a powerful revival experienced in the winter 
of 183S-39, and the impetus thus given to the church en- 
abled them to take steps to build a house of worship. A 
meeting was held at the house of Asahel P. Cronkhite, on 
the 16th of October, 1839, which was attended by Adam 
Bockes, Benjamin Robinson, Dan Cronkhite, Nathan 
Daniels, Aaron Hale, Wm. Burnham, Norton Wood, Ira 
Schofield, Asahel P. Cronkite, and Jeptha Durham, and it 
was there resolved to build a church, not less than thirty- 
four by forty-two feet, on the hill east of Greenfield Centre. 
Rev. David Poor was chairman and Nathan Daniels secre- 
tary of the meeting. This action was followed by the elec- 
tion of the first board of trustees, on the 11th of Novem- 
ber following. Adam Bockes, Aaron Hale, Nathan Daniels, 
Ira Schofield, and A.sahel P. Cronkite were then elected. 

The work of erecting the church was begun early in the 
summer of 1840. Parker Manning donated the site and 
Samuel J. Otis furnished the timber for the frame. It was 
built by Hiram Darrow, and cost $1600. The frame was 
raised July 11. 1840. and the building was finished in De- 
cember. The dedication took place on Dec. 22, 1840, and 
the discourse was preached by the presiding elder. Rev. 
Charles Sherman. 

The oldest surviving members of the church are Miss 
Nancy Robinson, who joined in 1820; Mrs. Phoebe Banks, 
since 1822 ; and Misses Deborah and Lydia Lawrence, since 
about 1827-29. 

The following persons have served as trustees, viz., Ben- 
jamin Robinson, Dan Cronkhite, Abial C. Allard, Seneca 
Weed, F. G. Chamberlain, W. A. Calkins, Clinton Wood, 
James Claydon, W. H. Waring, James V. Cronkhite, J. 
W. Mitchell ; and the present board is composed of Jus- 
tus A. Cronkhite, Ziba Daniels, George Spaulding, William 
C. Weeden, and Arba S. Cronkhite. 

The pastors since 1840 have been as follows, viz., Revs. 
David Poor, William Ford, Seymour Coleman, Abel Ford, 
Charles Pomeroy, William N. Frazer, William A. Miller, 
Jedediah D. Burnham, Alansou White, Clark Fuller. Miner 
Van Auken, Charles Pomeroy, Valentine Brown, Paul P. 
Atwell, A. H. Housinger, John Graves, Arunah Lyon, 
John Haslam, T. S. McBIaster, Amos Osborne, Jacob 
Leonard, Peter M. Hitchcock, John Thompson, Joseph 
Cope, John M. Webster, Sherman M. Williams, Edward 
N. Howe, F. K. Potter, and George S. Gold, the present 
pastor. 

Since the chui'ch building was erected a Sunday-school 
has been kept up most of the time. Asahel P. Cronkhite 
was the first superintendent, and Benjamin 8. Robinson 
has served in that position for several years, and is now the 
superintendent. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OP SOUTH GREENFIELD. 

About the year 1836 a class was formed in the south 
part of the town of Greenfield, and in the year following a 
church was built nearly opposite the present site of the Con- 
gregational church. It was thirty feet wide by forty long. 



and cost $600. It was dedicated in August, 1837. Rev. 
Noah Levings, of Schenectady, preached the discourse on 
that occasion. The first class consisted of about twenty 
members, and among them were Mr. and Mrs. John H. 
Youngs, Betsey Huling, Mrs. Loomis, Mrs. Miranda Ilulett, 
Mrs. Goodspeed, Mrs. Talmadge, Mrs. Filkins, and Mrs. 
Israel Youngs. 

The ministers in charge of the circuit at that time were 
Revs. William H. Backus and Elisha Andrews. The first 
winter after tiie completion of the church these ministers 
held a protracted meeting, and with God's blessing their 
labors effected the conversion of about one hundred persons, 
and the church was much strengthened and refreshed. 
Later in the history of the church other protracted meet- 
ings were held by Revs. Seymour Coleman, Joshua Poor, 
David Poor, and William Ford, all of which were in some 
measure successful. 

The church maintained its existence until 1847, when 
by deaths and removals their numbers became too much 
reduced to enable them to continue, and those members 
who were left united with other churches in the vicinity. 
In 1850 the church building w;is sold to a Unitarian .society 
for the sum of $200, and was by them removed to the town 
of Milton, where it has since been used as a church by that 
denomination. 

The pastors of this church during its existence were 
Revs. William II. Backus, Elisha Andrews, Charles Pom- 
eroy, Seymour Coleman, Paul P. Atwood, William A. 
Miller, Clark Fuller, J. D. Burnham, J. D. Poor, William 
Ford, and Abel Ford. 

The Sunday-school connected with this church through- 
out its brief existence was under the superintendence of 
Seneca Weed the whole time. 

THE UNIVERSALIS! CHURCH OP PORTER's CORNERS. 

The church building erected by this society was built 
in the year 1816. The pioneers of the denomination had, 
prior to this time, held meetings irregularly at the school- 
houses and at private houses. The society was regularly 
organized and incorporated in 1819, at which time there 
were thirty members. The society was styled the First 
Universalist Church and Society of Greenfield. 

The organization has been kept alive ever since, and 
two trustees are elected annually. The membership has 
fluctuated considerably, and is now about the same as at 
the first. The officers of the church were Frederick Park- 
man, Abner Jledbury, and John W. Creal, who composed 
the first board of trustees. Mark A. Childs and John 
Harris presided at the first meeting. From 1840 to 1844 
a flourishing Sunday-school and Bible-class, consisting of 
some sixty scholars, was held, but it died out about that 
time, and has never been resuscitated. 

The first clergyman who ministered at this church was 
Rev. Ilosea Parsons, and after him came Revs. Dolphus 

Skinner, • Cook, Aspinwall, Hathaway, 

Patterson, and others, whose names are not remem- 
bered. At present the church is without any pastor. The 
present ofiicers are John S. Peacock, clerk; N. D. More- 
house, Luther Cady, Charles S. Latham, Nathan Medbury, 
John R. Harris, Levis S. Mills, trustees. 




BENJAMIN W. DYER. 



Benjamin Wilkins Dyer, whose name and labors were 
largely associated with reform movements in New England, 
previous to his settlement in Saratoga, was born at Brain- 
tree, Vermont, September 6, 1808. He was reared on a 
farm, and at an early age his mind became deeply imbued 
with the evils of intemperance and slavery. As these sub- 
jects began to be widely discussed, enlisting the interest of 
a class of earnest reformers, who, although always politically 
in the minority, believed nevertheless in the justice and 
humanity of their cause, and had the faith and patience 
to labor and wait for time to bring forth the fruition of their 
hopes, he joined his efforts with this class, and became 
afiiliated with such men as William Lloyd Garrison, William 
Goodell, Wendell Phillips, Gerrit Smith, and others. He 
also associated with his other ideas of reform the abolition 
of war, and advocated the settlement of all national and 
international disputes by diplomacy or arbitration. In this 
respect he was an earnest advocate of the doctrines of Elihu 
Burritt ; at the same time he was an earnest and practical 
believer in the Christian religion, in the spirit and teachings 
of which he saw and recognized the highest sanction for 
these reforms, and was full of a broad sympathy for human- 
ity, which led him to labor for the welfare of all classes and 
conditions of men. He traveled and lectured extensively 
in New England, and at the same time followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer. At Randolph, Vermont, whither he 
removed in 1847, he took an active interest in the subject 
of education. 

He was married, January 5, 1836, to Miss Clarissa M. 
Spear, of Braintrce, Vermont, a lady whose sympathies 



were in harmony with his own, and who.se qualities of mind 
and character eminently fitted her to be a helpmeet for 
him during his life, and to discharge the weighty responsi- 
bilities which have devolved upon her since his decease. 
This union was blessed with five children, all of whom sur- 
vive at this writine;. 

In 1865, Blr. Dyer removed to Saratoga County, settling 
in Greenfield, two miles west of Saratoga Springs. Besides 
his farm interest in this locality, whose improvements be- 
speak the attention of a diligent, laborious, and thrifty 
agriculturist, he made it an object to build at Saratoga 
Springs a neat and commodious boarding-house, where visit- 
ors could be accommodated with comfort and economy, 
which should bo quiet and orderly, and free from all drink- 
ing and gaming, and where, rather, the order and exercises 
of a Christian home should prevail, and be governed by a 
simple and genial sociality. 

With this object in view he began the erection of the 
" Vermont House" in 18G8, and finished it in 187G. The 
experiment has exceeded his most sanguine expectations. 
The house has been well patronized during the visiting 
season, especially by those who desire the advantages of a 
quiet and home-like retreat. Mrs. Dyer has taken charge 
of this house, as also of the form, since the decease of her 
hu.sbaiid. 

At the time of their removal to Saratoga County he was 
in poor health, yet his energies were unabated and inces- 
sant. He was ever engaged reading, writing, or at work, 
till his last illness entirely disabled him. He died on the 
25th of October, 1877, aged sixty-nine years. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NKW YORK. 



445 



The upper part of the church was finished oflF for a hall, 
and the Freemasons occupied it for many years before 
1870, when they removed to Greenfield Centre. The hall 
is now occupied by Empire Lodge, No. 9ti5, I. 0. G. T. 

METHODIST EPI.SCOPAL CHURCH OF PORTEr's CORNERS. 

This society was first formed about the year 1840, with 
twenty-nine members. Among them were Henry and 
Betsey Whipple, Esek and Arabella Angell, David and 
Serena Gibbs, William and Luanna Whipple, Alzina Wil- 
liams, John West, Jemima Mills, Nancy Ingham, Clark 
Hewitt, Hiram Williams, Elliot Lapham, Alanson Williams, 
John Mitchell, and Alonzo C. Williams. 

The site for a church was donated by General Isaac I. 
Yates, and the church was built in 1845, by L. D. Row- 
land and David Gibbs, at a cost of $800. It is a tasty 
little building, with sittings for two hundred people. It 
was dedicated in 1845. The church lias always been a 
member of the Greenfield circuit, and served by the same 
ministers as the church at Greenfield Centre. Sunday- 
schools are held during the summer and fall, but not 
through the winter, Esek Angell was the first superin- 
tendent, and Mr. Wait is the present one. The present 
membership of the church is twenty-two, and the present 
officers are Charles W. Spaulding, William Medbury, Ben- 
jamin H. Ingham, stewards ; Charles W. Spaulding, class- 
leader. 

SOCIETY OP ORTHODOX FRIENDS. 

At a very early period the Friends who settled in Green- 
field formed a sort of society and built a meeting-house a 
short distance north of Scott's Corners. Elihu Anthony 
was one of the most prominent members, and for many 
years the preacher. Benjamin Angell also preached some. 
There have been no regular meetings held since Mr. An- 
thony's death in 1SU3. A few years since the meeting- 
house was converted into a dwelling. 

HICKSITE friends' MEETING-HOUSE. 
In or about 1827 there was a division among the Quak- 
ers, and those who denominated themselves Hicksites sepa- 
rated from the Orthodox society and built a meeting-house 
a little way east of Scott's Corners. No regular preacher 
was ever connected with the society, and a few years ago 
the meeting-house was transformed and is now used as a 
dwelling. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PL.ACES. 
Of C. E. Durkee, Saratoga Springs, we obtain the follow- 
ing memorandum with reference to the cemeteries of Green- 
field. Mr. Durkee and Mr. Edward Harris are in po.sses- 
sion of very valuable materials, which they have gathered 
at great labor from all the cemeteries of the county. The 
list for Greenfield comprises the following; St. John's cem- 
etery, with 305 inscriptions; Locust Grove, 19 ; Haggerty 
Hill (one of the oldest, many native stones without inscrip- 
tions), 6; Early, 11 ; Scott, 122; Bailey, 43; Jamesville, 
103; Comstock, 9; Wood, 7 ; Edward.s, 15; Giflbrd, 10; 
Day, 4; District No. 5, 88 ; Allen, 8; Ingham, 44 ; Har- 
ris, 10 ; Mitchell, 59 ; Bowen, 68 ; Chatfield, 9 ; Lawrence, 
15 ; Muller, 30 ; Quaker, 2 ; North Greenfield, 1 ; Mount 



Pleasant, 2 ; Dake, 14 ; Crawford, 5 ; Lewis, 5 ; Grenell, 
5 ; Cronkhite, 4 ; Lincoln, 3. Total, 1032. 

IX.— SOCIETIES. 
MASONIC. 

Si. John's Lodge, Ko. 22, F. and A. M. — This is the 
oldest lodge of the order in this county. The lodge at 
Ballston was the first one organized, but that died out and 
was after some years reorganized. This lodge was the second 
one instituted, and was chartered by the Grand Lodge of 
the State on the 20th of February, 1802. 

The number of charter members is unknown, but as the 
population was small and widely scattered it was necessarily 
small. From that time to the present it has maintained an 
unbroken existence, held its meetings regularly, and fairly 
earned its title of the oldest lodge in the county. At the time 
of the excitement caused by the abduction of William Mor- 
gan, and the exciting events that followed his mysterious dis- 
appearance, the lodge sufiered in common with the order 
throughout the State. At that time the lodges were re- 
numbered, and this lodge, which was chartered as No. 90, 
was rechartered as No. 22. 

The first meeting was held at Porter's Corners, on the 
2d of June, 1802, and the ceremonies of the in.stitution 
were conducted by the following Masons, who represented 
the Grand Lodge on the occasion, viz. : Warren Smith, G. 
M. ; Reuben Smith, G. S. W. ; Stephen Richards, G. J. W. ; 
Walter Broughton, G. Sec. 

The following officers were elected and installed, viz. : 
John St. John, W. M. ; Jeremy Rockwell, S. W. ; Potter 
Johnson, J. W. ; Joseph Blackleach, Sec. ; James Vail, 
Treas. ; Benjamin Worden, S. D. ; Daniel Hicks, J. D. ; 
Frederick Weed and Asa Chatfield, Stewards. 

At this first meeting the name of Parker Manning was 
proposed for membership, and he was elected and initiated 
in the degree of Entered Apprentice, being the first member 
to join the new lodge. 

Quite a number of prominent men have at different times 
belonged to this lodge. We mention a few whose names 
appear on the list of members that has been preserved. The 
list for several years in the early existence of the lodge has 
disappeared, and no doubt contained the names of other 
honored citizens. AVe find the names of A.sahel Porter, 
John Prior, John St. John, Adam Bockes, Jr., Jeremy 
Rockwell, Lewis Scott, Oliver C. Comstock, and Morgan 
H. Chrysler on the roll of members. 

From the time of its organization till the winter of 1870 
the lodge continued to meet at Porter's Corners. Then it 
was thought best to change its location to Greenfield Cen- 
tre. In view of this change, in August, 1809, the Inger- 
son store at that place was purchased, the roof raised 
several feet, and a fine hall built above the store. This 
was well finished and elegantly fitted up, and forms a very 
comfortable and pleasant lodge-room. The cost of the 
building and site was $2000, and the furniture and fixtures 
cost about $600 more. The first meeting was held iu the 
new hall on January 19, 1870. 

The membership has remained about the same for many 
years. The losses by death and removals have been about 
counterbalanced by the additions. The present number is 



446 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



sixty-sis. The present .officers are G. W. Seoviiie, W. M. ; 
Edward A. Rood, S. W. ; Jului W. Middlebrook, J. W. ; 
Eliliu Wing, Treas. ; lanthus G. Johnson, 51. D., See. ; 
Albert G. Wing, S. D. ; David L. Spooner, J. D. ; David 
Kane, Charles W. Spaulding, Masters of Ceremony; Hamil- 
ton Early, Tyler. 

Connected with the lodge is St. John's Chapter, Royal 
Arch Masons, with a membership of thirty-five. 

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. 

77(6 Greenfield Temperance Society. — In the years from 
1804 to 1809, a good deal of temperance agitation was 
going on among the friends of temperance in the town of 
Greenfield. The general and lamentable excessive use of 
spirituous liquors, even among professed Christians and 
moral men, seemed to demand some effort to check the 
growth and development of the traffic and use of intoxica- 
ting liquors. As a result of this agitation, April 1, 1809, 
Rev. Elias Gilbert, Howell Gardiner, Esq., Hon. Salmon 
Child, Jonathan Wood, Walter Hewitt, Jonathan Hoyt, 
and Joseph Wood met and formed a temperance organiza- 
tion under the above name. 

Their constitution prohibited the use of ardent spirits on 
all occasions, not excepting certain holidays and public 
occasions, as did some of the other early societies. It is 
believed to have been the first thorough total-abstinence 
society in the United States. 

At the first meeting Rev. Elias Gilbert was elected 
president and secretary, and Howell Gardiner, Salmon 
Child, and Jonathan Wood formed an executive com- 
mittee. 

From this small but influential band of devoted re- 
formers sprang a society that has now maintained an 
unbroken existence for nearly seventy years, and which 
has numbered at times as many as seven hundred and 
ninety-one citizens of the town in its ranks. 

The meetings of the society were held quarterly, and 
the annual meeting was held on the Fourth of July, in 
order to celebrate the anniversary of the nation's birth 
on temperance principles and in a rational and quiet man- 
ner. AVhen the question of temperance reform received 
such an impulse in 1829, the society was reorganized on 
the principle of total abstinence from anything that can 
intoxicate. Howell Gardiner was then elected president of 
the society. 

'At a meeting held in 1814 a total-abstinence tract pre- 
pared by a Connecticut clergyman was read, and the meet- 
ing appointed Howell Gardiner and Jonathan Wood to 
procure its publication. This they did by a contract with 
a printer at Ballston Spa, James Com.stock. dated Sept. 
17, 1814. It is believed that this was the first temjierance 
tract published in the State of New York. 

Among the early members of the society, who joined 
soon after its organization, were James Dunning, Benjamin 
Ingham, Nathaniel Seymour, William Belden, and Daniel 
Scott, of Greenfield, and Daniel Couch, Moses Thomas, 
and Valentine Rathbone, of IMilton. 

The society was again reorganized, separately from Mil- 
ton, in July, 1833, and the annual meeting was changed 
to the last Tuesday in February, the quarterly meetings 



being held on the last Tuesday of May, August, and No- 
vember, respectively. The quarterly meetings were abol- 
ished in 1835, and a semi-annual meeting for July 4 was 
inaugurated. In 1849 the annual meeting was fixed for 
the 22d of February, with a view to secure a suitable cele- 
bration of these two national holidays. 

The presidents of the society since 1833 have been the 
following gentlemen, viz. : Howell Gardiner, 1833-55 ; 
Henry Peacock, 1855-57; Nathan Daniels, 1857-60; 
Asa Ingerson, 1860-62; Oscar Granger, 1862-64; Zimri 
Lawrence, 1864-66; Abial C. Allard, 1866-68; Lyman- 
Sessions, 1868-69; Hiram T. Lawton, 1869-74; Reuben 
E. Cronkhite, 1874-76; Hiram C. Hewitt, 1876-77. 

Benjamin S. Robinson has served very efficiently in the 
office of secretary since 1864. 

The other present officers are Charles D. Gardiner, Ben- 
jamin H. Ingham, vice-i^resideuts ; and the officers, ex 
officio, form the executive committee. 

Empire Lodge, No. 965, I. 0. G. T. — This society was 
instituted Jlarch 24, 1870, with twelve charter members, 
and has been fairly prosperous ever since. At one time 
the membership rose to one hundred'and fifty in good 
standing, and the lodge has constantly exerted a healthy, 
moralizing influence on the community. The first officers 
were Lewis S. Mills, W. C. T. ; Emma" Rowland, W. V. T. ; 
James B. Rounds, W. S. ; Mrs. P. Rounds, W. T. ; Carrie 
Latham, W. F. S. ; Mrs. Asenath Sessions, Chap. ; Ella 
Latham, W. 51. ; John B. Stevenson, W. D. M. ; Mrs. J. 
Woodcock, W. I. G. ; William Smith, W. 0. G. ; Ham- 
ilton B. Woodcock, L. D. 

The lodge meets in a commodious and comfortable hall 
over the audience-room of the Universalist church every 
Saturday evening. 

The jiresent officers are as follows, viz. : Joseph L. Row- 
land, W. C. T.; Mrs. E. C. Mills, W. V. T. ; George N. 
Peacock, W. S. ; Emma Alcott, W. A. S. ; H. A. Scott, 
W. F. S. ; Mrs. B. Rowland, W. T. ; H. G. Ormsby, W. 
Chap. ; J. G. R(rtvland, W. M. ; Alice Cady, W. D. M. ; 
Lily Wells, W. I. G. ; Mrs. E. A. Williams, W. 0. G. ; 
Mrs. J. L. Rowland, R. H. S. ; Mrs. P. A. Latham, L. H. 
S. ; Lewis S. Mills, L. D. 

Kiiyadro.Hsera Tent, A'o. 69, /. 0. of Recliahites. — 
This temperance organization was instituted March 7, 
1876, with the following charter members, viz. : Hezekiah 
B. Manchester, William H. Davis, Hiram B. Manchester, 
Thomas J. Wing, Elias Pendrick, Hiram C. Hewitt, H. C. 
Wood, Edward Showers, B. S. Cochran, J. D. Pluminer, 
Henry Bentley, James B. Wing, Simeon Brown, Joel S. 
Barnes, J. E. Spicer, R. S. Green, R. D. Morehouse, Perry 
Lockwood, Stephen Svvatling, John J. Tethers, Albert J. 
Wing, Lee R. Smith, Harry M. Lincoln. 

The first officers were J. D. Plumnier, W. C. ; Elias 
Pendrick, Dep. Ruler; Hiram C. Hewitt, Shep. ; Hezekiah 
B. Manchester, Levite ; Hiram B. Manchester, Sec. ; Wil- 
liam Pike, Treas. ; Thomas J. Wing, Rec. Sec. ; William 
Davis, Inside Guard. 

Since its organization it has steadily increased in num- 
bers and prospered in a flattering manner. It now has 
forty-one members, and exerts a powerful influence on the 
community in favor of temperance and sobriety. 




D" Ianthus G.Johnson. 




RESIDENCE if Df? Ianthus G.Johnson, g-reenfield ciHJRe.sARAToa^ co.,n.v 



IIISTOIIY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



447 



The present officers are Lee A. Smith, W. C. ; Goode 
Wing, D. R. ; William Le Grange, Shop. ; Stephen Swat- 
ling, Levite; H. B. Manchester, Sec; J. H. Bentley, 
Treas. ; R. D. Morehouse, Roc. Sec. ; Reuben Morehouse, 
Fin. Sec. ; H. Hiller, I. G. ; Eddy Deuel, 0. G. ; Sanford 
Barnes, P. W. C. ; John Tethers, William Whipple, R. 
and L. S. W. C. ; Elias Pendrick, Thomas J. Wing, R. 
and L. S. D. R. ; Hiram Hewitt, Installing Officer. 

I. o. or 0. P. 

Greenfald Cnitre Lodge, No. 308, /. 0. 0. i^.— This 
lodge was organized Feb. 28, 1872, with seven charter 
members, who occupied respectively the offices annexed to 
their names, viz. : Charles Mosher, N. G. ; Brice S. Davis, 
V. G. ; R. S. Davison, Rec. See. ; John Erckenbrack, 
Permanent Sec. ; Richard F. Mosher, Warden ; Daniel 
Hayes, Conductor ; and John W. Mitchell, I. G. 

At the first meeting ten others joined, and the meniber- 
bership has constantly and steadily increased. The meet- 
ings have been well sustained, and in all respects the lodge has 
been very prosperous. The highest membersliip was reached 
in July of the present year, when the lodge numbered 
eighty-two members. The present membership is seventy- 
nine. The meetings are held in a rented hall, which is 
nicely furnished and fitted np with careful taste. Steps 
have been taken to secure a building spot on which to erect 
a new hall. The value of the lodge furniture and fixtures 
is about §425. 

The present officers are George H. Hodges, N. G. ; Joel 
S. Tuller, V. G. ; Charles P. Cronkhite, Rec. Sec. ; Albert 
Densmore, Per. Sec. ; George Spaulding, Warden ; Daniel 
W. Lovell, Cond. ; Nathan W. Burdick, I. and 0. G. ; 
Charles W. Spaulding, Chap. ; James B. Smith, P. G. ; 
John T. Daniels, R. S. N. G. ; Samuel Kilmer, L. S. N. G. ; 
William AV. Wing, R. S. V. G. ; Thomas Webb, L. S. V. G. ; 
Joseph Waring, R. S. S. ; James Newell, L. S.' S. 

Connected with the lodge is also a Rebecca Degree 
lodge called " Desdemona" Lodge. Its charter was granted 
in March, 1875, upon the petition of nine ladies and ten 
gentlemen. It now has a membership of forty-two, and is 
in a prosperous condition. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

Lake Desolation, as its name indicates, is a wild, weird 
mountain lake. It is the only body of water of any size 
in the town. It lies on the top of the Kayadrosscra range 
of mountains on the western border, and lies partly in 
Providence. Along the eastern bank of this lake lay an 
old Indian trail, along which the Indians and Tories 
passed at the time of their descent upon the settlers of 
Ballston, in 1780, and whieh was also the line of their 
retreat. 

Along the old Indian trail that ran near Lake Desolation 
also passed the several French and Indian expeditions from 
Canada to the Mohawk country. Along near it passed 
the Jesuit father, Isaac Jogues, the discoverer of Lake 
George, while on his way to his mission, St. Mary of the 
Martyrs, on the banks of the Mohawk, in 1U42. Near 
this lake passed Courcelle and Tracy and their army, on 
tlicir way to the Mohawk country, in lOtJU. 



About two miles northeast of Greenfield Centre, and 
one mile north of the Cronkhite school-house, on the 
top of the Palniertown mountain, is a curious freak of 
nature, and one to which is attached considerable historic 
interest. It is on the Beach lot, on the farm owned by 
George H. Hodges. On the top of this hill the sandstone 
rock crops out in several lodges ; and on the northeast face 
of one of them is a narrow shelf, in which is a perpendic- 
ular hole about a foot in diameter and a little over two 
feet in depth, with a rounded bottom similar to a mortar. 
It is locally known as the "samp-mortar," and derives its 
name from the fact that it was formerly used by the In- 
dians and afterwards by the first white settlers as a mortar 
in which to pound their corn. It is supposed to have been 
hollowed out by the action of water at some pre-historic 
period of time ; but from the fact of its being now at such 
an elevation its origin is the more mysterious. The hole 
was about three feet in depth until within a few years, 
during which time some reckless iconoclast has broken off 
some of the rock near the top, reducing it to its present 
depth. A thick growth of timber now surrounds this 
interesting relic of a former age. 

XL— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

Greenfield is principally an agricultural town. Along 
the sunny southern slopes of its hills, which stretch be- 
tween the two mountain ranges, lie many fine farms, many 
of whose early occupants have been spoken of in the pre- 
ceding pages. The soil is mostly of a better quality than 
that of some of the adjoining towns. The farmers find a 
ready market for their produce at the village of Saratoga 
Spriugs near by. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The manufacturing interests of Greenfield have never 
been very extensive. Saw-mills and grist-mills have run a 
brief existence, gone to ruin, and been replaced by others. 
The carding-mill and woolen-mill heretofore mentioned 
shared the general fate of decay and extinction. We shall 
mention but a few of the past and present enterprises. 

The first distillery in town was one owned by Asahel 
Porter at Porter's Corners, date not known. He also built 
quite an extensive tannery, which passed through several 
hands and then burned down. It was finally rebuilt by 
Esek Angell, and recently it was again burned. 

The water-power at Middle Grove was first fully utilized 
about 1836, by John W. James, a son of Jesse James, 
who lived on the mountain northwest of the village. John 
W. James first embarked upon the sea of active business 
life at Greenfield Centre. From there he went to New 
York and accumulated some wealth, with which he returned 
to Jamesville (named in honor of him) in 1836, to create 
a manufacturing town. He built a dam across the Kay- 
adrosscra creek and erected a paper-mill there. This was 
the first mill built in Saratoga County for the manufacture 
of paper by machinery. He also built several houses, and 
purchased a large tract of land, on which the village was 
built. After the lapse of some twenty years he failed in 
business and returned to New York. The mill was burned, 
and rebuilt by other parties. Burned a second time, the 
vacant jiowor was purcha.^cd by \Vest & Brown, who built 



448 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



tlie present mills in 1870. These mills were run by West 
& Brown until 1874, when Geo. West & Son became, and 
still remain, the owners. They contain six thirty-inch en- 
gines for grinding the material and one fifty-inch machine 
for making the paper. 

The power is furni.shod by three turbine water-wheels of 
the Leffell and the Reynolds patterns, and one thirty-horse 
power steam-engine. The mills consume from forty to fifty 
hundred-weight of jute butts and gunny sacking per day, 
and turn out about nine tons per week of number two 
manilla paper, used for making grocery bags. The con- 
sumption of fuel is about twelve hundred cords per year. 
Some twenty hands are steadily employed, and under the 
superintendence of Mr. West's nephew, Thomas W. Brown, 
the mills are doing a very successful business. 

There are several saw-mills and grist-mills scattered 
throughout the town, but they are mostly devoted to doing 
custom work. Some lumbering is done on the mountains, 
in the neighborhood of Lake Desolation. 

About the year 1850 a glass-factory was started on the 
mountains in the northwest part of the town. A little vil- 
lage of about one hundred inhabitants sprang up around it. 
It was named Blount Pleasant. Some years ago the factory 
was removed to Saratoga Springs, and the village followed 
it to its new location. 

XII.— MILITARY. 
WAR OF 1801-Go. 

Seneca Ackley, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8,1862; discli. July 7, 
18ii5; living at Mid'ile Grove. 

Henry Allen, piiv., Co. C, 16:id N. Y. Inf.; enl. April 5, 1865. 

James Arinatr.mg, priv., Co. I. 78th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. March 25, 1865, 

Lewis S. Bailey, Corp., Co. F, llSlh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862; pro. to 2d 
lieut. ; diacli. with the regitnont. 

Charles N. Baker, priv., Co. (', 115tli N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862; wounded 
and taken prisoner at Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1864; exchanged, Feb. 20, 
1865 ; disch. June 20, 1865 ; living at Middle Grove. 

Henry Baker. 

leasic Baker, priv., Co. C, 115lh N. Y. Inf; enl. Aug. 11, 1862; disch. for dis- 
ability, Feb. 13, 186.3; living in Greenfield. 

Stephen F. Baker. 

Lester D. Bardwell, 30th N. Y. Inf.; enl. spring of 1801 ; re-enl. in 2d N. Y. Vet. 
Cav. ; discli. with regiment, Nov. 8, 1865. 

William Bartman, priv., Co. G, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 21, 1861 ; disch. for 
disability ; re-enl. priv., Co. E, 25th N. Y. Cav., April, 1864. 

William Beard-ley, piiv., Co. C, 26th N. Y. Cav.; enl. Jlarch, 1804. 

Charles Benms, priv,, Co. G, ll5th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1862; slightly 
wounded at Olustee and at Bermuda Hundred; disch. for disability. 
May 27, 1885 ; living at Mosherville. 

Alfred Bender, priv., Co. D, 54th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. March 10, 1865. 

Oliver Ilcniiett, priv., Co. B, 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. Feb. 25, 1862; disch. for dis- 
aliility, Dec. 27, 1862. 

James Benson, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Feb. 16, 1.S02 ; disch. for dis- 
ability, Aug. 15, 1862. 

George C. Bentley, priv., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 4, 1S62 ; died of diph- 
theria, at Alexandria, Va., Feb. 7, 1863, buried at Greenfield Centre. 

Henry Bentley, priv., Co. H, 1.53d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 6, 1SC2; disch. Sept. 17, 
1865; living at Greenfield Centre, 

Washington P. Bentley, priv., Co. E, 25lh N. T. Cav. ; enl. April, 1S64 ; disch. 
at close of war; living at Middle Grove, 

Andrew Benton, bugler, 11th Ind. Battery, N. Y. Light Art,; enl, Dec, 2, 1861; 
discli, with the battery, Dec, 3, 1864 ; living at Northville. Fulton Co, 

George Bishop, corp,, Co, K, 153d N, Y, Inf ; enl. Sept, 6, 1862; disch. for dis- 
ability, Feb. 20, 1863; living in Greenfield, 

Silas E, Blowcra, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf; enl. Aug. 1862; disch. with the 
regiment, June 17, 1865; living in Hadley. 

Frank L. Brewster, seaman ; enl. Sept. 19, 1861. 

CliJirles Brown, 

John Brown, priv., 7Sth N. Y, Inf. ; enl. May 6, 1864. 

M'illard Brown, seaman ; enl. Sept, 17, 1864. 

William J. Brown (colored), priv,, 20th U. S. Col. Troops; enl, March 11, 1805, 

John T. Bryant, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 10, 1861 ; pro, to Corp. 
and to sergt. ; wounded at Spottsylvania Court-IIouse, Va., May 10, 186-1 ' 
disch, with regiment, Dec, 14, 1861; living at Saiutoga Springs, 



James H. Burdick, priv,, Co, H, 1,53d N, Y. Inf.; enl. Sept, 6, 1862; disch, Oct. 
16, 1865; died, in Milton, since the \v.tr. 

Lewis A, Burdick, priv., Co, F, 115th N, Y. Inf.; enl, Aug. 2, 1802; wounded 

at Olustee, Fla,, Feb, 20, 1801; disch, M ly, 1805; living in Milton, 
Win. H. Burdick. 

Jesse Bnrlingham, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. 0,-t. 9, 1861 ; taken pris- 
oner .lune 27, 1802 ; e,xchanged Oct. 2, 1802 ; disch, with regiment, Dec, 
13, 1804, 
Clrarle.5 Burpee, priv., Co. D, 115th N, Y, Inf,; enl, Aug, 7, 1862; pro, to sergt,; 

discli, with regiment; living at Saratoga Springs, 
Fr.ink Cady, pdv., Co. D,77th N.Y, Inf,; enl. Nov, 21, 1861; trans, to Vet. Bat,, 
77th Uegt. ; wouniled at Fredericksburg, June 3, 1801, and at Spottsyl- 
vania, June 8, 1364; disch, June 27, 1865; died since the war. 
John Cady, priv., Co. E, 77th N, Y. Inf ; enl, Feb. H, 1862 ; deserted at War- 
renton, Va., Nov. 6, 1863, 

Oscar Cady, priv., f'o, E, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Nov. 21, 1861 ; li\ing in Green- 
field. 

Alex, Campbell, priv,, Co. C, 180th N. Y. Inf ; enl. April 6, 1.904, 

Henry C. Campbell, priv., Co. P, 1151h N. Y, Inf, ; enl, Aug. 11, 1802, 

.Albert Carp, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Sept. 2, 1802 ; tians. to Vet. Bat., 
77th Regt,; disch, June 16, 1865; living in Greenfield. 

Truman Carpenter, priv., Co, F, 115th N. Y. Inf; enl, Aug, 8, 1862; trans, to 
Bat, B, 1st U, S. Lt, Art.; disch. June 13, 1865, 

Joel Carr, priv,, Co, E, 77th N, Y. Inf; enl. Sept, 27, 1801 ; died of fever at 
W,a.ihington, D. C, May 13. 1862, 

Charles Chapman, priv , Co, G, 77th N. Y. Inf ; eid. Oct, 10, 1801 ; disch, Nov. 
10, 1862 ; living in S.iratoga County, 

Morgan H. Chrysler, capt. Co, G, 30th N, Y, Inf, ; enl. May 7, 1801 ; pnj. to 
maj., March 11, 1862; to lieut.-col., Sept, 20, 1862; mustered out with 
regiment, Juno 24, 1863; rc-enl, as col. 2d N, Y, Vet, Cav.; severely 
wounded through the chest at .\tchafal-iya Bayou, La., July 28,1864; 
was breveted br:g.-gon. ; mustered out Nov. 26, 1865; living at Kinder- 
hook, Columbia Co., N. Y. 

Will.ui M. Clark, 

Robert B. Conde, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y, Inf. ; enl. 1861. 

John Conklin, priv,, Co. E, 77lh N, Y, Inf; enl, Oct. 10, ISOl ; disabled by sick- 
ness after May 4, 1864, 

Otis Coidilin, priv,, Co, E, 77ih N, Y, Inf ; enl, Oct. 10, 1801 ; disch, for disabil- 
ity, Aug, 10, 1862; living at Saratoga Springs, 

Joseph Connors, priv,, lOOth N, Y, Inf ; enl, March 29, 1864. 

John Oonnery, priv., Co. K, 15 td N. Y. Inf ; enl, Sept. 2, 1862 ; disch. with regi- 
ment, Oct, 16, 1865; living in Greenfield. 

Richard B. Coutiint, priv., Co. D, 25th N. Y. Cav.; enl. March, 1861, 

Ziua H, Cowles, priv,, 7tli N. Y, H, Art. ; enl. Aug, 10, 1863; wounded at Cold 
Harbor, Ya., Slay 3, 1861, and died at Washington from effects of 
wounds. 

Jeremiah Coy, priv., Co. C, n5th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Aug. 8, 1802 ; disch. from U. S, 
hospital at Newtown, N, C, June 9, 1865; living in Minnesota, 

Zera Coy, priv , Co. E, 77th N.Y. Inf.; enl, Oct. 17, 1361 ; disch, for disability, 
May 28, 1862; living at Watertown, 

Samuel S. Craig, Corp., Co, E, 77th N, Y, Inf; enl, Nov. 1861 ; pro. to orderly- 
sergt.; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt., Co. E, and was killed at the battle 
of the W'ilderness, May 4, 1804; buried on the battle-field, 

Enos Cranilall, priv., Co, G, 115tli N, V, Inf; enl, Aug. 1802; died of fever, 
in U.S. hospital near Washington, D.C., Dec, 18, 1804; buried in Milton. 

Joseph Crandall, Jr., priv., Co 11, 153d N. Y. luC; enl. Sept, 6, 1802; served 
through the war; disch, with (he regiment, and lives in Milton, 

Paul D, Crandall, priv,, Co. G, Hatli N.Y. Inf; enl, Aug. 1362; died of typhoid 
fever, at Hilton Head, S. C, July 6, 1863. 

Comnnidore P, Curtis, priv., Co, H, 153d N, Y, Inf ; enl. Sept, 6, 1362 ; disch, for 
disability, Feb. 20, 1803; living at Greenfield. 

Winslow J, Dake, priv., U S. Reg. Cav. ; enl. April, 1861 ; killed at Wilson's 
Creek, Mo., .\ug. 10, 1801 ; he w.as a student at Troy University, in his 
junior yeai', at the time of his enlistment. 

Darius S. Davis, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y, Inf; enl, Oct, 22, 1801, 

Frederick O, D:iy,priv., 180th N, Y. Inf; enl. March 28, 1304, 

Elijah Dean, Jr, 

Sylvanus T, Densmore, Corp., Co. G, 115th N, Y, Inf ; enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; pro. to 
^ergt. ; captui'ed ; died in AndersonviUe, Ga., of brain fever, July 22, 
1805 ; buried there. 

Dennis Desmond, priv,, Co, D, 25th N, Y, Cav. : enl. March, 1864, 

Edwin B, Deuel, priv,, Co, E, 77lh N, Y, Inf; enl, Oct, 14, 1801; pro. to corp,, 
Nov. 5, 1802; wouniled May 3, 1863, 

James C, Deyoe, priv., 192d N, Y, Inf ; cul, March 21, ISOo, 

Andrew J, Dornian, priv,, Co, H, 1.53d N. Y, Inf; enl. Atig. 30, 1802; pro, to 
Corp.; disch. with regiment, Jan. 0, 1865 ; living at Middle Grove. 

James Dorley, priv., Co. E, 77th N.Y, Inf,; enl. Oct. 27, 1801; trans, to Vet 
Bat. 77th Regt,, Jan, 1, 1864; killled at Spottsylvania Court-House, Va., 
May 12, 1804, 

Andrew J. llowen, priv,, Co. H, 77th N, Y, Inf; enl. Oct, 17, 1861 ; killed at 
Fort Stevens, July 12, 1864, 

Ezra W. Drake, priv,, Co, F, 115th N. Y, Inf ; enl. Aug, 12, 1862 ; disch. June 17 , 
1805 ; living at Saratoga Springe, 

Wiirani H, Drake, pnv., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf; enl, Aug, 30, 1862; di.sch, at 
close of war; living at Galway, 

,\ugustus Dunham, priv., Co, H, 77th N, Y, Inf ; cnl. Oct. 17, 1861 ; disch. for 
disability, July 6, 1802; living in Greenfield, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



449 



Charles S. Dunliam, priv., Co. H, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 17, 1801 ; disch. with 

till- rcyinient, IH'c. l:j, 1804. 
Iloltuiii DunlKuii, piiv., Co. G. aoth N. Y. Inf.; eiil. May, 18G1 ; taken piis- 
oniT iit Miittiipony Run, Va., Oct. 10, 1802; pro. to Corp.; discli. with 
regimout, .liiiie 18, ISO:!; re-enl., priv., Co. C, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav., July 
2, 1803; pro. to ord.-sergt. ; disch. at tlie close of tlic war; died since tlio 
war. 
Thomas Dunn, seaman ; enl. Jan. 19, ISGo. 
Stjihen Eddy, piiv., Co. D, 2.'ith N. Y. Cav.; enl. March, 18G4. 
Henry Elliott, priv., Co. E, 77tU N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 27,1801 ; died, of fever, at 

I'liiladelphia, Pa., Oct. 20, 1802. 
James Emperor, priv., i:o. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, 1801 ; killed in battle 

of the Wilderness, May 0, 1804. 
George D. Ferris, priv., Co. E, 77ih N. Y. Inf.; enl. March 3, 1802 ; trans, to 

Vet. Bat , T7lh Kegt., Dec. 1803. 
Snieon E. Ford, corp., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1802. 
John Gibbons, priv., Co. D, 2diIi N. Y. Cav. ; enl. March, 1S04. 
.\ndre\v W. Gitfoid, priv., Co. G, 3Utli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. May 7, 1801 ; dieil of ty • 
jihoid fever at Upton's Mills, Va., Dec. 10, 1801; burieil at Greenfield 
Centre. 
Allen S. Glenn, priv., Co. E. 77lh N. V. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 27, 1801 ; trans, to Vet. 

Bat., 77th Uegt., Dec. 25, 180.1 ; living in Galway. 
Jauips D. Goodhue, priv,, luih II. Art.; enl. March 21, 1805. 
Kobert B. Goudie, Corp., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, 1801 ; trans, to 

Vet. Bat., 77tli Uegt., Dec. 1803 ; disch. July 7, 1805. 
Alonzo Green, priv., Cvt. II, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 0, 1802 ; discli. for dis- 
ability. May 10, 1804. 
Davis Green, priv , Co. E, 77lli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 21, 1801 ; killed at battle 

of Antietani, Md., Sept. 17, 1802; buried on the battle-lield. 
James O. Green, Corp., Co. E, 77tli X. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, 1801 ; died of fever 
at Meridian Hill hospital, Washington, D. C, Feb. 21, 1802; burieil at 
Greenfield Centre. 
Oscar F. A. Greon, priv., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 2U, 1802 ; died at 

Alexandria, Va., Dec. 29, 1802; buried in Milton. 
Wm. Green, priv., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 8, 1801 ; di-cli. for disability, 
May, 1802 ; re-enl. priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; pro. to Corp. ; taken 
prisoner at Atchafalaya Bayon, La., .\pril 14, 1804 ; died in liospilal at 
Tyler, Te.\as, iu the summer of 1804. 
William W. Green, priv., lOtli N. Y. U. Art. ; eul. Jan. 1.8,1804; discli. Willi 

theregt. ; living in Greenfield. 
Asa L. Giiruey, 2d lient., Co. G, 3Uth N. Y. Inf.; enl. May 30, 1801 ; pro. to 1st 
lieut., Dec. 12, 1801 ; capt , April 9, 1802; mustered out wiili the re^.;t., 
June 18, 180.i. 
George W. Gurney, priv., 11th N. Y. Cav.; enl. March 15, 1805. 
George Hagamore (colored); drafted Aug. 8, 180.J. 
George Hanse, seaman; enl. Sept. 21, 1804. 
Clinton Harris, priv., Co. C, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1803 ; discli. with 

the regt., Nov. 8, 1805 ; living in Greenfield. 
Ezra Harris, sergt., Co. E, 77lh N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 27, ISOl ; wounded at 
battle of .\ntielani, Md., Sept. 17, 1802 ; disch. for disability, caused by 
wounds, Dec. 5, 1802 ; living in Greenfield. 
John S. Harris, priv., Co. E, 77tli N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 27, 1801 ; trans, to Vet. 

Bat., 77tli Uegt., Dec. 25, 1803 ; disch. at close of the war. 
John T. Harris, l.riv., Co. D, 77lh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 20, ISOJ ; tlans. to Vet. 

Bat., 77th Kegt., Co. A ; discli. June 10, 1805. 
Lyman W. Harris, innsician, Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 20, 1,H02; died 

of fever at White Oak Church, Va., Dec. 31, 1802. 
Mark C. Harris, priv., Co. E, 77tli N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, ISOl ; disch. for dis- 

aldlity before the regt. was mustei'ed into service ; died since the war. 
Rlorris Harris, priv., Co. C, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1803 ; disch. with 

tlie regt. Nov. 8, 1805; living in Greenfield. 
George W. Hazjii d, 2d lieut., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; eul. Oct. 9, 1802 ; resigned 
April 1, 1803 ; died Jan. 14, 1804, of disease contracted in the service; 
buried at Greenfield Centre. 
James H. Hazard, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, ISOI ; disch. for 

disaldlity, Dec. 5, 1802; living in Pennsylvania. 
Hiram Hendriek. 
James Hendriek, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 31,1802; killed at 

biittle of Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1803. 
Herman Ilermanghans, seaman ; enl. Sept. 17, 1804. 
John Hill, priv., Co. G, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; disch. at the clo.se 

of the war, July 3, 1805 ; living at Glen's Falls. 
John W. IMl, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 24, 1801 ; died of typhoid 

fever, at Yorktown, Va., May 15, 1802. 
Josiah Hill, Corp., Co. G, 115tli N. Y.Inf. ; enl. Aug. 14, 1802 ; living at Saratoga 

Springs. 
Scth Hill, priv , Co. G, 153d N. Y. Inf.; eul. Aug. 30,1802; pro. to Corp. ; disch. 

with regt., Oct. 2, 1805 ; living at Greenfield. 
George H. Hodges, ord.sergl., f;<i. H, 153d N. Y.Inf. ; enl. Aug. 29,1802; pro. 
2d lieut.. May 1, 180i; 1st lieut., Jan. 27, 1.805 ; wounded in the hand at 
Cedar Creek, Oct. 19,1802; mustered out with the regt., Oct. 18,1805; 
living iu (Jteenfield. 
John G. llolsapple, priv., Co. G, 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. May 7, 1801 ; was at Bull 
Hun and Fredericksburg; discharged Juue 18, 180 1; Iivin.'^at Sliddle 
Grove. 
David A. Hopkins, priv., Co. F, 116th N. Y.Inf.; enl. Aug. 7, 1802; di>cli. in 
June, 1805. 

57 



Nelson Hopkins, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 21, 1801 ; died of fever, 

at Washington, D. C, Feb. 20, 1802. 
Siliis Hopkins. Jr., priv., Co. K, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 17, 1.SCI. 
John J. Hindson, priv., Co. D, 77tli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1802 ; disch. with the 

regt., Dee. 1803; living at Milton. 
James H. Ilucsted, priv., Co. K, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 29, 1801 ; trans, to Co. 

F, Oct. 3 ', 1802. 
Henry J. Hnr.1, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1801 ; wounded iu 
the head, at Lee's Mills, Va., April 0, 1802; disch. for disability, Oct. 10, 
1803 ; living at Saratoga Springs. 
Charies E. Ingerson, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, 1801 ; disch. for 

disa'tility, Dec. 5, 1802; living at Victory Mills. 
James H. Ireland, priv., Co. K, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1832 ; died of fever, 

in the U. S. hospital at Cairo, III., Aug. 9, 1804. 
Blichael Jennings. 

George W. Jolin-on, priv., 19'2d N. Y. Inf.; enl. March 22, 1805. 
Henry Jones, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 4, 1801; trans, to Vet. Bat. 

77tli Regt., Dec. 1803; disch. with the bat., 1805. 
Henry F. Jones, priv., Co. C, 11.5th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 8, 1802 ; di.sch. at Al- 
bany, N. Y., May 12, 180.5. 
John Jones, musician. Co. K, 77th N. Y- Inf. ; enl. Oct. 29, 1801 ; disch. for dis- 

Wlity, Dec. 3, 1802. 
Lewis S. Jones, priv., Co. C, 11.5th N. V. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1802; wounded at 
Oliistee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804, ami died from effects of wounds, in Albany, 
N. Y., general hospital, Oct. 1804; buried in Greenfield. 
Oliver Jones, priv., Co. K, 77lli N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 29, 1801. 
Thomas J. Jones. 

William Jones, seannin ; enl. Sept. 9, 1804. 
Leonard J.Jordan, priv., Co. G,3lltli N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 0, 1802; disch. for ilis- 

aliility, March, 1803 ; living in Greelifiel I. 
Win. Jordan, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Lit'.; enl. March 3, 1802. 
John Kelly, priv., luth U. S. Inf.; enl. May 4, 1804. 
fiscitr Kemp. 

J. dm Kennedy, priv., Co. G, Ib'ilbN. Y Inf.; eul. July 22, 1802 ; discli. Jan. 9, 
1805, for ilisal'ility, cans.d by wounds received in action ; living in Green- 
field. 
Edward M. Kerriett, seaman ; enl. Sept. 21, 1804. 

Jonas Kisted, cor].., Co. II, 15.1d N. Y. Int.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802; disch. for disa- 
bility. May 20, 1805 ; living at Norlhville. 
John Killiard, priv., 179th N. Y. Inf.; enl. May 4, 1804. 
lleoedict A. King, priv., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 31, 1802 ; d sch. with 

the regiment, Oct. 10, 1805 ; living at Saratoga Springs. 
Isaac King, priv., Co. H, 153il N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 5, 1802; disch. with regi- 
ment, Oct. 2, 1805 ; living in Greenfield. 
Herman Lanor, priv., Co. B, 8th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. March 30, 1805. 
David \V. Langdon, priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; enl. Aug. 10, 1803 ; died of 

dysentery, at New Orleans, La., Oct. 21, 1804. 
Charles Lee. 

Martin Leonard, priv., 192d N. Y.Inf.; eul. March '21, 1805. 
Henry M. Lewis, priv., Co. 11. l.'i.id N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1803; pro. to Corp.; 

discli. at Savannah, Ga., Oct. 2, 1805 ; living at Bai korsville. 
Moses Lewis, priv., Co. D, 4th N.Y. H. Art.; enl. Dec. 1801 ; discli. for disability, 

July IS, 1S03 ; living at Ballston Spa. 
Henry L. Linculn, seaman ; enl. Jan. 19, 1805. 

Si.lney D. Lincoln, piiv., Co. C, 115th N. V. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1802; woun.lej 
at Olnstee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804, and died of wounds at Jacksonville, Fla., 
Feb. 23, 1804. 
Sigismund Lockhart, seaman; enl. Sept. 17, 1804. 
Zebbeo Lockwood, priv., Co. C, 15 Id N. Y. Inf. ; enl. April 5, 1805. 
JoliuLouther, priv., 177th N. Y. Iiif ; enl. March 21, 1805. 

Daniel W. Lovull, priv., Co.Il, 163d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 6, 1802; pro. to Corp.; 

disch. for disability, at Albany, N. Y., Dee. 27, 1804 ; living in Grcenfiidd. 

Henry Lynett (colored), priv. ,20th U.S. Col. Troops; enl. Blarch30, 180.5 ; disch_ 

at close of the war; living at Middle Grove. 
Jam 3 S. Lyon, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1802. 
John Mack, pi iv , lOlh 0. S. Inf ; enl. Jlay 4, 1804. 
Nic'.iolns D. Maffett, capt., Co. C, 25th N. Y. Cav. ; eul. March 19, 1801. 
Frank Maiigin, priv., 102d N. Y. Inf.; enl. March 2.3, 1S05. 
Henry Marcellus, priv., Co. 1), 12tli U. S. Inf. ; eul. July 16, 1802 ; wounded in 
the shoulder, at Laurel HIil, Va., May 12,180Land iu the hip, at Peebles' 
Farm, Va. ; disch. July 14, 1805; living in Milton. 
Hiram Marks, priv., 180th N. Y. Inf.; enl. March 28, 1804. 
Andrew Martin, seaman ; enl. Sept. 17, 1804. 
Henry Martin, pr;v.,Co. I, 781h N. Y. Inf.; enl. March '2.5,1804. 
Harrison II. Mastin, priv., Co. II, Ui3d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 31,1802; living in 

Greenfield. 
Henry Mastin, priv., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; pro. to Corp., 
Feb. 10, 1805; disch. with the regiment, Oct. 10, lfi05; living in Green- 
field. 
Florence McCarty, priv., Co. C, 25th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. March, 1804. 
George BlcCidliini. 
John MeCoIlnm. priv., Co. H, 1,53d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 0, 1802; pro. to corp. 

Jan. 4, 18i'i3; disch. with the regiment, Oct. 10, 1805. 
Midvin McCready. 

George H. McLaughlin, capt., Co. H, iri3d N. V. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, 1802; pro. to 
major, Oct. '2,5,1804; lieut.-col., Jan. 4, 1S05; mustered out with the regi- 
ment, (.)ct. 2, 1805 ; living in New York. 



450 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



David McNeil, Jr., Corp., Co. E, 7"th N. Y. Inf.; cnl. Sept. 5,1802; killed at 

battle of the Wilderness, Va., May 6. 1HG4, by a rifle-bfill tlirongh tlie 

bead ; buried on the battle-field. 
Charles Merritt, priv., Co. H, I63d N. T. Inf.; enl. Aug. 31, 1862; died of 

measles, at Alexandria, Va., Jan. 12, 180-1 ; buried in Milton. 
Saninel C. Miller, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1801 ; trans, to Vet. 

Bat., 77th Regt. ; disch. at clo.se of the war; living at Green island. 
David A. Millis, priv., Co. E, 2oth N. Y. Ca». ; enl. April, 1804 ; disch. June 27, 

1805; living in Warren Co., N. Y. 
John Mitchell, seaman ; enl. Sept. 22, 1864. 
Frank Mooney, enl._1863; substitute for Morton Angell. 
Frederick A. Morehouse, Corp., Co. H, 15:id N. Y'. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1862 ; pro. 

to sergt. ; trans, to Co. D, 3d Regt., Vet. Res. Cups, Feb. 8, 1805 ; diach. 

with the regiment, Oct. 17, 1805 ; died in Greenfield, since the war, and 

buried at Greenfield Centre. 
Charles W. Mosher, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; cnl. Sept. 27, 1801; pro. to 

Corp., Nov. 5, 1862 ; wounded, Oct. 15, 1S04; disch. Dec. 13, 1864; living 

at Saratoga Springs. 
David Mosher, priv., 77lh N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861 ; died of typhoid fever, at Fort- 
ress Monroe, Va., April 14, 1803; buried at Washington, D. C. 
Eugene Mosher, priv., Co. F, 16th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Jan. 18, 1864 (credi- 
ted to Waterford); trans to 25th It. I. Heavy Art.; re-trans, to 16th N. 

Y. Heavy Art., and disch. with the regiment, Aug. 25, 1805 ; died, Nov. 7, 

1865, of disease contracted in the service; buried at Greenfield Centre. 
Hiram Mosher. priv., Co. H, IS.Id N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1862; disch. with the 

regiment, Oct. 10, 1865; living in Greenfield. 
Lewis Mosher, priv., 7th N. Y. Heavy Art ; enl. Aug. 10, 1803. 
Michael Mullin, priv., Co. G, 30th N'. V. Inf.; enl. May, 1301 ; disch. June 18, 

1863; living in Greenfield. 
Allen Monroe, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, ISCl. 
John Nel-on, priv., 192d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. April 5, 1805. 
Richard Newman, priv., 3d N. Y. Cav.; enl. March 28, 1805. 
John O'Brien, priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; enl. Aug. 7,1863. 
Henry C. Old, coip., Co. H, 153d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; disch. for disa- 
bility, Dec. 29, 1802 ; living at Saratoga Springs. 
Tliomas Olson, seamtii ; enl. Sept. 21, 1804. 
Martin V. B. 0."trander, priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; enl. July 7, 1803; 

disch. with the regiment; living in Milton. 
Cyrus E. Paddleford, priv., Co. C, 115th N.Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1802; disch. 

with the regiment, July 3, 1805. 
James S. Palmer, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 20, 1802 ; died of fever, 

near Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 18, 1802. 
William H. Palmer, Ist lieut.. Bat. F, i;ith N. Y. Art. ; enl. March 28, 1SC4; 

disch. July IS, 1805 ; living in New York. 
Charles L. Parker, priv., Co. F, 116th N.Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 9, 1802; died in the 

service. 
William Parker, priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; eul. 1863; disch. with the 

regiment, Nov. 8, 1805. 
William B. Parker, priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. 1S03 ; drowned in the 

Gulf of Mexico by the sinking of the vessel on which he was Cuming 

home on furlough. 
George N. Peacock, Corp., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 27, 1801 ; pro. to 

seigt. ; wounded in right side at Cold Harbor, Va., June 0, 1864; disch. 

with the regiment, Dec. 13, 1804 ; living at Porter's Cornera. 
Andrew J. Peckham, Corp., Co. I, n5th N. Y. Inf. ; cnl. Aug. 12, 1802 ; wound'-d 

at Cold Harbor, Va., June 2, 1804; died of wounds jit Alexandria, Va., 

June 15. 1864; buried at Alexandria, Va. 
Abram F. Price, priv., Co. G, 115lh N. Y. Inf.; eul. Aug. 8, 1802; wounded at 

Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1804 ; died at Magnolia, N. C, April 10,51805. 
James H. Eawling, nius., Co. G, 30th N. Y. luf ; enl. Feb. 17, 1S62 ; disch. for 

disability, July 6, 1802; re-eiil., private, same company and regiment, 

Sept. 17, 18C2; transf to Co I, 70th N.Y. Inf., and again to Co. I, 6th 

Regt. Vet. Res. Corps ; disch. July, 1865. 
Robert S. Remington, priv., Co. E, lOtlj N. Y. Heavy Art. ; enl. June 18, 1804 ; 

disch. with regiment, Aug. 27, 1805 ; liviug at Saratoga Springs. 
Edwin C. Rhodes, priv., Co. H, 153d N.Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 0, 1802; pro. to Corp., 

May 20, 1806; disch. with legiinent, Oct. 10, 1805. 
Daniel Ruse, priv., Co. II, 153d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 30, 1802 ; deserted M.iy 4, 

3803; returned to regiment, Nov. 14, 1803; disch. with the regiment, 

Oct. 10, 1800 ; living in Milton. 
Jarvis W. Russell, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. lof. ; enl. Nov. 11, 1801 ; disch. fur 

disability. April 17,1863 ; living in Greenfield. 
John N. Rose, priv , Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1801 ; disch. for disa- 
bility, Feb. 23, 1803; re-eul., priv,, Co. I, N. Y. Vet. Cav., Sept. 14, 1803; 

pro. to sergt. ; disch. with the regiment, Nov. 8, 1805. 
Lester Rose, priv., Co. H, 163d N. Y. Inf. : enl. Sept. 6, 1802 ; disch. with the 

regiment, Oct. 10,1805. 
Lewis H. Rose, priv., Co. H, 102d N. Y. Inf. ; drafted Aug. 8, 1803 ; supposed to 

have died in rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C. 
William A. Rose, Co. E, 77th N.Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 21, 1801 ; detailed to hospital 

service, Jan. 1, 1803; discharged with the regiment, Dec. 13, 1864. 
Francis M. Rowland, priv., Co. E, 10th N. Y. He.'ivy Art.; enl. Jan. 18, 1S04 

(credited to Waterford); transf. to Co. B, 0th N. Y. Heavy Art.; di.sch. 

Aug. 24,1805; living in Minnesota. 
Joseph G. Rowland, priv., Co. E, IClh N.Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Jan. 18, 1804 (cred- 
ited to Waterford) ; re-enl. .June 30, 1805, private, 15th U. S. Reg. Inf.; 

disch., and living in Minnesota. 



John S. St. John, priv., Co. H, 163d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 0, 1802; disch. for dis- 
ability. May 7, 1803; living at Oil City, Pa. 

William G. Sears, priv., Co. F, 2d N.Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1803; disch. with 
regiment atclose of the war; living in Schenectady Co. 

Frank Seelcy, sergt., Co. E, 77lh N.Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 27, 1801 ; pro. to ord. sergt., 
Aug. 25, 1864; disch. with regiment, Dec. 13, 1864. 

John Seeley, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Feb. 22, 1862; died (of wounds 
received in action) at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 5, 1862. 

John Thomas Seeley, priv., Co. E, 77th N.Y. Inf ; enl. Feb. 22, 1862; wounded 
(leg broken) at Savage's Station, Va., June 27, 1862 ; taken prisoner, and 
died July 5, 1802 ; buried on the lank of the James river. 

William J. Seeley, priv., Co. G, 30th N. Y. luf. ; enl. May 5, 1801 ; killed at sec- 
ond battle of Bull Run, Va., Aug. 29, 1862; buried on the battle-field. 

Cyrus Shiffer, priv,, Co. E, 2oth N. Y. Cav. ; enl. April, 1864. 

John H Shall, priv., 2d N.Y. Vet. Cav.; enl. 1863; disch.; living in Wilton. 

Thomas R. Skinner, seaman ; enl. Sept. 13, 1864. 

William J. Snyder, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 24, 1861 ; died in the 
service, at Philadelphia, Pa., June 21, 1862. 

Oilman Spaulding, sergt., Co. H, 153d N.Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 31, 1862; disch. for 
disability; living in Greenfield. 

Arnohi Spicer, priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; enl. Aug. I.";, 1863. 

Thomas Spraddling, priv., 192d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. March 11, 1865. 

Albert Stindish, priv., Co. F, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; enl. Sept. 16,1863; died at 
WiU»hington, D. C, Dec. 1803 ; buried in Greenfield. 

George W. Steele, priv., Co. P, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. July 7, 1803 ; pro. to 1st 
lieut., Nov. 3, 1803; disch. Aug. 11, 1804. 

John Stevens, priv., Co. C, 153d N. Y. Inf.; enl. April 5, If 05. 

Alfred Stewart, priv. ; enl. Mar. 10, 1865 ; substitute fur William W. Wing. 

Norman Stuart, priv., Co. F, llStli N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 4, 1802. 

Charles I. Stoddard, priv., 7th N. Y. Heavy Art. ; enl. Aug. 10, 1863; killed on 
the skirmish line in fiontof Petersburg, Va., June 24, 1864, while serv- 
ing .OS infantry; buried on the field. 

Ciiarles S. Taylor, priv., Co. F, 116th NY. Inf ; enl. Aug. 7,1802; taken prisoner 
at Olustee, Fla, Feb. 20, 1804; died in rebel prison at Andersonville, Ga., 
Aug. 1805. 

James S. Tayloi-, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 29, 1802 ; trans, to Vet. 
Bat., 771h Regt., Dec. 1803; disch. June 10, 1806. 

William 0. Ta.vlor, priv., Co. D, 77th N.Y. Inf.; eul. Sept. 24, 1801; pro. to 
corporal ; disch. with regiment, Dec. 13, 1864. 

Michael Tethers, priv., Co. G, 116th N.Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 1802 ; killed at Olustee, 
Fla., Feb. 20, 1864. 

Thomas L. Thonins, priv., 170th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. May 4, 1804. 

Charles A. Thornton, priv., Co. H, 153d N.Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 6, 1S62; killed by 
guerrillas while purchasing food at a farm-honse near Charleston, Va., 
Ang. 19, 1804 ; buried near the place of his death. 

Julin Thornton, piiv., Co. E. 77th N. Y. Inf; eid. Feb. 16,1862; disch. for disa- 
bility, Dec. 19, 1802; re-enl. Co. I, 2d Vet. Cav., Nov. 1803 ; disch. with 
the regiment. Nov. 8, 1866. 

John S. Tinney, priv., Co. H, l.">3d N. Y. Inf; enl. Aug. 31, 1802; living in 
Greenfield. 

Edmund B. Tonrtelot, priv., Co. F, llolh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 18, 1862; disch. 
for disability, Nov. 1802; died in Greenfield since the war; buried at 
Middle Grove. 

Truman M. Tonrtelot, priv, ; enl. Jan. 19, 1804 (credited to Stillw,ater) ; died of 
lever at Portsnniuth, Va., Nov. IS, 1804; buried in Greenfield. 

Charles W. Towriseud, priv., 179th N. Y. Inf.; enl. May 4, 1804. 

Charles W. Trumble, priv., Co. G, 11.5th N. Y. Inf; enl. Ang. 14, 1802; ap- 
pointed musician ; disch. June 17, 1805 ; liviug in the west. 

Mark R. Trumble, priv., Co. G, 116th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Aug. 13, 1802 ; died at 
Beaufort, S. C, of typhoid fever, Ang. 7, 1803. 

John Van Antwerp. 

Charles Van Petten, priv., 30th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. April, 1861 ; disch. with the 
regiment, June 18, 1803; re-enl. priv., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav., Aug. 1803; 
disch. with the regiment, Nov. 8, 1805 ; living at Montevideo, Ala. 

E.lward Van Rens.selaci', priv., Co. H, 1,53d N. Y. Inf.; enl. .Sept. 4, 1802; 
slightly wounded at Winchester, Va., Oct. 19, 1804; disch. witli the regi- 
ment, Oct. 17, 1865 ; living iti Sai-atoga County. 

Benjamin Van Steenherg, Corp., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Oct. 17, 1801. 

Elbert J. Watson, priv., Co, E, 77fh N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 1, 1801 ; died of fever 
at Fortiess Jlonroe, Va., Oct. 15, 1802. 

George Webb, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct, 17, 1801. 

James N. Webb, priv., Co. H, 15 id N. Y. Inf; enl. Ang. 31, 1SC2; di.sch. with 
the regiment, Oct. 10, 1S06; living in Greenfield. 

John Webb, priv., Co. H, 153d N. Y'. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 6, 1862; died of chronic 
diarrlnea at University Ho8t>itaI, New Orleans, La., June 17, 1864. 

Thomas H. Webb, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 17, 1861 ; living in 
Greenfield. 

James Webster, priv., Co. A, 1.53d N. Y. Inf ; eul. JMarch 27, 1865. 

George L. Wendell, priv,, Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. Oct. 1, ISOl. 

Edwin E. West, Corp., Co. H, 153tl N. Y. Inf.; eul Sept. 6, 1862; wounded in 
left hand at Pleasant Hill, La., Aiiril 9, 1804; disch. with the regiment, 
Oct. 17, 186.5. 

Harvey L. Whipple, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. Feb. 16, 1862; disch. for 
disability. May 23, 1S63; living in Greenfield. 

Ilenr.v Whitman, priv., Co, E, 77th N.Y. Inf; enl. Sept. 2,1862; disch. for dis- 
ability caused by disease, Jan. 28, 186:{. 

James II. Wickin, priv,, Co. C, 1161h N. Y. Inf. ; cnl. Aug. 4, 1862. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



451 



Daniel Williams, priv., Co. G, SOtli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. May 7, 1861 ; disch. Juno 7, 

180:); le-cnl. pviv., Co. F, ad N. Y. Vet. Cav., 1803; discli. July 14, 1865; 

living in Greenfield. 
Henry E. Williiims, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Felj. 21, 1802; died of 

fever at Harrison's Landing, Va., July 4, 1862. 
Samuel Williams, piiv., Co. A. 62d N. V. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 29, 1863; disch. Aug. 

30, 1865; substitute for Henry Luther, Uallston. 
William Williams, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 27, 1801 ; disabled hy 

Bicknes.<, April 28, 1862; disrh. with tuo regiment, Uec. 13, 1864. 
William N. Williams, priv., 7th N. Y. II. Art.; enl. Aug. 10, 1803; wounded 

at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864 ; disch. from General Hospital, Albany, 

N. v., June, 1865; living in Stdlwater. 
Charles Willis, priv., Co. D, 2otli N. Y. Cav. ; enl. March, 1804. 
James II. Wilson, Corp., Co. F, llotli X. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. S, 1.S62; disch. for 

disability. May 11, 1803. 
William G. Wing, priv., Co. F, 3IJth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. April 10, 1801 ; disch. with 

tlie regiment, June 18, 186:) ; re-enl. priv., Co. B, 16th N. Y. II. Art., Dec. 

26, 1863; pro. to Corp.; disch. with the regiiuetit, Aug. 21, 1865 ; living 

at Jeddo, Orleans Co., N. Y. 
Henry C. Wood, priv., Co. H, 1.53d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 1, 1802; di.sch. Oct. 10, 

1865; living in Greenfield. 
Frederick G. Woodward, piiv., Co. II, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 20, ISOl ; ilisch. 

for disability, Nov. 18, 1802. 
William II. Wood, priv., Co. L, 77lh N. Y. H. Art. ; enl. Jan. 11, 1864 (credited 

to Lansiugbnrg) ; disch. for disability. May 22, 1805; living in Green- 
field. 
John E. Woodworth, priv., V.o. E, 77tli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 27, 1801 ; died of 

consumption at Washington, D. C, Dec. 25, 1861. 
Henry Young, priv., Co. K, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 10, 1801 ; tians. to Cu. F, 

Oct. 30, 1802 ; disch. at the expiration of titne ; died in Greenfield since 

the war. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



THOMAS n. TOMPKINS. 

Thomas Haywood Tompkins, one of the old and most 
respected citizens of Saratoga, was born in Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., on the 3d of May, 1806, and was the only child of 
John and Margaret Tompkins. In 181C, when he was but 
ten years of age, his parents removed to Saratoga, and pur- 
chased a tract of land, a portion of which is the well-known 
farm containing the fiimily residence, situated on Maple 
avenue. Being the only child, he remained at home, his 
interests being identified with those of his parents, for whom 
he cared in their old age, and whose deaths preceded liis by 
many years. 

In 1829, at the age of twenty-three, Mr. Tompkins was 
married to Susan B. Pearsall, of New York city, a lady of 
refinement and excellent character, who was his faithful 
companion for a ])eriod of forty-seven years, and is the last 
surviving member of the family. 

The Daily Saratogiwn, speaking of the death of Mr. 
Tompkins, bears the following testimony to his worth and 
excellence of character : " But few persons in this vicinity 
were better known and more generally esteemed than Mr. 
Tompkins, and his absence will be generally noticed, espe- 
cially by our older citizens. Seeking no prominence in 
public life, he contented himself with the patriarchal pur- 
suits of agriculture, and by steady application to the duties 
that devolved upon him succeeded iu accumulating a hand- 
some competence." 

His tract of land embraced five hundred acres, adjoining 
the village of Saratoga Springs, and extending to the head 
of Maple avenue, so named from the rows of beautiful 
maple-trees shading the street on both sides, and which 
were planted by Mr. Tompkins' own hands about thirty-five 



years ago. These trees are three hundred and fifty-seven 
in number, extending their branches acro.ss the avenue, and 
forming one of the most delightfully shaded streets in any 
portion of the State. Travelers and visitors walking or 
riding through this street stop to admire and speak of the 
beauty of these trees, and to those who were familiar with 
the warm and cordial grasp of the hand that planted them 
they are of double interest, and will remain a perpetual 
reminder of him in years to come. 

Mr. Tomjikins was a man of whom it was often said 
that his word was as good as a written note, his character 
for integrity and honorable dealing being above the slightest 
su.spicion. In his domestic relations he was much beloved, 
a kind and obliging neighbor, a genial companion, a faithful 
and affectionate husband, and a true and warm-hearted 
friend. He was akso public-spirited, and took an active and 
practical interest in several of the large and costly improve- 
ments which adorn the village of Saratoga, her hotels and 
public buildings. 

Mr. Tompkins died at his residence, on the 3d of Jan- 
uary, 187G, in the seventieth year of his age, deeply 
mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 



WILLIAM C. DARROW. 

William C. Darrow was born in the town of Greenfield, 
on the 9th of December, 1816. He is the oldest son of 
Ebeni'zer Darrow, who was born January 1, 1792, and 
married Lydia Hoyt, July 10, 1813. 

About 1816, Ebenezer Darrow settled in the town of 
Greenfield, about two aud a half miles west of where his 
son, William C, now resides. 

On the 24th day of April, 1821, he was commissioned 
by Governor De Witt Clinton, ensign in the Fifty-ninth Reg- 
iment of Light Infantry. He was promoted to the rank of 
lieutenant of the same regiment by Governor Yates, on the 
23d of Augu.st, 1823. His sword is still kept as a .souvenir 
in the family. He died on the 7th of June, 1872. 

The mother of William C. Darrow was Lydia Hoyt, who 
was born Jan. 25, 1796, and died Nov. 4, 1877. On the 
-tth of November, 1841, he married Amanda M. Calkins, 
second daughter of Solomon and Maria Calkins. Her 
father was born in the town of Milton, Feb. 18, 1787, and 
moved into Greenfield in 1792, where he died June 7, 1870. 
Her mother, whose maiden name was 3Iaria Dunning, was 
born in Connecticut, Jan. 31, 1795, and came to Greenfield 
in February, 1809. 

William C. Darrow is among the thrifty and prosperous 
farmers of the town in which he resides, and where he has 
always lived. He has led a quiet and unobtrusive life, 
devoting himself to the interests of his house and farm, 
and taking no part in politics except to vote the Republican 
ticket, which be has uniformly dune since the organization 
of that party. 

By the marriage above referred to, 3Mr. and Mrs. Darrow 
have two children, — -Annette 31., born April 28, 1843, and 
Stephen E.,born Dec. 18, 1845. The last mentioned mar- 
ried Bliss Josie King, in 1875, and has two children. 



452 



IIISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YOliK. 




J3lX./>^( 



i'hoto. liy Baker & Record, Saratoga Siiriugs. 



O* < V.(H[}-o-*^c4_-'^-anX 



Bctijaiuiii Siinfoid I'dbiiison, youiij^L'st son of William 
and Maria (Wiight) llobiu.son. aial f;i-aiidsr,n of Benjamin 
Robinson, was born at Bacon Hill, in tlie town of Nortb- 
unibcvland, Saratoga Co., Jan. 24, 1838, and upon tbc 
doatb of bis motbor, in 1841). was brougbt to Greenfield 
to live witb bis grandparents, and has continued to reside 
at the same place to tbis time, May, 1878. 

Tbis line of the Uobinson family claims descent direct 
from llev. John liobinson, pastor of tlie i'uritans, whose 
eldest son, Isaac, came to tbc Plymoutb colony in 1G29, 
and became aJi assistant in the government of the colony in 
1GI)3. Until tbc last two generations, there seems to have 
been no intermarriage witb any who were not of true 
Puritan blood. 

lluhania Wood, wife of Benjamin Bobinson, united in 
herself the blood of two families of the Pilgrims of the 
" Mayflower," and was als(] the sixth in descent, on the ma- 
ternal side, from John Rogers, the martyr of Smitbfield. 

Elibu Robinson, the fiither of Benjamin, removed, with 
his family, from tbe Elizabeth Islands, Mass., to Wa.shing- 
ton Co., N. Y., in 1784, and fi-om thence, from 1804 to 
1808, five of his sons and a daughter moved to Greenfield, 
purchased and improved farms, built up comfortable and 
pleasant homes, and vfcrc recognized as worthy men and 
good citizens. But while attending strictly to their own 
business matters, they took comparatively little part in 
public life, and were no less highly honored and esteemed. 

The subject of this sketch (tbe eighth from Rev. John 
Robinson), though but little past forty years of age, has 
been honored with a large share of official trust both in 
local and public matters, and, it is believed, has always dis- 
charged those trusts con.scientiously and I'ully. 

In 1865 he was first elected town clerk, and re-elected in 



18G9, and in 1871 was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 
same office. 

Ho was made clerk of the board of supervisors of Sara- 
toga County in 1S71 and 1872, and again in 1875, serving 
witb very general approval. 

In tbe spring of 1872 he was elected justice of tbe peace, 
and again in 1870 for a second term. 

In Decend^er, 1870, he was chosen secretary of the Sar- 
atoga County Agricultural Society, and served in that capa- 
city till 1878, positively declining a re-election for that year. 

He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Greenfield Centre, and has had a connection with the offi- 
cial board since 18(50. He is now recording steward, and 
also serving his fifteenth consecutive year as Sunday-school 
superintendent, and has filled other luinor offices of trust, 
though not of emolument. 

Being a practical abstainer from all intoxicating liquors, 
as well as from tobacco in all its forms, and realizing the 
advantages of abstinence, he is necessarily more or less 
identified with the temperance movements of the day, and 
since 1864 has been .secretary of the Greenfield Total Ab- 
stinence Society of 1809, tbe oldest temperance society of 
tbe world that has maintained an unbroken organization. 

It will thus be seen that, if be has had honor witb the 
people, he has also had work to do as well, and that he has 
not shunned the " laboring oar" in the voyage of life. 

Mr. Robin.son has been twice very happily married ; first, 
to Mary L., daughter of the late Samuel Gregory, of Green- 
field, on Oct. 2(1, 1864. She died Feb. 27, 1871. 

Secondly, to Jennie E., daughter of George II. Traver, 
Esq., of Wilton, N. Y., on Jan. 8, 1873. Two sons of 
tbis union now give fair promise of aiding to perpetuate 
the line of Robinsons in Greenfield. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



453 



NELSON D. MOREHOUSE. 

Nelson D. Morehouse was born in the town of Clifton 
Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1813. He lived witii 
his parents till their death, and received a eomnion-school 
education. His parent.s settled in the northwestern part of 
the town of Greenfield in March, 1810. His father, Daniel 
Morehouse, was born in the town of Ballston, Sarato,u;a 
County, where lie resided all his life, and died on the 2!)tli 
of June, 1852. His mother, whoso ni liden name was 
Fanny Doolittle, died Feb. 2('>, 18(!4. 

Mr. Miirehuuse lived on the farm above referred to, west 
of Porter's Corners, till 1854, when he removed to Green- 
field Centre, and remained till March, 1857, when he re- 
turned to the old place, and resided there till 1800. He 
then -lived on the Gifford farm, which he purchased, till 
1870. In 1872 he purchased his present farm at Prospect 
Hill, to which he removed the same year. He built addi- 
tions to his house subsequently, and, with other important 
changes and improvements, has made it one of the most 
desirable homes in this section of the country. A view of 
the ])remiscs appears in another place in this work. 

Mr. Morehouse married Rutli Brackett, daughter of Ray 
and Sylvania Brackett, of Greenfield, March 8, 1838, and 
has had four children, two of whom — a son and a daughter 
— are now living. 

He has served one term as town clerk, and officiated eight 
years as justice of the peace. In religious conviction he 
has been a firm believer in universal .salvation since the 
age of nineteen, and since 1846 has been a member of the 
Univer.salist cliurch at Porter's Corners. He is a man of 
much strength and earnestness of character, sound intel- 
ligence, generosity, and unswerving integrity. 



I. G. JOHNSON, M.D. 

Dr. lanthus G. Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was 
born March 1, 1831, in the place where he now resides, 
Greenfield Centre, Saratoga County, N. Y. He is the 
youngest of three brothers, all of whom were physicians. 
The elde.st. Dr. G. Fordyce Johnson, died at Stillwater in 
1866. Dr. L. B. W. Johnson, the other brother, is still 
practicing at Hi.'iton, Wisconsin. 

Dr. I. G. Johnson, after graduating at the Albany Medi- 



cal College in 1853, commenced the practice of medicine 
with his father and brother, with whom he studied, and 
after practicing for some time in Illinois, returned to his 
former home, where he has been engaged in successful 
practice ever since. In 1802 he married Amanda F., 
daugiiter of Isaac Wing, of Stillwater, N. Y. 

He was elected to the board of supervisors of the county 
on the R'publiean ticket in 1803, and was re-elected and 
served another term in 1804, makitig an honorable record 
for faithful and efficient services. As a physician he is 
highly esteemed, and he has justly earned tlie confidence 
reposed in him by a large circle of aci|uaintances, among 
whom he has built up a successful practice. 



ELIHU WING 



is a son of Daniel Wing, and grandson of Prince Wing, 
who emigrated from Dutchess to Saratoga County among 
the early settlers. Daniel Wing n)arried Clarissa Manches- 
ter, the mother of the suijject of this sketch. The latter 
was born in the house where he now resides, June 21, 1819. 
The house is the third frame house erected in the town of 
Greenfield. Mr. Wing has always lived in the same place. 
In the early part of his life he followed the profession of 
teaching, and relinquished it only in consequence of ill 
health. He then engaged in farming, which he has fol- 
lowed ever since, in connection with operating a saw-mill, 
which he erected in 1854, and which is now run by his son, 
Albert G. Wing. 

Mr. Wing married Wealthy Gleason, Jan. 1, 1845, and 
has five children, all living. 

His place is well adapted to the ideal he desires to realize 
in a farmer's home, and he is now devoting his attention 
exclusively to its development and improvement. A view 
of his residence appears in this work. 

A Democrat in politics, he cast his first vote for IMartin 
Van Buren, in 1840, and has voted at every presidential 
election and town-meeting since. At the breaking out of 
the Rebellion he was a War Democrat, and went in for a 
vigorous pro.secution of the war for the defense of the 
Union. He was elected town superintendent of schools in 
1851, and discharged the duties of that office with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to his constituents for four years. 



DAY. 



I.—GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

Day is the northwest corner town of the county. It is 
bounded, north, by Warren Co. ; east, by Hadley ; south, 
by Corintli and Edinburgh ; west, by Edinburgh and by 
HaniiUon county. It comprises a territory of an irregular 
rhomboidal form, about eight miles in length from north to 
south, and having an average width of the same distance 
from east to west. It includes 95r!4 acres of improved 
hind, 9728 of unimproved, and of this last amount 9ilG is 
woodland. The population in 1875 was 1199. 

The town of Day is mostly within the boundaries of Pal- 
mer's purchase, the southwestern corner running into the 
patent granted to John Glen and forty-four others. 

The following description of the town of Day, and the 
definition of its boundary lines, is taken from the revised 
statutes of the State : 

** The town of Day shall contiiin all that part of said county, bc- 
ginniiig at the east corner of the farm of Walter Hunt, on the north 
bank of the west branch of the JIutlsou river, and running from 
thence north thirty degrees and forty minutes west to the rear line 
of the river division of Palmer's Purchase; then along the said rear 
line westerly until it intersects the west bounds of the county; then 
along the said west bounds of the county, northerly, to the north 
bounds of the county; then along the same until a course of south 
thirty degrees and forty minutes east will strike the most northerly 
corner of lot No. 50, in Palmer's Purchase ; then south thirty degrees 
and forty minutes east, to and along the easterly bounds of the lot 
marked 11. T. P. to the said corners of the said lot No. 50 ; then along 
the cast bounds of said lot to the Sacandaga river; then on a course 
that will strike the east bounds of lot No. 'A, in the subdivision of the 
twenty-fourth allotment of the Kayadrosscra patent; then south 
along the said east bounds to the town of Corinth ; then west along 
the bounds of Corinth to the west corner thereof; and thence to the 
jdace of beginning." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The Sacandaga river enters at its southwest corner, and 
flows in a tortuous northeast by east course across it. The 
Kayadrosscra range of mountains are in the southern part 
of the town, and the part north of the river is occupied by 
higli hills. There are three small lakes, called Mud, Sand, 
and Livingston lakes. Livingston lake lies in the north- 
eastern part of the town, and empties its waters through 
Paul creek into the Sacandaga at Day Centre. Sand lake 
lies near the centre of the noi'thern half of the town, and 
empties through the creek of the same name into the river, 
near the town line. Mud lake is near the north line of the 
town, and two miles east of the western boundary. It 
empties into the Sacandaga in Hamilton county. There 
are many high peaks among the hills. Oak and Bald moun- 
tains reach an elevation of nine hundred feet above the 
river. Rockwell's mountaii], near Day Centre, is a stony 
elevation of some seven hundred feet, and affords a fine 
view up the valley. From the hills back of iluntsville a 
451 



beautiful view of tlie valley, the Mayfield mountains, and 
tiie distant Catskills is obtained, and from other hills the 
Green mountains of Vermont show plainly in clear weather. 
The soil is sandy, and filled with outcropping rocks. 

The principal streams are Sand, Paul, Glasshouse, Daly, 
and Allen's creeks, and the outlet of a number of small 
lakes' lying in Corinth. 

III.— EARLY SETTLE.MENT. 
The first settlers within the present town of Day, of 
whom anything definite can be learned, came about the 
year 1797. David Johnson was born in New Hampshire, 
in 1758, and enlisted in the American army in 1776, being 
then eighteen years old. He served seven years, and took 
part in the campaign against the Tories and Indians in 
1779, under the command of General Sullivan. At the 
expiration of his term of service he went to Salisbury, Yt., 
and soon after married Mary Joiner. In 1797, with his 
wife and seven children, he started for the " Gene.see coun- 
try," with the expectation of settling on some of the rich 
and fertile lands he had seen in his campaign under Sulli- 
van. He had his household and effects in a large, covered 
sleigh, and came across the mountains to Luzerne. Then 
crossed the Hudson, and struck into a roughly-broken forest- 
path that crossed the hills and came into the Sacandaga valley 
a little above Conklingville. The snow, which had been quite 
deep all winter, now suddenly melted away and left him and 
his family stranded. He concluded to try farming, and 
bought a tarm in what is known as the Rockwell neighbor- 
hood. He lived there one year, and finding the title defect- 
ive, and the land being claimed by another man. he left the 
farm, refusing to treat with the claimant, saying he would 
" never buy sucli land twice," and, going east, bought three 
hundred acres on the eastern boundary of the town, fronting 
on the river, running back three hundred rods. He built a log 
house where Kathau's hotel now stands in 1798, and lived 
there many years. He died Feb. 22, lS:-i9, and lies buried 
in the Craig buryiiig-ground, between Conklingville and 
Day Centre. His family consisted of eight children, — six 
girls and two boys. Of these children but one remained iu 
Day. John remained on the homestead. He served in 
the War of 1812, and was at Plattsburg. He married 
Fally Allen, a daughter of David Allen, about 1815, and 
had a family of thirteen children. Of these Luke and 
Philadelphus were drowned while driving logs in the river, 
— the first at the falls of Luzerne, the other at Wellstown. 
Louisa Totmati and Mary L. Scott, two of the d;iughters, 
live ill West Day. John S. lives in Edinburgh, about a 
mile and a half west of Huntsville. David lives on the 
old homestead. The.se are all of the grandchildren of 
David Johnson that are now living in Saratoga County. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



455 



Jonas Bond and Phineas Austin were brothers-in-law, 
and settled on tlie north side of the river, about a mile east 
of Day Centre, in 1797 or 1798. They were hunters and 
trappers, and, by the dexterous use of line, trap, and gun, 
kept the larder supplied and the wardrobe replenished. 

A family by the name of Grove are reported to have set- 
tled here previous to 1799. 

In the early spring of 1799, Nicholas Flansburgh, a resi- 
dent of Schenectady county, came — via the Fish House 
(Northampton) — down the river in a dugout, and, landing 
on the south bank of the river, nearly opposite Day Centre, 
settled on lot 3, great lot 121 of the John Glen patent. 
He built a log house, and clearing up the land as quickly 
as possible, planted his crops. Wild animals were quite 
plentiful at that time. The deer had a herding-place or 
yard at a large rock on the hill near Mr. Flansburgh's. 
Bears were frequentlj' seen, and sometimes, grown bold by 
pressing hunger, would come and carry off a calf, sheep, or 
pig, and often the poor .settler, lacking powder and ball, was 
forced to see his property destroyed without remedy. Some- 
times the tables were turned, and Bruin himself helped to 
fill the meat-barrel. The barking of foxes and the howling 
of wolves were frequent, and the blood-curdling shriek of 
the panther was occasionally heard. 

George Bradford, with his mother and three sister.s, came 
from the shire of Galway, North Britain, and settled in 
the Ciistern part of the town of Day, in the year 1800. 
The mothei', Mary Bradford, died in 1804, aged seventy- 
five years, and was buried in what was afterwards known 
as the Craig burying-ground. Her burial was probably the 
first one in the town. The Bradfords did not keep a regu- 
lar tavern, but their log hut was often used by travelers 
who desired refreshment and shelter. It is said that the 
board, on one side of which the ladies of the household 
kneaded their " rye and Indian" loaves, was so arranged 
that the man of the house used the other side for the pur- 
pose of shaving "navy plug" into the proper form and 
condition for consumption. At last the keen edge of the 
knife wore away the substance of the board and made its 
debut on the bread side, and from that hour the usefulness 
of the board as a " double-header" was ended. Bradford 
married Betsy Sumner, a daughter of John Sumner, Sr. 
His sister, Mary, married Wm. Craig, and they built and 
kept the first tavern in the town about 1802 or 1803. 

About this time a quite remarkable character settled on 
the lot west of what is now called the Stimson homestead. 
His name was Daniel Hines. In his youth he was cap- 
tured by the Indians, and was brought up among them, 
adopting their ways, manner, and dress. He built a log 
cabin, dressed in Indian co.stume, with moccasins, fringed 
leggings, wampum and eagle plumes, carried his bow and 
arrows, knife and tomahawk, lived by the fruits of the 
chase, and was to all practical intents and purposes a verita- 
ble aborigine. He was quite a terror to the children of the 
vicinity, who, when perverse and fretful, were threatened 
with a visitation from " Indian Ilines," which dire threat 
usually produced a sudden, though perhaps but temporary 
reforauition. The friendly wayside bushes have often 
screened the trembling forms of the little ones while the 
dread and redoubtable chieftain strode majestically along. 



and many little hearts beat less wildly as he vanished in 
the distance. 

Samuel Rogers settled in Day Centre, about 1800. His 
house stood about opposite where Guile's hotel now stands. 
His barn was on the present hotel site. Religious ser- 
vices were held in this barn by " Preacher" Clark at a very 
early date, — probably about 1803. Peter Van Vleck moved 
on to this farm about 1805, and services were then held in 
the house. Rogers had three daughters, one of whom mar- 
ried Daniel Hines. 

Wni. Woolloy settled near " Cook's Ferry,'' a little west 
of S. Y. Rockwell's present residence, in 1804. After 
living there a few years, he returned to his former home in 
Schenectady. 

Henry Paul came from Guilford, Vt., in 1801, and set- 
tled near the mouth of the creek which bears his name. 
He built the first mill in this section about the year 1805. 
It was a small saw- and grist-mill. There was a plank 
which led from the roadside to its door, and when the door 
was reached a person of ordinary height had to bow low to 
enter. Before this mill was built the inhabitants were 
obliged to put their grists into a dug-out and go up the 
river some distance above the Fish House to get them 
ground. On the site of the old mill there is a mill now 
standing, owned by a grandson and namesake of Henry 
Paul. Matthew Flansburgh came from Guilderland, Albany 
county, in 1802, and settled on lot 35 of the Glen and 
Yates patent. There were but few settlers, no roads, and 
an almost unbroken forest. After clearing a sufficient 
space he planted his crops and waited for the harvest. The 
following winter he went to Schenectady, a distance of forty 
miles, on foot after a half-bu.shel of salt, which he brought 
back on his shoulder. He came from Albany vi(t Schenec- 
tady, Fish House, and Beecher's Hollow. He had six chil- 
dren, four of whom arc still living in this county. Peter, 
the oldest, lives in Day, aged eighty-four years. Catharine 
Mosher lives in Day ; William H. lives in Hadley, and 
John in Ballston. A grandson, Lsaac J. Flansburgh, has a 
very plea.sant home at Day Centre, on a portion of the old 
homestead. To him we are indebted for valuable aid in 
collecting the materials for this work. Philip Fraker settled 
in Day as early as 1802, a little west of the Stimson place. 
One of his granddaughters is living in Eldinburgh, Mrs. 
James Partridge. There are many of the name living in 
Day and F.dinburgh, most of whom it is presumed are 
relatives and descendants of Philip Fraker. 

David Allen was another settler of 1802. He came from 
the town of Providence ; was formerly from Providence, 
Rhode Island He settled on a farm of one hundred acres, 
about one and a half miles west of Conklingville, and lived 
there, and with his sonin-law, Luke Kathan, till he died, 
in 1871. He had a family of seven girls and three boys. 
Two of the daughters, Mrs. Phcebe Palmer and Mrs. Free- 
love Kathan, are living in Day. In the year 1803, Jo.scph 
Rockwell, a young man of twenty-three, came into Day, 
with his father and brothers, and settled on the west half 
of lot 56, Glen and Yates patent. He remained here till 
1805, when he returned to Vermont, where he remained a 
short time, and then came back to Day and lived the rest 
of his life on the farm now occupied by his eldest son, 



456 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Samuel Y. Rockwell, Esq. He died in 1857, aged seventy- 
seven years. Two sons, Samuel Y. and George P., and one 
daughter, Mrs. Emily Yates, are living in Day. Samuel 
Y. married Abigail Weston ; had a family of nine children, 
but one of whom is now living. She resides with her 
parents on the old homestead. 




Thomas Yates was a brass-founder in Stafford.shire, near 
Birmingham, England, and came to America in 1801. 
After working two years in New York and one year in 
Schenectady, he came to Day Centre in the fall of 1804. 
Being a pretty well educated man, he was prevailed upon to 
teach a school during the winter of 1804-5, which he did. 
The school was kept in a room in his own hou.se, and lie 
had four scholars. Two of those scholars, Peter and Ger- 
trude Flansburgii, are still living, one in Day, the other in 
Schenectady. He married Abigail Paul in 1805, and this 
was one of the first (if not the first) marriages in Day. He 
bougiit thirty acres of land, on lot 30, near Henry Paul's. 
Of his children five are living in Day, viz., John, Joseph, 
Leonard, and William Yates, and Mrs. Louisa Flansburgh. 
Leonard runs a saw-mill and broom-handle fictory on Paul 
creek. William lives on the homestead. Eliphaz Dayi 
after whom the town was named, came to the town in 1805. 
He was an active, stirring, energetic busines.s man, and im- 
mediately began lumbering. Forming the acquaintance of 
Sophia Rockwell, he became a suitor for her hand, and 
being accepted they were married. They had six children : 
Lydia, Ann, Nancy, Eliphaz M., Elizabeth, and Truman. 
None of them are living in this vicinity. Of the descendants 
of Eliphaz Day, only grandchildren are living in this section. 
Eliphaz Day was a noted lumber-dealer. He had the 
fine pines of the Sacandaga valley cut, drawn to the river, 
floated them down to the lower falls ef the Hudson, there 
made them into huge rafts and floated them down with the 



tide, tying to the shore during the flood, and floating down 
with the ebb tides. Once he had a large raft of beautiful 
pine logs that covered between two and three acres of sur- 
face. Arriving at New York, by some accident or miscal- 
culation they failed to make fast to the piers, and the tide 
going out, was fast drifting them out to sea, where the 
waves would have soon broken up the huge mass of logs, 
and not only would the timber have been lost, but also the 
lives of those on the raft. By shouts and gesticulations they 
made their critical situation known, and a steam-tug soon 
put them safe alongside the wharf. Some one asked Day if, 
bad the raft been lost, it would not have "broke" him? 
He replied that be didn't know, but thought it would have 
lent him terribly. At the time of his death, April 19, 
1827, he was engaged in driving logs at the "horse-race," 
near Conklingville, and attempted to pass down the river in 
a boat. It is supposed a floating log or hidden rock broke 
one of his oars, or knocked it from his grasp, the boat be- 
came unmanageable, upset, and he was drowned. He was 
buried in the Craig burying-ground. 

Samuel Stimson, Jr., married Mehitabel Ellithorp, a 
daughter of Azariah Ellithorp, in Edinburgh, January 1, 
1803. In April, 1805, he removed to Day and bought a 
farm of a Jlr. Wight. It was on lot 39, Glen and Yates 
patent. Here he lived and raised a family of six boys and 
three girls. Mrs. Abby A. Randall lives on the homestead. 
Solomon L., Samuel L., and John F. Stimson live in Day. 
Mrs. Mary E. Baker lives In Day. Mrs. Susan M. Cope- 
land lives in Edinburgh. The nearest post-oflice at the 
time Mr. Stimson settled here was at Waterford. Letters 
were expected about once a year. The postage was twenty- 
five cents, and seldom prepaid. Correspondence in those 
days was a slow, solemn, and serious business. Mr. Stim- 
son kept the first blacksmitii-shop in Day. It was located 
on the flat, a little east of the house. 

Palmer, Wells, Backus, Ward, Wight, Joseph Kellogg, 
Wm. Huxley, Moses Hayden, John Perry, Wm. Colson, 
James Thomas, and Mr. Clay were other early settlers. 

In 1848 a bounty of ten dollars was offered for every 
full-grown panther or wolf killed in the town. 

The Craig house, on the site of William Aldrieh's pres- 
ent residence, was the first frame house built in Day. San- 
ders' mill, on Daly's creek, was built about 1808 or 1810. 
Thaddeus Scribner was the first mail-carrier in this section. 
In 1821 or 1822 his route was from Ballston through 
Greenfield, Corinth, Hadley, Day, Edinburgh, Providence, 
and Galway to Ballston. He followed an old Indian trail 
that ran from Albany through this section, and crossed the 
Sacandaga at what was called Iluntoon's rift. 

Joseph Rockwell was first postmaster. The ofiice was 
at his house. He served some thirty-five years, and was 
succeeded by his son, Samuel Y., who held it several years. 
The Kathan family, who are quite prominent in business 
and social circles, originally came from Dummerton, Ver- 
mont. Luke Kathan, a son of Charles and Lydia Kathan, 
came from that place to Day in 1822 ; bought lands and 
commenced farming on the place now occupied by his son 
Truman. In 1823 he married Freelove Allen, a daughter 
of David Allen. They have had a family of fifteen chil- 
dren, six sons and nine daughters, all of whom reached ma- 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



457 



turity and were married. Twelve are still living. Truman, 
Orange, Hush W., Harmon R., James D., Mrs. Mary 
Wait, and Jlrs. Alvina Ellitliorp live in D.iy. Mrs. Caro- 
line Erasure lives in Edinburgh. Mrs. Sarah ^Vait lives in 
Michigan. Mrs. Betsey Huntonn and Mrs. Anna Wait 
live in Canada. Monroe lives in Hadloy. 

Abner Wait moved from Rhode Island to Saratoga 
County in 1790. He first settled in Galway, but after- 
wards removed to Day, near the E;vst Day church. He 
died in 1830. None of his children are living. His son, 
Abner, Jr., married Sally Johnson about 1810. He died 
in 1850. His family consisted of eleven children, — eight 
sons and three daughters. Six sons and two daughters are 
still living. One of these, John J. Wait, lives on a very 
fine farm, on the north side of the Sacandaga, in Hadley, 
and is the present supervisor of that town. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

Name. — This town was erected April 17, 1819, from 
the towns of Hadley and Edinburgh, and was named Con- 
cord. It being afterwards di-scovered that there was already 
a town \a the State bearing that name, it was thought ad- 
visable to change it, and it was called Day, in honor of its 
most prominent citizen and businessman, Pjliphaz Day, who 
had died in April previous to this action. 

The first town-meeting was held in the spring of 1820, 
and Eliphaz Day w.is elected supervisor. The records of 
the town were burned in 1847, and we are unable to give 
a full account of its early civil and political history. 

LIST OF TOWN-OFFICERS. 



Year. 


Supervisor. 




Town 


Clerk. 


Collector. 


1820. 


Eliph.az 


Day. 




Record lost. 


Record lost. 


1821. 


It 


it 




(( 


" 


it tt 


1822. 


ft 


" 




tt 


It 


tt ti 


1823. 


ti 


it 




it 


tt 


ti ti 


1824. 


" 


it 




tt 


tt 


it it 


1825. 


it 


tt 




ft 


« 


tt it 


1826. 


" 


it 




tt 


tt 


tt if 


1827. 


Stephen 


Lawson. 




" 


" 


tt it 


1828. 


ti 


ti 




tt 


tt 


ft II 


1829. 


Samuel Stimson. 




it 


tt 


tt ti 


1830. 


it 






" 


" 


tt 


1831. 


it 






ti 


ti 


ti ii 


1832. 


it 






tt 


ti 


It ti 


1833. 


tt 






it 


*' 


Samuel Y. Rockw 


1834. 


It 






ti 


tt 


t( tt 


1835. 


George Hunt, 




" 


" 


No record. 


1836. 


Amos Lawton. 




tt 


It 


it a 


1837. 


" 


" 




tt 


tt 


Wilbcr Paul. 


1838. 


James L. Delong. 




" 


(t 


ti ti 


1839. 


Eliphaz 


M. Bay. 




ti 


it 


George Baker. 


1840. 


ti 


" 




" 


tt 


Asa Deming (2d) 


1841. 


it 


tt 




it 


tt 


No record. 


1842. 


" 


tt 




tt 


tt 


Gordon Dimick. 


1843 


Zophcr 


I. Delong. 




" 


" 


Luke Kathan. 


1844. 


it 


it 




tt 


it 


J. G. Flansburgh 


1845. 


ti 


ti 




tt 


tt 


David Wait. 


1846. 


" 


" 




" 


" 


Jesse Howe. 


1847. 


it 


it 


G 


ordon Dimick. 




1848. 


John J. 


Wait. 




tt 


ti 


Joseph Rockwell. 


1849. 


Saml. y 


. Rockwell. 


G 


Borge 


Baker. 


Perry G. Hall. 


1850. 


it 


" 


Gordon 


Dimick. 


Joseph Rockwell. 


1851. 


it 


ti 


W 


arren 


A. Randall 


Ii it 


1852. 


" 


tt 




it 


" 


Gordon Dimick. 


1853. 


" 


" 


H 


. C. Palmer, 


P. L. Johnson. 


1854. 


it 


it 




tt 


ti 


Gordon Dimick. 


1855. 


ti 


tt 


W 


arrcn 


A. Randall 


Ellery S. Alien. 



Year. 


Supervisors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1856. 


George Baker. 


William Scott. 


Jesse Howe. 


1857. 


Saml. Y. Rockwell. 


tt it 


(( it 


1858. 


Zophcr I. Delong. 


" " 


" 


1859. 


ft it 


Isaac N. Scott. 


Asa Deming (2d). 


ison. 


Peter V. Fraker. 


it it 


Solomon H. Blose. 


1S61. 


a 


it tt 


W. W. Rockwell. 


1862. 


Isaac N. Scott. 


John F. Stimson. 


" 


1803. 


it tt 


James 0. Paul. 


Lewis E. Wait. 


1864. 


Saml. Y. Rockwell. 


Hiram Deming. 


it tt 


1865. 


" 


" 


Chas. L. Marcellus. 


1S66. 


it it 


It it 


" 


1867. 


" 


it tt 


John S. Perry. 


1868. 


Isaac N. Scott. 


tt it 


F. B. Rockwell. 


1869. 


Hiram Deming. 


Edgar L. Deming. 


Erastus Darling. 


1870. 


F. G. Macombcr. 


a tt 


it it 


1871. 


« 


Erastus Darling. 


Thomas Allen. 


1872. 


it it 


" " 


Aug. P. Flansburg. 


1873. 


" " 


Edgar L. Deming. 


tt tt 


1874. 


Erastus Darling. 


" 


It it 


1875. 


Irving W. Guiles. 


Thomas D. Yatos. 


0. R. Deming. 


1876. 


Erastus Darling. 


George F. Piiul. 


Henry S. Michaels. 


1877. 


" 


Charles Vanavery. 


Aug. P. Flansburgh 


1878. 


Isaac N. Scott. 


Hiram Darling. 


John Stead. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 



1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 

1851. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 

1859. 
1860. 



John Yates. 
Anthony Allen. 
Samuel Y. Rockwell. 
Zopher I. Delong. 
John Yates. 

Anthony Allen, long term. 
George Baker, short " 
Samuel Y. Rockwell. 
George Baker. 
.Toseph A. King. 
William Wait. 
John J. Wait. 
Samuel Y. Rockwell. 
Joseph A. King. 
George Baker, long term. 
L. H. Erasure, short " 



S. Y. Rockwell, long term. 
Z. I. Delong, short " 

1861. Hezekiah Smith, long " 
S. Y. Rockwell, short " 

1862. Thomas Frost. 

1863. P. L. Johnson. 



1864. George Baker, long term. 
William Scott, short " 

1865. Hezekiah Smith, full " 
A. Allen, long vacancy. 
S. Y. Rockwell, s. " 

1866. " 

1807. J. S. Johnson, full term. 
S. Y. Rockwell, I. vacancy. 
J. S. Johnson, s. " 

1868. Charles L. Marcellus. 

1869. John Fay Stimson. 

1870. S. Y. Rockwell, long term. 
John J. AVait, short " 

1871. Calvin Allen, long term. 
S. Y. Rockwell, s. " 

1872. Charles L. Marcellus. 

1873. George Baker. 

1874. S. Y. Rockwell, long term. 
J. Fay Stimson, short ** 

1875. Seth Aldrich. 

1876. AYarren A. Randall. 

1877. J. M. Perqua. 

1878. Samuel Y. Rockwell. 



v.— VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

There are two small villages in this town, and part of the 
village of Conklingville also lies within its limits. Iluuts- 
villc is a little village about half a mile east of the west 
town line, and consists of some twenty dwellings, two stores, 
one blacksmith-shop, one wagon-shop, one clothes-pin fac- 
tory, one hotel, a school-house, and a church. Day Centre 
is a small hamlet a little south of the centre of the town. 
It comprises about a dozen dwellings, one store, one hotel, 
one blacksmith-shop, one school-house, and two churches. 
Just north of it is a saw- and grist-mill, on Paul creek. 

Huntsville was named from the sign on the tavern, ia 
1835, after Amos Hunt. Three brothers, Walter, George, 
and Ziba Hunt, came to West Day in 1817. Amos Hunt 
was a son of Walter. George Hunt built the first store in 
1835, and it was occupied by his son Charles. The first 
house in Huntsville was built in 1822 or 1823, by a man 
named Owens, and was used for an inn for several years. 

The wooden-ware shop was built in 1869 by Isaac N. 
Scott. It is now used as a saw-mill and clothes-pin factory. 



58 



458 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Croweville is a little hamlet on Sand creek, about three 
and a half miles from its mouth. It has about a dozen 
dwellings, one tannery, and not far from ninety inhabitants. 
The tannery, which is in the "village," was built by William 
Fowler, in 1856, and sold to Crowe and Kyne, in 1859. 
In 1865 it was bought by Henry Poor & Son, of Boston, 
who are present owners. It is under the .supervision of 
Lewis E. Wait. It employs about twenty hands, uses eight 
thousand hides yearly, and turns out an annual product of 
one hundred and forty tons of sole-leather, valued at $60,000. 
The buildings are about fifty-two by three hundred feet, 
and two stories high. The power is furnished by one 
twelve-horse central-discharge water-wheel and one sixty- 
horse engine with four boilers. It uses about fifteen hun-. 
dred cords of bark yearly. 

In the fall of 1825 a dam was built across the Sacandaga 
at the mouth of Bell brook, and a saw-mill was built about 
twenty rods above the present bridge, on the north bank of 
the river. The water was conveyed to this mill through a 
.small canal. Eliphaz Day, Abner Wait, and John Johnson 
were the owners. The dam flooded the flats and caused con- 
siderable litigation, the fall was insufficient, and finally the 
dam was torn out in 1828, and, with the mill, moved down 
the stream into the town of Hadley. 

VI.-SCHOOLS. 

The first school-house in Day was built about 1814. 
Amos Lawtou taught in it two winters, and was teaching a 
third term, when, in 1817-18, the school-house was burned. 
He took Jiis school to a vacant I'ooni in Henrj' Paul's house 
and taught out the term. This school-house stood near 
where the Presbyterian church now stands. The mound 
near it marks the spot where the school-house chimney 
stood. Sally Copeland, Esther Beebee, and Mrs. Susan 
Iluntoon were among the early teacher.s. A teacher named 
Fundy taught an early school in a log house on the flat, 
below Warren A. Randall's. " Preacher" Clark and Laura 
Wells also taught there before 1808. After the old school- 
house burned a new frame building was erected on the lot 
east of the present school-house. Here school was kept 
from 1818 until the present house was built, in 1868. 

COJIJIISSIONERS' APPORTIONMENT, 1878. 







o 


1 <w 
























2< S 


.a 


8| 







a? 

a 


District. 


5SH 




<3 


= 1 


a 



S 





m 


&s 


III 






-2 
3 






a 
a 

s 


m 


Ph'" 


2 

.a 


a 
1 


No. 1.... 


60 


$52.14 


$41.27 


$48.46 


$2.00 


$144.87 


" 2.... 


35 


52.14 


24.07 


22.11 


1.17 


99.49 


" 3.... 


50 


52.14 


34.39 


37.38 


1.67 


125.58 


" 4... 


38 


52.14 


26.14 


31.74 


1.27 


111.29 


" 6.... 


55 


62.14 


37.83 ■ 


31.87 


1.83 


123.67 


" 6.... 


24 


.52.14 


16.51 


25.53 


SO 


94.98 


" 7.... 


33 


52.14 


22.69 


24.23 


1.10 


100.16 


" S.... 


63 


62.14 


43.33 


28.56 


2.10 


125.62 


" 9.... 


56 


52.14 


38.51 


35.86 


1.87 


128.38 


" 10.... 


19 


52.14 


13.07 


13.36 


63 


79.20 


" 11.... 


.86 


52.14 


59.15 


51.73 


2.87 


165.89 




519 


$673.54 


$356.96 


$351.32 


$17.31 


$1299.13 



Vir.— CHURCHES. 

In 1812, or about that time. Elder Siinmonds organized 
a Baptist society in Day. He and Daniel Corey preached 
at school-houses and private houses for several years. No 
church was ever built, and the society at last broke up and 
became extinct. 

Rev. Mr. Wellman, a Methodist minister, used to preach 
in Daniel Hincs' house as early as 1807. 

REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF D.\Y. 

Rev. Andrew Yates, D.D., in accordance with the in- 
structions of the dassis of Schenectady of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch church, organized a society of the mem- 
bers of that denomination in Day Centre, on the 14th of 
November, 1842. The infant church consisted of nine 
members, viz. : John B. and Bet.sey Yates, Wilber Paul, 
Warren A. and Abby A. Randall, Samuel and Mehitabel 
Stim.son, Ann Yates, and Susan M. Arm.strong. A con- 
sistory was chosen consisting of Samuel Stimson and War- 
ren A. Randall, elders ; John B. Yates and Wilber Paul, 
deacons. At a meeting held May 12, 1844, Rev. Andrew 
Yates, Samuel Stimson, and Thomas Yates were elected as 
a building committee, with instructions to build a church 
edifice, and with full powers to make purchases and con- 
tracts in the name of the society. The church was com- 
menced immediately, and the church was finished the same 
summer with the exception of the inside worlc, which was 
but temporary, and has since been changed. The church 
was dedicated in the fall of the same year. 

The society, from its organization till the new church 
was completed, was ministered to by Revs. Andrew Yates 
and R. A. Avery, who held occasional services in the school- 
house during that time. The church was built of cut stone, 
is about twenty-eight by forty-five feet square, surmounted 
by a square belfry with a railing above that. The bell was 
donated by the citizens of the vicinity, who raised the neces- 
sary funds by subscription. The total cost of the edifice 
was about S3000. Upon the completion of the church the 
Board of Domestic Missions of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Dutch church installed Rev. J. A. Lansing as the settled 
pastor of the church, which relation to the church he main- 
tained until the spring of 1848, when he terminated his 
pastorate and removed to Bethlehem, N. Y. From that 
time the church was served in a ministerial caj)acity by the 
following pastors : Rev. Mr. Raymond, Rev. Mr. Meade, 
Rev. I. N. Voorhies, Rev. W. L. James. 

In 1855, Rev. Calvin Case became the pastor, and served 
till 1857, in the spring of which year he closed his labors. 
He was the last pastor of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
church. For the nest ten years there were no regular 
meetings, although Rev. Isaac Devoe and Others held occa- 
sional services during that time. In June, 1867, a meet- 
ing of the society was held to consider the desirability of 
changing its form and ecclesiastical relations, and it was de- 
cided to change the society into a Presbyterian church, and 
to connect it with the presbytery of Albany. The follow- 
ing officers were then chosen to form the session of the new 
church, viz. : For elders, Warren A. Randall, Joseph Yates, 
and Isaac J. Flausburgh. The ministers who have preached 
since the change are Rev. David Edgar, Rev. George Craig, 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



459 



Rev. Robert Ennis, Rev. Robert Gibson, Rev. John D. 
Counteriuine. In 187G, Rev. George Bell was made stated 
supply, and remains in that capacity at present. The 
present trustees are Leonard Yates, John King, George D. 
Yates, Irving W. Guiles, Erastus Darling. 

The list of elders from the first organization till the 
present comprises the following names: Samuel Stimson, 
Warren A. Randall, Thomas Yates, John Yates, Arden 
T. Fraker, Joseph Yates, and Isaac J. Flansburgh. The 
deacons were John B. Yates, Wilber Paul, Aaron Truax, 
Arden T. Fraker, and Joseph Yates. 

There has always been a Sunday-school connected with 
the church, and generally quite prosperous in its condition. 
At present the average attendance is fifty. The oiBcers 
are Joseph Yates, superintendent ; Mrs. Louisa Flans- 
burgh, assistant superintendent; Mrs. I. W. Guiles, sec- 
retary and treasurer. The library contains about three 
hundred volumes. 

METHODIST EPISCOP.\T/ CHURCH OF DAY CENTRE. 

In October, 18G5, a Methodist Episcopal class was formed 
at Day Centre. It comprised the following names: J. A. 
Savage, William and Elizabeth Van Avery, Isaac and Cath- 
erine Havens, L. and Ellen Kinzy, Warren and Mila Bloss, 
Eliza Paul, Sarah Queeny, Rosanna Akley, Lois Perry, 
Antoinette Bloss, Joseph Wells, William Edmonds, Nelson 
and Frank G. De Golia. 

The church, a plain wooden structure, about thirty by 
forty feet in size, was erected in the fall of 1868 and dedi- 
cated in the following winter. It cost about $2200. The 
present membership is thirty-seven. The trustees are Daniel 
Lyon, Smith Clark, Hiram Darling, William Yates, and 
William Van Avery. The stewards are Warren Bloss and 
Uriah C. Buck. 

A Sabbath-school has been held in connection with the 
church most of the time since its organization till 1876. 

Revs. J. K. Wagner, C. T. S. Spear, Hiram Chase, H. 
D. Morris, E. M. Howe, A. H. Honsinger, George Far- 
riugton, John Sumner, E. L. Arnold, and H. H. Smith 
have been the ministers in charge. 

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF D.iY. 

At a meeting of the Christian citizens of the eastern 
' part of the town of Day, held in the school-house near the 
Kathan homestead on the 18th of November, 1833, Elder 
H. V. Teal organized a society with the above name, an- 
nouncing that they took the Scriptures as their only guide, 
and recognizing Christian character and belief as the only 
qualifications for membership. The following-named persons 
subscribed their names to the church-roll, viz. : Isaiah 
Canon, John and Sylvia Baker, Seth F. and Susannah 
Huntoon, Sally Wait, James Fraker, and Susannah Allen. 

Services were held in the school-house during the next 
thirteen years until, in 1846, a board of trustees, consisting 
of Edward Scovil, John J. Wait, and Luke Kathan, were 
elected and instructed to build a church, thirty by forty- 
four feet, with a vestibule across the front and a gallery 
above it, from sixteen to twenty-feet posts, and a suitable 
belfry. It was also declared that the church was free to 
all denominations when not in use by the society. 



The church was built during the fall of 1845 and the 
winter following, and was completed in the sjiring and occu- 
pied for religious meetings. It cost about 81000. David 
Wait served as clerk for many years. 

The following is as complete a list of the pastors as we 
have been able to obtain : Rev. Elias Sloat, Rev. Wil- 
liam B. Haight, Rev. W. B. H. Beach, Rev. Charles J. 
Butler, Rev. J. Pratt, Rev. J. F. Wade, Rev. E. Tyler, 
Rev. R. B. Eldridge. 

John Baker, Oliver Baker, Samuel Washburn, Edward 
Scovil, Abner D. Wait, John J. Wait, and Lewis Gray 
have served in the capacity of deacons, the two last named 
holding that office at present. 

Since its organization about two hundred and twenty 
persons have been members of this church. Of this num- 
ber there have been dismissed by letter twenty-seven ; re- 
moved, eleven ; withdrawn, five ; expelled, six; died, twenty- 
five ; disfellowshipped, dropped, and otherwise disposed of, 
sixty-eight ; leaving seventy -eight as the present member- 
ship. 

A Sunday-school, with an average of about fifty schol- 
ars, is connected with the church. They have a small 
library. Lewis Gray, superintendent, and Truman Kathan, 
assistant superintendent, are the present officers. 



SECOND CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF DAY, .AFTERWARDS 
CALLED THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF WEST DAY. 

Dec. 19, 1857, a meeting was held in the school-house 
in West Day to organize a society of the Christian denom- 
ination. Rev. Elias Sloat and Rev. Latham Coffin, mem- 
bers of the New York Eastern Conference, were present 
and instituted the church. 

The following were the original members : Eugene, Electa 
and Fatima Frost, Harvey C. and Lydia A. Palmer, Samuel 
and Betsey Fulton, Philo Colson, Orlando Herrick, Lucy 
Greenslete, Barbara Scott, Hannah Van Vlcck, and Mary 

A. Deuel. 

Eugene Frost was elected to the office of deacon, and 
Harvey C. Palmer was chosen clerk of the society. Rev. 
Elias Sloat was first pastor, and was followed by Revs. W. 

B. H. Beach, Charles I. Butler, J. Pratt, E. Tyler, J. F. 
Wade, and R. B. Eldridge, who is the present pastor. 

The church, which is a plain, neat looking structure, was 
commenced in 1861, but was not finished till the fall of 
1865. In December of that year it was formally dedicated. 
Rev. W. B. H. Beach preaching the dedicatory sermon. 
The church cost about $2000. H. C. Palmer, Isaac N. 
Scott, and Samuel Fulton were the first board of trustees. 
Previous to the organization of the church, religious meet- 
ings had been held occasionally at the school-house for a 
number of years. 

The first Sunday-school was organized by Dennis Hol- 
comb, and was held in the old school-house. A flourishing 
Sunday-school is now connected with the church. R. B. 
Eldridge is superintendent ; A. M. Lawrence, assistant 
superintendent ; P. L. Colson, secretary. 

The present officers of the church are David Ryther, P. 
L. Colson, L. H. Erasure, trustees; William H. Marcellus, 
P. L. Colson, stewards ; Isaac N. Scott, clerk. 



460 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



VIII.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

There is a burning-ground in tlie southeast part of the 
town, near J. Clute's, and also one near the house of wor- 
ship belonging to the Christian church. 

At Day Corners is a burial-place, and there may be other 
points of private family grounds. 

IX.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

At two or three places in town several specimens of In- 
dian relics have been picked up. Near the mouth of Bell 
brook, in Conklingville, some years ago, several arrow- 
heads, spear-heads, broken pipes, and stone pots were picked 
up, and one man is said to have discovered a sort of handle, 
grasping which he gave the commaDd, " Draw sabre," and 
gave a pull. It held fast, however, and was dislodged only 
by violent exertion. When it was drawn from the ground 
it proved to be an old sword, and is supposed to have been 
a relic of the French and Indian wars. The river formerly 
fairly teemed with the finest trout, and the valley was a 
favorite hunting- and fishing-ground for the dusky aborigi- 
nes. Near the present residence of Richard Flansburgh a 
few years ago a part of a large stone kettle was plowed up 
near an old stump. It was made of a kind of soft sand- 
stone, and evidently had served to cook many an Indian 
dinner in the far past. 

When the first settlers came into this country there was 
a fine clearing on the flat near the river, east of Heman 
Colson's house. It was surmised to have been an Indian 
corn-field, but more probably was the result of the labors of 
some white settler vrlio had been murdered or driven away 
from the home he had created in the forest by his relent- 
less foes. 

X.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The business of lumbering and peeling bark is largely 
carried on in this town, and furnishes the means of obtain- 
ing a livelihood to many of its inhabitants. The tanneries 
of Henry Poor & Son use most of the bark. The logs are 
floated down the river to the mills at Conklingville, Jes- 
sup's Landing, and Glen's Falls. The principal dealers in 
these articles are Enos Murphy, E. & H. Darling, Irving 
W. Guiles, Leonard Yates, and Lewis E. Wait. 

In 1833 a woolen-factory was built on Paul creek, about 
two miles from its mouth, by John B. Yates. A store and 
other buildings were soon put up, but after a few years the 
property was put to other uses, and the factory is now oc- 
cupied as a dwelling-house. The other buildings have 
gone to decay, and what it was hoped would become a 
thriving village has dwindled away until nothing remains. 

The principal occupations of the people of Day are lum- 
bering, gathering hemlock-bark for market, stock-raising, 
and general farming, so far as the soil and capabilities of 
the town permit. 

In 1871, F. G. Macomber and William H. Catline built 
a factory for the purpose of extracting tannic acid from 
hemlock-bark, to be used in the manufacture of leather. 
Tiie buildings and machinery and apparatus represented a 
first cost of $28,000. In ninety days from the time work 
was commenced the factory was in running order, and 
turning out a very superior quality of extract. The weight 
of the extract was about ten pounds to a gallon, and a cord 



of bark would make about three hundred and fifty pounds 
of extract. This product was mostly shipped to Boston. 
The price of extract under excessive competition rapidly 
declined, and the business became unprofitable. The fac- 
tory was run for about two years, and then stopped. The 
machinery was sold to parties at Wollestown, Hamilton 
county, who removed it, and the building still stands, near 
the residence of Henian Colson. Mr. Macomber still re- 
sides on a fine farm in the eastern part of Edinburgh, in a 
very pleasant location. 

XI.— MILITARY. 

Of the heroes of the Revolutionary war but throe are 
believed to have settled within the limits of Day. These 
were David Johnson, who died in Day on Feb. 22, 1839, 
aged 81 years ; Amos Flood, who came to Day about 1832, 
and died there Aug. 17, 1834 ; and Phineas Austin, who 
died Nov. 21, 1828, aged 81 years. 

In the War of 1812, Daniel Fraker, Joseph Flansburgh, 
Thomas Totman (fife-major), Zabin Shippy, Arnold Pnul, 
Wm. Colson, Jr., and Moses Colson took up arms and 
went forth to defend their country. All of them are now 
numbered with the dead. 

The number of soldiers who went from this town in the 
years from 18G1 to 1865 is, considering the scant popula- 
tion, quite large, and speaks well for the patriotism of the 
inhabitants. The following is as perfect a list as we have 
been able to obtain from the means at our di.*posal : 

Dudley G. Allen, Corp., Cu. G, 30th N. Y. Inf.; eul. 1801 ; discliarged ; living in 

Erie county. 
John Beers, piiv., Co. E, lC9th N. T. Inf. ; dischargorl ; living in Day. 
Elijah Bennett, priv., Co. C, llSlh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. G, 1862 ; discharged ; 

living near Syracuse. 
Richard Bills, priv., Co. D, 4tli H. Art.; discharged for disahility ; living in 

Edinburgh. 
Knfus Black, priv., Co. K, 2d Vet, Cav. ; eul. June 27, 1864 ; discharged ; living 

in Hudley. 
Silas C. Blowers, priv., Co.G, 115th N. Y. Inf. ; dischiirged ; living in Michigan. 
Harmen Bovencainp, priv., Co. F, 9:id N. Y. Inf.; died in hospitul at Buflalo, 

Dec. 14, 1SC4. 
Henry Boveiiranip, priv., Co. G, 30Ih N. Y. Inf.; eul. 1801; discharged; living 

in Ediiilmrgh. 
Aaron Bradt, piiv., Co. G, 30tli N. Y. Inf ; enl. 18G1 ; died in rebel prison at 

Richmond, Va. 
John Bradt, priv., Co. G. 301h N. Y. Inf.; eul. 1801; disch. with the regiment 

June IG, 1803 ; died in Edinburgh. 
Elnathiin Bristol, piiv., 93d N. Y. Inf.; disch. with the regiment; living at 

West Day. 
Peter Butler, priv., Co. C, llotli N. Y. Inf; enl. Aug. li, 1802; killed in action 

at Olustec, Fla. 
Henry Clnte, priv., Co. C, H5th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 14, 1862; was killed by 

the explosion of the mine at Fort Fisher, N. C, being buried in the ruins. 
Jiiuies Colaon, discharged ; living in Day. 
John H. Col-ion, discharged ; living in Day. 
John S. Colson, discharged ; living at Batchellerville. 
Byron Daniels, priv. ; died in the service. 
James faniels, discharged ; living at Luzerne. 
Edwin Delong, priv., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; disch, with the regiment ; living at 

C<inklingville. 
La Fayette Ilelong, discharged; living in Michigan. 
Andrew Doming, 2d H. Art.; disch. with the regiment; living in Wellstown, 

ILamilton Co. 
Edgar L. Deming, priv,, Co. C, ll:.th N, Y, Inf,; enl. Ang. 8, 1862; discharged; 

living in Wellstown, Hamilton Co. 
John Deming, priv., 2d H. Art.; died in the service. 
Gordon Dimick, priv,, Co, D, 4lh H, Art,; enl, Dec. 14, ISOl. 
George Dickerson, priv., Co. D, 4th H, Ait. ; enl, Dec, 25, 1861. 
Joseph Ellison, jiriv. ; killed at the battle of Cold Harbor. 
Elam F. Evans, priv., Co, C, 115th N. Y'. Inf.; enl. Aug. .5, 1862; killed at the 

battle of the Wilderness in 1864. 
Gilbert F. Edmond, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art.; eul. Dec. 26, 1861. 
Nicholas Flansburgh, pr.v,, 77th N, Y. Inf, ; eul. 1861 ; died in hospital, 
Julian Graves, piiv., Co. E, 4th II, Ait,; dischaiged ; living in Greentield, 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



461 



Danivl Guiles, priv., 2ii X. T. Vet. Cuv.; disib. with the regiment; living in 

Day. 
Irving W. Guiles, Corp., Co. G, 30th N. T. Inf; enl. Juno 1, 18G1; mustered 

out June Ifs 1863; living at Da.v Centre. 
George Guiles, priv., Cn. G, SOtli N. Y. Inf.; enl. June 1,1SC1 ; trans, to VTth N. 

y. Inf. ; lost truce of. 
Kensselner Havens, priv., ll.ilh N. Y. Inf. ; il'scli. with the regiment; died ill 

Day, since tiie war, of disease eonlracted in the service, 
discli. with the ] 



gimcnt; living in 

, Inf; enl. June 1, IStJl; discharged; 
Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1802; killed on 



Charles Herrick, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art. 

Edinburgh. 
Thomas Hopkins, priv., Co. G, SOth N. Y 

living in Glen's Falls. 
Wendell B. Howe, priv., Co. C, ILItli N. 

the vidette line in front of Petersburg, Va. 
Villiam C. Howe, priv., Co. C.TVtli N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 8, 1801. 
William A. Hunt, Corp., Co. D, 4l\\ N. Y. H. Art; enl. Dec. 15, 1801. 
Itavid Kinney, priv. ; living at Ballston. 

Jonathan Kinney, \niv., Co. E, 4th II. Art.; living in Rensselaer county 
Abrani K. Lawrence, Corp., Co. G, 30tli N. Y. Int.; enl. June 1, 1S6I ; wounded 
five times; distil, "vvitli the regiment; he also served in the Florida war 
and in the Me.xican war, and is now living in Day. 
Philo Boswell Lawrence, priv., Co. D, 4th II. Art. ; enl. Dec. 15, 1861 ; distb. 

with the regiment; lives in Wellstown, Haniilton Co. 
C. F. Mariellus, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 14, 1801. 
John H. Mason, priv., Co. C, 115th N. YMnf; enl. Aug. 7, 1802; disch. with 

the regitnent; living in Day. 
Edward Mattison, priv., Co. C, 77lh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 1, 1861. 
Zira II. JIattifon, priv., Co. C, 77lh N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 1.5, 1801. 
John Michaels, priv., 77lli N. Y'. Inf.; enl. 1801 ; lives in Wellstown, N. Y'. 
Rienzi Miihaels, priv. ; substitute for Isaac N. Scott; died in the service. 
Ambrose Millilnan, priv., 77th N. Y'. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; living in Iowa. 
Ctitler Milliman, priv., 53d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861 ; lost an arm in tlie service; 

received an honorable d scharge; lives In Iowa. 
William Milliman, priv., 77th N. Y*. Inf. ; living in Iowa. 
John McGuire, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art.; enl. Dec. 25, 1801. 
Zabin Mills, priv., Co. E, IClUh N. Y'. Inf.; died in the service. 
Ahijab Ovitt, priv., Co. D, 4th H. Art.; enl. Dec. 25, ISCl ; died in the service. 
Cliauncey Palmer, priv., Co. G, 30th N. Y'. Inf. ; enl. June 1, 1861 ; mustered out 

w ith tlie regiment ; lives in Saratoga. 
Arnnah Perry, priv., Co. G, 30th N. Y'. Inf.; mustered in June 1,1801; mus- 
tered out June 16, 1803; lives in Hope, Hamilton Co. 
George Pixley, priv. ; living in Day. 
James Pixley, priv.; living in Warrensburg. 
William Pixley, priv.; living in Edinburgh. 
Edwin Rhodes, priv., Cki. 0. 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 0, 1802; mustered out 

with the regiment; living in Day. 
John Ross, priv., 93d N-Y'. Inf. ; living in Croweville, town of Day, or Edinburgh. 
Charles Ryther, priv.; lives in Day. 

Willi.ini Scott, priv., 4th H. Art. ; mustered out; living in Iladley. 
Samuel B. Shepard, priv.. Co. C, 77tli N. Y'. Inf ; enl. Oct 22, ISCI ; lives in Day. 
Dennis Springer, priv., Co. C, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862; killed on 

vidette line in front of Petersburg, Va. 
John Stead, Jr., priv., oUth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1801 ; missing. 
Beecher Triiax, priv., 2d X. T. Vet. Cav. 

Henry Truax, priv., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; living at Glen's Falls. 
John W. Van Arnum, priv.. Co. D, 4th H. Art.; enl. Dec. 14, 1861. 
John Vanderhoof, priv., Co. G, 30tli N.Y.Inf ; enl. June 1, 1801 ; mustered out 

with the regiment; living in Northampton. 
Ransom Varney, priv., Co. G, 311th N. Y. Inf.; enl. ISOI. 
Salomon Wheeler, priv., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; living in Chautauqua county. 
Timothy White, priv.. 93d N. Y. Inf.; living at Creek Centre, Warren Co. 
Lorin Woodcock, priv., Co. E, 169tli N. Y. Inf. ; discharged : living in Ballston. 
Stephen Woodcock, priv., Co. E, 169th N. Y'. Inf. ; living in Tioga Co., Pa. 
George Woodworth, priv.; died in Day in 1877. 
Charles A. Y'ates, priv., Co. C, 115th N.Y.Inf.; enl. Aug. 6, 1862; mustered 

out ; living in Day. 
Edgar F. Y'ates, priv.; was never mustered into the service on account of sick- 
ness; living in Day. 
William H. Zeiistine, priv.; living in Batchellerville. 

The town, in August, 1864, paid a bounty of $300 to 
volunteers to fill its quota. In September the amount 
offered was increased to $950. 

In the troublous times of the War of 1S12 a report was 
circulated that the Indians were coming with tomahawk, 
scalping-knife, and fire-brand, pillaging, murdering, and 
burning whatever fell into their revengeful hands. Some 
of the settlers, among them the Flansburghs, Van Vlecks, 
Van Pattens, Wooleys, and others, abandoned their farms, 
packed their household effects and removed to Schenectady 
in search of peace, safety, and civilization. Some returned ; 
others did not. The settlers who stayed through the ex- 



citement, refusing to flee, have ever since felt justified in a 
little jocose bantering of the ones who were frightened into 
leaving their homes. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



ENOS MURPHY. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Canada in the 
year 1835, and came to Saratoga Co., N. Y., about the year 
1853. His early life was spent in the routine of farm labor, 
and at common district schools. His father, James, was a 
native of Ireland, and belonged to that hardy race of men 
who have fought for liberty from oppression, built our ca- 




{^'."u^ ^^CCy^ 






nals and railroads, and who by economy and industry have 
secured homes and wealth in a foreign land. Since he 
came to this county he has engaged largely in the lumber 
business, and successfully managed his interests in that 
direction. In the year 1874 he married Mrs. Melvina, 
widow of the late Silas Paul, and daughter of John G. 
Demming. They have two children, George D. and 
Sarah L. 

Jlr. Murphy is a man of indomitable perseverance, and 
early in life became inured to the hardships of labor, and 
continues to follow the business first engaged in upon 
coming here, his operations causing him to employ at times 
some fifty men. He is manly, and kind to all whom he 
comes in contact with or has in his employ. When he 
first came to Saratoga County he settled in the town of 
Day, and floated his logs on Mud lake and Livingston 
lake, and now uses all the available streams for that pur- 
pose. 



WILTON. 



r.— GEOGRAPUICAL POSITION. 

The town of Wilton lies northeast from the centre of 
the county. It is bounded north by Corinth and Moreau, 
east by Northumberland, south by Saratoga and Saratoga 
Springs. The town includes 16,956 acres of improved 
land, 5045 acres of unimproved, and of this last amount 
3495 acres are woodland. The population in 1875 was 1218. 
The town lies wholly within the Kayadrossera patent. 

We add tlie brief legal description of the town and the 
definition of its boundaries, as found in the revised statutes 
of the State : 

"The town of iri7(oii shall contain all that part of said county 
bounded northerly by the north bounds of Northumberland continued 
west to the northeast corner of Greenfield, easterly by Northumber- 
land, southerly by a westerly continuation of the south bounds of 
Northumberland, and westerly by Greenfield." 

The region that now constitutes the town of Wilton was 
known in colonial times as Pulmertown. This name, tra- 
dition says, was given it by a band of Indians who came 
there from the east some time after King Philip's war, and 
settled at the base of the mountains somewhere in the 
Perry and Stiles neighborhood. As Palmertown it was 
long known by the early settlers. As Palmertown it be- 
came a place of considerable trade and importance, while 
what is now called Saratoga Springs was known as a " deer 
lick" in the woods six miles south. During the Revolu- 
tion two block-houses were built at Palmertown, in which 
troops were sometimes quartered, and in which the early 
settler often sought shelter from the British and Canadian 
Indians. After the Revolution, and early in the present 
century, Palmertown was regarded as a more eligible place 
of settlement for business and professional men than Sara- 
toga Springs. It was in Palmertown and in its neighbor- 
hood that Dr. John H. Steel, Judge Esek Cowen, and 
other distinguished professional men first opened their 
offices and began their practice. With the early merchants 
of Palmertown the earliest settlers of Saratoga Springs did 
the most of their trading. 

Across Palmertown and through Greenfield, following 
an old Indian trail, ran the old highway to Johnstown and 
the west over which thousands of New England emigrants 
passed on their way to central or western New York in 
the early years of this century. But when the new town 
was formed the old name was dropped. But the mountain- 
range at whose foot the old Indian hamlet nestles still bears 
aloft the old historic name of Palmertown. 

li.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The northwest corner of Wilton is filled with the moun- 
tain masses of the Palmertown range of the Adirondack 
mountains. The Palmertown range is the most easterly 
462 



of the five groat mountain-chains which traverse the great 
wilderness. The Palmertown range begins on Lake Cham- 
plain, near Ticonderoga, and running down on both sides 
of Lake George, crosses the Hudson above Glen's Falls, and 
running through the town of Wilton, ends in the high 
ground of North Broadway, in Saratoga Springs. Mount 
McGregor, one of the principal peaks of this range, is in 
this town, and Glen Mitchell lies in one of the mountain 
gaps in the corner of Greenfield. These mountains aifoid 
beautiful and picturesque scenery, with their steep rocky 
declivities and forest-crowned summits. 

The centre and southwest parts of the town are gently 
undulating or broken by low ridges. The principal streams 
are Snoek Kill, Bog Meadow brook, and Cold brook. The 
soil in the east and southeast is a yellow sandy loam resting 
on clay, and in some places swampy. At the foot of the 
Palmertown mountains is found some of the best land in 
the town, a belt of productive gravel and clay loam. The 
ancient growth of white and yellow pine that covered 
the plains was very heavy. It has nearly all been cut off. 

The town has a mineral spring of acidulous and carbon- 
ated water near Emerson's Corners, and there is also a 
sulphur spring in the southeast part. 

In the vicinity of Wilton village there are some very 
fine farms, good soil, and productive. 

Perry's pond is a small body of water covering perhaps 
fifteen acres. The Snoek Kill is the outlet of it. 

The mineral spring above alluded to is on the fiirm of 
Mr. Rood. The water is of excellent quality, very pleasant 
to the taste, and under favorable circumstances, near a large 
village, might be quite celebrated. 

IIL— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement of what is now the town of Wilton, 
but then and long before known as Palmertown, was begun 
by two brothers, William and Samuel Brisbin, as early as 
the year 1764. These two brothers were the sous by his 
first wife of James Brisbin, who came over from the north 
of Ireland, and became the first settler of what is now the 
town of Northumberland, in the year 1765. 

The two brothers, William and Samuel Brisbin, made 
their first attempt at settlement on the south branch of the 
Snoek Kill, in what afterwards became the Laing neighbor- 
hood. One and perhaps both of them had been soldiers 
under Abercrombie and Amherst in the last French war, 
and the year after peace was concluded they began the early 
settlement of the old wilderness they had so often traversed 
while on the war-path. They made clearings, built a saw- 
mill, and cut roads on to their lands. When the war of 
the Revolution came on they abandoned their little settle- 
ment. 




Photu. 1))- Biikrr & Kc.ord, Siiratoga Springs. 




CL-i^-t-^tJL^ 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



463 



In the year 1770, Rowland Perry, having a family of 
eight sons, removed from Dutchess county to these northern 
woods, where there was ample room for the labors of this 
large family of stalwart boys. The names of this colony 
brought by Rowland Perry were Samuel, John, Benjamin, 
Absalom, Roswell, Artemas, Rowland, Joseph. The home 
selected by Mr. Perry was on the present farm of John 
AVoodard. The valuable spring at that place, flowing from 
the solid rock two and a half barrels a minute, was a groat 
attraction to decide the question of location. A further 
argument in favor of this place was suggested by Mr. 
Perry's experience in Dutchess county, which had proved 
that very fertile lands were found at the base of the hills. 
If there was some after-disappointment as to the soil, yet 
surely the beautiful valley, sheltered on the north and west 
by the mountains, is attractive enough now to justify Mr. 
Perry's selection. The family reached this place over a 
road cut by the Jessups, early settlers of Luzerne, from 
Fort Miller, on the Hudson, by way of what is now Emer- 
son's Corners and Wiltonville, the road then bearing north- 
westerly through the Perry neighborhood, and over the 
mountains, and then up the Hudson to Luzerne. 

Here this pioneer family began the struggle of frontier 
life. All the sons remained for a time, but two finally re- 
moved to Seneca county, and two to Genesee county. After 
settling on the rich, fertile lands of western New York, it 
is not strange if they doubted the wisdom of their father's 
early choice. Four of the sons settled in Wilton, and the 
name is a frequent one in various parts of the town. Wil- 
liam, a grandson, born in 1797, is still living in sight of 
the early home, — a specimen of lively, healthy old age 
rarely seen. To his clear memory and accurate statements 
we are indebted for many items in the early history of 
the town. 

A year later than the advent of the Perrys, the town 
received quite an accession of emigrants. 

In 1781 or 1782 there had arrived at New York four 
brothers, James McGregor, William McGregor, John 
McGregor, and Alexander IMcGregor. They were sons of 
John McGregor, of Thorn Hill, Scotland. One of the 
brothers, John, lived in New York city, and Alexander 
returned across the ocean, and settled at Liverpool, England. 
In the year 1787, James and William, pushing north- 
ward, settled in the present town of Wilton. The circum- 
stances that led to their removal here were these. In the 
same ship with the McGregors the Caraerons, clansmen 
and acquaintances, came over to this country. Induced by 
Thurman, a Scotchman already here, they settled in Lu- 
zerne ; and the McGregors following the same general line, 
came to Wilton. It is stated by Duncan McGregor, of 
the present Mountain House, that the Camerons were offered, 
for the same price as they paid in Luzerne, the fertile lands 
of Johnstown. 

James McGregor's pioneer home was the present place 
of James Henry, a little north of Wiltonville, and the fir.st 
house stood on the site of the present one. It was a framed 
building, a story and a half high. It was burned in 1824, 
and the present house was built immediately after. 

William Mctii'egor settled about a mile from his brother, 
east of Wiltonville. 



The brothers became prominent citizens of the town, and 
passed their lives here. 

The sons of William McGregor were John, William, 
James, and Alexander, and there were also three daughters, 
Ann, Charlotte, and Elizabeth. Ann became the wife of 
Jlr. Emerson, Elizabeth the wife of Peter Mclntyre ; 
James and Alexander settled in New York, William at 
Coeymans, John at Black Brook, Essex county. 

The sons of James McGregor were John, James, William, 
Alexander, Peter, Duncan, and Gregor ; the daughters, 
Elizabeth, Margaret, and Mary Ann. Elizabeth married 
Horatio Buell ; Blargaret, Lertis Thompson; and Mary Ann, 
Nicholas Vandewerker. William went to South America, 
Alexander to Iowa, Gregor to New Y'ork ; the others set- 
tled in this section. The home of Duncan for many years 
has been Glen's Falls. For the last two or three years he 
has been engaged in perfecting his plans, opening roads and 
erecting buildings for a pleasure resort on McGregor moun- 
tain, a mile and a half from Wiltonville. It was opened 
to visitors the present season, and is spoken of at length in 
another place. 

Reuben Stiles, of Rhode Island, moved to Palmerfown, 
now Wilton, in the year 1775, and made a settlement at 
what has ever since been known as Stiles' Corners. His first 
house was erected on the place now owned by Widow Gray. 
His children were Eli, Reuben, Isaac, Johnson, John, David, 
Henry, Peter, and Angeline. One of these, John, is still 
living in Indiana ; Angeline became the wife of James D. 
King ; Reuben and Henry moved west ; David to Chenango 
county ; Eli, Isaac, and Peter settled in Wilton ; John- 
son lived in Wilton for a time, and afterwards moved west. 
Benjamin Pliillips, of Vermont, came to the same neigh- 
borhood, and settled there about the same time as Reuben 
Stiles. His house was on what is now known as the Stiles 
place. It stood in the orchard below the old tavern. There 
he opened a tavern, and Phillips afterwards kept tavern on 
the site of the present Stiles house, th.at is, the old Phillips 
homestead. In the wall under the piazza is one stone 
taken from the old log house of Mr. Phillips. It has on it 
the inscription, " B. P. 1787." The wife of Eli Stiles was 
a daughter of Solomon Phillips, son of Benjamin Phillips. 
Northrup Stiles and Louisa Stiles, children of Eli, now oc- 
cupy the old place. 

The children of Isaac Stiles were Mary Ann, James, John, 
William, Angeline, and Emeline. 

The children of Peter Stiles were Amanda, Oscar, Har- 
rison, Marvil, Susette, Maria Antoinette, and Warren. 

Benjamin Phillips and some other early settlers were 
buried on the present Fuller farm, the graves scarcely to be 
found at the present time. 

In 1775, Stephen King and his brother Ebenezer moved 
to Wilton, Dutchess county, coming through from Ballston 
by means of marked trees. Stephen King's place was the 
farm now owned by John Goodale. He opened a tavern 
after a few years, generally called the first in town. This, 
and that of Benjamin Phillips, probably did not differ much 
in the time of their opening. Ebenezer King seems to have 
been the first settler at the present village of Wiltonville. 
His old homestead was the present Varney house. He had 
two sons, — Ansil and Orniil. 



464 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



William King was an early settler near Dun worth Cor- 
ners, and kept a tavern there. 

John Laing, from Scotland, also came in 1775, and settled 
on the place now owned by Ira Rood, near Emerson's Cor- 
nel's. On his farm is the mineral spring spoken of else- 
where. Here, too, he erected a saw-mill, a little north of 
the spring. Here he passed his life, and his remains are 
entombed in the soil of the farm he owned. On the 
rounded summit of the hill, in the midst of what is now a 
beautiful meadow, are the broken and fallen stones that 
mark the graves of the Laings. The largest, a broad, finely- 
chiseled slab, bears tlie following inscription : 

" In memory of John Laing, who was born in Longholm, 
county of Rosborough, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, emigrated 
to I'almertewn, in the State of New York, and followed mer- 
chandising until March 23, 1793, when he expired in the 
blessed hope of immortality, aged sixty-seven." On the 
stone are carved the square and compass, the Bible and 
bells, emblems of the Masonic order. The membere of 
the craft residing in Wilton will honor their ancient prin- 
ciples of respect for their departed brothers by surrounding 
this little spot with a fence, or otherwise caring for a Masou 
who died before the century began. Surely the emblems 
of the order might at least be rescued from the soil now 
partially covering them. 

There also are the graves of Walter Laing, who died in 
1810 ; Helen Laing, the wife of John Laing, who died in 
1801 ; Robert Laing, in 1809 ; and Helen Laing, a child. 

The carving upon these stones is not very easily surpassed 
by modern workmen, and it certainly is a case of sad neglect 
to leave not only the remains of the dead, but also the rich 
artistic work of a former generation, to be soon covered by 
the plow and the harrow. 

It is supposed that Peter Johnston, a brother-in-law of 
William Laing, also came to this country about the same 
time as he did. He settled in the same neighborhood. 

Another early settler was John Boyce, about the year 
1784. His location was the present place of 31rs. John E. 
Boyce, near the railroad. 

Robert and James Milligan were the pioneers in the 
southeast corner of the town. John Kendrick settled near 
him, on what has been known in late years as Keodrick's 
Hill. Enoch Peace settled in the same neighborhood 
also. 

Jkoadstreet Emerson was an eai-Iy settler, about 1790, 
north of what is still known as Emerson's Corners. Dudley 
Emerson and Joseph, brothers, also came in soon after. 

Lyndes Emerson, whose name appears so often in the 
records as a town ofiBcer, and as the place to which the 
town-meetings were adjourned, was a son of Broadstreet 
Emerson. The Emersons came from Lyme, Conn. Jo- 
seph Emei-sou built the tavern, a large, roomy mansion, 
the scene of much old-time festivity. Lyndes kept tavern 
in it for a long series of years, and it is now over eighty 
years old. In the possession of Mrs. Lyndes Emerson, 
still living in the Emerson tavern, are many old documents, 
some of them of considerable value. Broadstreet Emerson 
was a very early magistrate, appointed by .the governor. 
A roll of leaves, constituting the docket of his court as far 
back as 1802, is among the papers of Mi-s. Emerson. 



Mary A., daughter of Joseph Emerson, became the wife 
of Walter Doe, and Hannah married William Burnham. 

Waldo, one of the sons, settled in Milestown, N. Y., and 
became a prominent citizen there. 

In the neighborhood of the Loudon church Edward 
Bevins was an early settler. He located on the present 
place of Lewis Adams. He had been a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill; was a dnim- 
major. His children have often heard him relate the story 
of the battle, and that wheu they were nearly out of ammu- 
nition they rolled down upon the advancing British force 
barrels of sand. He came to Wilton in the year 1780, and 
about the same time, or a little later, David Adams, an- 
other pioneer, came from Connecticut and settled near the 
Corners. 

Lewis Adams, a son of Jason Adams, and a grandson of 
David Adams, lives near the present Protestant Methodist 
church. 

Other early settlers along the southern part of the town, 
but not as early as 1800 perhaps, were Hugh Groesbeck, 
Isaac IngereoU, John Douglas, Isaac Hoag, Jonathan 
Pendle, James Shearer, John Jaycox. 

Enoch Place lived on the present Jane Baker farm. 
Jaycox, on the farm now owned by Widow Boyce. 

AVilliam Comstock came from Rhode Island to Green- 
field in the year 1795. In 1805 he removed to Wilton, 
and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Wm. W. 
Comstock. He was a justice of the peace in very early 
times, appointed by the governor. The docket of the 
courts held by him is in the possession of his son. It is 
said of Mr. Comstock that while he served through a long 
series of years, and presided in many trials, no decision 
made by him as justice of the peace was ever set aside by a 
higher court. 

Robert McGregor was an early settler in the town of 
Wilton. He came from Perthshire, Scotland, in the year 
1801, married Mary, daughter of John Brisbin, and located 
in this town in 1808. 

A son, John B. McGregor, born in 1811, who has held 
several responsible official positions, resides at Saratoga 
Springs. He is well versed in the early history of Sara- 
toga County, and has furnished many valuable items of 
information for this work. 

Stafford Carr, grandfather of Stafford Carr living north 
of the brick church, came from Rhode Island about the 
year 1794, and settled on the present Carr farm. The first 
house was a little northeast of the present Corners. His 
sons were Stafford, Eleazer, Amos, Stutely, and David. 
Stafford and David settled in this town. The old home- 
stead of Stafford was the brick house west of the Corners. 
Stutely became a Baptist minister. Eleazer removed to 
Illinois. 

In the southwesterly part of the town there was an early 
settler by the name of Slate. He built a mill on Lough- 
berry creek in 1795 or '96. 

Nathaniel Newberry settled on the General Hawley 
place ; Joseph Pearsall, on the Davison farm ; and Mr. 
Gleason, on the John Brill fiirm. 

The first store was opened in 1795, by Isaac Ostrom, on 
the present place of Mr. Jlerrill. This is the common 



'^I'W^fe^'-^'^t':'''"'-^" ' '^* ' -" 



m/' !fi'i^')'t, 




Residence of JOHN J. BRiL- 



■ .J..- ' ...'' .j- ' ,» ' .!- ■;^.:.i'"\ ' ^'v;c^'»'J:,^^jy.fe^'r; '' 



'^^f^'^pff^P**?' '"--'iTSi^l 



...vSS-,-?,^^ 




LTON, Saratoga Countv, N.Y. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



4G5 



statement of the " New York Gazetteer," and also among the 
people, but tlie inscription on John Laing's tombstone 
would imply that he preceded Mr. Ostrom by several year.s. 
Walter Doe kept a store very early at p]merson"s Corners. 
He afterwards removed to what is now Wiltonville, and 
was in trade there for many years. Widely known in his 
business, the place has been occasionally called Doe's Cor- 
ners, though lately acquiring the name of Wiltonville. 
Abraham Wing also kept a store at Emerson's Corners, a 
son of the early settler of Glen's Falls. 

Tlie tavern kept by Benjamin Phillips in his first house 
at Stiles' Corners, and that of Stephen King on the Goodale 
place, wore both opened probably between 1775 and 1780. 
At Emerson's Corners, Nathan Hinckley was the first 
tavern-keeper, in the house built by himself. Dudley 
Emerson, and after him Lynder Emerson, kept a house 
opposite for many years. 

At Walworth there was a tavern very early. Seth Perry 
kept a tavern there at one time, but was not probably the 
first proprietor. Obadiah Green, and afterwards Jonathan 
Riley. 

In very early times the first settlers went to mill at 
Schuylerville. 

The first gri.st-mill in Wilton was built by Miller Mc- 
Gregor. The remains of the dam still show the place of its 
location. The first saw-mill was by John Laing. Edward 
Bevins also built a saw-mill very early in the Loudon church 
neighborhood. Other mills were at Stiles', and near the 
present Calmer place, and also at Mr. Hodge's. At Stiles' 
there was also a clothing-mill. 

The first blacksmith was probably Hezekiah Willis, a 
son-in-law of Rowland Perry, the pioneer. 

The first doctor William Perry remembers was one Tim- 
othy Bloodworth. The regular physicians of early times 
were Dr. Vail and Dr. John Floyd Williams. 

The town also afibrded some little practice in early times 
for lawyers, and Aaron Blake and Cornelius Fonda are re- 
membered as belonging to that profession. Doubtless the 
primeval courts of Comstock and Emerson resounded with 
their forensic eloquence. 

The Perrys and Stiles families set out the first orchards. 
The Perrys brought their trees from Je.ssup's landing in 
Corinth. The Stiles' from Rhode Island. Some of these 
trees are still bearing, — -one hundred years old. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

Nrnnc. — When the convenience of the people required 
the organization of another town from the western portion 
of Northumberland, the question of the name came up of 
course for consideration. There was some dispute among 
the petitioners ; some proposing one name and some 
another. 

It was finally settled by the member of Assembly from 
this county suggesting that they take the name of his old 
home in New Hampshire. It was accepted as a com- 
promise, and is certainly a brief, pleasant name. 

The first town-meeting was held at the house of Lyndes 

Emerson in said town on the first Tuesday of iMarch, l.S19_ 

The town otficers elected were as follows: Dudley Emerson, 

supervisor; Henry Reynolds, town clerk ; Benjamin Dim- 

59 



mick, Jason iVdams, William Comstock, assessors; William 
Forbes, Lyndes Emerson, William Ingor.son, commissioners 
of highways; James McGregor, James Bullard, overseers 
of the poor; George W. Fish, Cornelius I. Fonda, John 
J. Swartwout, Enoch M. Place, Samuel Hoag, Thomas 
Sherman, inspectors of schools; Jabez Reed, Selden Emer- 
son, Cornelius I. Swartwout, commissioners of schools. 
The meeting adjourned to the next day, and completed the 
organization by electing the remaining officers : William 
Forbes, collector; Peter Laing, Edward D. Avery, Elijah 
Woodard, Cornelius I. Boice, constables; James McGregor, 
George W. F''ish, inspectors of weights and measures; 
William Ingerson, Jabez Reed, James De Long, Jonathan 
Woodard, John J. Swartwout, Benjamin Dimmick, fence- 
viewers; Cornelius I. Swartwout, poundmasters ; Daniel 
Weeks, Peter De Long, William Forbes, Solomon Phil- 
lips, Sr., Joshua Taylor, Stephen King, Oramel King, 
Philip Hinckley, John Fitzgerald, Henry Reynolds, John 
Boyd, Benjamin Dimmick, Zephaniah Lockwood, John 
Stiles, Peter Sleight, Jonathan Woodard, John McGregor, 
William Ingerson, Jonathan Pendle, Staft'ord Carr, Jr., 
Eli Lyon, overseers of highways. 

The following resolutions were adopted : 

" 1. JtiKiiluril, That the inspectors of schools be allowed the same 
compensation as other town officers, and that their accounts he pre- 
sented and audited in like manner. 

" 2. Ri'Hdherl, That we raise five hundred doll.ars to defr.ay the 
expense of the poor during the ensuing year. 

" 3. Ecanlvctl, That no fence shall he considered lawful under four 
and a half feet high." 

Hogs were declared to be free commoners if sufiiciently 
yoked. 

At the town-meeting of 1821 the following action was 
had: 

"ResnlvriJ, That John Thomas, one of the paupers, be vcndued. 
Josiah Perry bid him off at five shillings and si.\pence per week for 
one year, from the date of our .annual meeting. The said Perry is to 
board and lodge and clothe said pauper, and return him at the ex- 
piration of the year as well clothed as he now is." 

There is no record as to what said Perry was to do about 
the " return" in case the man died during the year. 

At the annual election, held the 27th, 2Sth, and 29th of 
April, 1819, the following persons had the number of votes 
annexed to their names for Assembly : 

Calvin Wheeler, 59 votes ; Asahel Philo, 69 ; Dudley 
Emerson, 78 ; William B. Van Benthuysen, 53 ; Nehemiah 
Candee, 34; Billy J. Clark, 12; Joel Keelor, 13 ; Avery 
Starkweather, 13 ; David How, 1 ; Abraham Moe, 9 ; 
Elisha Powell, 1. Henry Reynolds, Betijamin Dimmick, 
Jason Adams, and Dudley Emerson were the inspectors of 
election. 

In road surveys the name of G. W. Fish appears as sur- 
veyor. 

As one of the latest records of slave-births to be found 
in the county we note the following : 

" I do hereby certify that my black woman, a slave for 
life, by the name of Sal or Silvia, had a male child born 
the 4th day of April, in the year of our Lord onethou.sand 
eight hundred and eleven, and I call his name Jack. 

" Dudley Emerson. 

"Recorded April 10, 1823." 



466 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The first election of justices of the peace was in 1827, 
and Jason Adams was elected and^drew for the term of 
one year; John J. Swartwout, for two j'ears ; William C. 
Brisbin, for three years; and Coles Colden, for four years. 

The recurring vacancies in 1828, 1829, and 1831 are 
not recorded as having been filled, but probably were by 
the re-election of the same men, as their names appear at- 
tached to various legal documents later than some of them 
could have served under their first election. 

The town-meetings from 1819 to 1836, inclusive, seem 
to have been held, without question, at the house of Lyndes 
Emerson. This was a tavern at Emerson's Corners. In 
1837 the meeting was held at the house of Tephaniah 
Lockwood, the present place of John Stiles. In 1838 at 
the house of Eli Stiles, a tavern, the present place of North- 
rup Stiles, his son, at Stiles' Corners. Then back to the 
house of Lyndes Emerson, for ten years. Then for three 
years at the house of Eli Stiles. 

In 1854, Andrew J. Lee, having just purchased the 
hotel at Doe's Corners, now Wiltonville, made something of 
an effort to secure the adjournment of the town-meeting to 
that place. The effort was successful, and proved so satis- 
factory to the people that the adjournment has been made 
regularly every year since to that place. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



1S19. 
1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1821. 
1825. 
1826. 
1827. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1833. 
1834. 
1835. 
1836. 
18.37. 
1838. 
1839. 
1840. 
1841. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 



SiiperTisors. 
Dudley Emerson. 



Wm. Comstock. 
Seth Perry. 

it it 

John J. Swartwout. 
Scth Perry. 

Dudley Emerson. 

U it 

Lyndes Emerson. 

it n 

Cyrus Perry. 
Wm. McGregor. 
Sir Launc't Garner. 
(( it 

Lyndes Emerson. 



Town Clerks. 
Henry Rcjnolds. 



Oiillectors. 
Wm, Forbes. 
Peter Laing. 
Eli Stiles. 



Henry Reynolds. 
David CaiT. 

Lyndes Emerson. 
Hiram Dimmick. 
SothE. Calkins. 

Lyndes Emerson. 

Richard E. Buckbee, 
Hiram Dimiftick. 
Wm. Rouse. 
David Carr. 
Wm. Rouse. 
Tabor B. Reynolds. 

Henry E. Wagman. 
Jarvis Butler. 



Cor. L .Swartwout. 
Henry Reynolds. 

John Fitzgerald. 
Cyrus Perry. 
James McGregor. 
David Brill. 

S. T. Van Deryee. 

a ft 

Theo. Y. Comstock, 

a it 

Eli Stiles. 
Giles Dimmick. 
Aug. H. Pearsoll. 
Aaron C. Gilford. 
Wm. H. Taylor. 
Henry Reynolds. 
Theo. Y. Comstock. 

Giles Dimmick. 
David Carr. 
David E. Chase. 

David R. Taylor. 
.Stafford S. Carr. 
.James T. Cornell. 
Sherard K. Chase. 
George W. Perry. 
Wm. W. Comstock. 
James T. Cornell. 
Wm. W. Comstock. 



Oscar F. Stiles. 
Wm. W. Comstock. 
Edwin G. Perry. 
Miles B. Grippin. 



Eli Calkins. 

Eli Stiles. 

Geo. W. Morehouse. 

Cornelius J. Boiee. 

George A. Pearsoll. 



Elihu Ellis. 

t( it 

Squire Perry. 

Wm. Crippen. 

Alonzo Hall. 

Wm. Crippen. 

it t( 

Owen H. Wilbur. 
Philemon Tyrill, 
Joseph Dennis. 
Abner Hawley. 
Charles Ellsworth. 
Coonrad J. Campbell. 
Jacob Hagaman. 
Warren B. CoUamer. 
James A. Granger. 



Geo. E. Newland. 
Eli W. Tallmadge. 
Wm. L. Cooper. 

Jonathan Potter. 
Peter C. Deyoe. 
Wm. L. Cooper. 

Wm. B. Perry. 





Supervisors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1860. 


Daniel M. Gailor. 


Wm. H. Taylor. 


Xorman Wagoner. 


1861. 


It (( 


Wm. L. Cooper. 


Lloyd Weston. 


1862. 


tl n 


George II. Travor. 


Peter C. Deyoe. 


1863. 


Tabor B. Reynolds. 


Miles B. Grippin. 


Wm. L. Cooper. 


1864. 


" " 


George H. Traver. 


Edmund R. Wooley. 


1865. 


(( ti 


tt tt 


Gardner Perry. 


1866. 


it tt 


John E. Forbes. 


Ransom Varney. 


1867. 


(t tt 


" " 


Gardner Perry. 


1868. 


Caleb Boyce. 


Daniel Washburn. 


Sylvanus Sherman. 


1869. 


Ananias Bcyce. 


It tt 


James Sadler. 


1870. 


« 


" " 


George B. Ilinkley. 


1871. 


Warren B. CoUamer 


Sidney B. King. 


Phillip H. Deyoe. 


1872. 


(( tt 


tt tt 


Gardner Perry. 


1873. 


Ananias Boyce. 


tt tt 


tt tt 


1874. 


David E. Chase. 


" " 


Edmund R. Wooley 


1875. 


tt tt 


Wm. H. Goodale. 


Oscar Cook. 


1876. 


Bartktt B. Gvippin 


Sidney B. King. 


John II. Stiles. 


1877. 


■" 


" 


tt tt 


1878. 


Warren B. CoUamer 


tt tt 


Kellogg Perry. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 



1830. 
1832. 

1833. 
1834. 
1835. 

1836. 
1837. 

1838. 
1839. 
1840. 

1841. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 
1845. 
1846. 



1847. 
1848. 

1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 



Cornelius I. Fonda. 
Robert Place. 
Wm. Comstock. 
John J. Swartwout. 
Cornelius J. Fonda. 
Robert Place. 
Peter Angle. 
Peter Angle. 
Obadiah Green. 
Jason Adams, 
Seth Perry. 
Dudley Emerson. 
Peter Angle. 
Cornelius J. Boice. 
Obadiah Gretn. 
Abner Garrison. 
Luther French. 
Stephen Olney. 
Obadiah Green. 
Isaac T. Green. 
John A. Bracket j 
Gideon Sherman J 
Luther French. 
Daniel Wait. 
Adam Boice. 
Obadiah Green. 
Perry P. Billings. 
Isaac F. Green. 
Daniel Wait. 



tie 



1853. Jesse Murray. 
George D. Angle. 

1854. Ananias Boyce. 

1855. Obadiah Green. 
1857. Isaac F. Green. 
1868. David Carr. 

1859. John Quick. 

1860. Jacob Boyce. 

1861. George C. Morehouse. 

1862. Philip Varney. 

1863. Caleb Boyce. 
David Carr. 

1864. David Carr. 

1865. George C. Morehouse. 

1866. Philip Varney. 
Moses Miller. 

1867. Jarvis Butier. 

1868. David Carr. 

1869. James M. Gailor. 

1870. Milon Seeley. 

1871. Caleb Boyce. 

1872. David Carr. 

1873. Jarvis Butler. 

1874. George H. Traver. 
J. W. Marshall. 

1875. Caleb Boyce. 

1876. Philip Varney. 

1877. John L. Buchanan. 

1878. George H. Traver. 



v.— VILLAGES. 

WiLTON Village, better known as Doe's Corners, is 
the largest and most important business place. 

It is perhaps the Palmertown of olden times, though 
doubtless that name was applied to a territory somewhat 
larger lying along the range of mountains. 

At this village is a church, a hotel, a store, several me- 
chanic shops, and about twenty houses. 

E.merson's Corners was formerly a place of more trade 
and business than at present. There for many years was 
kept the Emerson tavern. Town-meetings were formerly 
held there. The union meeting-house, usually occupied by 
the Methodists, is also at this village. There is now little 
or no trade, and only one or two mechanic shops. There 
are several fiue farm-houses in the vicinity, and aroVind it 
arc some of the best farming lands in the town. 

Other separate neighborhoods may be noted as " Stiles," 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



4G7 



the site of the old tavern and the place of the battle men- 
tioned elsewhere ; the Loudon neighborhood, probably 
so called as being on the old road that bore that name, 
extending from the south to the north through the county ; 
the thickly-settled school district in the southeast corner of 
the town, and the Baptist church neighborhood not fur from 
the centre of tlie town. Saratoga Springs, located so near, 
is the place of trade and business for a large portion of the 
town of Wilton. 

VI.- SCHOOLS. 

Sept. 24, 1819. — The school districts were arranged by 
the commissioners as follows : 

District No. 1.— Joseph Pearsall, James Brill, Wm. 
Forbes, trustees. 

District No. 3. — Selden Emerson, Samuel Hoag, Benja- 
min Dimmick, trustees. 

District No. 4. — -Dudley Emerson, Henry Reynolds, and 
Wm. Comstock, trustees. 

District No. 5. — George W. Fish, James I. King, and 
Stafford Carr; trustees. 

In 1822 there appears the following apportionment of 
school moneys : 

District No. I 49 children. Jir.SOJ 

" ■' 2 71 " 25.92i 

" " 3 07 " 24.401 

" " 4 75 " ;i4.63i 

" 5 48 " 17.53 

" " 6 42 " 15.34 

Part " " 6 y " 3.28 

At Pahncrtown (Doe's Corners) was an early school, 
remembered by William Perry as the place where he 
studied Dil worth's spelling-book, and learned from its 
alphabet page to call z izzard. The school-house was a 
frame building, with a chimney made of sticks, and board 
jams to the fireplace. 

Some years after, Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Bent kept their 
office in the school-house when no school was in session. 
While they were out, it is said, to bathe in the stream near 
by, the board-jams took fire, the house burned down, and 
their pills, books, and clothes were lost in the common ruin. 

Schools were supported at first by subscription. When 
the money failed the school stopped. 

commissioners' apportionment, march, 1878. 







£■3 2 


•a 










District. 


1?? 

O ® = 
'o ■" — 




Ss 

c 2 « 




C 
O 


3 






m 


©■.a 


?33/ 


?|i 


£" 


Ph 






Kum 
bet\ 
five 


1- 
(4 


Publ 
ing 


3 U)5 
3 £ J! 
Pi 


.3 

$2.53 


1 


No. 


1 


76 


$52.14 


$52.27 


$37.60 


$144.54 




2 


27 


52.14 


18.57 


24.58 


90 


96.19 




3 


35 


52.14 


24.07 


25.79 


1.16 


103.16 




4 


62 


52.14 


42.64 


42.46 


2.07 


139.31 




5 


47 


52.14 


32.32 


31.60 


1.57 


117.63 




6 


32 


52.14 


• 22.01 


33.71 


1.07 


108.93 




7 


20 


52.14 


13.76 


18.77 


67 


85.34 




8 


53 


52.14 


36.45 


24.30 


1.77 


114.66 




9 


18 


52.14 


12.38 


25.17 


60 


90.29 




10 


20 


52.14 


13.76 


23.13 


67 


89.70 




390 


$521.40 


$268.23 


$287.11 


$13.01 


$1089.75 



An attempt was made in the year 1859 to found a per- 
manent academy, a boarding-school of superior facilities. 

Stephen Fradenburgh, an educated gentleman from 
Moreau, came to Wiltunville, and, assisted by the citizens to 
some extent, erected a building west of the village. The 
school was opened in the fall of 1859. The institution 
was known as Wilton Academy, but was entirely private 
property. It was Mr. Fradenburgh's design to place it 
under the care of the regents, and thus secure tlie aid of 
the State. 

The school existed for a little over two years, when the 
enterprise entirely failed, financially. At the outset the 
institution suffered by the death of Miss Boice, who was 
expected to assume the duties of preceptress. She was 
thoroughly educated, and had the esteem and confidence of 
the community. Mr. Fradenburgh removed to Vermont 
soon after relinquishing the enterprise, where he died in a 
short time. The property passed into private hands. The 
beautiful hill-side where Mr. Fradenburgh located the acad- 
emy is a fine situation, with the mountains overlooking it 
from the north and the west, and the building itself placed 
on a sufficient elevation to afford a fine view of the pleasant 
scenery in the northern part of the town. 

The grounds, even in their present rough and un- 
improved condition, show what they might have become, 
under the cultivated taste and educational enthusiasm of 
Mr. Fradenburgh, had he succeeded in his enterprise and 
completed his plans. 

The school abandoned and the property passed into pri- 
vate hands, and closed to visitors, is a serious loss to the 
people of Wiltonville, who miss the pleasant academic 
resort and the warm welcome extended to all by Sir. Fra- 
denburgli and his associates. 

VII.— CHURCHES. 

At Emerson's Corners a meeting-house was erected very 
early, probably in 1805 or ISOG, as Lebbeus Armstrong, 
the Congregational minister of Moreau, labored here at 
that time, and led the movement for the erection of the 
house. It does not appear that any church was organized 
at that time, and the house has always been an independ- 
ent affiiir, not connected with or belonging to any church 
whatever. In this case the liouse of worship and the 
church have always been separate. The modern use of 
the word church is, however, applied here, and the " Union 
church of Emerson's Corners" is spoken of among the 
people, when really there is no such thing in existence. 
At the present time, to say that a church is renewed and 
improved, leaves a painful uncertainty as to whether the 
house has been newly painted or the spiritual condition of 
the members revived. The meeting-house has been opened 
for all denominations. It is owned by none, but is the 
aksolute property of the people that built it and keep it in 
repair. Originally Congregationalists met in it, afterwards 
the Baptists preached there for several years. In later 
times the Methodist Episcopal church are granted the 
regular use of it. The officers of the original business 
society that built it are not easily obtainable, as the older 
records are lost. It was thoroughly repaired, and the old, 
square, high-backed pews taken out unmy years ago. This 



468 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



work was done by a building connnittee, consisting of 
David Can-, Aaron Chase, and Lyndes Emerson. The 
present trustees of the society are Isaac Green, George II. 
Traver, and S. K. Chase. The first named is cleric. 

TUE BAPTIST CHURCH OP WILTON 

was organized as early as 1815. Meetings were held in 
school-houses, private houses, and at the union meeting 
house at Emerson's. The brick house was built about the 
year 1854, and cost .§1500. Deacon Lockwood, Stafford 
Carr, and Stafford Carr, Jr., were trustees or building com- 
mittee. The church having thus become settled in that 
neighborhood, had a formal existence for about twenty years 
longer. 

The removal of members to other towns, the death of 
some, the convenience of attending at Saiatoga, together 
weakened the society, until in 1874 all the members but 
three took letters to Gi'eenfield or to Saratoga Springs, and 
services ceased. The house still stands, a convenient place 
for neighborhood funerals ; and a flourishing Good Tem- 
plars' lodge has met there for many years. The ministers 
of the Baptist church preaching in town have been Elders 
Blakcman, Carr, Fletcher, Lockwood, Dwyer, Andrews, 
Jewett, Combs ; and the Baptist ministers of Saratoga 
Springs have often a.ssisted in keeping up services at this 
point. 

Deacon James Lockwood is the only one living of the 
three who declined to take letters, and therefore he consti- 
tutes at present the Baptist church of Wilton. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Jleetings by Methodists were held in very early times, 
many years before there was any house of worship, except- 
ing the union house at Emerson's Corners. In accordance 
with the eiEcient system of that church, gathering the 
" two or three" into a class long before they have reached 
the many, and that in several separate neighborhoods at 
the same time, under the care of the same preacher travel- 
ing a wide circuit, they aecomplislied a great work, and 
wrought out as in other cases permanent results. 

In the vicinity of Wiltonviile a class was maintained 
for many years. Unfortunately, early class papers were 
treated as if they were mere temporary memoranda, whereas 
they would have been of great value to the historian in 
after-years. Names and dates are hard to be obtained. 
Isaac Green was a class-leader for many years. In later 
years the society, aided largely by citizens not directly 
connected with the church, has erected a fine house of 
worship, handsomely finished and neatly furnished. The 
cost was $3200. The building committee were Abram 
Staples, Cyrus Washburn, William 0. Peterson. The 
trustees were Abram Staples, William 0. Peterson, John 
Goodale, Dr. Marshall, Alfred Cooper; and Dr. Marshall 
was clerk. 

The society was greatly assisted in clearing oft' the final 
debt, by a haodsome donation of $250 from James Buell, of 
New York, a former resident of this town. He also pre- 
sented the Sunday-school with a valuable library. The 
house was built in 1871. The corner-stone was laid by 
Dr. Hawley. A sealed box was placed in it, with lists of 



all the early Methodists remembered in this section, the 
newspapers of the county, and' other valuable memorials 
of the times. The contractor was Mr. Sturtevant. The 
society is not strong in numbers, having a present member- 
ship of only twenty-five. The Sunday-school numbers 
seventy-five, and is superintended by Wm. 0. Peterson. 

THE SOUTH WILTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

and that of Emerson's Corners are to some extent united 
in the same organization. At South Wilton there is a neat 
chapel, and for a long series of years services have been 
maiutaincd there. 

THE LOUDON PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH OP 
SOUTH WILTON 

has a chapel in the south part of the town. The society 
was originally an oflshoot or branch of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. Some differences of opinion led to the for- 
tnation of another society in connection with the Protestant 
MethodLsts of the United States. The chapel was built in 
lSo3. At that time Hugh Groesbeck and Jesse Lamoreaux 
were trustees. The house cost about $1200. Sylvester Sher- 
wood was an early class-leader, Deyoe Esmonds preacher. 
Peleg Weaver, and Stokes, Ashley, Whitely, Hudson, Wood- 
worth, Hollinbeck, Buttolph, Spears, and Walton have 
preached in this congregation at various times since the 
society was organized and the chapel built. The ground 
for the chapel and the adjacent burial-ground were given 
by Jason Adams. The present officers are John Harn and 
Dow J. Winney, stewards; George Hudson, clerk. 

YIII.— BURIAL PLACES. 

Early burials were in various places, — many merely 
private, — and some of these are actually lost to all identi- 
fication. We mention the following: On the Fuller farm, 
and the Standish farm, and the King burial-ground on the 
Goodale farm ; the cemeteries, opposite James Hodge's ; at 
the Baptist church ; at Doe's Corners and at Emerson's 
Corners ; on the McGregor farm and the Laings' ; on the 
Rood farm, and there are several others. We note the 
following early dates: " Doct. John F. Williams, died 
Sept. 2, 1808, aged 38;" "Ralph Cox, died April 20, 
1807 ;" " Mrs. Hannah Cox, died July 16, 1811 ;" " Mary, 
wife of Uzziel Durham, died March 18, 1806;" "Mr. 
Malachi Cox, died April 1, 1798, aged thirty-six years." 

There are no le.?s than four old burial-places in the south- 
east part of the town, not far from each other. 

IX.— SOCIETIES. 

A Good Templars' lodge has existed for many years in 
the Baptist church neighborhood, in which are included 
earnest temperance-workers of this town and from the 
neighboring portions of Greenfield. 

X.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

Near the mill-pond on the Snoek Kill are abundant 
traces of Indian occupation, showing that an extensive 
village or encampment must have existed there before the 
advent of the white men. Arrow-heads, broken pottery, 
and pestles were found there in great abundance. William 




JOH\ HAM. 




JOHN HAM. 



The Ham family was originally of Gciman descent, and 
one of their members emigrated to this country about one 
hundred years ago, and settled in what is now Rensselaer 
county, N. Y., the inhabitants of which, at that time, being 
mostly from the same part of the Old World. John was 
the third son of AVilliam and Lydia Ham, and was born in 
the town of Brunswick, Rensselaer county, November 9, 
1815. His parents were both natives of Rens.selaer county, 
and resided there until the year 1826, when they removed 
to Saratoga County, where they passed the remainder of 
their days. Both lived to a good old age, and are buried 
in the cemetery connected with the IMethodist Protestant 
church in Wilton, and a suitable monument, erected by 
their son, marks the spot. His father's family being large, 
John, at an early age, was obliged to leave home and start 
for himself, and with no other inheritance but his own 
hands he commenced the battle of life. Becoming tired 
of single life, he was married, January 17, 1839, to Lucinda, 
daughter of John and Margaret Miller, she being born in 
the town of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, February 
12, 1815. Three sons and three daughters came to bless 
their fireside and make their home pleasant. The eldest, 
Rebecca Adaline, was born January 8, 1 840, and was 
united in marriage to James L. Howard, of Blalta, January 
20, 1857. The second, Caroline, was born April 5, 1842, 
and passed away April 10, 1859. Next came twins, Edgar 
and Edwin, born June 20, 1844. And when foul rebellion 



sought to crush our nation's honor, and trampled in the dust 
our flag of freedom, they both sprang to its support, the 
former being connected with the One Hundred and Fifteenth, 
the latter with the Seventy-seventh New York Infantry. 
They both served their country with honor to her and them- 
selves. Being taken prisoners, Edgar was confined eleven 
months in Andersonville, and Edwin three months in Libby. 
At the clo.se of the war, Edwin joined the regular army, 
and served a term of enlistment of five years, being a 
private in Company C, Sixth Regiment of United States 
Cavalry. Catharine was born September 23, 1846, and 
was married December 21, 1805, to Je.sse B. Thorn, of 
Old Saratoga. The youngest child, John H., was born 
September 8, 1852, and married Isabella Shaver, September 
2, 1875. 

Mr. Ham is a member of the Republican party, and 
though, at various times, has been offered different town 
offices, has always refu.sed to serve his townsmen in any 
political position. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Protestant church, and he has contributed largely 
of his means during his life for its support. His ancestors 
being descended from a nation that was early noted for 
honesty, frugality, and economy, Mr. Ham inherited these 
same traits of character; and, by attending strictly to them, 
has, at his time of life, the satisfaction of enjoying a com- 
fortable and honorable competence, which has been obtained 
wholly through his own exertions. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



469 



Perry, grandson of the first settler, states that he has 
picked up very many Indian relics ; among others a stone 
govgc, — verj' rare in collections of this kind, — also a beau- 
tifullj' rounded stone, similar to a modern whetstone. There 
had evidently been an Indian encampment on the farm of 
his flither. A block-house erected for defense by the early 
settlers stood upon the Deyoe farm, a half-mile west of 
Doe's Corners. There is no report that they were obliged 
to use it to any extent. William Perry has seen the tim- 
bers on the place. A battle was fought at the place of the 
old Stiles tavern. During the Revolutionary war Mount 
McGregor, a spur of the Palmertown mountains, projecting 
south and east from the general drift of the range, lies in 
the three towns of Wilton, Moreau, and Corinth, and as 
the summit is approached from Wiltonville, and is only 
distant a mile and a half, a notice of it and of Mr. Duncan 
McGregor's enterprise is very properly added to the history 
of the town of Wilton. The mountain has an elevation 
of fifteen hundred feet above tide-water, and twelve hun- 
dred above the plains lying at its base. On a level plateau 
at the summit Duncan McGregor has erected buildings, 
and is gradually improving the place and developing a 
pleasure-resort of great beauty and attractiveness. An 
easy roadway leads from the village up the slopes, making 
several graceful curves by which the grade is lessened, and 
the drive made more beautiful and picturesque. There 
are not here the frightful chasms and the towering rocky 
heights that invest wilder and loftier mountain scenery 
with awe and grandeur, but gentle slopes and wood-crowned 
summits all unite in those softer lines of beauty that delight 
and enchant. 

From an open space on the east front a wide and pleasing 
view is obtained. Commencing at the north with Glen's 
Falls, the panorama embraces Sandy Hill, Fort Edward, 
Bold mountain, Greenwich, North Argyle, Schuylerville, 
and Saratoga lake, the White Sulphur Spring Hotel, with 
many small villages and ([uiet hamlets. Just below all are 
the towns of Wilton and Moreau spread out before us ; 
farther on the rolling lands bordering the Hudson valley, 
and beyond, the distant mountains of Vermont rise with 
their majestic heights. This .spot has also a historic interest, 
as here the loyalists of the Revolution flashed their signals 
for the British army at Fort Edward, and farther north to 
AVhitehall. 

The McGregor estate consists of eight hundred acres 
lying upon the mountain and adjacent slopes. The build- 
ings occupy the crowning summit a short distance above 
the " lookout." They are surrounded by a second growth 
of timber, — pine, chestnut, oak, beech, maple, and birch, 
trimmed and cleared of underbrush. This affords am]ile 
room for croquet-grounds, swings, and winding walks out- 
lined with whitened stones, affording a peculiarly striking 
appearance by moonlight. Upon some portions of the tract 
the original forest still remains in all the beauty of its wild, 
lonely solitude. The western bend of the Hudson river 
beyond the mountain approaches within a mile and a half 
of the McGregor House. Three-quarters of a mile west 
there is a deep lake, embosomed in the forest, and nearer 
by a smaller one, aipablo of being improved into a very fine 
addition to the other attractions. Besides, the Moreau 



pond on the plain below is owned by Mr. McGregor in part, 
and is reserved for his guests and to supply the table of the 
hotel. Extensive improvements are yet to be made. A 
drive of four or five miles in the forest, and for excursion- 
ists • with saddle-horses ; an observatory of easy height, 
enabling guests to see the sun set over the Adirondacks of 
the west, and rise from behind the Green mountains of the 
east ; a telegraph to Saratoga Springs, only eight and a 
half miles distant, and with the co-operation of the people 
a broad, finely-graded road over that route, equal to that 
now leading from the springs to Lake Saratoga. These 
will make the mountain resort a part of the actual attrac- 
tions of Saratoga itself A few families have already dis- 
covered this cliarmlng resort the first year it has been 
opened, and are boarding steadily with Mr. McGregor. 
The cuisine of the house is peculiar, and tho.se who have 
tasted the delicacies of many other places declare that 
McGregor equals any of them. Such tenderly-cooked fish, 
just caught in his own ponds, choice milk and butter, 
mountain berries, delicately crisped potatoes, tea and coffee 
trimmed with the genuine cream, and not with the " thin, 
blue fluid," together will make the faintest appetite pulsate 
with new delight. 

Among the other choice things of the mountain retreat 
we must not forget the beautiful moss parterre, arranged so 
delicately by the taste and skill of Mrs. Sprott, a relative of 
the family to whom they were tenderly attached, and whom 
none knew but to praise and love. This rare collection of 
the beauties of the forest glens is to visitors a thing of life 
and beauty; to the/ami/i/ it is a sweet memorial of her 
whose hands were folded for the rest of the grave before 
the improvements were complete. 

As a host, Mr. McGregor is sure to win friends. To 
take possession of the little ones, as Mr. McGregor does, 
and go with them to the kitchen for a drink of rich coun- 
try milk, or help them swing, is a sure way to steal the 
hearts of the parents, and is the best proof of his ability to 
delicately and yet liberally care for the wants of his older 
guests. 

XL— MILITARY. 

Of the early pioneers, John Perry, Samuel Perry, Eben- 
ezer King, Edward Bevins, were soldiers in the Revolu- 
tionary army. In the cemetery at Emerson's Corners there 
is also this inscription : " Zebna Daj, whose name in early 
life was enrolled among the Green-mountain Boys. Died, 
April 7, 1844, aged 87." 

To the War of 1812 the following soldiers went from 
this town : Caleb Perry, James Woodard, Benedict Wood- 
ard, Henry Strong, Drew Laing, and Seth Perry. The 
latter was a colonel at Sacket's Harbor. Jason Adams, 
who settled on the Deyoe place, son of the pioneer David 
Adams, was also a captain during the War of 1812. 

Like other towns in this county, Wilton responded 
promptly to the call for volunteers in the war of IStil-CS. 
Colonel Winsor French, then living at Saratoga Springs, 
but a former resident of Wilton, was active in the work, 
and many from this town enlisted under the Icadcrshij) of a 
man who was ready to say, " Come, boys !" and not, " Go !" 

The record of the men who enlisted, annexed to this 
sketch, is as complete as can be expected when it is consid- 



470 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK: 



ered that there is no record in the town clerk's ofiSce, and 
many men are entered on tlie printed muster-rolls as belong- 
ing to other towns when really they should be credited to 
Wilton. The list has also been thoroughly advertised and 
kept several weeks for correction by the veterans themselves 
or others interested. 

During the War of 1861-65 several special town-meet- 
ings were held, to take into consideration the question of 
bounties to volunteers. A bounty of 8500 was offered in 
the spring of 18G4, which was finally increased to $1000 
on the 6th of September. 

Wm. Brown, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Kogt., Co. D. 

Edward Uobenveatb, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B ; discli. f.>r di.s.ability, 

Feh. 14, 1S03. 
Andrew Brisbin, enl. Aug. 2, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F; sergt. 
lorin Brisbin, enl. Aug. 7, 18C2, lloth Kegt., Co. F; honorubly disch. at Hilton 

Head, Jlarch 11, 1863. 
John K. Burnhain, enl. Aug. 4, 1862, lloth Regt., Co. F. 
Wm. Baker, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 77th Eegt., Co. E; disch. for disability, March 

1, 1863. 
Jolin Brainard, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for wounds. 
Richard Brewer. 

Claudius Baker, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E. 

J..lm Carr, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; cajit. ; resigned May 18, 1862. 
Noah B. Clark, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, lloth Kegt., Co. F. 
George Carr, 2d Vet. Cav. ; died near New Orleans. 
James Cannon, enl. Nov. 3, 1863, 2d Regt. Vet. Cav. 
Seth \V. Deyoe, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; 1st sergt. ; pro. 1st lieut.. 

May 18, 1862; then capt. ; disch. for wounds, May 10, 1864. 
James G. Deuel, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77tli Regt., Co. D ; Corp.; disch. for disabil- 
ity, Nov. 26, 1S62. 
William Dorvee, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. Dec. 13, 18G4. 
Michael Dowling, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77tb Kegt., Co. D. 
Henry Deyoe, 77th Regt., Co. D; died of sickness, at New York. 

Deloug, 77th Regt. 

Alfred Dran, llStli Regt. 

John Deyoe, 77th Regt. 

Boter A. Deyoe, enl. Aug. 27, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. D. 

Wm. H. Deyoe, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; died at New York, Aug. 

21,1862. 
Mynard C. Deyoe, enlisted Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Rpgt. 
Lewis Deyoe, enl. Sept. IS, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. D. 
James Ellison, 77tb Regt. 

Winson B. French, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; 1st lieut. 
Charles H. Fodow, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; 2d lieut.; resigned 

May 31, 1862. 
Walton French. 
Euke Folmsbee, enl. 77th Regt. 
Walter Freeman, enl. Aug. 2U, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. A ; tians. to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Dorson Falioon, enl. Sept. 12, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Thomas Farrell, enl. Nov. 17, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Henry N. Gilbert, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. for disability, 

Jan. 2, 186 !. 
Jeesse Gower, enl. Sept. 24, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
George Green, enl. 77th Regt. 
Albert Gruber, enl. Aug. 30, WG2, 77th Regt., Co. D ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, 

March 15, 1864. 
Edgar Hain, enl. Aug. 13, 1863, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Alonzo J. Hubble, enl. Sept. 1, 1862,77th Regt., Co. D; died of wounds, May 

24, 1863, at Washington. 

John J. Hudson, enl. Aug. 31,1862, 77th Regt., Co. E ; disch. for disability, Jan. 

25, 1864. 

Isaac S. Hodges, enl. Aug. 31, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. E; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt.; wounded at Cedar Creek. 
Miles Hudson, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 77lh Regt., Co. E. 
Otis T. Hall, enl. Sept. 4, 1802, 153d Regt., Co. G. 
Charles Holden, enl. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for disability, June 

24, 1862. 
Solomon Holden, enl. 2d Vet. Cav. ; died of sickness, near New Orleans. 
Wm. Harvey, enl. Nov. 23, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Aaron Irish, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
Aftus H. Jewell, enl. Sept. 18, 1862, 77th Kegt., Co. E ; pro. capt., Oct. 4, 1862 ; 

trans, to Co. H. 
Sidney B. King, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; corp. ; pro. sergt. ; disch. 

for disability, Nov. 26, 1S62. 
George Lawson, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; died Dec. 4, 1862, of 

fever, at Washington, D. C. 
Edwin A. Lock wood, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77lh Regt., Co. D; served through; 

disch. «ith rrgt., Dec. 13, 1864. 



Antoine Lapoint, enl. Nov. 24, 1863 ; 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 

Alexander Lamara, enl. Nov. 24, 1862. 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 

Henry Laroy, enl. Nov. 14, 1862, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 

Edwin McPherson, enl. Oct. 30, 1861 ; 77th Kegt., Co. D. 

Henry M. Myers, enl. Oct, 1, 1861, 77tli Regt., Co. G ; wounded May 10, 1864. 

Charles Munn, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. G. 

Hanford Jlyres, enl. Aug. 11, 1862; lloth R.-gt., Co. F. 

Cornelius Myres, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. P. 

Daviil McNiel, enl. Sept. 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D. 

Ira McNeil, enl. 186), 2d Vet. Cav. 

William Miller, enl. Oct. 10, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. C ; killed near Winchester, 

Sept. 19, 1864. 
John McGovern, enl. Nov. 15, 1863 ; 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Joseph Martin, enl. Nov. 23, 1863, 2d Vet. Cav., Co. L. 
Stephen Nisbeth, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; died Miiy 15, 1S62, at 

Yorktown, of fever. 
Wm. E. Newton, enl. Aug. 5, 1S62, 115th Regt, Co. F. 
John S. Nobles, enl. July 31, 1862, llStli Begt., Co. F. 
Robert Price, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; disch. Dec. 18, 1862, for 

disability. 
Frederick N. Perkins, enl. Sept. 24, 1861,77th Regt., Co. D; drowned Sept. 17, 

1863. 
Harmon E. Perry, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; disch. for disability, 

Jan. 15,1802. 
Robert Pryor, enl. Aug. 12, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
John Powers. 
Arthur Perry. 

Harlaem E. Potter, enl. 77th Regt. ; disch. by writ. 
Gardner Perry, enl. Aug. 26, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
James A. Padelford, enl. Sept. 24,1861, 77th Regt, Co. C; discharged with 

regt. Dec. 13, 1864. 
Harvey A. Reed, enl. Sept 24, 1861, 71st Regt., (Jo. D; corp.; disch. with the 

regiment, Dec. 13, 1864. 
John H. Reynolds, surgeon ; attached to hospital service. 
Charles II. Ruggles, enl. Sept 22, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. E; died. May 10, 1862, 

of wounds. 
John H. Rose, enl. Sept. 6, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. D. 
Warren L. Smith, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; Corp.; died .Sept 27, 

1862, at Fortress Blonroe, of pneumonia. 
Alfred M. See, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D; killed. May 6, 1864, in the 

Wilderness. 
Daniel Steenburgb, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, lloth Regt., Co. F; musician : disch. 
Isa.ic W. Souls, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. F. 
Peter Schei merhorn. 
Warren L. Smith, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; died Sept. 24, 1862, at 

Fortress Monroe. 
Hiram Tyrell, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77lh Regt., Co. D ; lost in action. May 6, 1864 ; 

supposed died in rebel prison. 
Wm. Taylor, Jr., enl. Aug. 16, 1862, 77tU Regt., Co. D ; lost in action, Oct. 19, 

1804, at Cedar Creek. 
George Van Antwerp, enl. Sept 24, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. D; died, Nov. 9, 1862, 

of diarrhcea, at Fortress Monroe. 
Stephen 0. Velie, enl. Sept 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; died, Feb. 12, 1862, of 

sniallpo-x. 
Lewis T. Vanderwerker, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. D ; sergt. ; pro. 1st 

sergt. ; 2d lieut. ; 1st lieut. ; ap. capt., Co. D, May 12, 1864 ; disch. 
George H. Wildey, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, lloth Regt., Co. F. 
Richaid B. Wood, enl. Aug. 15, 1862, 115th Kegt, Co. F. 
Lloyd Weston, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, lloth Regt., Co. F. 
Henry Weatherwa.v, 77th Regt. 
Elias Wiishburn, 77th Regt 
Eugene W. Warner, 77th Regt, Co. A; trans, to Vet. Bat. 77th Regt. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



JOHN J. BRILL. 

The Brill faiiiily is of German extraction. The earliest 
representative of it whom we can trace in this country was 
John Brill, who emigrated from Holland, and was an infiu- 
tial farmer, at Beekman, Dutchess Co., New York, at the 
time of the Revolution. He had three sons, Solomon, 
John, and David I. Solomon served manfully in the war 
for our national independence. David I. Brill, the grand- 
father of John J. Brill, went from Dutchess Co., N. Y. 
(where he was born), tibout the year 1800, and settled in 
the town of Half-Moon, from which place he went to Wil- 
ton, Saratoga county, in ISlo. His sou John was born 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



471 



in Dutchess county, on Oct. 2, 1793, and removed with liis 
father to Saratoga County. He served as a soldier in the 
Warof 1812. On April 19, 1817, John Brill was married to 
Harriet Pearsall, a native of the town of Wilton, where she 
was born in March, 1794. The results of this union were 
seven children, of whom four, William, Mary, John, and 
Harriet, lived to years of maturity. John Brill died on 
Dec. 23, 1858, and his wife on Nov. 1, 1843. 

John J. Brill, to whom these lines are dedicated, was a 
native of the town of Wilton, where he was born on May 
15, 1827. He was the youngest son of John and Harriet 
Brill. His early life was passed on his father's firm, where 
at the same time he received such instruction as the district, 
schools of the neighborhood afforded. He finished his 
higher studies in 1846. On Feb. 15, 1860, Mr. Brill was 
united in marriage to Frances, daughter of Lewis King, 
who was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Green- 
field, in Saratoga County. To them were born three chil- 
dren, John K., born March 23, 1861, Minnie F., born 
Sept. 15, 1863, and William, born April 4, 1865. 

In political sentiment Mr. Brill is in thorough accord 
with the Republican party, having aflfiliatcd with that party 
after the disruption of the old Whig party, to which he 
was formerly attached. While active and sincere in politics, 
he has firmly declined to accept of any of the offices which 
have been tendered him. 

Mr. Brill, and indeed his entire family, are regular 
attendants upon the worship and services of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, to the support of which he has given 
freely of his means. 

A sketch of the beautiful residence of John J. Brill can 
be elsewhere seen in this work. The surroundings of the 
place testify alike to the assthetic tastes and thrifty life of 
Mr. Brill. He occupies an influential position in society, 
is honest, able, and faithful in the discharge of the duties 
of life, and is respected by all who are fortunate enough 
to know him. 



WARREN B. COLLAMER. 

Warren B. Collamer is a grandson of Warren Collamer, 
who settled in the town of Malta at an early age, and fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer all of his life. He died a 
few years ago at the age of ninety-four years. He took a 
deep interest in religious matters, and was one of the ear- 
liest exhorters of the Methodist church, and was an active 
worker in the cause of religion. 



Hiram Collamer is the first son of Warren Collamer, and 
was born in the year 1800, at Malta. He has passed his 
life to this date as a farmer, owns several farms in Saratoga 
County, and is now living, aged seventy-nine, in the town 
of Greenfield. He married Melissa, a daughter of Barna- 
bas Soullard, of Malta, who was the master-mason who lost 
his life by the falling of the scaffolding while erecting 
Congress Hall, in 1811. The SouUards came originally 
from France, and after coming to this country settled in 
Connecticut, where they became connected by marriage 
with the Adams family of Massachusetts. 

Hiram and Melissa Collamer had seven children, of 
whom five reached years of maturity, viz. : Mary Ann, 
Nelson, Warren B., Edwin, and Harriet. Of these. Nelson 
and Harriet are dead. Mary Ann resides in Michigan, 
having married Daniel Eddy. Edwin is engaged in farm- 
ing at Milton, this county. 

Warren B. Collamer was born on February 2, 1823, at 
the town of Greenfield. He afterwards removed with his 
parents to the town of Malta, and remained there until he 
attained the age of ten years, when he removed again to 
Wilton. He passed his earlier years in farming with his 
father. He then formed a partnership with his flither, and 
afterwards purchased the farm of his father which he 
at present occupies. In connection with his farming opera- 
tions, Mr. Collamer erected a saw-mill and engaged in the 
manufacture of and dealing in lumber for over thirty years. 

In 1877 he changed his lumber-mill to a grist-mill, which 
he is still running. 

5Ir. Collamer has been married several times, and has 
had two children, Mary Ella and Eliza Ann, the latter 
being dead, and the former residing with her father. 

In politics Mr. Collamer was a Democrat until the organi- 
zation of the Republican party, when he joined that body 
and has .since continued to act with them. He has filled a 
number of ofiices, such as town collector and inspector of 
elections, and he is at present serving his third term as 
town supervisor. He was one of the commissioners who 
erected the county house near Ballston. 

Mr. Collamer is still actively engaged in business, is in 
the prime of life, and has by his own exertions acquired 
a competency, and is highly respected for his many sterling 
traits of character. He occupies an attractive residence in 
the town of Wilton, just outside of the village of Saratoga 
Springs, the neatness and beauty of which and its sur- 
roundings bear evidence to the cultivated tastes of its 
owner. 



CLIFTON PAKK. 



I.— GEOGRAPmCAL POSITION. 

Clifton Park occupies a central position upon the south- 
ern border of the county. It is bounded north by Ballston 
and Malta, east by Half-Moon, south by the Mohawk river, 
west by the county of Schenectady and the town of Balls- 
ton. The southern portion of the town is fifteen miles from 
Ballston Spa, the county-seat, and about the same distance 
from Albany. It is the fifth town in the county in respect 
to area, containing forty-seven square miles. It has a river 
front of nearly or quite nine miles. This town comprises 
the Apple patent and the Clifton Park patent. The his- 
tory, location, and boundaries of these patents are suffi- 
ciently given in the general portion of tliis history. The 
Apple patent is in the west part of the town, the Cliflon 
Park in the east. There is also included the Niskayuna 
patent, bounded south by the Mohawk, east by the Mudder 
Kill, west by the Steena Kill, and extending back from the 
]Mohawk one mile, comprising about three miles of river 
fi'ont. 

In the revised statutes of the State this town is described 
and its boundary lines defined as follows : 

" The town of Cli/lon shall contain all that part of said county 
bounded northerly by Ballston and Malta, easterly by Half Moon, 
southerly and westerly by the bounds of the county." 

The town includes 23,159 acres of improved land, 4000 
acres of unimproved, and of this last amount 3778 acres 
are woodland. The population in 1875 was 2495. 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The surflice is level — is undulating, except in the north- 
east part, where it is broken by sand-hills and ravines. A 
line of rugged clay bluffs borders upon the Mohawk valley. 
Above the bluffs there is a belt of gravelly loam and heavy 
clay. There are several creeks in the town, the waters of 
some reaching the Hudson through Anthony's Kill, and 
others flowing to the valley of the Mohawk. The water- 
shed line between the two sets of streams passes irregu- 
larly from east to west, across the southern half of the 
town. Two small rivulets flow into the southern extremity 
of Ballston lake. The largest southern affluent of Anthony's 
Kill has two small branches in Clifton Park, known as Lon"; 
Kill and Covley Kill. There are five streams that flow to 
the Mohawk, the largest uniting at Vischer's ferry. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

As early as the 4th of March, 1669, only seven years 
after the settlement of Schenectady by Arendt Van Curler 
and his associates, at the great flats on tlie Mohawk, it is 
recorded that Pieter Danieke Van Olinda sells " his certain 
great island" in the Mohawk, at Niskayuna, to three persons, 
472 



viz., Jan Verbeck, Philip Pieter Schuyler, and Pieter Van 
Olinda. We also learn that on the 31st of October, 1677, 
Claes Janse Van Boeckhoven bought land over the river at 
Niskayuna. The parties selling were Ilarnian Vedder and 
Barent Rcyndertse Smit. Boeckhoven was united in the 
purchase with llyck Claes Van Vranken. This shows the 
settlement ofthe.se four families (and, doubtless, there were 
others with them) to have been in Clifton Park, in the vi- 
cinity of ^^ischor's ferry, more than two hundred years ago. 
Claes Janse Van Boeckhoven's first wife was Volkertie 
Janse. Ilis second wife was Catlynde De Vos, daughter 
of Andries De Vos, and widow of Arent Andriese Bradt. 

The second marriage was about 1691. He died about 
the year 1712, leaving no children. The property pas.sed 
to his wife, and after her death, in 1717, to her children. 
The jMohawk valley attracted settlers at a very early day, 
and there are many evidences that even before 1607 an 
opening had been made in the forests of this town. Fami- 
j lies, daring the dangers of frontier warfare, pushed away 
from Albany and Schenectady to find homes for themselves 
and their children on these broad and beautiful uplands. 
Very little can be obtained about this earliest settlement in 
the wilderness. Neither names nor dates can be verified 
so as to be sure of accuracy. The line of pioneer settle- 
ment, which can be traced back for a hundred years with- 
out much real difficulty, grows rapidly obscure beyond that 
point, and when it has lengthened to two hundred years 
names and dates and homesteads are generally lost in the 
dimness of the past. Then successful narration becomes 
possible only when old papers, deeds, wills, church books, 
and similar records can be made to tell the story of the 
olden days. Unless these can be obtained we ask in vain 
for the annals of early settlement, early hard.ships, early 
dangers, and early success. From the old maps it appears 
that the Niskayuna of ancient times was mostly on the 
north side of the Mohawk, and within the present limits of 
Clifton Park, perhaps including the western portion of 
Half-Moon. The points of settlement were undoubtedly 
Vischer's ferry, and down the river, including Fort's ferry. 
The old name for Niskayuna was Canastigonie. Upon an 
old map of 1773 this name appears just north of the south- 
erly bend of the Mohawk, inclosing the present lower por- 
tion of Clifton Park. Saratoga, Half-Moon, and Niskayuna 
are the three points occupied by white men before 1700 in 
the county of Saratoga. 

The census of Albany county for 1723 gives the fol- 
lowing names for Canastigonie, and this is no doubt an ac- 
curate list of all the residents at Niskayuna one hundred 
and fifty-five years ago. There are twenty names, but 
several may have belonged to the same family, leaving it 
probable that there were thirteen or more families living 




i~.-M^,U^ia^n^1i3ftfin 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



473 



tliere. Of these, some were no doubt on the south side 
of the river. 

The spelling is peculiar, but it is easily seen that these 
are the ancestors of many of the present families residing 
in this section of country : John Qiiacunibus, John Ffoort, 
Jacob Pearse, Derrick Brat, Maes Rycksen, Evert Rycksen, 
Gerrit Rycksen, Nicholas Van Vrauken, Lapion Canfort, 
Cornelius Christianse, Eldert Timonze, John Quaokenboss, 
Jr., Peter Onderkirk, Jacob Cluit, John Cluit, Frederick 
Cluit, Samuel Creeger, Derrick Takolsen, Mattias Boo.se 
Snor, Johannis Christianse. 

With reference to these names, inquiries at Vischer's 
ferry seem to sustain the following statements, though 
the links connecting the traditions of the people with this 
ancient census-roll are not entirely clear : 

Derrick Brat lived on the flats, about a mile below Amity, 
owning the present John Pearse place. The buildings were 
burned in an Indian raid. Tlie men were away. The 
younger women escaped, but the aged grandmother perished 
either by the tomahawk or the flames. When last seen by 
those who fled, she is said to have been going down the 
cellar stairs with a quantity of silver money, the genuine 
"dollars of the fathers," and it was supposed she buried it 
there. In later years many parties dug the site of the old 
cellar over repeatedly, and some suppose the money was 
found and carried away by lucky adventurers. Others be- 
lieve that, like most of the money-digging, the search re- 
vealed " nary a coin." 

Jacob Pearse settled at Fort's ferry, — whether the one 
whose name is on the roll is a later proprietor is not certain. 
The pioneer homestead is still owned by a descendant of 
the same name. The building is very old, probably the 
oldest in town ; the timbers in it are massive and justify the 
belief that it is very ancient. 

Old people speak of the Rycksen homestead as the 
present Philip Warner place, or near it. The name Ryck- 
sen is said by some to be the same really as Van Vranken, 
yet they both appear upon the censu.s-roll. 

The name is variously spelled Quaeumbus, Quackenboss, 
and Quackenbush, was known in the vicinity of Crescent 
(town of Half-Moon) at a very early date, and it is possible 
families may have been there of that name soon after 1700, 
as the old Vandenburg stone mansion at Dunsback's ferry 
bears date 1718, five years before the census referred to. 

The families of Christianse are believed to have lived on 
the south side of the river, and also the Cluits. 

Sebastian Cragier was a resident of Watervliet ; whether 
connected to the Samuel Cragier of the census-roll of 1723, 
does not appear. He had four sons. One of them, Tunis, 
settled on the present Hegeman estate. His son. Garret 
Cragier, is the present landlord of the village hotel at 
Amity. We are indebted to him for many items in this 
account of Visher's ferry and vicinity. 

Nicholas Fort settled at the ferry that has ever since 
borne his name before the Revolution. In what year is 
uncertain. Daniel Fort, mentioned in the census of 1723, 
may have been an ancestor, as the name Daniel appears in 
the subsequent Fort families at the ferry. The children of 
Nicholas Fort were John, who settled at the old home- 
stead, now occupied by his son, NichoUis J. Abrani also 
GO 



settled at the ferry adjoining the homestead, and his place 
is now owned by a son, Nanning V. Fort. Rachel, a 
daughter of Nicholas, senior, became Mrs. John E. Vischer, 
and is yet living at the age of eighty-seven. Maria mar- 
ried Francis Vischer, both settling in Clifton Park. The 
families of Fort are numerous on both sides of the river. 

Nicholas Fort kept a public house at the ferry in the 
time of the Revolution. When General Washington re- 
turned from his northern tour in the summer of 1783, 
having visited General Gordon in Ballston, he rode with 
his stafl", joined by General Gordon, to Schenectady, and 
crossed the Mohawk at Fort's ferry. Nanning V. Fort 
states that he has himself heard his grandmother relate the 
incident. The general stopped a short time, and was then 
ferried over the river. Quite a number of the people had 
gathered around ; and the old lady used to tell with 
animation how noble Washington looked as he stood up 
in the boat, one hand resting upon his horse, the other 
lifting his hat, returning the salutations of the people. 

The homestead of Andries Van Vranken at a very early 
day was at Fort's ferry. He had one son. Garret Van 
Vranken. Samuel, a son of the latter, is yet living at an 
advanced age in the village of Amity. Garret Van 
Vranken was born in 1760, in the same house that he 
died in at the age of seventy-five. The name of Nicholas 
Van Vranken occurs upon the assessment roll thirty-seven 
years earlier than the birth of Garret, and the family at the 
present time understand that Andries, father of Garret, was 
himself born in this county, so that it is very probable 
that Nicholas was really the pioneer. There is also now 
living near Amity, Adam Van Vranken, the third in suc- 
cession of the same name upon the same farm. The second 
Adam was a cousin of Garret. This would imply that 
Andries and the first Adam were brothers — -and point to 
an earlier pioneer as their father — either the Nicholas 
mentioned or some other Van Vranken. 

It is the opinion of Mr. Samuel Van Vranken before al- 
luded to, that the following families were residents here 
nearly or quite as early as those already mentioned, from 
twenty to thirty years before the Revolution. The Da- 
visons, a mile north of Fort's ferry. John Smith, a half- 
mile below. Thollheimer, two miles below ; he was 
commonly known as Tall-hammer. Nicholas Vandenberg, 
in Half-Moon, near Dunsback's ferry. The Volweiders, 
two brothers, Abram and Jacob, below Fort's ferry, where 
Nicholas Clute now lives. 

The pioneer of the Vischer family at the ferry of that 
name is regarded as Eldert, who died at the age of eighty- 
eight about forty years ago. He had two brothers ; one 
of them, Nanning, also settled here. The third removed to 
central New York. Eldert was the proprietor of the ferry. 
It was first merely a skiff ferry ; capable, however, of taking 
over a team. The apparatus for transportation consisted of 
tioo stout negroes and a heavy pair of oais. About 1817 
or 1818, a large scow was built, and a rope drawn across the 
river. Garret Cragier remembers that great preparation 
was made and a large number of teams employed to draw 
the heavy timbers for the scow. P]ldert Vischer's children 
were Nanning, who settled on the present place of Cor- 
nelius llicks; Nicholas, also in Clifton Park; Garret, near 



474 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



the olJ homestead ; Simon, on the turnpike to Waterford, 
below Middletown; John, in Clifton Park; Maria, who 
married Mieliael Weldon ; Elizabeth, Cornelius Vanden- 
burg ; Alida, Rensselaer Jones. 

The children of Nanninj:, brother of Eldert, were Nicholas, 
who settled at Groom's Corners ; Francis, at the third grist- 
mill on the Steinu Kill ; Alida, who married James Wel- 
don ; Catherine, Smitoii Irish ; Maria. C. Groat, of Water- 
vliet; Esther, Abram Fort, of the ferry; Rachel, Peter 
Vandenburg, of the Boght across the river. 

One of the three brothers, Nanning, it is understood was 
taken prisoner by the Indians wliile after the cows one 
night. He was in captivity two years. It should be added 
that men still living at Amity remember that Eldert 
used to say he was born under the big beams in the old 
ferry-house at Amity. This would indicate that tha/at/ier 
(if the. Ihrce hiolJwrs was the fir.st of the Visehers to settle 
at this point. It may be noticed, too, that John Vischer 
was a justice of the peace in 1770, and Nanning Vischer 
in 1772, and also in 1780. 

Coming down to about the time of the Revolutionary 
war, we continue the sketch of early settlement. Chron- 
ological order may not be followed exactly, but the design 
is to present as near as may be a complete statement of the 
families in town when the organization of 3Ialf-3Ioon took 
place, 1788. 

Half-Moon became an organized district in 1772, but the 
records are not known to be in existence. There were 
some settlers who came in just before the Revolution, as 
well as during its progress. A few years after the war the 
town organization took place, beginning in 1788, and from 
the records of Half-Moon at that point ninety years ago, 
we obtained the names of settlers, aided by the recollection 
of Shubael Taylor and others of advanced age. 

An excise list of 1788, among the records of Half-Moon, 
is very largely a guide in determining early settlers. Draw- 
ing our information from this source, it may appear that 
we are " writing up'' the taverns pretty strong, but it should 
be noticed that in those days of travel wholly by teams 
public-hou.ses were of great importance, and were located 
thicklj- along all the main routes of travel. It is said that 
on the Albany and Whitehall turnpike, in the valley of the 
Hudson, every alternate house was a tavern, and that strings 
of teams often reached from one to another, the man ahead 
lifting the full glass at the advance tavern just as the man 
in the rear was placing the empty glass on the bar. 

Edward Rexford came to what is now Cliftou Park just 
before the Revolution, and his family were here through all 
that struggle. He bought a tract of some three hundred acres, 
near what is now known as Rexford's Flats, at $5 per acre. 
Their first pioneer house was of logs, built under the bluff 
near a spring ; afterwards a frame house was erected on the 
liill, the present Allen MoKain's place. Mr. Rexford was 
himself away as a soldier in the American army a large 
part of the time. His wife was often obliged to take the 
children and flee into the woods for safety from roving 
parties of savages, and yet many friendly Indians made 
their house a stopping-place. It is remembered by Mrs. Ilas- 
1am, of Rexford Flats, that she has often heard the aged 
grandmother tell of the dangers and hardships of those early 



times. Often her hou.se would be filled at night with thirty 
or forty Indians, and herself and children alone with them. 
Little can the children of this generation now living here 
in peace and quiet appreciate these early struggles of the 
pioneers. Mr. Rexford left three sons, — Elisha, Edward, 
and Eleazer, — all of whom settled in Clifton Park, the last 
two on the old homestead. Cyrus W. Rexford, a son of 
Eleazer, is now a merchant at Rexford Flats. There was 
one daughter, Luzina, who married Ephraim Knowlton, 
and settled in Clifton Park. Edward Rexford, the pioneer, 
was from England. He married in Herkimer county. His 
wife's name was Eaton. 

Nathan Garnsey was also a settler about the time of the 
Revolution. His place was the present Smalley farm. He 
had a brother who had come in still earlier and taken up 
the land ; but he was a loyalist, and was obliged to leave. 
The tradition is that the brothers swapped ftirms, Nathan 
coming here and the brother going where he could enjoy 
his opinions without danger. 

Something of a romance in connection with this family 
has come down in neighborhood tradition. The father of 
Roscius and Garnsey Kennedy (the latter still living near 
Jonesville) was an early pioneer about the same time as the 
Rexfords and Garnsej's. Unmarried, he sought the hand 
of a daughter of Nathan Garnsey. The course of true 
love did not run smooth ; the father opposed the match. 
We are left to imagine the tender meetings and the inci- 
dents of the courtship ; but it ended as all such stories are 
expected to end, by the determined girl quietly dropping 
the yarn at her spinning-wheel, putting on her sun-bonnet, 
and telling the family she was going over to a neighbor 
for a few minutes. There she met Mr. Kennedy, a min- 
ister present fastened the irrevocable tie, and, without re- 
turning home for any outfit, the bride went to her husband's 
forest-home. After a while she visited her own home occa- 
sionally, her mother receiving her gladly, but her father 
declining to speak to her. He was, however, a watchful atij 
kind parent. He saw the struggles of young Kennedy, 
his steady industry, his invincible determination to win a 
home, and, as an important payment drew near, Mr. Garn- 
sey took occasion to greet his daughter on one of her visits, 
and, as he helped her on to the horse to return home, he 
quietly put into her hands the money to make the pajnient. 
" All is well that ends well" was true no doubt of this. 

We proceed to note briefly others who are shown by the 
records already mentioned to have been in Clifton Park as 
early as 1788, when the town of Half-Moon was organized. 

Adrian liegeman, whose judgment as assessor and poor- 
master was so often called into service by the people in the 
early times of Half-Moon, was a resident of what is now 
Clifton Park. His place was on Sugar Hill, so called, about 
a mile west of Amity. 

John Rouse's old homestead was the present Eddy place. 
Gradus and Aaron Rouse were sons of John. 

Richard Peters settled north of Vischer's ferry, on the 
II. J. Miller place. His sons were Samuel aud William. 

Samuel Sweatland settled near Jonesville, on the Peter 
Althouse place. 

Israel Brooks lived near Jonesville. One sou, Israel, 
now lives in the same neighborhood. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



475 



All these were settlers from 1785 to 1790 ; all, at least, 
before this last date. 

James Groom lived near where Cyrus Clark does at the 
present time. From him Groom's Corners, of course, takes 
its name. He had a son, James, and removed to Albany. 
Samuel, a son of the second James, resides at the old 
corners. 

Robert Eldridge lived near Jonesville, in the present 
Best neighborhood. 

John Terpenny lived northwest of Groom's Corners, 
near Rexford Flats. 

John Knowlton settled northwest of Clifton Park vil- 
lage. 

Israel Brooks was a pioneer in the same neighborhood. 

The Quivee family were in the northwest part of the 
town. 

Jerry Cramer lived on what is known as the John Tay- 
lor farm. 

The Close family was a prominent one in the early times, 
as it has been in later years. Their homestead was in the 
Moe neighborhood, on the place well known in later years 
as the residence of Halsted Close. 

Simeon Van Camp kept tavern in what is now the village 
of Clifton Park. His house was on the present site of 
George Datur's house. 

Hicks kept a tavern about a mile from the present vil- 
lage of Clifton Park. 

James Jones, the first collector of the town of Half- 
Moon, was the pioneer landlord at the village that has ever 
since been known from him as Jonesville. His house was 
on the site of the present Rosekrans Hotel. 

Solomon Waite lived near Jonesville, where his great- 
grandson now lives. 

Jacob Fort was town clerk for the first three years of 
Half-Moon. 

The name of Abraham Moe is associated with all this 
section of country through a long series of years. From 
him the corners near his old homestead derives the name 
it has so long borne. To say nothing here of his other 
public services, he held the office of town clerk for twenty- 
eight years consecutively, and the records yet extant bear 
witness to his care and accuracy in public matters. First 
elected in 1701, he kept the record through the long pioneer 
period down to 1828, when the portion of the town in 
which he lived was erected into Clifion Park. That was a 
favorable time to retire when the records he had kept so 
long and well were no longer within his jui'isdiction. 

Among the early settlers of Clifton Park was Thomas 
Young, from Berkshire, Mass. He came in 1785 and 
settled on the Apple patent, midway between Burnt Hills 
and Groom's Corners. He was the father of Colonel Sam- 
uel Young, afterwards so prominent in public affairs. At 
that Clifton Park fireside the young man educated himself, 
pursuing his .studies far into night by the light of pine 
knots long after others were asleep. Samuel Young after- 
wards married and settled at Academy Hill, Ballston. His 
public career left little time for private pursuits. Four 
years supervisor ; three times elected to the Assembly ; four 
times to the Senate ; twice Speaker ; one of the original 
canal commissioners that constructed the Erie canal : mem- 



ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1821 ; candidate 
for governor in 1824 against De Witt Clinton ; Secretary 
of State, and superintendent of common schools, is a record 
seldom equaled. 

Isaac Southard settled in the year 1800 on the present 
ScrafTord farm. Of his sons, Jonas and John settled in 
Clifton Park ; Samuel L., in Ballston ; Stephen S., in Wil- 
mington, Delaware. A daughter, Phebe, became Mrs. 
Eldred, of Rochester, N. Y. At the time of Mr. South- 
ard's settlement, among the neighbors not already mentioned, 
was Nathaniel Holmes, who left a large family ; Richard 
Smith, a wagon-maker, on the bank of the river ; John 
Knowlton, below the Flats ; Win. Hays and Ezekiel Ter- 
penning. 

Early Milk. — The grist-mill at Amity is very ancient. 
The present building was erected thirty-six years ago, and 
its predecessor had probably stood for fifty years. It is 
remembered as wooden rigged entirely, — no castings in it. 
There is a tradition, but not very definite, that a still earlier 
mill was on the site where the canal crosses the Steina Kill. 
A half a mile above Amity was an early grist-mill on the 
site of the present Hegeman saw-mill. Some eighty rods 
above this was a carding-mill, used in later years for a cider- 
mill. A mile and a half fiirther up was a third grist-mill 
destroyed by fire in 184G-7 ; a saw-mill there at the pres- 
ent time. Still farther up the stream was a saw-mill and 
a cloth-dressing estahilishment, known as Clark's mills. 

In the north part of the town on the line of Half-Moon 
was a saw-mill, and a few years later a woolen-mill. There 
was also a saw-mill near the present place of I. Higgins. 

IV.— OIIGANIZ.'VTIOX. 

The territory of this town belonged to Half-IMoon for 
fifty-six years, — froiu 1772 to 1828. The convenience of 
the people finally began to require a new town, and the 
question was decided by an act of the Legislature. The 
name was derived from that of otic of the land patents 
lying partly within the town, a description of which is 
given elsewhere in this history. The name first given to 
the town was Clifton, but the policy was just then begin- 
ning to be insisted upon at Albany that no new towns 
should be erected bearing the same names as those pre- 
viously existing. There were so many Cliftons already 
that it was not desirable to increase the confusion, and .so 
the next year the name was changed to Clifton Park. The 
naming of this, the youngest of the flimily, rounded out the 
circle to the full number of twenty. From that time the 
alphabetical list to be called at courts and conventions has 
been one .stereotyped set, knowing neither variableness nor 
change. The school-children of successive generations have 
learned it, politicians have committed it to memory, and it 
is no doubt safe to say that County Clerk Horton, in the 
thirty-two years he has occupied his position, has learned 
the list perfectly from Ballston to Wilton, not omitting the 
long words Edinburgh and Northumberland. 

This town is the last one organized in the county. It 
was formed from Half Moon, March 3, 1828, and includes 
some of the earliest settled territory in the county. Its 
early history in reference to town afi'airs is blended with 



476 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUKTY, KEW YOEK. 



Half-Mbon, and much of interest relating really to this 
town will be found in the history of that. 

The first town-meeting w:is held at the house of Jiimes 
Groom in the spring of 1828, and the following were the 
town officers chosen : Supervisor, Ephraim Stevens; Town 
Clerk, Henry Clow ; Collector, Michael Weklon ; Assessors, 
Joseph Eeed, Abram Pearse, Isaac E. Garnsey ; Overseers 
of the Poor, Joseph Arnold, Tunis Cragier ; Highway 
Commissioners, Jacob Volwider, Elibha King, Stephen H. 
Wakcman ; Ccmmittee of Cumnion Schools, Cornelius 
Failing, Seth W. Higgins, Solomon C. Peck; Inspectors 
of Common Schools, Levi Garnsey, William E. Noxon, 
Leonard Shepherd; Constables, William H. Brown, James 
Knight, Jr., John Cole; Poundkeepers, Ephraim Stevens, 
Eleazer Kesford ; Fence-viewers, Andrew Evans, David 
Garnsey. The town was divided into thirty-nine road 
districts. 

TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1828 TO 1878. 





Surervieors. 


Town Clerks. 


Collectors. 


1828. 


Ephraim Stevens. 


Henry Clow. 


Michael WeUlon. 


:S29. 


Nathan Garnsey. 


Wm. Shepherd. 


" 


1830. 


Ephraim Stevens. 


Solomon C. Peck. 


Sam'l B. Edwards. 


]8:u. 


David Garnsey. 


it tt 


Aaron Quivey. 


1832 


Ephraim Stevens. 


James Groom. 


Cortland Brewster. 


1833. 


" " 


tt tt 


it it 


1834. 


it it 


It tt 


Michael Weldon. 


1835. 


Wm. Gates. 


" '• 


Hiram Mosher. 


1836. 


James Groom. 


John Thomas. 


Hugh Sherman. 


1837. 


" " 


Wm. HoIIi-ter. 


Israel Brooks. 


1838. 


Joseph Arnold. 


" 


Daniel Picket. 


1839. 


" 


James E. Jones. 


D. G. A'an Vranken 


1840. 


Henry Clow. 


Wm. L. Potter. 


Dorman K. Haight 


1841. 


" " 


Thomas M. Peters. 


John Philo. 


1842. 


Roscius R. Kennedy 


tt It 


Pardon W. Cole. 


1843. 


It u 


Joseph S. Wood. 


Garret Cragier. 


1844. 


tt a 


AVui. A. Peters. 


Adrian Hegeman. 


1845. 


John Peek. 


tt it 


Chas. S. Doughty. 


1846. 


it it 


John Arnold. 


Eldert V. Failing. 


1847. 


Chris. C. liegeman. 


Aaron Wood. 


Henry Clow. 


1848 


" •< 


Silas H. Sweatland 


,i It 


1849. 


John Peck. 


Francis N. Vischer 


it 


1850. 


J. W. Van Vranken. 


Lorenzo H.Spraguc 


. Grardus D. Clute. 


1851. 


Harvey H. Rogers. 


" 


Silas Keeler. 


1852. 


Wm. Shepherd. 


Staats V. S. Fonda 


Stephen Rogers. 


1853. 


" " 


Hiram P. Jones. 


John Woodworth. 


1854. 


Nanning F. Vischer 


Wm. E. Rogers. 


Abram D. Graff. 


1855. 


Nelson Cole. 


John Arnold. 


■< 


1856. 


Isaac Schaubcr. 


Nicholas Vischer. 


Augustus Smith. 


1857. 


Roscius R. Kennedy 


. John Peck (2d). 


Samuel Groom. 


1858. 


Nicholas Vischer. 


Edwin Lyon. 


C. D. Hicks. 


1859. 


David W. Wait. 


John Peck (2d). 


John W. Arnold. 


1860. 


Gradus Vischer. 


it it 


tt it 


1861. 


Cyrus W. Re.\ford. 


Samuel Groom. 


Wesley Hay nor. 


1S62. 


" " 


" 


Jacob I. Lansing. 


1863. 


(( (( 


it it 


George H. Clute. 


1864. 


tt tt 


li tt 


Daniel W. Wright. 


1865. 


« ti 


John Peck. 


Samuel Y. Davy. 


1866. 


" " 


(( it 


Wm. E. Shurtleff. 


1867. 


Nicholas J. Clute. 


it it 


Miles Brooks. 


1868. 


" " 


it it 


Erastus R. Fort. 


1869. 


(t it 


Samuel Groom. 


John W. Jewel. 


1870. 


Garret Craiger. 


Henry J. Wetzel. 


Daniel Dater. 


1871. 


Cyrus W. Retford. 


Samuel Groom. 


John W. Jewel. 


1872. 


Nicholas J. Clute. 


., 


A. P. Philo. 


1873. 


Barney R. Caldwell. 


tt it 


Augustus M. Wait. 


1874. 


It u 


tt tt 


John J. Clute. 


1875. 


Hiram Parker. 


it it 


Emmet Arnold. 


1876. 


Adam Mott. 


it ti 


Wm. H. Lasher. 


1877. 


tt u 


Edward S. Huhbs. 


John R. Flagler. 


1878. 


" " 


(( (( 


J. Frank Godfrey. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 

1830. John Clute. 

1831. Cornelius Failing. 
Samuel B. Edwards. 

1832. Joseph Reed. 

1833. Cornelius Hegeman. 
Henry Clow. 

1834. Henry Clow. 

1835. Solomon Brown. 

1836. Seth W. Higgins. 

1837. Samuel WiUier. 

1838. Henry Clow. 

1839. Benajah D. Arnold. 

1840. Abijah Peck. 
Nelson Cole. 

1841. Wm. L. Potter. 

1842. Henry Clow. 

1843. Thomas N. Peters. 
Nelson Cole. 

1844. Abijah Peck. 

1845. Thomas N. Peters. 

1846. Henry Clow. 

1847. John Philo. 

1848. Aaron Wood. 

1849. Abijah Peck. 
Thomas N. Peters. 

1850. Henry Clow. 

1851. Nelson Cole. 

1852. ITrias Williams. 
Abram V. Fowler. 

1853. Norman B. Prentiss. 



ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 

1853. John W. Van Vranken. 

1854. Wm. A. Potter. 

1855. Nathan D. Garnsey. 

1856. Silas P. Shepherd. 
Benjamin Howd. 

1857. Abram V. Fowler. 

1858. Elijah F. Reed. 

1859. Nelson Cole. 

1860. Silas P. Shepherd. 

1861. Rufus Paluier. 

1862. Adam Mott. 

1863. Norman B. Prentiss. 

1864. Samuel Langdon. 

1865. John W. Van Vranken. 

1866. Adam Mott. 

1867. Cyrus W. Rexford. 

1868. Samuel Langdon. 

1869. Tunis C. Pearse. 
Samuel Langdon. 

1870. Adam Mott. 
1S71. Wm. E. Rogers. 

1872. James Edwards. 

1873. Tunis C. Pearse. 
John Peck. 

1874. John Peck. 
1S75. Wm. E. Rogers. 

1876. Julian Fish. 

1877. Tunis C. Pearse. 

1878. John Peek. 



Though 1828 is a modern date compared with the real 
pioneer period before 1800, we add at this point a brief 
statement of the residences of the first town officers, as 
being a matter of some interest to recall at the end of fifty 
years : 

James Groom, lived at Groom's Corners, on the present 
farm of Jlinor Keeler. 

Ephraim Stevens, resided at Clifton Park village. 

Henry Clow, was also a resident of Clifton Park village. 

Michael Weldon, south of Groom's Corners, on the pres- 
ent Best farm. 

Joseph Reed, near Clifton Park village. 

Abram Pearse, at Fort's ferry. 

Isaac L. Garnsey ; their homestead was near Jonesville. 

Joseph Arnold, on the present Peter Althouse farm, 
near Clifton Park village. 

Tunis Cragier, lived at Visolier's ferry. 

Jacob Volwider, at the Dry Dock. 

Elisha King, near Jonesville. 

Stephen H. Wakeman, kept a store at Rexford's Flats. 

Cornelius Failing, lived near Groom's Corners, on the 
Wager farm. 

Seth W. Higgins, at Clifton Park village. 

Solomon C. Peck, in the Waite neighborhood, and still 
living. 

Levi Garnsey, on the present Smalley place, near Rex- 
ford Flats. 

Wm. E. Noxon, near the line of Half-Moon ; in later 
years in that town. 

Leonard Shepherd, near Groom's Corners. 

Wm. H. Brown, at Rexford Flats, remembered as having 
lost an arm. 

James Knight, Jr., at Rexford Flats. A son of the 
same name now lives in Wisconsin. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



477 



John Cole. His place is not recalled in conversation 
with the old people. 

Eleazer Rexford, father of C. W., Retford Flats. 

Andrew Evans, lived near Groom's Corners. 

David Garnsey, was an uncle of Levi, Auher of Lewis 
Garnsey, now living. 

v.— VILLAGES AND HAAILETS. 

At the southeast corner of the town there are rapids in 
the river, with something of a whirlpool action in the waters, 
known formerly and still referred to as the WiT-iioiCKS. 
In the same jiart of the town is Clute's Drydock, a place 
where formerly considerable boat-building, and in later 
years repairing more especially, lias been done. 

fort's ferry, 
farther above on the river, as has been seen in the 
records of early settlement, is a very old point. The ferry 
was the crossing place for the main road from Ballston 
to Albany, and until the establishment of Vischer's ferry to 
Schenectady also. 

WILLOW SPRING, 

between Fort's and Vischer's ferries, takes its name from a 
valuable spring near a splendid ancient willow-tree. 

AMITY 

is the name of the village at Vischer's ferry. It is said to 
have been selected by old Dominie Romeyn, as a compli- 
ment to the peaceful, friendly character of the people. 

History fails to inform us wiiether law-suits, dog-fights, 
unequal horse-trades, and short weights were absolutely un- 
known, but it is evident they were exceeding rare in those 
good old times, and that Amity was a. fact as well as a name. 

The first tavern wa.s built by Benjamin Mix, in 1797. 
He also built an ashery, a store, and a distillery, all in the 
last few years preceding 1800. For some years liquors 
were sold wholly in the store, the tavern being devoted to 
" eating and sleeping," but afterwards the bar was estab- 
lished. 

John E. Vischer bought out Mix. The same tavern is 
still standing, but little changed in appearance, now kept 
by Garret Cragier. 

Dr. McClary was an early physician at Amity ; practiced 
for more than thirty years; known thi-ough all this section 
of country. Dr. Wade, living in Watervliet, also practiced 
on this side of the river. 

At Amity are two dry-docks, two stores, hotel, two 
blacksmith-shops, and a church. Three-quarters of a mile 
below, a canal lock, with a grocery near, and a few other 
buildings. 

Rexford Flats Village grew up during the building 
and opening of the Erie canal. The latter crosses by an 
aqueduct at this point to the north side of the river, and 
continues its course twelve miles in the county of Saratoga 
to Crescent. The oldest house at Rexford's was the ferry- 
house, in connection with " Alexander's " bridge, still stand- 
ing, occupied by the Widow Jewell. The bridge was built 
in 1817 or 1818. The first tavern was opened by Eleazer 
Rexford during the building of the canal, — at first where 
Cyrus Rexford now lives; a little later the present tavern 
was built. The first store was by Isaac Howard, soon after 
by Curtiss & Wakeman in the old building, across the 



square from the present hotel. A small stream empties 
into the river at this point. There were no mills liere in 
the early times ; an attempt to establish one recently failed 
for want of water. Above the village, on the hill, was a 
store and a tavern, earlier than in the village. Consider- 
able forwarding has been done in years past from this point. 
A lively country trade exists here, though the village is 
only four miles from Schenectady. Early physicians prac- 
ticing here were Dr. Sprague, Dr. Sanders. Dr. Rogers 
has been a practicing physician for thirty years past. 

Groom's Corners takes its name from the early settler, 
and is an old and well-known point in the history of the 
town. The first town-meeting of Clifton Park was held at 
these corners. 

Clifton Park, bearing the same name as the town, is 
on the line of Half-Moon, seven miles west of Mechanic- 
ville. It was formerly called Stevens' Corners, from the 
widely known and popular landlord at this place, Ephraim 
Stevens. 

JoNESVlLLE is a pleasant rural village in the north part 
of the town. It derives its name from Jones, the early 
landlord, and one of the first town officers of Half-Moon 
in 1788. 

On one of the great through routes of early travel before 
the opening of railroads, it was a place of considerable im- 
portance. In later years an academy flourished there for 
some time, but was finally discontinued. 

Railroad accommodations for Jonesville and the centre 
of the town are at the " Branch," " Round Lake," or south- 
ward to the Aqueduct station at Rexford's. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 

The first school-house at Amity was on the vhta of the 
present one. Old people recall the names of a few early 
teachers there, — Mr. Kelly, John Lindebeck, Salley Fraley, 
Nellie Morrell. 

The school districts in this town are arranged somewhat 
as follows : No. 1, at Rexford's; No. 2, at Groom's Cor- 
ners ; No. 3, in the Hayes neighborhood ; No. 4, at the Dry 
Dock village ; No. 5, in the Doty neighborhood ; No. 6, east 
of the Baptist church ; No. 7, near the present Jones place ; 
No. 8, south of Ballston lake ; No. 10, south of Jonesville. 

The Jonesville Academy added largely to the educational 
facilities of the town, and many young people received an 
advanced education there. Roscius Kennedy was espe- 
cially active in founding and sustaining the school. 

JONESVILLE academy. 

This institution was located in the small but remarkably 
pleasant post-village of Jonesville, in the town of Clifton 
Park. It originated in a small family school commenced in 
1836, and kept by JMrs. Roger King in an ordinary farm- 
house near by. 

About the year 1840 the school was removed to the 
premises where the academy was finally located, and opened 
for the accommodation of a few boarding pupils by Jlr. 
John Oakley, of New York city. In the same year (1840) 
a permanent brick academy building was erected, with pro- 
visions for the accommodation of some fifty boarders, both 
male and female. 

In the fall of 18-il the school waa formally opened as an 



478 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



academic institution, at which time Professor H. A. Wil- 
son, A.M., became its principal, in which position he re- 
mained until 1860, a period of nearly twenty years. During 
this almost unprccedentedly long administration of Profes- 
sor Wilson, the school assumed and maintained rank among 
the best and most popular institutions of that period. From 
the very beginning of his administration the academy grad- 
ually developed, by a vigorous and a healthy growth, into 
proportions of strength and eminent usefulness. Several 
very important additions and improvements were made from 
time to time, in order to meet the demands of the con- 
stantly increasing patronage. 

The academy was incorporated by a special act of the 
Legislature in 1840, and became subject to the visitation of 
the regents of the university. 

Hon. Roscius R. Kennedy, the original founder, was in- 
corporated sole trustee, whose almost annual munificence 
placed the institution beyond all possibility of financial 
embarrassment. The original design of the founder was to 
furnish superior advantages of an academic character to 
both sexes in all the branches of an English, classical, com- 
mercial, and ornamental education, by which they might be 
qualified either for business, for teaching, or for a higher 
course of collegiate studies. How full}' these objects were 
accomplished, scores of living witnesses who have enjoyed 
the advantages of this institution would gladly testify. It 
numbers among its alumni a very respectable number of 
eminent, earnest, useful men, who may be found in all of the 
learned professions. In proportion to its means and facili- 
ties, it has contributed its full quota of the elevating and 
helpful forces of a liberal course of academic education. 

The successors of Professor Wilson, as principals of 
Jonesville Academy, no one having occupied the position 
for a longer period than three years, were Messrs. Rev. 
Barnes M. Hall, Rev. Austin, Rev. Fenner, King, Brino, 
Kempton, and Savage. On account of financial embarrass- 
ments, the academy was compelled to abandon its charter in 
1870, and finally closed its career as a literary institution 
in 1876. 

commissioners' certificate, march, 1878. 



Kumber 

of th8 

District. 



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$52.14 


$39.20 


$51.15 


$1.90 


61 


52.14 


41.96 


55.85 


2.03 


73 


52.14 


50.20 


59.57 


2.43 


69 


52.14 


47.46 


28.41 


2.30 


50 


52.14 


34.39 


28.54 


1.67 


43 


52.14 


29.58 


32.71 


1.43 


40 


52.14 


27.51 


31.60 


1.33 


60 


52.14 


41.27 


31.77 


2.00 


88 


52.14 


60.52 


67.51 


2.94 


30 


52.14 


20.63 


20.19 


1.00 


67 


52.14 


39.20 


41.74 


1.90 


82 


52.14 


56.40 


38.36 


2.74 


44 . 


52.14 


30.26 


23.17 


1.47 


17 


52.14 


11.69 


16.09 


57 


41 
812 


52.14 


28.20 


41.99 
$568.65 


1.37 


§782.10 


$558.47 


$27.08 



$144.39 
151.98 
164.34 
130.31 
116.74 
115.86 
112.58 
127.18 
183.11 

93.96 
134.98 
149 04 
107.04 

80.49 
123.70 



$1930.30 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
REFORMED CHURCHES OF AMITT. 

Previous to the beginning of the present century there 
was no society of this denomination on the north side of 
the river, and the early settlers worshiped with the church 
at Niskaj'uiia, then under the ministry of Rev. Mr. De- 
marcst. In 1802, by regular legal and ecclesiastical pro- 
ceedings, the " Refcirmed Protestant Dutch Church of 
Amity" was organized. The first elders were Jacobus Van 
Vranken and John Miller. The first deacons,. Daniel F. 
Fort and Evert Van Vranken. In 1803 the first house 
of worship was built, and was, for the times, a most re- 
spectable building. 

In the same year a call to Rev. Mr. Hardenburg was 
declined. In 1805 the church of Amity and Niskayuna 
united in the choice of Rev. Thomas Romeyn as pastor, 
and he was installed in the spring of 1806. The same 
year a joint parsonage was built at Amity by the two 
societies. 

The records of a consistory-meeting in October, 1806, 
show that there were present Elders Nicholas Vandenburg, 
Nicholas Fort ; Deacons Eldert Viseher and Daniel Fort, 
and Rev. Thomas Romeyn presiding. Candidates then ad- 
mitted to membership : John Pearse, John B. Miller, Tunis 
Cragier, Margaret Pearse, and Schouton. The delegate to 
the classis of Albany, in 1807, was Nicholas Fort. Mr. 
Romeyn's ministry was a prosperous one, extending to 
twenty-one years. The following list of male members 
before 1827 may not be complete, but it furnishes a fair 
statement of the solid Christian citizens of the olden time, 
who laid the enduring foundations of civil and social order: 
James Weldon, Blr. Vandecar, John Schouten, Benjamin 
Mix, John Shears, Samuel Queemans, Abram Whitaker, 
"Tom, a negro slave of James Weldon," Wm. Bell, Philip 
Dutcher, Tunis Quackeubush, Garret A. Van Vranken, 
Cornelius liegeman, Francis Viseher, Mr. Heeder, John 
Fort, Hendrick Dunsback, George Melius, Abram Best, 
John Melius, Henry Sherwood, G. M. Volwider. To this 
long and devoted pastorate of Mr. Romeyn the church has 
been largely indebted in all subsequent years. 

The successive pastors since have been McKelvy, four 
years; Van Wagoner, three years ; A. B. Chittenden, five 
years; Brownson, two years; Hathaway, six years; Wil- 
liamson, till his death by the explosion of the steamboat 
" Reindeer" ; Raymond, three years ; Schoomaker, five 
years ; and W. S. E. See, seven years, to 1868. The pres- 
ent incumbent, Rev. W. W. Letson, commenced his labors 
soon after. It may be said that through all this long 
period the church has had a steady, healthy growth. 
During the ministry of Mr. Van Wagoner the two churches 
dissolved their connection, and he continued pastor of the 
Amity church. Special mention may be properly made of 
the extensive revivals during the ministry of Mr. Hatha- 
way from 1843 to 1849, and there was also great activity 
in missionary and temperance work. 

In 1871 the present new, commodious, and beautiful 
house of worship was erected, and the dedication services 
were held Jan. 18, 1872. The church, now more than 
three-quarters of a century old, is vigorous and flourishing, 




vj^\\5^\" \\.-^\\\jSSy<;^^ 




^?'^ 



ADAM MOTT. 



ADAM MOTT. 



MRS. ADAM MOTT. 



Adam Mott was born in tlic town of Siuid Lake, Rens- 
selaer county, N. Y., May 30, 1821, upon tlio farm on 
which his grandfather (who came from Long Island) 
settled, about the year 1795, and where his father, William 
R. Mott, was born, lived, and died. 

All the education Adam received was obtained in the 
district schools of Sand Lake. In December, lSo9, lie 
married Miss Eliza M. Pink, of the same town. He filled 
various offices in the town of Sand Lake. In 1846 was 
appointed under-sheriff of the county, in which capacity 
he assisted in the execution of two persons in Troy jail, 
convicted of murder ; both were executed the same day, in 
January, 1848. In 1849 he was nominated by tlie Whig 
party for sheriff of Rensselaer county, but the ticket upon 
which he ran was unsuccessful. In 1851 he was elected 
justice of the peace; in 1852 and 1853 he represented his 
town in the board of supervisors of Rensselaer county. In 
1854 he removed to West Troy, and took charge of tlie re- 
pairs of the first section of the Erie canal; in 1855 was 
appointed weigh-master on the canal at West Tmy; in 1856 
he purchased and moved npcjii the farm wlieie he now 
resides in the town of Clifton Park. In 1861 lie was 
elected justice of the peace, wiiich c.tlicc lie continued to 



hold up to 1872. In 1803, 1865, and 1868 he was elected 
one of the justices of sessions of Saratoga County. In 1872 
busine.ss called him to the State of Illinois, where he resided 
for two years. After his return, he became again a resi- 
dent of Clifton Park. In 1870 the Republican party, to 
which he belonged, gave him the unanimous nomination 
of supervisor of the town, and have done the same fin- 
three successive terms, which position he now holds. 
In December, 1867, his first wife died, leaving two chil- 
dren, a daughter, now the wife of Abijah P. Philo, living 
in the town of Stillwater, Saratoga County, and a son, De 
Witt C. Mott, who is married, and now resides with his 
father on the I'arm in Clifton Park. On the first of 
January, 1877, he again married Mrs. Hannah Usher, 
widow of Hiram Usher, and daughter of Shubael Taylor, 
Esq., of the town of Half Moon. The portraits of him- 
self and present wife may be seen at the head of this 
sketch, both being members of the Methodist church of 
Clifton Park village. Mr. Mott is classed among the repre- 
sentative men of his town, is honored and respected bj- all 
who know him, and is always ready to encourage all enter- 
jirises looking to the advancement of good society around 
him. 



HISTORY OF SAllATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



479 



one hundred members having been added since 1871. It 
stands a worthy representative of that ancient faith, trans- 
mitted by the sturdy old burghers who successfully de- 
fended religious liberty centuries ago upon the " lowlands 
of Holland." 

BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLIFTON PARK. 

This body was constituted Feb. 12, 1705, and was 
included in the old Shaftsbury Association in 179G. In 
1834 its relations were changed to the Saratoga Association. 
It was the pioneer religious society of the town, as the re- 
cords show that the early settlers along the Mohawk wor- 
shiped with the Niskayuna church, on the south side of 
the river, down to about 18U0. 

However its numbers may be reduced by removals and 
death, however slight its importance may sometimes appear 
even to its faithful friends, the Baptist church of Clifton 
Park is yet worthy of all honor as the early society, whose 
ministers brought strength and faith into the homes of the 
early settlers, breathed the promises of the gospel in the 
ear of the dying, and spoke of the ble.ssed Christian hope 
to mourning families gathered around open forest graves. 
The gentle yet powerful influence of the Christian church 
is never more clearly apparent than in tracing the histories 
of our quiet rural towns, and marking how irresistibly it has 
developed and controlled social life and civil organizations. 

This church reported thirty-six members in ISUO. The 
ministers of this church wore Rev. Abijah Peck, Electra 
Carpenter, Jacob St. John, W. Grooms, Job Champion, PI 
D. Hubbell, S. Pomeroy, F. S. Parke, J. W. Crumb, John 
Reynolds, Thomas S. Rogers, R. Winegar, David Abijah 
Peck, W. W. Beardslee, and E. Conover. Elder Peck was 
the minister of this people for nearly fifty years. Several 
of those named above were his assistants. 

From this church colonies were formed into independent 
societies, — the Burnt Hills church in 1820, the Glenville 
church in 1840, the second Half-Moon, at Clifton Park vil- 
lage, in 1841, and the first Half moon seven years earlier, 
1834. The two latter, however, derived their support to 
some extent from the old Newton church in Half-Moon. 

Elijah Peck, who was so long the pastor of the Clifton 
Park church, left his impress for good far and wide upon 
this community. His son, Solomon C. Peck, still living in 
the same neighborhood, has filled many useful positions 
through his long life, now extended to an advanced age. 
He was elected commissioner of common schools at the first 
town-meeting fifty years ago, and was afterwards town 
clerk. John Peck was also supervisor for several years. 
John Peck (2d) is the present clerk of the church that was 
founded by his grandfather. 

A few other items are added. The names of the first 
membeis forming the church Feb. 12, 1795, were Mat- 
thew Palmer, Philip King, James Groom, John Warren, 
Rufus Morse, Bellisant Morse, Rebecca Palmer, and Eunice 
Cro.ssman. 

Rev. Abijah Peck was a soldier of the Revolution, and 
at its close, 1784, settled in Galway. He was very active 
in religious work, and was induced to take the lead in meet- 
ings at an early day, but declined a licen.se as a preacher 
until Fob. 9, 1793. He was ordained March 12, 1801. 



The first assessors of this church were Andrew Evans, 
Sr., Ephraim Schouten, Silas Hamilton, John Groom. A 
large cemetery is attached to the church grounds, in which 
are buried many honored dead. There six ministers 
of this ciiurch are buried, among them the founder and 
venerable pastor, Rev. Abijah Peck, who died Nov. 12, 
1848, aged ninety. The house of worship is a brick edifice, 
known far and near as the " Peck church." 

The present pastor. Rev. E. Conover, commenced his 
labors March 1, 1876. The present deacons are Luther 
R. Benedict, Adam I. Caldwell, and Rensselaer Brown. 

METHODIST CHURCH, GROOM'S CORNERS. 

This church was among the first Methodist societies in 
this section of the State north of Albany. The present 
building is the third one on the same site. The records in 
existence fiiil to show the early organization, names of offi- 
cers, cost of building, dedication, and those many interesting 
items which unite to i'orm a coiniected and valuable history. 
Father Minor Keeler and Esquire Shepherd were among 
the early active church officers. The present church mem- 
ber.ship numbers forty-six. The house of worship is valued 
at $2000, and parsonage at §1000. The benevolent contri- 
butions have averaged about $28 per year for the last fifteen 
years. The present officers of the church are J. C. Keeler, 
B. Adsit, Miner Keeler, P. Fonda, O. H. Ostrom, E. R. 
Forte. The successive ministers have been Bigalow, Jacobs, 
Matthias, Swain, Storm, J. Draper, F. Draper, Clark, 
Levings, Covell, Luckey, Riser, MoKean, Southerland, 
Starks, Pier, Quinn, Stratton, Stevens, Meeker, Craig, Gid- 
dings, Williams, Phillips, Witherell, Ford, Barber, Richard, 
Williams, Brown, Griffin, Haslam, Miller, Brown, Hous- 
inger. Walker, Lamb, Clark, Witherell, Pigg, Blanchard, 
Simmons, Washburn, Hitchcock, Ostrom, Cox, and the 
present pastor, A. W. Smith. 

JMeagre as may seem the written records of this church, 
it is believed, nevertheless, that it has a noble representation 
on the roll of the church triumphant in heaven. It has 
wrouglit patiently the Christian work through a long series 
of years. More than two thousand persons have been con- 
verted in connection with its services, and the good achieved 
in the community can be measured neither by records of 
work nor rolls of members. 

METHODIST CHURCH, REXFOED FL.A.TS. 

The earliest Methodist preaching in this vicinity was by 
Father Southerland, a name well remembered by many yet 
living. He commenced work at Rexford Flats forty-five 
years ago, and soon after organized the first class. This 
was composed of Henry M. Hayner and wife, Ezekiel Ter- 
penning and wife, Samuel Peterson and wife, and several 
young people. A church was organized Oct. 8, 1839. 
The number of members was twenty-five. Wm. Shepherd, 
Nathan D. Garnsey, Henry M. Hayner, Luther B. Orcutt, 
and Roscius R. Kennedy were the first officers. The house 
of worship was erected iu 1840 at an expense of about 
$1500, and it was dedicated Dec. 9, 1840. The names of 
ministers who have preached hero, though nut in order of 
time, arc as follows : Revs. Philips, Honghtaling, Sherman, 
Harrower, Brown, Picket, Walker, Lamb, Poor, Benedict, 



480 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Housinger, Haslam, John Williams, Craig, Clark, With- 
erell, Blaiichard, Vcj^ix, Washburn, Simmons, Hitchcock, 
Cox, Osborn, and Smith. 

The present trustees are Allen McKain, Augustus Kohr- 
ing, Wheeler Bailey. Stewards: A. McKain, A. Kohr- 
ing, F. Wager, James Plant, Marvin Debon, W. E. Rogers, 
and the last named is class-leader. 

For the above we are indebted to Dr. Rogers, of Rex- 
ford Flats. 

METHODIST CHURCH, JONESVILLE. 

This .society originally formed part of a circuit, consist- 
ing of the towns of Half-Moon, Clifton Park, and Galway. 
The first ser\'ices were held in the Hubbs school-house, 
south of the village. The first house of worship was built 
in 1825. This was superseded in 1855 by a better edifice 
at an expense of about S4000. This later house was dedi- 
cated by Rev. Sandford Washburn, presiding elder. Hiram 
Dunn was then pastor. Among the list of oflicial members 
of earlier and later date arc the names of Roscius R. Ken- 
nedy, S. B. Raymond, N. D. Garnsoy, H. A. Wilson, Jo- 
seph Kingsley, Elias Beers, A. J. Waterman, Wm. Waite, 
S. Langdon, A. P. Wilson, Wm. T. Hamilton, Aaron 
Quivey, F. B. Weed, J. J. Best, C. P. Calkins, D. N. 
Northrup, A. Benedict, S. B. Smith, J. J. Van Vranken. 

The following are the successive ministers who have 
served this church since its separate organization in 1842: 
Charles Sherman, J. B. Houghtaling, Spencer Mattison, 
Truman Seymour, P. P. Harrower, T. Benedict, Lester 
Janes, L. A. Sandford, Hiram Drum, Wm. Griffin, S. 
Meredith, F. A. Soule, F. Widmer, E. Watson, D. P. 
Hubbard, L. Marshall, J. M. Webster, S. Washburn, A. 
McGilton. 

METHODIST CHURCH AT CLIFTON PARK (VILLAGE). 

Methodist meetings were held in the school-house some 
years before a church was formed, by Rev. S. Covell, then 
stationed at Jonesville. There was considerable opposition. 
The schoul-house was at one time locked against them, 
though a citizen, not then a member of any church, ven- 
tured to draw the staple and open the house. The dis- 
couragement caused the services to be suspended for a 
time. In 1842 preaching was re-established in the same 
school-house by Rev. Henry Williams, a church organized, 
and the house of worship built at an expense of $1200. 
Names of some of the first members were George Morse 
and wife, Wm. Swartwout and wife, Thomas Mosher and 
wife, and Mrs. Dcdrick.. The dedication services, in 1842, 
were by Rev. Charles Sherman, then of Albany. 

The present officers are Adam Mott, Martin Adsit, John 
Taylor, F. A. Steenburgh, and Jacob Boyce, trustees. All 
of these trustees are stewards except Adam Mott. Class- 
leaders are Wesley Hayner, L. M. Turner, and I. H. Clarke. 
The following, with others, have been the pastors of this 
church: Rev. Messrs. Williams, Griffin, Starks, Pomeroy, 
Craig, Hurd, Frazer, Harris, Brown, Clements, Fox, Wood, 
Blanchard, Hall, Hart, Ford, Starks, and E. N. Howe. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PLACEP. 
Tiie old pioneer buiial-gnmnds are so numerous that little 
or no catalogue of them can be given. Samuel A'an Vranken 



states that almost every one of the old original families had 
a private burial-place of their own, u.sually in the orchard. 
Some of these are yet preserved. From others the remains 
have been removed to the public cemetery at Amity, and 
still other grounds have been long since plowed over, with 
no name or sign of the pioneers slumbering below. 

Near the site of the mill at Amity, skeletons have been 
exhumed, some regarding them as Indian remains, but 
others infer from remains of cofiins and other indications 
that they were the relics of the earliest white men buried 
in this vicinity. 

The public cemeteries at Amity, Rexford's, Jonesville, 
Clifton Park, and other places, contain few or no stones 
with dates earlier than 1800. 

IX.— PLACE.S OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

It was the court of common pleas that held its first ses- 
sion at the house of Samuel Clark, in Malta ; but judicial 
honors were not confined to that point. For the first three or 
four years the county-seat was something of a peripatetic 
affairs — the clerk at one point, one court in one town, and 
another in another. The circuit court and court of oyer 
and terminer held their first sessions at Clifton Park village, 
July 7, 1791. There came Chief Justice Robert Yates 
with all the judges of common pleas and two justices of the 
peace, Adrian Hegeman and Epenetus White. This array 
constituted the bench of that dignified and really illustrious 
tribunal. It met in the house of Jedediah Rogers. As to 
other places of historic events, the old ferries constitute 
properly what might be named under this title. It is dif- 
ficult to tell just how old they are. So near to Schenectady, 
involving often the safety or the danger of that place, they 
must frequently have been guarded for military purposes 
and crossed bj' contending armies. The French and Indian 
force that destroyed Schenectady, in 1690, no doubt moved 
over the soil of this town and crossed the rivers within its 
limits. 

An old Indian burving-ground is to be seen in the woods 
of Jacob ^'an Vranken, under a che.stnut-tree. Several In- 
dians dying in this vicinity, within the memory of persons 
yet living, were buried there ; those remnants of the 
dusky tribes desiring to sleep amid the dust of their 
fathers. 

The destruction of a corn-field, in the early French war, 
is spoken of in some histories as having taken place some- 
where near the present site of Rexford Flats. 

X.— INDU.>TRIAL PURSUITS. 

There are many valuable farms in this town. The soil 
is fertile, and under careful cultivation yields abundantly. 

All the usual crops of the county are produced. Some 

years large quantities of potatoes have been shipped from 

Rexford Flats. 

Xr.— MILITARY. 

The only record of Rcvohitiondry soldiers we have for 
this town consists of the items appearing in the account of 
early settlement. 

WAR OF 1812. 

Lieut.-Col. Shubael Taylor, of Clifton Park village, has 
kindly furnished the following muster-roll of the veterans 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



481 



of the War of 1812, made by order of John S. Van Rens- 
selaer, commander-in-chief of said veterans : 

Clifton Piirk. — Henry Palmer, James Groom, Adam R. 
Van Vranken, Michael Doty, John Millins, Peter Doty, 
Solomon C. Peck, Everett Hawley, Richard Spire, David 
Wiltsie, Andrew Evans, Jeremiah Clute, Deacon Palmer, 
Timothy Doughty. 

WAR OF 1861-G5. 

The following list has been prepared as accurately as seems 
possible, from various sources. It is unfortunate fur the 
completeness and accuracy of this war-history, that no record 
was written up in the town clerk's office, as directed by the 
law of 1865. 

Samupl Allen, enl. Aug. II, 1802, llotli Uegt., Co. H. 

John ,4.nderson, enl. Aug. 11, 1S02, 11.5th Regt., Co. H. 

PcLt livitler, enl. Aug. 13, 1802, 116th Regt., Co. H. 

Jeremiah Baldry, enl. Sept. 24, 1802, 15M Uegt., Co. F. 

Josejih P. Bowers, enl. Sept. 22, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. F. 

Samuel S. Butler, enl. Jan. 18, 18Gt, 13th Art., Co. E. 

Wm Butler, enl. Jan. 11, 1804, 13th Art., Co. E. 

Anthony S. Badgely, cnl. Jan. 11, 18C4, 13tli Art., Co. E. 

Martin V. B. Billings, cnl. Jsin. 18, 1803, 13th Art., Co. F. 

Tavid Borst, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F. 

David Barker, cnl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; discli. for disahility, July 

.5, 1863. 
John Baiker, cnl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Tlegt., Co. F. 
Henry Clark, cnl. Aug. 8, 1802, lloth Regt., Co. H ; musician. 
John Cud ey, enl. July 20, 1803, lloth Regt., Co. It. 
Abraui Clark, enl. Sept. 22, 1802, 153d Bcgt., Co F. 
Albert Carnall, enl. Sept. 11, 1862,153fi Regt., Co. F. 
Van Benssehier Conklin, enl. Oct. 3, 1802, 153d Uegt., Co. G. 
Ransom Conklin, enl. Oct. 2, 1802, 1.53.1 Uegt., Co. G. 
Levi Clapper, enl. Oct. 1, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. B; fifer. 
Sidney T. Cornell, cnl. Aug. 14, 1802, llolh Regt., Co. C. 
George W. Cornell, enl. Sept. 21, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F; sergt. ; died May 0, 

1802, on the passage home. 
Jacob H. Clute, Jr., enl. Feb. 13, 1803, 12th N. Y. Cav., Co. B; re-enl. May 18, 

1804 ; (lisch. Aug. 21, 1805. 
Charles H. De Graff, enl. July 21, 1802, 11.5th Regt., Co. II. 
Robert De Graff, enl. Sept. 22, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. F. 
George Davis, enl. Aug. 22, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. G. 
Levi De Graff, cnl. Jan. 4, 1864, I3th .\rt., Co. F. 

Edward H. Dater, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F; died May 6, 1804. 
David II. Dater, enl. Sept. 24, 18Cl,77tli Regt., Co F. 
Wni. H. Evarts, enl. Aug. 15, 1802, 115tli Uegt., Co. H. 
Edward Evans, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
William Filkins, cnl. Jan. 18, 1804, 13th Art., Co. F. 
John Fisher, enl. Jan. 5, 1804, 13th .^rt., Co. F. 
Peter Friel, cnl. Feb. 5, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 
George Gregory, enl. Jan. 12, 1804, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Wesley Heyner,cnl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. H; sergt. 
James Haley, enl. Jan. 11, 1804, 13th Art., Co. E. 
Thomas R. Holland, enl. Jan. 9, 1864, 13th Art., Co. E. 
Wni. H. Haylock, 115th Regt., Co. H; corporal. 
James Johnson, enl. Sept. 22, 1862, lo3d Begl., Co. G. 
Albert Jones, enl. Sept. 29, 1862, 153d Regt., Co. G. 
John Jones, enl. Oct. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
Lyman Johns, enl. Nov. 23, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
Christian C. Kellogg, enl. Sept. 28, 1802, 1.53d Regt., Co. G. 
John Kelley, enl. Jan. 1, 1804, 13th Art, Co. F. 
John II. Lapius, enl. Aug 2, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. II. 
Michael Lamey, enl. Oct. 16, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F. 
Aniirew S. McEchron, enl. Jan. 11, 1864, 13th Art., Co, E. 
Christopher Mulligan, onl. Jan. 5, 1804, 13th Art., Co. F; he had been a member 

of the 77th Uegt., Co. F. 
Robert Mcl'heraon, enl. Sept. 24, 1801. 77th Regt., Co. F. 
Matthew Slulligan, enl. Oct. 21, 1861, 77th Kegt., Co. F. 
John Mulligan, enl. July 2, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
Benjamin Northrup, enl. Aug. 13, 1802, 115th Uegt., Co. H. 
Henry C. Peterson, enl. July 26, 1862, 115th Uegt., Co. U. 
Wni. D. Peterson, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77tli Uegt., Co. F. 
James Itoach, enl. Dec. 29, 1803, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Reuben Slokam, enl. Oct. 4, 1802, 153il Uegt., Co. G. 
Lewis Shouts, enl. Dec. 28,1863, 13th Art., Co. F; had been in 77th Uegt. Co. F, 

from Sept. 2i), 1861, to April 21, 1802. 
Peter B. Simmons, enl. Sept. 24, 1861, 77th Uogt., Co. F. 
John Simmons, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77tli Regt., Co. F. 
Wm. Van Saulsbury, enl. Nov. 1, 1801, 77tli Uegt.. Co. F. 
Orlando Swartwout, enl. Oct. 14, 1802, lloth Uegt., Co. H. 
Wm. II, Shouts, enl. Aug. 14, 1862, 115th Uegt., Co. U. 

Gl 



Andrew Stewart, enl. Aug. II, 1802, llSlh Uegt., Co. H. 

Jeremiah Stebbins, cnl. Sept. 21, 1861, 77tll Regt., Co. F; sergt.; trans, to Co. 

D, Dec. 9, 1863. 
William Taylor, enl. July 20, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. H. 
Woi. D. Town, enl. Oct. 13, 1802, 153d Uegt., Co. O; musician. 
Christian Walker, enl. .Ian. .5, 1804, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Alexander II. Wicks, cnl. Sept. 24, 1804, 77th Regt., Co. F. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



BARNEY R. CALDWELL, 

son of Peter Caldwell, was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., 
Doc. 2, 1823. His father was born in Dutchess Co., N. 
Y., Dec. 26, 1786, and died in Saratoga County, Oct. 9, 
1877, aged ninety-one years. His wife, Elizabeth (Snyder) 
Caldwell, still survives him, and now resides in Saratoga 
County with her youngest daughter. 

B. R. Caldwell wa.s the sixth in the family of ten chil- 
dren, — six boys and four girls, — of whom nine are still 
living. His education was limited to the common schools 
of Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. On Nov. 21, 184G, 
he married Sarah C. Pink, daughter of Jacob Pink, of 
Rensselaer county. By this union one son was born to 
them, namely, Emmor J., born Oct. 12, 1855; married 
Ettie L. Garnsey, of Saratoga County. 

After his marriage Mr. Caldwell commenced life empty- 
handed, working for his father on the farm. In 1849 he 
moved to Montgomery county and purchased a farm with 
his brother Peter. In 1855 he purchased his brother's 
interest in the farm, and remained there till 1868, when he 
sold out and removed to Saratoga County and purchased 
his present farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres, a 
view of which, together with the portraits of himself and 
wife and son and wife, may bo seen ehsewhero in this work. 

In politics he was first a Whig, and upon the formation 
of the Republican party joined its ranks, remaining firm in 
its principles, receiving various local offices from the suf- 
frages of his townsmen, such as constable, justice of the 
peace, supervisor for the years 1873-74, and school trustee 
for several years. 

In religious sentiment he is a Methodist, both he and his 
wife being members of the Methodist Episcop.il church at 
Fonda, N. Y. Mr. Caldwell is a thorough farmer, a good 
citizen, and deservedly enjoys the esteem of all who know 



NICHOLAS J. CLUTE, 

the oldest in a family of three children, was born in Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., Sept. 12, 1820. His father, Jeremiah 
Clute, was born in Albany county in 1796, and settled in 
Saratoga County when a young man and engaged in farm- 
ing. After about ten years he embarked in the mercantile 
business, and kept a hotel in connection with it in the vil- 
lage of Cohoes. Subsequently he became a manufacturer 
at the same place. 

When he was about sixty years of age he retired from 
business and came back to Saratoga County, where he re- 
sided till his death in 1877, aged eighty-one years. 

Nicholas' education was limited to the common schools 



482 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



of Albany county, supplemented by two years at the 
academy at Bennington, Vt. After lie left school he 
clerked it for three years in his uncle's store in Saratoga 
County. He married for his fir.st wife Miss Rachel H. 
Clute. By this union one child was born to them, who 
died in infancy. 

Mrs. Clute died March 23, 1849, and on July 1, 1851, 
he was again united in marriage, with Louisa E., daughter 
of James and Lois Sherman, of Clifton Park. The result 
of this union was eleven children, six of whom are now 
living. Helen, the eldest, married Lydell Whitehead, of 
New Jersey, and now resides in Clifton Park. Anna, the 
second daughter, married Truman Gr. Younglove, Jr., son 
of the Hon. T. G. Younglove, of Crescent, Saratoga Co., 
and now resides at Crescent. After his marriage he com- 
menced life, almost empty-handed, as a merchant and a 
farmer, and in addition to these, for the past twenty-six 
years he has been engaged in the building and repairing 
of boats on the Erie canal. Mr. Clute has been super- 
visor of Clifton Park for four years, and was chairman of 
the board ibr the year 1872. 

Politically he was originally a Whig, but a Republican 
since the formation of that party. Is at present one of the 
directors of the Manufacturers' Bank at Cohoes. 

Mr. Clute, by industry and economy, has accumulated a 
fine property, and now owns three hundred and fifty-four 
acres of fine land, mostly in Clifton Park, and is honored 
and esteemed by all who know him. A view of his resi- 
dence and store and premises, together with the portraits of 
him.self and wife, may be seen on the pages of this work. 



LEWIS R. GARNSEY. 

John Garnsey, Sr., came from England at tlie age of 
seven years, and lived at Old Milford, Conn. He had 
five sons and three daughters. He married Ann Peck, 
moved to Nine Partners, Amenia, Dutchess Co., and died 
there, the actual date being unknown. 

John Garnsey, Jr., one of his sons, had fifteen children, 
and died at Nine Partners. Peter Garnsey, another son, 
lived at Nine Partners. Nathan Garnsey, another son, 
married Nancy Hunter, and near the close of the Revolu- 
tionary war removed from Nine Partners to Half-Moon, 
Saratoga Co. Noah Garnsey, another son, had a family. 
Daniel Garn.sey, another son, went to Canada, after which 
no definite information of his whereabouts or pursuits was 
received. 

The subject of this sketch traces his descent from Na- 



than Garnsey. Nathan Garnsey had two sons and three 
daughters, viz., Nathan, David, Nancy, Eunice, and Esther. 
David married Esther Rogers, in 1806, and had ten chil- 
dren, of whom Lewis R. Garnsey was the third. 

Lewis R. Garnsey was born in 1810. He pursued farm- 
ing in company with his father until the death of the latter, 
in 1831, after which he continued the business at the same 
place. He received a common-school education. In 1859, 
when forty-nine years of age, he married Augusta S. Groom, 
by whom he had five children, viz., Esther L., Lewis R., 
Jr., Nathan D., Wallace, and Lily. 

In political affiliations Mr. Garnsey was formerly an old- 
line Whig, but since the dissolution of that party he has 
acted with the Republican party. He has never been a 
seeker after place, and has, in consequence, never filled any 
prominent office. 

He is a member of no particular church, although he is 
quite a regular attendant of the Baptist church, where his 
wife and two sons hold membership. 

Mr. Garnsey 's residence, at Clifton Park, which may be 
seen on another page of this work, is one of the most beau- 
tiful in the county, and is much- admired by all who have 
had the good fortune to see it. 



PETER ARNOLD. 

This gentleman was born in Clifton Park, Saratoga 
Co., on Sept. 14, 1803, and is a son of Jo.seph Arnold, for- 
merly of Rhode Island. His mother's name was Mary Alt- 
house. He is a grandson of John Arnold, who resided at 
Half-JIoon when that place also included Clifton Park and 
AVaterfbrd. He was a farmer, and his son Joseph worked 
on his father's farm until he purchased a place for himself, 
at Clifton Park, and engaged in farming on his own ac- 
count. Joseph died when about seventy years of age, and 
Mary Arnold when in her seventy-ninth year. They had 
seven children, of whom the oldest was Peter. 

Peter Arnold is a prosperous farmer at Clifton Park, 
where he has a fiirm of two hundred acres. His first wife's 
name was Permelia Ostrum, a daughter of Paul and Cath- 
erine Ostrum, of Clifton Park. By her he had six children, 
— three boys and three girls, — viz., Cyrus, George, Eramett, 
Mary, Lucinda, and Catherine, all of whom are married. 

Mr. Arnold married for his second wife Abigail Wallace, 
a daughter of Dr. Wallace, of Westchester county, with 
whom he is living at present, having had no children. 

In political sentiment Mr. Arnold is a Republican, but 
has never filled any prominent office. He is a member of 
the Baptist church of Clifton Park. 




Joseph Arnold. 



/i^RS. Joseph 4rnold 



PcrER^RNOLD. 



Mrs Peter Arnold. 




RESIDENCE OF PETER /!> RNOLD .CLIFTON PA R K.SARATOGA Co, NV 



MILTON. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

Milton is one of the central towns of the county, and 
is a part of the Kayadrosscra patent. It is bounded north 
by Greenfield, east by Saratoga Springs and Malta, south 
by Ballston and Charlton, west by Galway. It contains 
18,192 acres of improved land, 2743 acres of unimproved, 
and of this last amount, 1500 are woodland. The popula- 
tion in 1875 was 5349. 

For convenience of reference we add the legal description 
of the town and the definition of its boundary lines, from 
the revised statutes of the State. 

"The town of Millon shall cont.ain all that part of said county 
bounded northerly by Greenfield, easterly by the ea.<t line of the 
fourteenth allotment of the Kayadrossera patent and the same con- 
tinued to the north line of the sixteenth allotment, southerly by a 
line beginning in the southeast corner of the fourteenth allotment of 
the Kayadrossera patent and running thence west along the bounds 
of the said allotment to the middle of the south bounds of lot num- 
ber nine in the subdivision of the allotment aforesaid, and westerly 
by a line running from thence due north to the southwest corner of 
the town of Greenfield." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

Its surface is moderately hilly in the north and undu- 
lating in the south, with a slight inclination towards the 
Kayadrossera creek. This stream flows .southeast through 
the centre of the town. The stream has a rapid fall and 
furnishes valuable water-power. Glowegee creek, from the 
west, is the principal tributary. In the north part of the 
town arc limestone ridges, extensively quarried for build- 
ing-stone and for lime. 

The town is favorably located for manuflicturing purposes, 
and the Kayadrcssera, with its tributaries, furnishes the 
requisite power for a large amount of machinery. In this 
respect the town is one of the most favored in the county, 
and flourishing villages have grown up along the valley of 
the Kayadrossera, the largest of which is Ballston Spa, 
at the great southern angle of the stream. The resort of 
visitors to its mineral springs tended to develop growth at 
this place in early years, but in later times manufacturing 
operations have been the source of prosperity. Besides 
the springs at Ballston Spa there are also two sulphur 
springs east of Milton Centre, in the vicinity of llowlaiid's 
mills. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The time of the first settlement, like that of Ballston, 
with which it was so closely blended, was just before the 
Kevolution and during its progress. It is usually stated 
in the gazetteers that the first family which settled within 
the present limits of Milton was that of David Wood. 
Probably about the same time that Eliphalet Ball came to 



the town which bears his name, this pioneer family pene- 
trated the wilderness to the north and located at Milton 
Ilill. David Wood had several sons who settled around 
him, — one (Benjamin) owning the present farm of David 
Stever, another one the Rogers farm, and another one the 
present farm of the county-house, — in all, a tract of six 
hundred acres. This early pioneer family chose one of the 
finest locations in this section of country, — a place that for 
a time promised to be a business centre. The Wood family 
are said to be buried on the gentle northern slope of the 
" Hill" east of the road, — their graves unmarked by stone 
or mound, — a smooth field, where the plow and the reaper 
of modern times find no obstructions, and pause neither 
•for sentiment nor historic recollections. 

Justus Jennings was an early settler of Milton. He was 
born in Connecticut in 1755. In 1776 he enlisted in the 
Connecticut line of Continental troops. He was in the bat- 
tles of Long Island, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, and 
White Plains. His brother had already come to this 
county in 1775, and after the war closed Justus followed 
him and settled a mile north, in the town of Milton, both 
being at or near what is known as Hop City Corners. 
There was a large family of children, even said to number 
up to eighteen. One son now keeps the Milton House, at 
Ballston Spa, where Joseph Jennings resides. 

Another early settler of Milton was Sanborn Ford. He 
came from Sand Lake just after the war, and settled at 
Spear's Corners. He had been in the Revolutionary army 
seven years ; was a musician ; was first refused admission 
on account of his small .size, but was finally allowed to take 
the place of a sick brother ; served two years in the infantry, 
and after that in the cavalry. He was at Bunker Hill, and 
also was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis under Colonel 
Sheldon. He kept a public-house for many years at the 
foot of the hill, near Judge Thompson's. The sons were 
John S., still living at Ballston Spa, Simeon, William, and 
Amasa. Daughters were Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. 
Lewis, and Mrs. McLean. The latter was the mother of 
John McLean, of the county clerk's ofiiec. 

Sanborn Ford once captured a "cow-boy," compelling 
his enemy to put his finger into the barrel of a loaded pistol 
and follow him into camp. In after-years he delighted 
to recall the scenes of the Revolution, and was wont on each 
returning Fourth of July to gather the old soldiers around 
him to dinner. In his last years he was an active religious 
worker. He then called the Bible his side-arms, and car- 
ried the book in a velvet bag. At his request, there was 
buried with him the flag, the Bible, and his commission as 
as oflSoer of the Revolutionary army. His children recol- 
lect his saying that when he first came through the woods 
to Ballston Si)a, tracing his way by marked trees from 

483 



484 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Spier's Corners, tliere was near the spring a single unoc- 
cupied log house. From this it would seem that some one 
had made a beginning there earlier than Benajah Douglas, 
in 1792. 

John Lee came from Connecticut about 1793, and settled 
in Milton, near the Grenelle farm, west of Rock City. His 
children were Joel, Elias, Noah, Abigail, Ruth. The 
daughters became respectively Mrs. Ressequie and Mrs. 
Richards ; the sons settled in Milton and vicinity. Joel 
Lee was appointed postmaster of Ballston Spa by Gideon 
Granger, postmaster-general, and continued to hold the 
office nearly fifty years. Two of his sons reside in Ballston 
Spa, — John J. Lee, for nearly forty years an oifioer of the 
Ballston Spa Bank, and Elias W. Lee, merchant. The 
latter relates the incident that he was in the old cotton- 
factory, looking at the movement of the grand walking- 
beam, not more than five minutes before the crash came 
which destroyed the machinery and the enterprise at the 
same time. 

Abel Whalen came from Sand Lake about tlie close of 
the war, and settled at Spier's Corners, a place in very early 
times known as Whalen's Corners. He had two sons, 
Abel and Ezekiel. Tlie latter was the well-known mer- 
chant for many years at Clute's Corners, one division of the 
present village of West Milton. Among the very early 
settlers of the town was Joseph Shearer, whose pioneer 
homestead near West Milton is still in the hands of his 
descendants. He came from Scotland before the Revolu- 
tionary war. During that fearful period his wife used to 
walk to Schenectady and bring corn on her back over the 
Indian trails, have it ground at the old Gordon mill, and 
thus supply the household. Into this pioneer home came 
all the hardships of a new co-intry, with sickness and death. 
A broad stone in the family burial-place tells its own sad 
story : " Underneath this tablet lie the remains of four 
children, one a tender infant, nameless here on earth, the 
other three Joseph, 1777, aged four, James, 1787, aged 
four, Genet, 1796, aged four." Two sons grew to man- 
hood, — George, who settled on the old place where his son 
Charles W. now resides, and Joseph, who also settled in 
Milton. 

Joel Mann, from Hebron, Conn., came to Milton in 
1793 or '94, and settled on the place which is now the 
residence of his grandson, Nathaniel Mann. Of his sons, 
Rodolphus settled in Ballston; Jeremiah, father of Na- 
thaniel, on the old homestead ; Joel in Galway ; and Hiram 
in Lyons. The la.st named became sheriff of Wayne 
county, and resided a part of the time in Sodus. 

One daughter, Mrs. Hanchett, settled in Troy. The 
present genial proprietor of the old homestead, while 
claiming no largo collection of antiquities, yet believes he 
has the mo.st famous pork-ban-el in the county. It was 
brought from Hebron in 1794, full of pork. It descended 
to Jeremiah, fall of pork. In strict accordance with the 
laws of inheritance and the fitness of things, it came to 
Nathaniel, /all of pork. He hopes to keep saered the 
ancient family custom, and transmit the veneralde barrel to 
the next genei'ation, full of pork. 

To this account of Joel Mann we add the early settle- 
ment of his brother, though perhaps it should be included 



in the history of Ballston. James Mann came from 
Hebron, Conn., to Ballston, in 1790, and bought one hun- 
dred acres one mile west of the springs. Returning to 
Hebron, he married Miss Tryphena Tarbox, and the winter 
following they made their bridal-trip to the pine-forests of 
Ballston. Miss Electa Mann, a daughter, now living upon 
the old homestead, writes of them as follows : 

" They made their journey in a large sleigh-, covered 
with domestic linen. The conveyance was heavilj' laden 
with household furniture, and was drawn by an old-fashioned 
Yankee te;>m, — a yoke of oxen, with a horse ahead. They 
were several days on the road, but the trip was not entirely 
lonely. One evening, meeting with a party of fellow- 
travelers, their resources were thrown together for enjoy- 
ment. A union supper and a dance followed, — not keeping 
as late hours, however, as parties of late times. 

"They came over the Middle Line road, leaving it about 
a mile from their new home. The pine-woods were soon 
reached, through which the road wound, leading down the 
hill, over a log causeway, and to a rise of ground where the 
log house stood. That evening they took supper with the 
Knapp fiimily, — of whom they purchased the place, — de- 
licious corn-cake, fried pork, and tea. The snow was two 
feet on the ground, and the March winds made wild music 
among the thick branches of the forest." 

Miss JIann has a picture of the log buildings of the 
pioneer home, executed partly from her own memory and 
from her father's description, to which she has added the 
following lines : 

" Near an hundred years ago, 
Tho lofty pines stood thiukly round : 
A settler came, the woodland cleared. 
And built his villa on the ground. 
Logs within and logs without, 
Brave hearts would not repine, 
For moral worth and calm content 
Brighter than diamonds shine. 
Oh then it was a happy day, 
Birds sang a sweeter note, 
AVhen yea was yea and nay was nay, 
Nor bribes secured a vote." 

A pear-tree near the door, seventy years old, is still 
bearing. 

James Mann's children were Electa, James, who settled 
on the old homestead, and Jo.seph, who removed to Ken- 
dall, Orleans county. 

Simon P. Vedder came from Schenectady county in 
1808, and settled where the present parsonage is, at West 
Milton. He afterwards moved away the building of wood 
standing there, and it became the first tavern at Spier's 
Corners, and is the one still kept there. Mr. Vedder re- 
built of brick the present house now owned by the Pres- 
byterian church. The location is a fine one, and commands 
an extensive and pleasant view. 

Mr. Vedder's sons were Abram, who removed to Wis- 
consin ; Daniel C, also to Wisconsin. Daughters, Mrs. 
William J. Anglo, of West Milton ; Mrs. Switz, of Sche- 
nectady ; Mrs. Dr. Walls, of West Milton ; Mrs. Chauncey 
Vibbard, Mrs. Robert Spier, Mrs. A. G. Wylie, her hus- 
band, a minister of the Reformed church ; and Mrs. Stevens, 
of Schenectady. 



5j 




Residence of thl late ISAIAH BLOOD, 



"AfJATOGA Co.,N.Y. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



485 



James Hayes, of West Milton, states that there was a 
" log meeting-house," Presbyterian or Congregational, just 
within the limits of Galway, and near the first old Coven- 
anter church. It was built probably in the time of the 
Revolution, and must have been the earliest place of wor- 
ship in all this part of the county. 

The following items are from the recollections of Otis 
Bentley, — living near the stone church,- — a man of eighty- 
four years, with the vigor, clearness of statement, and accu- 
racy of memory that would indicate not more than sixty- 
five. 

His father, John Bentley, came to this place in 1778 or 79, 
and settled on the present family homestead. At that time 
there was only one house at Saratoga Springs. He took up 
one hundred and fifty acres lease lands. John Cole was 
then living on the present place of John Dee. Henry Cole 
was also located northeast from the church. There was no 
house at the present village of Ballston Spa, but the springs 
were known and visited to some extent. The only accom- 
modation for the public was a gourd dipper hanging upon a 
tree near. Who furnished that is not stated. 

John Bentley set out au orchard on his first arrival, one 
hundred years ago. They were just beginning to bear at 
the earliest recollection of the son. One tree is still left, and 
bearing. 

There were saw- and grist-mills near the present paper- 
mill in the upper part of Rock City before 1800, usually 
known then as the Hatch mills, though owned by Swan. 
This was the first use of the splendid water-power at that 
point. Not much later than that, however, another one 
was erected by Rathbone, the first settler at the village of 
Rock City. There were two brothers Rathbone, one the 
pioneer merchant and landlord, the other the mill-owner. 
One of them afterwards removed to Greenfield. 

The children of John Bentley by his first wife were 
Sarah, who became Mrs. Snyder, of Milton ; Catharine, 
Mrs. Green, of Clifton Park ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Tillinghast 
Bentley, of Milton ; Charity, Mrs. Southwick, of Greenfield; 
Patience, Mrs. John P. Bentley, of Troy. John settled in 
Greenfield, and Abel in Oswego county. By his second 
wife the children were Otis, who furnishes these items, and 
seven other sons, all of whom removed to Oswego county, 
David, Pardon, Stephen, Adam, Elias, Gregory, and 
Reuben. 

The Westcott family came very early, and settled on the 
present Westcott place. 

Jonathan Morey as early as 1780, and located on the 
present Morey farm. 

Benjamin Peck in 1780, on the present Post place. 
Samuel Reed, in 1800, on the present Stewart place. Silas 
Adams — long time a deacon in the Baptist church — came 
about the same time as Mr. Bentley, 1778, and settled where 
his grandson, Herman Thomas, now resides. 

Reuben Weed was an early settler on the Jliddle Line 
road. 

Uriah Benedict, Isaac Webb, and Jacob Ambler kept 
store at Howard's Corners, half a mile west of the church, 
as early as 1800. 

Howard was an early settler, and the pioneer of the tan- 
ning business in town. 



The Scofields lived just over the line in Greenfield. 
The cemetery northeast of the church, on the Daniel 
Burgess farm, is nearly or quite one hundred years old. It 
has been enlarged and is still in use. 

There was another burial-place near Page's Comers. A 
tavern was kept there too in very early times by Baker. 

There was a saw-mill before 1800 at Craneville, at the 
upper end of the present pond, built or run by John White- 
head ; there were also a saw-mill and an iron-forge at Factory 
village. 

The sulphur spring near the east line of the town is on 
the Wing farm. It is of little importance. 

Of Mrs. Alvah D. Grenelle the following items have 
been obtained : 

The first Methodist meetings in the northwest portion of 
the town were held in the barn of Mr. Blinn, on the pres- 
ent John Tubbs' place, the barn still standing. This was 
about the year 1810. 

A camp-meeting was held about the same date, on the 
farm of Jabez Northrop, now the farm of Wm. Arnold. 
Joel Keeler, father of Mrs. Grenelle, was requested to 
attend at the camp-ground to enforce order. 
An early minister was Samuel Howe. 
Datus Ensign, well known in the annals of early Meth- 
odism in this county, also preached in the old barn. He 
once predicted a great revival for this section of country, 
relating a dream in which he seemed to see a spring burst- 
ing out from the foundations of the barn, and watering with 
its abundant flow all the surrounding fields. 

Preaching was next held at Mr. Keeler's, and not long: 
after the meeting-house was built at Swan's Corners. 

Samuel Luckey, afterwards doctor of divinity and 
regent of the University, was an early itinerant minister 
on this circuit. 

The meeting-house was thirty by forty feet, built largely 
by contributions of labor and materials ; probably not more 
than $250 cash expended upon it. 

Joel Keeler came from Westchester county. He first re- 
moved to Auburn, and there built the first frame building, 
for Colonel Hardenburgh, from whom the place was called 
Hardenburgh's Corners. In 1797 he came to Milton, and 
settled on the present Alvah D. Grenelle farm. The old 
pioneer log house stood east of the orchard, down the hill. 
The place was bought of Joshua Jones, who must have 
been a still earlier pioneer. Of Mr. Keeler's children, Jane 
became Mrs. Hawkins, and settled in Milton; Ann, Mrs. 
Miller, her husband being a Methodist miuister ; Eliza, Mrs. 
Grenelle ; and Mary, Mrs. Joshua Swan. 

Benjamin Grenelle was an early settler, removing from 
Salisbury, Conn., to Greenfield, in 1787. He had three 
sons, Benjamin C., of Brockport ; Alvah D., of Milton ; 
and John S., of Troy. Among early neighbors was Henry 
Fillmore, settled in 1787, where John Emigh now resides, 
and Newcomb Hewitt not long after. Joel Keeler was the 
first postmaster in this section, and Mr. Scribner, of Balls- 
ton, was the mail-carrier, and the curious two-wheeled con- 
veyance in which he used to appear every Friday is well 
remembered by the older people. 

Mrs. Grenelle mentions among the early teachers Mr. 
English and Ebenezer Luther. Somewhat later, Mr. Gard- 



486 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



ner and Eunice Manning. Among early physicians, Dr. 
Wood, Dr. Henderson, Dr. Gregory. Abel Whitlock was 
an early blacksmith in this neighborhood, settled near the 
old church at Swan's Corners, and opened a tavern in 1808, 
or about that time. 

The father of Joel Keeler was Captain Isaac Keeler, an 
officer in the Revolutionary army. He was a prisoner for 
several months at New York. When captured he received 
a sword-cut, and his life was saved by a buckle in the strap 
over his shoulder. The strap with the buckle, parted by 
the blow of the sword, is now in the possession of Isaac 
Keeler Grenelle, who also has the sword of his great-grand- 
father, with the inheritance of his name. He has also a 
curious watch, the property of his grandfather, Joel Keeler, 
and several other relics of olden times. Mrs. Grenelle, last 
year, at the Centennial, had the pleasure of seeing an old 
chair bearing the name of Isaac Keeler. 

Wm. Johnson was an early pioneer, an Englishman, lo- 
cating northwest of Clute's Corners. 

David Roberts settled near Rowland's Mills. A son, 
Phineas, used to play on the bass viol in the old church at 
Milton Hill. 

Walter Fatchin lived on the Middle Line road. The 
farm is still in the hands of his descendants. 

Further items of early settlement and the names of set- 
tlers appear in the church and village sketches, as well as 
in the records of organization and the lists of town officers. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

It might be supposed that this town had received its 
name from some enthusiastic admirer of " Paradise Lost," 
and that if no other name in the county had a cultured 
literary origin this at lea.st had. It is the " mission of the 
historian" to dispel all such fancies, and recite only verit- 
able facts. This name, like Upton, Ballston, and other 
words of like termination, is no doubt a specimen of growth, 
not classical taste. The winding Kayadrossera, drawing 
an irregular diagonal through the town and furnishing 
abundant water-power, affijrded ample opportunity for 
mills, that grand necessity of a new country. The upper 
part of old Ballston quite early became noted in this re- 
spect, and was generally known as MiW-toivn. This soon 
developed, or rather consolidated, into Milton. 

The records of seven years, from 1792 to 1798, are lost 
from the clerk's office of the town, and the account of the 
first town-meeting must therefore be omitted, and such 
items as may usually be taken for the purposes of history 
from the early years of the town organization. As at first 
constituted in 1792, the town included that portion of 
Greenfield which was a part of the old district of Ballston. 
Greenfield was, however, set off in 1793, so that Milton 
was reduced to its present size at that early date. For 
trade and business the people of the northern portion of 
Milton conveniently drive to Saratoga Springs ; the south- 
ern portion, to Ballston Spa. Some of the smaller villages 
are places of considerable business activity and some trade, 
as shown in another place. 

We add the supervisors, clerks, and collectors as far as 
they can be obtained from the office. 



1792. 
179.3. 
1791. 
1795. 
1796. 
1797. 
1798. 
1799. 
1800. 
1801. 
1802. 
1803. 
1804. 
1805. 
1806. 
1807. 
1808. 
1809. 
1810. 
1811. 
1812. 
1813. 
18U. 
1815. 
181B. 
1817. 
1818. 
1819. 
1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1824. 
1825. 
1826. 
1827. 
1S2S. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1S33. 
1834. 
1835. 
1836. 
1837. 
1838. 
1839. 
1840. 
1841. 
1842. 
1S43. 
1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

Supervisors. Town Clerks. Collectors. 

.John Ball. Eecord lost. Record lost. 

Abel Whalcn. " " " " 

Elisha Powell. « " " " 

a i< u it ti ii 

Walter Patchin. " " a >i 

ii a 

Henry Frink. 

i> ii 

Jeremy Rockwell, 

Silas Adams. 
Elisha Powell. 



Ezekiel Whalen. Benjamin Gregory. 



ii a 



Joel Keeler. Silas Wood. 



Daniel Couch, Jr. Alpheus Goodrich. 



Joel Keeler. 

it li 
Thomas Dibble. 

a ii 



Thomas Palmer. 



Isaac Frink. 



James M. Cook. 
Abr'm Middlebrook. 
Sylvester Blood. 

ii li 

Hiram IlowlauJ. 

James M. Cook. 

ii a 

Hiram Wood. 
Isaiah Blood. 
Daniel W. Culver. 
John Talmadge. 
James Ashman. 

ii It 

Daniel W. Culver. 
George W. Ingalls. 
John AV, Thompson. 
John S. Jones. 
Daniel W. Culver. 
George W. Ingalls. 
Wm. T. Odell. 
Isaiah Blood. 
Wm. T. Odell. 
George W. Ingalls. 
Geo. W. Chapman. 
Coruwell M. Noxon. 
Edw. H. Chapman. 



Eli Beardslee. 

William Clark. 
Eli Beardslee. 
William G. Boss. 

a ii 

Reuben Weed. 
Nathaniel Stewart. 



Daniel Couch, Jr. 
Joseph Jennings. 

ti ti 

Nathaniel Stewart. 
Philip H.iMcOmber. 
Beuham Smith. 
Hezckiah R. Hoyt. 
Joseph Jennings. 



Hiram Boss. 
Joseph Jennings. 
Thomas D. Prior. 
Alunzo Fuller. 
Thomas D. Prior. 
Rowland A.Wright. 
Thomas D. Prior. 
William W. Arnold. 



Horace Goodrich, 
Wm. T. Odell. 

Wheeler K. Booth. 

David Maxwell, 
Samuel Dc Forest. 
John II. Westcott. 



Seymour Chase. 
Laurence W. Bristol. 
Peter C. Gordon. 
Charles E. Jones. 



Barnabas M. Corey. 

Legrand Johnson. 
Harvey N. Hill. 
Erastus Jlurehuuse. 
Wm. W. Arnold. 
Daniel Bronson. 
David Derrick. 
Harvey Kilmer. 
Abram Wood. 
John J, G. Fort. 
Stephen Mcintosh. 
Solomon Bearup. 

li ii 

Harvey Kilmer. 
Edwin Hall. 

a li 

Isaac K. Griuell. 
Lorenzo D. Haight. 
Andrew Taylor. 

Henry S. Swan. 
Andrew Taylor. 
Hugh Whalcn, 




/ 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



487 



1865. 
1S66. 
1867. 
1868. 



Supervisors. 
Edw. H. Chapman. 
. Hiro .Tones. 



1869. Isaiah Blood. 

1870. " 
1871. 
1872. 
187.^. 
1874. 

1875. " " 

1876. Geo. L. Thompson. 

1877. " 

1878. " " 



Town Clerks. 
Chas. E. .Tones. 
Jonathan S. Smith. 

Joseph II. Thomas, 
elected president. 
Seth WhaJen, app. 
Wm. G. Ball. 



CoUectora. 
Robert J. Allison. 



Clarence B. Kilmer. 



Charles J. Newton. 



Hiro Jones. 
Clarence B. Kilmer. 
John McLean. 
George West, Jr. 



John V. N. Barrett. Steph'n C. Medberry. 
Wm. G. Ball. " " 

George W. Oakley. " " 

W. B. H. Outt. James Clnte. 

Leverett J. Seeley. Chas. J. Newton. 
(( ft (t tt 

W. H. Chapman, res. " " 

Jas. W. Morris, app. 

John M. Carliu. " " 



JUSTICES OP THE PEACE 

1830. Alpheus Goodrich. 

1831. William J. Angle. 

1832. Thomas Palmer. 

1833. Oran G. Otis. 
Daniel Couch. 

1834. Alpheus Goodrich. 

1835. William J. Angle. 

1836. George G. Scott. 

1837. James Ladow. 

1838. Eliphalct St. John. 

1839. William J. Angle. 

1840. George G. Scott. 

1841. James Ladow. 

1842. Abram T. Davis. 

1843. William J. Angle.- 

1844. George G. Scott. 

1845. Ezra Westcott. 

1846. David Maxwell. 

1847. Henry Crippen. 

1848. Callender Beecher. 

1849. Le Grand Johnson. 

1850. David Maxwell. 
Ezra Westcott. 
Samuel De Forest. 

1851. Daniel Bronson. 

1852. Charles D. Allen. 
M. Lemet Williams, 
William Wilson. 

1853. Ezra Westcott. 

1854. Augustus E. Brown. 

Under a special statute the to 
justice once in two years. 

1863-65. David Maxwell. 
1867-73. John B. McLean. 



ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. 

I 1855. James Ladow. 

Abraham Middlebrook. 

1856. David Maxwell. 

1857. Henry Crippen. 

1858. Seymour Chase. 

1859. James Ladow. 

1860. David Maxwell. 

1861. Seth Whalen. 

1862. David Morris. 

1863. J.ames L.adow. 

1864. David Maxwell. 
Sidomon A. Parks. 

1865. Cornwell M. Noxon. 

1866. Aaron 6. Waring. 

1867. James Leggett. 
Charles H. Wickham. 

1868. David Ma.xwel!. 

1869. Seth Whalen. 

1870. Samuel D. Sherwood. 

1871. James Leggett. 

1872. David Maxwell. 

1873. Stephen B. Jackson. 
J.aeob S. Settle. 

1874. Daniel Boyce. 

1875. David Morris. 

1876. Theodore F. Hamilton. 

1877. John H. Smith. 
Palmer S. Kilmer. 

1878. James Miller. 

wn was authorized to elect a police 

1875. G. W. Hall (resigned). 
1876-77. Alvah C. Dake. 



-VILLAGES. 



BALLSTON SPA. 



A separate chapter is devoted to the history of this vil- 
lage, fdllnwing that of the town of Ballston, and considera- 
ble material belonging to the hi.story of Milton is included 
in that chapter, particularly the extensive operations of 
George West, in the Kayadrossera valley. 

BLOODVILLE. 

This little hamlet, just beyond the limits of the corpora- 
tion of BalLston, has grown up principally around the scythe 
and axe manufactory, established in 1824, by Isaiah Blood, 
and derives from him its name. This tool establishment 



has a national reputation, the name of " I. Blood " 
stamped upon scytnes, axes, and other edge-tools, having 
gone into every part of the country. The lower mill, for 
the manufacture of axes, is upon the site of an old pioneer 
saw-mill. The site of the upper mill was not occupied by 
machinery until employed by Mr. Blood. The property 
remained in the hands of its founders until his death, in 
November, 1870 ; it then pa.ssed into the hands of his son- 
in-law, Henry Knickerbocker, a banker and broker in New 
York. The last checks .signed by Mr. Blood, Oct. 10, 
1870, are framed and preserved in the office. The busi- 
ness requires from two hundred to two hundred and fifty 
hands. The quantity of goods sold yearly is simply im- 
mense, — twelve thousand dozen of scythes, eight thousand 
dozen of axes, and ten thousand dozen of other tools. The 
enterprise has been steadily continued through all these 
years. 

Isaiah Blood was the son of Sylvester Blood, an early 
pioneer, and inherited the business from him. In an old 
invoice or census-roll, by United States Marshal Wilkins, 
lacking any date, however, but preserved in the office of 
the county clerk, the name of Sylvester Blood appears, and 
his business estimated at one hundred axes. This is the 
enterprise which, descending in the fiimily, has developed 
to the thousands of dozens already stated. 

At Bloodville may also be mentioned the establishment 
of Benjamin Barber, comprising lumber-yard, plauing-niill, 
sash and blind factory. This was started in 1857 ; employs 
eight or ten hands. 

FACTORY VILLAGE. 

This place is next above Bloodville, and has grown up 
around the two paper-mills located upon the Kayadrossera. 
One of these is the property of the Cook estate. It is run 
by the firm of Jones & Settle, employs about twenty-five 
hands, manufactures collar paper, three hundred and twenty- 
five to three hundred and fifty tons a year. The lower mill 
is owned by John McLain, and turns out daily about four 
thousand five hundred pounds of straw-print. At this vil- 
lage there was erected a neat union chapel in 1872, where 
a Sunday-school is maintained, and occasional preaching 
by the pastor of Ballston Spa. 

CRANEVILLE. 

is another hamlet still farther up the stream, taking its 
name from Murray Crane, who lived there for many years, 
but is now a resident of Ballston Spa. The paper-mill at 
this point is mentioned in the account of George West's 
operations, in the Ballston Spa history. 

MILTON CENTRE. 
This village is at the point where the Middle Line road 
crosses the Kayadro-ssera. The grist-mill at this point was 
established by General Gordon just after the war. It is 
said that his materials for building were gathered before 
the war broke out, that the millstones were left leaning 
against trees during the troublous period, and that they had 
sunk by their weight half-way into the ground before peace 
enabled the general to complete his plans. The present 
building is in part the one erected then. At this place is 



488 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



a large tannery now owned by Samuel Haight. About one 
hundred hands are employed ; the line of business combines 
both tanning and currying. Imitation goat and kid are 
manufactured. The finished work is sent mostly to New 
York, and more than half of it is exported to Europe. 
They place in the vat an average daily amount of two hun- 
dred and thirty sides. This tannery was built by Seth 
Rugg, about the year 1S30. It was sold by the Ruggs to 
Mr. Morey, by him to Jacob Adams, and the latter sold it 
to the present proprietor about eight years since. 

The Rugg family came in just after the Revolutionary 
■war, and settled opposite the present tannery. Sylvanus 
Rugg the pioneer was a wheelwright, and made all the spin- 
ning-wheels used in this section of country for many years. 
David Stever, a nephew of Seth Rugg, the founder of the 
tannery, lives south of the centre, near Milton Hill. 

WEST MILTON. 

This village consists of two separate divisions, Speir's 
Corners and Clute's Corners. The post-office known as 
West Milton has sometimes been at one place and some- 
times at the other. Like the other villages of the town, 
water-power has had considerable share in its prosperity. 
The original grist-mill was built before 1800 by Daniel 
Campbell, of Schenectady. Simon P. Vodder was his 
agent in charge of the business ; Jacobus Barhydt was the 
carpenter who executed the work, and afterwards became 
the miller. Ezokiel Whalen also built a mill near the 
present paper-mill of George West. Abram Vedder kept 
the first store at Speir's Corners. He was succeeded by 
Robert Spier. 

Ezekiel Whalen opened the first store at Clute's Corners, 
in the large building now standing at the intersection of 
the roads. These villages are pleasantly situated in a de- 
lightful section of the town. At Speir's Corners is the 
Presbyterian church, a history of which appears in another 
place. At Clute's Corners the Wilson chapel and Wilson 
park are features that indicate, not only the generosity of 
an individual donor, but the public spirit, culture, and re- 
finement of the community. From their book of records 
wo find that the " Wilson park association of West Milton" 
had its inception in the summer of 1S74, when one of the 
persons subsequently named among its corporators suggested 
to the then owner of the premises, William Wilson, that he 
allow the young men of the place to " remove the fence in 
front of the grove, cut out the underbrush, and make it 
accessible as a place of recreation for the school-children, 
provide the same with seats where those passing by might 
rest, and erect suitable accommodations for picnics and 
other open-air gatherings; in short, to convert the prem- 
ises into a public park." Permission being tciven, the first 
work in the removing of fences was done by public-spirited 
young men, Sept. .5, 1874. Not long after, William Wil- 
son, who had been a resident of the place for sixty years, 
donated to an incorporated society the ground he had per- 
mitted them to improve, and also built and presented to 
the community a neat and convenient chapel now standing 
upon the premises. The grounds of the public school also 
being thrown open, in connection with the grounds, make 



an entire park of more than three acres. The chapel cost 
about $900. 

ROCK CITY AND ROCK CITT P.\LLS. 
These are parts of one village that has grown up still 
farther up the valley around the mills that have been es- 
tablished there from time to time. The upper portion seems 
to be considered " Rock City," the lower, " Rock City 
Falls." The first paper-mill was one now owned by George 
West. It was built in 18-10, by Rowland & Kilmer, — 
burned a few years later, and rebuilt by Kilmer & Ashmun, 
in 1845. The firm then became Buchanan & Kilmer, and 
still later was changed to Harlow, Kilmer & Co. At the 
death of Mr. Kilmer it was sold to Mr. West. The other 
paper-mill, now owned by C. Kilmer & Son, was remodeled 
from an early grist-mill, about 1S4G or 1847, by Isaac 
Rowland, Jr. Not succeeding in the enterprise, the property 
was sold to Buchanan & Kilmer. This was the second mill 
in the United States that entered upon the manuAicture of 
straw print, and it has continued it successfully to the 
present time, making now three and a half tons a day, or 
$125,000 worth per year. The number of hands employed 
is thirty-three. The paper made is all sold to the New 
York Sun. 

The following general notes are kindly furnished by 
Harlow Van Ostrand, who is now, and has been for many 
years, intimately connected with Rock City and its business 
enterprises : 

" There is a legend that, before the Kayadrossera was 
obstructed by dams, shad and herring reached Rock City 
Falls, which the old inhabitants remember as a fiict, — and 
the Indians resorted here, caught and dried them on the 
high banks. Valentine Rathbone, a long-time resident, was 
one of the early settlers. He built a hotel and store. The 
latter was burned in 1846, the former stood down through 
the years until it was torn down in 1877. It had been 
used as a dwelling-house from 1820, and for many years 
there was no hotel or store. The store now standing was 
built in 1849, by Harlow Van Ostrand, and the present 
hotel by John and Andrew Taylor. Peter H. Kilmer and 
Isaac Van Ostrand were early residents, and, as carpenters, 
left their mark on buildings considered in those days es- • 
peciaily fine. They helped build the old Ballston Centre 
church in connection with " Uncle" Aaron Van Ostrand, 
as he was known in early times. A former apprentice, Mr. 
Planning, having taken the job, employed " Uncle Aaron" 
to superintend the laying out of the frame, which was of 
heavy timber. At the time of the Adventist excitement, 
in 1843, at an evening lecture by Mr. Miller, the old church 
was den.sely crowded above and below, and some began to 
be fearful of a crush under the weight. The commotion 
was assuming ' panic' proportions, when Uncle Aaron, who 
was present, rose and said to the excited throng, ' Y^ou can't 
break it down, I know, for I helped build it.' " 

Aaron Van Ostrand removed with his family from Con- 
necticut, soon after the war, into the town of Milton. Early 
neighbors were Alpheus Moore and his sons David and 
Moses, Mr. Millard, Joel Keeler, Nathan Frink, Mr. Tay- 
lor and his son John, and Joel Lee, afterwards so many 
years postmaster at Ballston Spa. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



489 



Aaron Van Ostrand did a part of the carpenter work 
on the Episcopal church at Milton Hill. This was built on 
a sfjuare supposed to be the centre of the town, and in 
early days town-meetings were lield there. On the square 
was a school-house and a Presbyterian church. There was 
a tablet, said to have been painted by Benedict Clark, 
placed on the wall at the side of the high pulpit in that old 
Episcopal church, that the then youthful eyes of the writer 
greatly admired. The inscription was in a half-circle, 
" How amiable are thy tabernacles, Lord of Ho.sts." 

The first post-office at Rock City was established in 1849. 
Harlow Van Ostrand was appointed postmaster, and has re- 
tained the office ever since. Oscar Granger was the con- 
tractor for carrying the mail. 

The first post-office in tlie town of Milton was established 
at the residence of Joel Keelor, the 2)rescnt place of Alvah 
D. Grenelle. 

MILTON HILL. 

This cannot now claim to be a village, but it had very 
liopeful prospects for twenty or thirty years succeeding the 
Revolution. There was Powell's store, at one time selling 
more goods than any other country store in the county. 
Two churches were erected there. It was on the Middle 
Line road, the centre of the town, and in itself a beautiful 
hill ; but in after-years stores, churches, and business enter- 
prises were attracted to Ballston Spa and the villages above. 
The store was closed, the churelies dissolved, their houses 
of worship removed. Speculation in corner-lots and the 
opening of broad avenues ceased to excite the citizens of 
the " Hill." 

Mr. Powell's store was on the corner of the road leading 
to West Milton from the " Hill." His dwelling-house is 
still standing near. Mr. Powell came about 1800. Of his 
sons, Elisha is now living in New York, Wcstill W. in 
Tennessee, George B. a lumber merchant of Oswego. A 
daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Dr. Wright, resides at New- 
town, Long Island. 

Rowland's mill.s. 

This hamlet is on the eastern line of Milton, and not 
far from the village of Saratoga Springs. The place is 
named from H. R. Rowland, the proprietor of the saw- 
and grist-mills that are situated upon one of the branches 
of the Kayadrossera. Southeast of the mills there are 
also .stone-works. Prince Wing resides at Rowland's Mills, 
and is very extensively engaged in inilling, burning lime, 
and farming. In these occupations he employs a large 
number of persons. Prince Wing is a native of the town 
of Greenfield, his father having settled there at an Ciirly 
date. 

> I.— SCHOOLS. 

The town organized its school districts in pursuance of 
the law of 1812. 

The school at Ballston Spa is the largest and most im- 
portant in the town. Other schools of considerable num- 
bers and sustained with a commendable public spirit are at 
West Milton, Rock City, Milton Centre, and Bloodville. 
62 



commissioners' apportionment, march, 1878. 





P 


9 


—J o 

5 jj 


O 




t 






o g 


a 2 


=1 ^ 




o 




"■Sd 


d 3 


k>3 


£■1 


0. 


a 


District. 


■o g 


J3 




1 " 

„2S 


O 

s 


3 




m 




3 S5 


5^1 

5 = £ 


2 

5 


1 


No. I.... 


931 


$417.12 


$640.32 


$541.79 


$31.06 


$1630.29 


" 2.... 


fi4 


52.14 


44.02 


27.13 


2.14 


12.5.43 


" 3.... 


66 


52.14 


45..39 


37.61 


2.20 


137.34 


" 4.... 


3i) 


52.14 


26.82 


21.33 


1.30 


101.59 


" 5 


55 


52.14 


37.83 


30.03 


1.83 


121.83 


" 6 


45 


52.14 


30.95 


22.32 


1.50 


106.91 


" 7 


99 


52.14 


68.09 


79.11 


3.30 


254.78 


" 8.... 


45 


52.14 


30.95 


23.55 


1.50 


108.14 


" 9.... 


55 


52.14 


37.83 


45.61 


1..S4 


137.42 


" 10.... 


113 


52.14 


77.72 


63.28 


.3.77 


249.05 


" U.... 


120 


52.14 


82.53 


97.41 


4.00 


288.22 


" 12.... 


92 


52.14 


63.28 


73.16 


.3.07 


191.65 


" 13.... 


3S 


52.14 
$1199.22 


26.14 


22.31 


1.27 


101.86 




1762 


$1211.87 


$1084.46 


$58.75 


$3554.51 



VII.— CHURCHES. 

ST. james' church (episcopal). 

In the year 179G a parish styled St. James' church, 
Milton, was organized under the auspices of Rev. Ammi 
Rogers, who seems to have gone everywhere doing good. 
The first vestry of the parish was James Henderson and 
David Roberts, wardens ; Abel Whalen, William Bolt, 
Joel Mann, Hugh McGirincss, William Johu.son, Henry 
Whitlock, Jdhn Asliton, Thomas Shepherd, vestrymen. 
The church stood on Milton Hill, near the present school- 
house. Rev. Charles JlcCabe, pastor of the Presbyterian 
church in Slilton, entered the Episcopal ministry and was 
for some years the rector of St. James'. About the year 
1845 the services of the parish were discontinued and the 
niombers united with that of Christ church, Ballston Spa. 
The property was bought by Nathaniel Mann in 1849. 
Among the pastors are mentioned Rev. J. Perry, 1810 ; 
Rev. Mr. Adams, in 1809. Contributors to sustain the 
church were Everts, AUes, Barkers, Daniel Crawford, who 
lived .south of Saratoga Springs ; Anthony Creal, Pliineas 
Roberts, Benjamin Crawford, Eli Beardsley, Martha Ful- 
lerton, Abiier Iloyt, Hezekiah R. Iloyt, Noah Pullen, 
who lived in Galway ; John Bennett, Philip J. Kellogg, 
Benjamin Bennett, Abner Wilson, Jared Tallmage, Isaac 
Tallraage, Thomas B. Saf^'ord, Sarah Booth, Seth Tallmage, 
William Bolt, Levi Gregory, Ziba Taylor. These were all, 
no doubt, contributors as early as 1800, or soon after. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OP MILTON. 

It appears from the records in the oflfice of the county 
clerk that this society was incorporated June 2, 1791. It 
may have been organized earlier than that, but then for the 
first time filed its certificate in accordance with law. The 
full name was " The Presbyterian Society of Milton, in the 
town of Ballston." 

The trustees named in the certificate are William Wil- 
liamson, Ebenezer Couch, Benajah Smith, Silas Adams, 
Stephen Wood, Esquire Patchin. The signatures were 
witnessed by Cornelius Vandenburgh and G. N. Schoon- 



490 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



hoven, and the return is signed by John Ball and Heze- 
kiah Middlebrook, officers of the meeting. The meeting- 
bouse was at Milton Hill, and stood northeast from the 
present school-house, on the line of the highway. 

Mr. Hovey was an early minister here, and in later years 
the names of Wright and Hermance are mentioned. The 
society was dissolved about the year 1840—11, some of the 
members uniting with the church at West Milton, and 
others at Ballston Spa. 

BAPTIST SOCIETY KNOWN AS THE " STONE CHURCH." 

This is in the Bentley neighborhood, east of Rock City. 
The society was organized before 1800. The first meet- 
ings were held in private houses and in barns. The first 
meeting-house was built of wood, on the site of the present 
one, in 1801. The work was done by Elder Lewis, who 
also built the old farm-house of the Bentleys. It stood till 
1826, when the present substantial stone building was 
erected. This Baptist church was one of the pioneer soci- 
eties of the town. Services have generally been maintained 
from the first settlement to the present time. The lot for 
the church site was bought in 1801, and deeded to John 
Bentley, Silas Adams, Daniel Green, Salmon Child, and 
Reuben Weed. The parsonage lot was bought Feb. 19, 
1828. 

A number of individuals from Stephentown, Rensselaer 
Co., from White Creek, Washington Co., and from Still- 
water moved into this part of Milton about 1785, and were 
soon after formed into a branch of the Stillwater Baptist 
church, receiving and dismissing members and managing 
their own affairs. 

At a council June 22, 1793, the church was constituted 
an independent body, with forty-eight members. The ear- 
lier meetings were in barns and in dwelling-houses. The 
ministers encountered peculiar difficulties in discharging 
their duties. They had to travel through forests guided 
only by marked trees or over roads rudely and imperfectly 
opened. Their temporal wants were supplied by hard labor 
in secular employments, and their services on the Sabbath 
were but sparingly rewarded by pecuniary remuneration. 
This proceeded fi-om inability of brethren in a new country 
rather than from any want of disposition to help their 
ministers. Some of the ministers were here but a short 
time, and no date is given. Smith, Covil, Finch, Lee, 
McClure, Rogers, Irish, and Peck were here when meetings 
were held in barns and dwellings. 

The following is a list of the ministers, with the dates 
of their pastorates; Jonathan Nicols, 1803-7; Samuel 
Plum, 1814-22; Clay, 1822-24; E. Tucker, 1825-26; 
T. Powel, 1828-36; A. Seamans, 1836-37 ; J. B. Wilkins, 
1838-39 ; J. Goadby, 1840-41 ; W. B. Curtis, 1842-48 ; 
Caleb Gurr, 1849-52; E. B. Crandell, 1852-54; Lewis 
Sellick, 1856-57; F. N. Barlow, 1857-60. 

A. G. Waring is the superintendent of the Sunday-school, 
which numbers seventy members. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WEST MILTON. 

This church was organized as the Covenanters or Re- 
formed Presbyterians. It was the religious society of the 
solid Scotch emiirrants who came to Milton and Ballston 



during or soon after the Revolution, and settled what was 
known as Pm'dcy Sfvfet. Their sturdy Christian faith is 
still reflected in their children's children. The marble over 
their graves may crumble, their old homesteads may disap- 
pear, but their faith lives and flourishes. The first house 
of worship was erected on the present farm of John T. 
Conde, a mile and a half west of Spier's Corners. It was 
about forty feet square, two stories, with a spacious, old- 
fashioned gallery. It was abandoned in 1840, the old 
building sold to James Hayes, who moved it to his place in 
Galway and made a carriage-house of it. The new edifice 
was erected at Spier's Corners, on a beautiful elevation, soon 
after the sale of the old one, 1840 or '41. 

The successive ministers of this church were of much 
character and ability, eight out of the twelve having, re- 
ceived the degree of doctor of divinity. The first pastor 
was James McKinney, who came from Ireland just after 
the United Irish rebellion, 1798. He was a large and 
powerful man both of body and mind. He was followed 
by the Rev. Gilbert McMaster, a name that afterwards be- 
come noted in the annals of American Presbytcrianism. 
The remaining ministers have been Samuel Wilson, John 
N. JIcLeod, Rev. A. S. McMaster, son of the second pa.s- 
tor. Rev. Samuel Stevenson, Rev. R. H. Beattie, Rev. M. 
McAleese, Rev. David G. Bullions, Rev. Peter Brooks, 
Rev. Andrew Johnston, and Rev. Wm. Scholl. 

The first elders, elected about the year 1800, were John 
Willson (father of William AVillson, the recent donor of 
the chapel and park), Alexander Glen, John Burns, Jo- 
seph Shearer, Alexander Donnon. All of these first elders 
and several of the later ones belonged to the Paisley Street 
settlement, and are spoken of by those who remember them 
as a noble race of strong, brave Christian pioneers. The 
remaining elders have been Andrew Gardner, James Guth- 
rie, Robert Willson, James Hayes, William Willson, 
Charles McClew, William Charles, Adam Clute, Matthew 
Sherwood, John Parent, James Allison, John A. Clute, 
Noah S. Young, Frederick Streever, John T. Conde. 

James Hayes, from whom these and many other items 
have been obtained, is still living, a ruling elder sixty years, 
a fair specimen of the solid men of old, who laid the foun- 
dation of our civil and religious institutions. With intcn.se 
love for the faith of his fathers and the faith of his children, 
he is passing a serene and quiet old age, approaching with 
unfaltering trust the end of a long and useful life. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ROCK CITY FALLS. 

The first meeting for organizing this society was held 
about the first of March, 1844. Alauson Richards, one of 
the circuit ministers, presided, and a committee to secure 
subscriptions was appointed, consisting of Joshua Swan, 
Gilbert Swan, Charles R. Lewis, Constant Potter, Seth 
Whalen, Darius J. Hewitt, William C. Kelley, and Asa P. 
Frink. At the second meeting, March 9, 1844, trustees 
were chosen as follows : Seth Whalen, Charles R. Lewis, 
Joshua Swan, James Mcintosh, Harlow Kilmer. At a 
meeting of the trustees, April 22, Joseph Riggs was chosen 
clerk of the society, a building committee was named, — 
Joshua Swan, James Mcintosh, Seth Whalen, and Harlow 
Kilmer. April 27, proposals were invited to build a house 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



491 



of wood fifty-four by thirty-two. May 4, the proposal of 
Harlow Kilmer to erect the house for $1^00 was unani- 
mously accepted. Among the subscribers to the building 
fund were Joseph Riggs, $100 ; James Mcintosh, Charles 
R. Lewis, Joshua Swan, Seth Whalen, John Taylor, $50 
each ; Harlow Kilmer, $'^0 ; Constant Potter, Abraham 
Haynor, Asa P. Friuk, Samuel Craig, Gilbert Swan, Darius 
J. Hewitt, Harlow Kilmer, David Van Ostrand, Roscius 
R. Kennedy, Isaac Rowland, Jr., Seth Whalen, and Joshua 
Swan, $25 each ; Thomas G. Arnold, $20 ; Norman Ar- 
nold and Nelson Walter, $15 each. These were all tlie 
subscriptions that exceeded $10. 

March 26, 1855, Harlow Van Ostrand was elected clerk. 
April 11, 1868, the church basement was permitted to be 
used for academic purposes. 

A ladies' aid society raised in 1863-67 nearly $300 for 
parsonage matters, and the parsonage, from the record, 
seems to have been completed by the liberal aid of George 
West and C. Kilmer. 

This Methodist house of worship was the successor of 
an older one that was built at Swan's Corners in 1811. 
That house is still standing, devoted to other uses, but with 
the pulpit and altar still there, and some of the seats, — ob- 
jects of interest and almost of veneration to some long 
since removed to other towns, who wander back to the 
scenes of their childhood, and recall the early services in 
the old house. 

In connection with this church was a Sunday-school in 
1825-27. Among the scholars were Zerah Hoyt, now 
pjistor of the Congregational church in Greenfield, Eleanor 
Tallman, Harlow Van Ostrand, and others now in middle 
or advanced life. A Bible class was conducted by Rev. 
Samuel Young, a local preacher. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH, ROCK CITY FALLS. 

This place was visited occasionally for many years from 
Saratoga. Mass on these occasions was said sometimes in 
the district school-house, but most generally in the dwelling- 
house of Mrs. Vogel. Mrs. Vogel's may be said to have 
been the cradle of Catholicity at the " Falls ;" there the 
priest ever received a hearty welcome, and the people ac- 
commodation. This lady and her son John were the first 
and most active in the movement for a church at the 
"Falls." 

Rev. John McMenomy, in the month of October, 1872, 
after mass in the school-house, organized a meeting at which 
a subscription for a church was opened. Plans were pro- 
cured, and a contract made in January following. The 
church was finished and paid for within the year, with the 
exception of about $300. Mr. Chauneey Kilmer gener- 
ously donated a lot one hundred and fifty by two hundred 
feet; his son Clarence gave $300; Mr. Welsh, $500; and 
his son $100 towards the erection of the church. The 
edifice was incorporated in July, 1874. The first incor- 
porators were John J. Conroy, bishop ; Rt. Rev. Francis 
McNerney, acting vicar-general ; John McMenomy, pastor; 
together with John Vogel and John Enright, the two lay- 
men of the congregation. The corporate title of the 
church is " The Church of St. Paul, of Rock City Falls, 
N. Y." 



Tiie first pastor of the church was Rev. P. Smith, ap- 
pointed November, 1875. The present pastor, 1878, is 
Michael Mullany. The church was dedicated in Septem- 
ber, 1877, by Bishop McNerney, a.ssisted by Rev. P. Hav- 
ermaus, of Troy, Rev. J. McMenomy, of Saratoga, and its 
pastor. Rev. M. Mullany. Father Havermaus preached. 
The choir of St. Peter's, Saratoga, sang the mass. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PLACE.S. 

As in the case of other towns, places of burial are nu- 
merous. In the northwest is a finely-situated burial- 
ground, opposite the place of A. D. Grenell. Northwest 
of Rowland's Mills is another, in which burials occurred at 
an early date. West of Spier's Corners, near the place of 
S. Young, is a cemetery of considerable age. Near the 
Presbyterian church of that place is the large cemetery of 
modern times. In the vicinity of the smaller villages 
there are also cemeteries. There is one in the Judge 
Thompson neighborhood, and some places of private burial 
already mentioned in another place. 

IX.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

Two or three points of considerable historic interest are 
spoken of in the chapter upon the town of Ballston, places 
that were in the part of the town which afterwards became 
Milton. These will bo noticed in the extracts from Judn-e 
Scott's address, and under various other heads both in this 
and other chapters. 

X.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The people of the town are very largely engaged in 
manufacturing enterprises, and these are fully stated in 
connection with the notices of villages. The agriculture 
of some portions of the town is, however, of an excellent 
and superior character. In the western, central, and south- 
ern portions there are many fine farms, fertile and produc- 
tive, giving evidence of the skill, intelligence, and practical 
thrift ^of their owners. 

XL— MILITARY. 

In the War of 1812 there went from the town of Mil- 
ton, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, the following 
soldiers: Captain Reuben Westcott, Cornelius Schermer- 
horn. Freeman Thomas, W. J. Stillwell, Oliver Whitehead, 
Daniel Beach, John Wheeler, Alva Robertson, Timothy 
Bailey, and doubtless others. 

The following is the military roll of those who went 
from this town into the War of 1861-65. The action of 
the town in the raising of bounties was prompt and patri- 
otic. As in other cases, the list has been advertised and 
left for correction several weeks at Ballston Spa. 

Adna Abba, Jr., enl. Sept. 20, 1881, 77th Regt., Co. B; wounded ; taken prisoner 

Miij- ID, ISW ; re-tr:insf. to Vet. Bat., 77tli Regt. 
William Arnold, eul. Sept. 17, IS61, 77th Rygt., Co. B; pro. Corp.; wounded; 

prisoner May G, 1864; died. 
Charles AnJrewj, enl. Sept. 16, 1S62, 77th Kogt., Co. B; wounded May 18, 1804; 

transferred. 
Alonzo Allen, enl. Aug. 2, 1862, 115th Rogt.,Co.C; Corp. 
Arnold T. Ayies, eul. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D ; Corp. 
Branian Ayro-i, .Tr., enl. Doc. 26, 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D. 
William Abbs, enl, Jan. 4, 1864, Kith Art., Co. F. 
William Campbell, fnl. June 22, 186;i, l:ltli Art., Co. I; Corp. 
Ephraim J. Tripp, enl. Sept. 0, l.S(;2; disch. July 10, 1865; was taken prisoner 

May 10, and recaptured June 10, 1865. 



492 



HISTOKY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



William Bartel, enl. Dec. 28, 18G3, 13lh Art., Co. T. 

William Borlcll, enl. Nov. 24, 18C1. 4th H.>av)- Art., Co. D. 

Tliolnas 0. Black, enl. Nov. 28, 18G1, 4l!i Hravj- Art., Co. I). 

Daniel E. Bortell, enl. Nov. 28, 1861, 4tli H.-avy Art., Co. D. 

Marcns Bnrras, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D ; Corp. 

James Bortell, enl. Aug. 29, 1862, 77lh Regt, Co. H ; died of wonnds June 16, 

1864, at Witshington. 
William A. Baker, enl. Aug. 30,1802, 77th Itegt., Co. H; trans, to Vet. Bat., 

77th Regt. 
Willi.im G. Ball, enl. Dec, 1863 ; capt. ; disch. Sept., 1865. 

George Bolton, enl. Sept. 16, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; Corp. ; killed at Cold Har- 
bor, June 4,1864. 
Isaac Boise, enl. Sept. 18, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; served through ; disch. Dec. 

13, 1804. 
William H. Boise, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died Feb. 20, 1862, at 

York town. 
Nathan Brown, enl. Sept 19, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; served through; disch. 

Do.-. l:l, 1864. 
Andrew Brower, enl. Sept. 22, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B. 

David Burst, enl. Sept. 28, 1861,77th Regt., Co. B ; trans, to Bat., Dec. 4,1863. 
.Tames W. Bacon, enl. Oct. 25, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B ; trans, to U. S. Cav. 
Case Ballon, enl. Sept. 25, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. H ; disch. for disability, June 16, 

1862. 
Edwin Bobenreath, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. D. 
Alexander J. Beach, enl. Jan. 1, 1864, 13th Art., Co. E; capt.; died of fever, 

Aug. 10, 1864, at Chesapeake, Md. 
John H. Brigg.s, enl. Aug. 6,1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Milo E. Burbey. enl. Aug. 5, 1302, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
William Barrett, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, llolh Regt, Co. C. 
George Bowers, enl. Sept. 16, 1862, 77th Begt., Co. B ; wounded Sept. 19, 1804; 

trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. 
Thomas J. Bradt, enl. Sept. 18, 1802. 
James Conlan, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th R"gt., Co. B. 
Wni. Craig, enl. Oct. 1,1861,77th Regt., Co. B; died of wounds received at 

Winchester. 
Joseph ('romack enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died in rebel prison. 
Charles P. Cornell, enl. Sept. 21, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; pi-o. corp. ; wounded 

Oct. 19, 1804; transferred. 
Lewis Ciilkins, enl. Sept. 24, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. C; died at Fortress Monroe, 

April, 1802. 
Benjamin H. C'air, eTil. Sept. 20,1801, 77lh Regt., Co. H ; sergt. ; died of wonnds, 

June 12, 1864, at Richmond. 
Clark Collins, enl. Sept. 2(l, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. H. 
George H. Curreen, enl. Aug. 4, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. C ; sergt. 
Patrick Cannon, enl. Aug. 11,1802, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Philip S. Christy, enl. Aug. 5,1862, 115th Regt., Co. 0. 
Mark Cochran, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
James W. Cole, enl. Aug. 6, 186'', 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Eugene N. Carroll, enl. Ang. 9, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Geoige Cruise, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
James Cuyler, enl. Aug. 6, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Jared L. Crouch, enl. Aug. 12, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. I. 
Charles M. Carter, enl. Sept. 3, 1862, 15:id Regt., Co. G; sergt. 
Hubei t Curtiss, enl. Sept. 10, 1862, 1.53d Regt , Co. G. 

Wm. J. Cbilson, enl. Dec. 26, 1863, 13th Art., Co. P ; sergt.; disch. July 25,1865. 
Thomas Cniig, enl. Jan. 1, 1864, 13tli Art., Co. F. 
John Crouch, enl. 4th H. Art. Co. D. 
Egbert W. Davi.s, enl. Sept. 26, 1861,77th Regt., Co. B; pro. corp. ; sergt. ; trans. 

to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. 
Robert N. Belong, enl. Oct. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B. 
Joseph B. Day, enl. Oct. 27, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E ; died of fever, Jan. 22, 1862, 

at Washington. 
Benjamin H. Day, enl. Oct. 1861,77th Regt., Co. E; taken sick; did not join 

the regiment then. 
Truman Deuel, enl. Sept. 23, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. H ; disch. for disability, July 

25, 1862; re-enl. Dec. 29, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Stephen Davis, enl. Aug. 4, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
James Dunk, enl. Aug. 2, 1862, 115lh Regt., Co. C. 
John Duckett, enl. Aug. 8, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Benjamin II. Day. enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. D ; killed May 3, 1803, at 

Fredericksburg. 
Wesley J. Date. enl. Aug. 21, 1862, 115th Regt.. Co. I. 
Henry C. Delong, enl. Nov. 24, 1861 , 4th H. Art., Co. D. 
Henry C. Dye, enl. Jan. 4, 1801, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Robert Delong, enl. Dec. 31, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Henry Davis. 
Wm. Easlham, enl. Sept. 19, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; pro. Corp.; trans, to Vet. 

Bat., 77th Regt. 
Nathan EWredge, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B. 
Alfred Eighmy, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Eilward Estabrook, enl. Sept. 1861, 44th Regt., Co. C. 
Patrick English, enl. Dec. 29, 1803, 13th An., Co. F. 
Leonard Englehart, enl. Dec. 28, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Warren Eail, enl. 77th Regt., Co. E; pro. Corp.; trans, to Bat., 77tli Regt.; 

wounded Oct. 19, 1864 ; disch. July, 186,5. 
James Emperor, eul. Sept. 1861, 77th Regt., Co. E ; wounded ; trans, to Vet. 

Reserve Corps ; trans, back ; killed May 0, 1804, in the Wilderness. 
Schuyler Freeman, enl. Sept. 21, 1861, 77th Regt., Cki. B. 



Wm. D. Freeman, enl. Sept. 19, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B. 

Cyrus M. Fay, eul. Nov. 8, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disabled M.ay 6, 1804. 

Bobert Fox, enl. Aug. 4, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C; Corp.; killed in Florida 

first belonged to 4lh .\rt. 
Andrew J. Freeman, enl. Aug. 7, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
George F. Foster, enl. Aug. 6, 1802, 115tb Regt., Co.C. 
James V. Fogg, enl. Sept. 22, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. B; taken prisoner May 6, 

1864; died in rebel prison. 
Hennan C. Fowler, enl. Aug. 24, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. H; died of wounds, July 

14, 1S64. 
Siiniuel Farnsworth, enl. Nov. 28, 1861, 4th H. Art., Co. D. 
Collins Foster, erd. 1804, 13th Art,, Co. F. 
John Fuller, enl. 1804, 13th Art., Co. F. 

A. M. Fitzgerald, enl. 1861, 30tli N. Y. Inf., Co. F; disch. 1863. 
Elenah Gilderaleeve, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; disch. June 2, 1802. 
David E. Gofle, enl. Oct. 10, 1861,77th Regt, Co. B; served through the war; 

disch. Dec. 13, 1804. 
Gottfried Gleesattle, enl. Oct 1, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. B ; disch. June 24, 1862. 
George T. Graham, enl. Oct. 15, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B ; disch. Oct. 4, 1862. 
Justus M. Gilson, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died April 10, 1862, at 

Alexandria, Va. 
Frederick Gleesattle, enl. Aug. 29, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. B ; pro. corp. ; trans. 
James K. Gillespie, enl. Ang. 8, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. C ; sergt. 
John Greer, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
llarley Groesbeck, enl. Aug. 7, 1802, lT5lh Regt, Co. C. 
David Giilusha, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, llSth Begt., Co. C. 
Terence Gregg, enl. Sept. 1, 1802, 77lh Regt, Co. B; wounded May 6, 1864; 

trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th Regt. 
John Geoghnn, enl. Sept 6, 1802, 77th Regt, Co. H; disch. for disability. May 

16, 1802. 
George B. Goodwin, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 13th .\rt., Co. F ; corp. ; pro. sergt. 
Dudley Goodwin, cnl. Dec. 26, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F ; pro. Corp. 
John Hegeman, enl. July 12, 1862, 83th Illinois, Co. B; pro. sergeant ; transf. to 

1st U. S. Eng., Nov., 1804; mustered jut June 29, 1866. 
Chas. Howard, from Regular Army, enl. Dec. 1, 1863, Co. I, 2d Vet. Cav.: sergt,; 

pro. lient. ; mustered out Nov. 28, 1865; died at Albany, 1875. 
Ozias Hewitt 
Clement C. Hill, enl. Sept 13, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. B; capt; resigned July 1, 

1802. 
Noble G. Hammond, enl. Sept. 13, 1861, 77th Begt, Co. B ; 1st lieut ; resigned 

July 24, 1862. r 

Alanson F. Hatch, enl. Sept. 14, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. B ; died of disease, Nov. 

28, 1802. 
Amasa A. Holbrook, enl. Sept 10, ISOl, 77tb Regt, Co. B; disch. June 24, 

1802. 
Otis Holbrook, enl. Sept 16, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. B; died Jan. 10, 1802, at 

Washington. 
Cornelius S. Huyck, enl. Sept. 18, 1801, 77th Regt , Co. B ; disch. March 7, 1863. 
Edward Hall, enl. Sept. 19, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. B. 

Dallas Hoyt, enl. .Sept. 28, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. B ; disch. June 23, 1862. 
Alexander C. Holmes, enl. Oct. 5, 1801, 771h Regt., Co. B ; disch. Nov. 3, 1862. 
Wm. H. Hewitt, Jr., enl. Oct 10, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B. 
James A. Hanna, enl. Aug. 11,1802, 115th Regt, Co. C. 
Seymour Harris, enl. July 30, 1862, 115th Begt, Co. C. 
Smith Harlow, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 115th Regt., Co. C. 
Orrin Hill, enl. Aug. 1, 1862, llith Regt, Co. C. 
Wm. B. Horton, enl. Sept., 1861, 44th Regt., Co. B. 
John B. Harlow, enl. Sept., 1861, 44th Regt., Co. B. 
John M. Hammond, enl. Sept, 1861, 44th Regt., Co. B. 
George L. Hayes, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. H. 
Andrew Hassott, enl. Aug. 29, 1862, 77th Regt., Co. H ; trans, to Vet. Bat., 77th 

Regt. 
Wm. Hall, enl. Dec. 3, 1861, 4th Heavy .\rt., Co. D. 
John Howard, enl. Dec. 20, 1801, 4lh Heavy Art, Co. D. 
Frederick Hope, eul. Dec. 28, 1863, 13lh Art, Co. F. 
Stephen Harris, eul. Dec. 29, 1803, 13tb Art, Co. F. 
Nicholas Hudson, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Alva Hickok. enl. Dec. 30, 1863, 13th Art., Co. F. 
Wm. H. Hewitt, enl. Dec. 26, 1863, 13th Art, Co. F. 
Martin Hunter, enl. Dec, 1801, 4th Heavy Art, Co. D. 
Tboln.is Harris, enl. Oct., 1861, 77th Regt, Co. E; pro. Corp.; sergt; sergt- 

major; 2d lieut; 1st lieut; captain; trans, to Vet. Biit, 77th Begt; 

mustered out July 10, 1865. 
George W. Ingalls, enl. Nov. 22, 1861, 4th Heavy Art., Co. D ; captain ; resigned 

Feb. 28, 1863. 
Edwin R. Ingiills, enl. Nov. 20, 1861, 4th Heavy Art, Co. D. 
Benjamin J. Jones, enl. Oct. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. H. 
Wm. J. Jennings, enl. Aug. 17, 1802, 115th Begt, Co. C; sergt. ; mustered out 

June 24, 1865 ; died at Ballston, N. Y., M.ay 1, 1871. 
Wm. H. Johnston, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. B ; trans, to Vet. Bat, 

77th Uegt. 
James Jermain, CTd. Aug. 11, 1862, 115th Regt, Co. I. 
Frederick Keenbolt/., eul. Sept 16, 1801, 77th Regt, Co. B ; died of wounds 

May 0, 1864, at Spottsylvania. 
Christt.pher F. Keenb.dtz, enl. Ang. 8, 1802, 115th Regt, Co. C. 
Oscar Kemp, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115lh Regt, Co. C. 

Edttin L. Lockwood, enl. Oct. 14, 1861, 77th Regt, Co. E; discharged for dis- 
ability, .\ug. 10, 1802. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



493 



Gporge D. Luffman, enl. Aug. 1, 1802, Hotli Regt., Co. 0. 

Lewis Liikuy, enl. Sept. 1, 1S62, 77lli Regt., Co. B; killed May 18, 18C4, at 

Sputtsylvania. 
Francis Luve, enl. Aug. 29, 1801, 77tb Itegt., Co. H ; died of wounds June IG, 

1804. 
Matthew Love, enl. Xug. 29, 18G1, l"7tli Regt., Co. H ; died of wounds July U, 

1864. 
Moses Lewis, enl. Dec. IS, 1801, 4tb n. Art., Co. D. 
John E. Lansing, enl. Nov. 28, 1S6I, 4th H. Art., Co. D. 
Lewis Lane, enl. Nov. 24, ISGl, 4th 11. Art., Co. D. 
George LeClear, enl. Dec. 11, 1803, l:lth Art., Co. F. 
Jesse R. Lewis, enl. 4th H. Art., Co. D. 
Wni. Lewis, enl. 4th H. Art., Co. D. 
Henry Lowery, enl. Dec. 18, 18G1, 4th H. Art., Co. D ; disch. at Petersburg, 

Dec. 9, 1804. 
Joseph Lewis, enl. in sanitary service as hospital steward. 
Wallace Morrison, enl. Sept. 30, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. B ; Corp. ; trans, to U. S. 

Art., June 25, 1862; disch. in 18C0. 
John Mitchell, enl. Oct. 1, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. B; wagoner; served through; 

disch. Dec. 13, 1804, 
Alt xander Morrison, enl. Sept. 14, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; taken prisoner May 

6, 1804; exchanged; disch. 
Thomas Mainhood, enl. Oct. 1, 1801, 77lh Regt., Co. B; disch. June 19, 1863. 
Alexander Mead, enl. Sept, 11, 18G1, 77th Regt,, Co, B; pro, sergt,; trans, to 

V. S. Colored Tioops, 
Alexander Mcintosh, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; pro. Corp.; disch. 

with regiment, Dec. 13, 1864, 
John V. Mosher, enl. Oct. 4, 1861, 77th Regt., Co. B; died Aug. 12, 1864, at 

Middletown, Ya, 
Frederick Morehouse, enl. Sept, 12, 1862, 77th Regt, Co. B; disch. March 18, 

1863. 
John Mosher, enl. Sept. 20, 1S61, 77th Regt,, Co. H ; trans to Vet. Bat., 77tb Regt. 
George Milbam, enl. Aug. 8, 1802, 115tb Regt., Co. C. 
Ferdinand Miller, enl. July 30, 1802, 115th Regt,, Co. C. 
Junies McNab, enl, .\ug, 4, 1862, ll.'^th Regt,, Co, C, 
Wallace Mcintosh, enl, .\ug, 13, 1802, llStb Regt., Co. C. 
John S, McKnigbt, enl, Aug, 9, 1862,115th Regt,, Co, I, 
Patrick Murray, enl, Ang,8, 1862, llStb Regt,, Co, I, 
James B, McLean, enl, Nov, 20, 18C1, 4th 11, Art,, Co. D; sergt. 
E. Wilson Merriman, enl, Dec, 15,1861, 4th H, Art., Co. D. 
Charles Massey, enl, 4th H, Art,, Co. D. 
Samuel Massoy, enl, 4th H, Art,, Co, D, 
James C, Milliman, 

H, T. Mcdberry, enl. Feb. 17, 186,i, 192d Regt,, Co, D ; disch. July, 1863. 
Robert E. Nelson, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, 77tb llegt., Co. B; Corp.; pro, sergt,; 2d 

lient, ; 1st lieut, ; mustered out with regiment, June 27, 1805. 
Henry ll'Neil, enl. Sept. 10, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. B ; died Oct. 2, 1862, at Fortress 

Monroe. 
Elijah Olmstead, enl. Oct. 22, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, II ; died of disease, Dec, 24, 

1S02, 
Leonard Osman, enl. Sept, 3, 1802, 77th Regt,, Co, H ; lost in action, 
John U'Neil, enl, Dec, 26, 1803, 13th Art,, Co, F; Corp. 
W. H. Owen, enl. 18G1, 77th Regt,, Co, H ; re-onl, 1803, 5th U, S, Reg, Cav,; 

sergt. 
Charles A. Perry, enl. Sept, 13, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co. B ; sergt, ; disch. Sept. 25, 

1802. 
Robert Porter, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 77th Regt., Co, B; corp, ; disch. Jan. 1,1803; 

re-enl. 13th Art., Dec, 28, 1803, 
Archy Phillips, enl. Sept, 14, 1861, 77th Regt,, Co. B, 

Anson J, I'almateer, enl. Sept, 21, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, B; disch, .Ian. 1, 1803, 
Alfred Picket, enl. Oct. 17, 1801, 77th Regt., Co. F ; disch. for disability, April 

28, 1802. 
Cyrus Padleford, enl. Aug. 8, 1802, 115th Regt,, Co, C. 
Reuben Parkhurst, enl. Aug. 11, 1802, 115th Regt., Co. C. 

Isaac Porter, enl. Dec, 24, 1863, 77th Regt,, Co, H ; trans, to Vet, Bat,, 77th Regt. 
Charles Petttt, enl, Aug. 5, lS6i, ll.Hh Regt,, Co, I, 
Asahel W, Potter, enl, Nov, 20, 1801, 4tb II, Art., Co, D ; 1st sergt, 
Henry Packard, enl, 1863, 13th Art,, Co. F. 
Albert J. Reed, enl. Sept, 16, 1801, 77th Kegt , Co, B; pro, corp,; sergt,; 

wounded; transferred. 
Patrick D. Rooney, enl, Oct, 8, 1861, 77tli Regt,, Co, B ; died Dec. 10, 1804, at 

WashingUm, D, C, 
James E, Reed, enl. Aug. 5, 1802, 115th Regt,, Co. C. 
Frederick Smith, enl. Sept, 13, 1861, 77lh Regt,, Co, B ; sergt, ; pro, to Ist lieut,, 

July 24, 1802; to capt,, June 4, 1803; disch. Sept, 9, 1804, 
Benjamin T, Simon, enl. Sept, 14, 1861, 77th Regt,, Co. B; served through; 

disch, Dec, 13,1864, 
Lafayette Sobermeihorn. enl. Sept, 14, 1801,77th Regt,, Co, B; died Juno 3, 

1802, at Gaines' Hill,Va, 
Arnold Spicer, enl. Oct. 1, 1801, 771b Regt,, Co, B. 

Paul Settle, Jr., enl, Oct, 1, 1861, 77tb Regt., Co. B; disch. Juno 1,3, 1802. 
Charles Sbiegel, enl. Aug. 5, 1802, U6th Regt., Co. C. 
John Southwart, enl. Aug. 30, 1802, 77th Regt., Co, B; twice wounded. May 6 

and Oct, 16, 1804, 
Simeon Sill, enl, Aug, 30, 1802, 7Tth Regt,, a>, B, 
Loren/.o Smith, enl, Aug, 12, 1S62, listli Regt,, Co, I. 
Philip Schaffer, enl, Aug, 20, 1862, lloth Regt., Co, I. 



Elijah Sherman, enl. July 31, 1862, llSlh Begt., Co. I. 

Edward C. Slocum, enl. Aug, 8, 1862, 115th Regt,, Co, I. 

Thomas S. Staira, enl. Aug. 4. 1802, 115th Regt., Co. I, 

John P, Staples, enl, Aug, 0, 1802, 1151b Regt,, Co. I. 

John G. Sternbaur, enl, Aug, 0, 18G2, 115tb Regt,, Co. I. 

Harris T, .Sl.icum, enl, Dec. 9, 1801, 4th B. Art,, Co, D, 

Benjamin Severance, eid, Nov, 24, 1801, 4th H, Art,, Co, D, 

Martin V, .ShelTer, enl. Nov. 24, 1861, 4th 11. Art,, Co, D. 

Hiram Sweet, Jr,, enl, Dec, 28, 1803, 13tb H, Art,, Co, F. 

Charles H, Sullivan, enl, Dec, 29, 1S03, 13th H, Art., Co, F. 

Horace Salisliury, enl. Dec. 28, 1803, 13th H. Art., Co, F. 

Hiram P, Sherman, enl, Jan, 2, 1804, 13th H, Art,, Co, F. 

Darius Shill, enl. Jan. 29, 1803, 13th H, Art,, Co, F. 

Tobias Salisbury, enl, Dec, 28, 1803, 13lh H, Art,, Co, F. 

Charies Searles, enl, 1861, 13th H, Art,, Co, F. 

Zagar Strong, enl. Oct, 1801, 77th Regt,; killed at Fredericksburg, Va. 

Gideon A, Tripp, enl. Sept. 13, 18 .1, 77th Regt., Co. B ; 1st sergt, ; disch. Oct. 31, 

1802. 
Flavins A. Titus, enl. Sept. 23, 1861, 77th Regt,, Co. B; corp. 
Ira Tripp, enl. Sept. 17, 1801, 77tb Regt., Co. B ; died in rebel prison. 
James D, Thompson, enl, Aug, 1, 1802, I1.5th Regt,, Co. C; Corp. 
George W, Trumble, enl, Aug, 7, 1802, 115th Regt,, Co. C ; musician. 
Royal M, Tenny, enl, Aug, 30, 1802, 77th Regt,, Co, B ; transferred to Vet, Bat,, 

77th Regt, 
Epbtaim Tiff, enl. Sept, 16, 1862,77th Regt,, Co, B; wounded May 10, 1804 ; 

trans, to Vet, Bat, 77th Regt, 
Isaac Thorp, enl, Aug, 14, 1882, 115th Regt,, Co, I, 
Miletus Taft,enl, Nov, 24, 1861, 4th H. Art,, Co, D, 
Sandy R, Van Steenbergh, enl. Sept, 10, 1861, 77th Regt,, Co, B ; corp, ; disch 

June 26, 1802. 
Asa Van Dye, enl. Sept. 17, 1861, 77tb Regt,, Co, B; disch. May 7, 1862, 
' George Van Dyke, enl. Sept, 17, 1801, 77tb Regt,, Co, B ; disch, Dec. 5, 1802. 
Wm. K, Van Arnum, enl, Sept. 21, 1801, 77tb Regt,, Co, B ; disch, Nov, 8, 1802. 
Jacob II, Van Arnum, enl. Sept, 21, 1801,77th Regt,, Co, B ; disch, Nov, 20,1802. 
John U. Van Sleenbergh, eul. Oct. 5, 18G1, 77th Regt., Co. B; detailed for de- 

tTChed service, June 13, 180:i, 
Michael Van Horn, enl, Sept. 18, 1801, 77th Regt, Co, H, 
George L, Van Steenbergh, enl, Aug, 0, 1802, 115th Regt,, Co, C, 
James E, Webster, enl. Sept, 27, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, B ; died Aug, 1802, 
Joseph S, Wayne, enl. Sept 17, 1801,77th Regt, Co, B ; died June 9, 1862, at 

Gaines' Hill, Va. 
Edmund Williams, enl. Sept 10, ISOl, 77th Regt,, Co, B; transferred, 
George M, Wood, enl. Sept, 18, 1861, 77th Regt,, Co, B ; pro. Corp., May 13, 1S04 ; 

disch, with the regiment, Dec, 13, 1804, 
Horace Weaver, enl. Sept, 20, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, B ; disch, Msiy 7, 1802. 
Samuel H, Weldon, enl, Oct, 4, 1861, 77th Regt,, Co, B, 
Datus E, Wilbur, enl, Oct 8, 1861,77th Regt, Co. B; disch. with the regiment, 

Dec. 13, 1804. 
James M, Wood, enl. Sept, 16, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, B. 
James A, Wager, enl, Aug, 4, 18C2, 115th Regt,, Co, C. 
Eugene Werner, enl. Sept. 9, 1802, 77th Regt,, Co, H ; trans, to Co, A. 
Jeremiah Wayes, enl, Aug, 11,1862, 113th Regt,, Co, I, 
Albert L, Wood, enl, Ang, 20, 1862, 115th Regt,, Co, I. 
Norman Wood, enl. .\ug, 20, 1802, lloth Rogt,, Co, I. 
Ch,arles F. Wait, enl. July 30, 1802, 115th Regt,, Co. I. 
Isaac Warn, enl. Aug, 7, 1802, 115th Regt,, Co, I, 
Albert A, Weatberwax, enl. Sept, 0, 1802, 153d Regt,, Co, G ; sergt. 
John Walls, enl, Nov, 28, 1861, 4th H. Art,, Co, D ; corp. 
Alonzo M, Weatherwax, enl, Nov, 28, 1861, 4th H, Art,, Co, D, 
Wm. Weatberwax, enl, Nov. 24, 1801, 4th H. Art, Co, D; pro, sergt, ; served 

through ; disch, Dec. 18, 1864, 
Wm, Webb, enl, Dec, 26, 1861, 13th Art., Co. F. 
John R. Wilbur, enl. Dec, 18, 186!, 13th Art,, Co, F, 
Atwood Wilbur, enl, 1861, 13th Art,, Co, F, 
Lee Wbalen, enl, 1804, 13th Art,, Co, F, 
Daniel Webster, enl, April '28, 1861, 30th Regt,, Co, F; served time; di,sch, June 

1, 1803; re-enl, July 10, 1803, 2d Vet Cav,, Co, I; sergt,; wounded; disch. 

Sept. 28, 18a5. 
George Webster, enl. Aug, 4, 1803, 2d Vet, Cav,, Co. I; musician ; disch. Nov 

28, 1865. 
Harvey Young, enl. Sept, 17, 1801, 77th Regt,, Co, B. 
Waldo Young, enl, Aug, 7, 1862, 115th Kegt,, Co, C. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HARLOW VAN OSTRAND 

was born in Milton, Saratoga Co., December 12, 1817. 
His father, David Van O.strand, was anions; the early set- 
tlors in the county, and came from Connecticut soon after 
the Revolution. 



494 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



The subject of this sketch was brought up to the mercan- 
tile business, couimencina; wlien he was fourteen years of age 
as clerk in the store of Frink & Kellogg, at Milton Centre. 
Subsequently he carried on a large business at that place, 
and in 1849 moved to Rock City Falls, where he built the 
store known as the " Com-oddity Rooms." 




^^t^yr-try^ '^^i^n^^^'lJ^ll^r^^^Z^ 



lie was the first and only postmaster since the establish- 
ment of the office at Rock City Falls, in 1849. For many 
years he was book-keeper for Messrs. Kilmer & Son, ex- 
tensive paper-manufacturers. His son Henry succeeds him 
in that position, while the subject of this sketch, whose 
health is much improved, attends the post-office and his 
" com-oddity rooms." 

He was married September 15, 1839, to Eleanore, 



daughter of Timothy Tallman. They have seven children 
now living, two sons and five daughters. Mr. V. has been 
a consistent member of the Methodist Pjpiscopal church 
for more than forty years. 



ISAIAH BLOOD 

was born at Ballston, Saratoga County, Feb. 13, 1810. 
His father, Sylvester Blood, was a manufacturer of scythes, 
a business which he established in the first decade of the 
present century, two miles south of Ballston Spa. In 1824, 
with a view of enlarging his business, he purchased the 
valuable water-power on the Kayadrossera creek, which 
was called the " Hollow," and is now known as " Blood- 
ville," and carried on the business at that place as well as 
at the old stand. 

In 1831 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss 
JaneE. Gates, of Ballston, — whose prudent management and 
wise counsel contributed largely to his success, — and soon 
after formed a copartnership with his father, and moved to 
the " Hollow," and took charge of the works at that place. 
In 1837 he bought out his fiither, and by strict attention 
to business was enabled in a few years to enlarge his estab- 
lishment to its present capacity, including the additional 
business of manufacturing axes upon the next privilege 
below. Through this he succeeded in amassing a large 
fortune. He was a man of remarkable energy ; his capacity 
for the rapid transaction of business was marvelous, and 
whatever he did was well done. 

Mr. Blood was born and educated a Democrat, and always 
adhered to that faith. His debut in politics was in 1847, 
when he was elected supervisor of the Whig town of Mil- 
ton. In 1851 he was elected member of Assembly from the 
First Assembly district of Saratoga County, in the spring of 
1859 again supervisor of Milton, and in the fall of that 
year a senator from the Fifteenth district. In 1869 he was 
again elected to that position, and died before the expiration 
of his term, to wit, on the 29th of November, 1870. 



PROVIDENCE. 



I.— GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

Pkovidence is the central town upon tlic western tier. 
It Ls bounded north by Edinburgh, east by Greenfield, south 
by Gaiway, and west by the county line. It contains 8920 
acres of improved land and 18,241 acres of unimproved, 
and of this last amount 91)80 are woodland. The popula- 
tion in 1875 was 1132. 

This town contains a part of the twenty-first allotment 
of the Kayadrossera patent, also a part of the patent granted 
to John Glen and forty-four others, under date of Aug. 
24, 1770 ; and also a part of the Northampton patent, 
granted Oct. 17, 1741, to Jacob Ma.se and othons. 

In the revised statutes of the State this town is described 
and its boundary lines defined as follows : 

" The town of Proridcnre shall contain all that part of said county 
beginning at the northwest corner of Milton, and running thence a 
west course on a parallel line with the north bounds of the town of 
Charlton to the west bounds of the county ; then north along the 
same si.\ miles ; then easterly on a straight line parallel with the 
south bounds to a line running north from the northwest corner of 
Milton ; then south along said line to the place of beginning." 

II.— NATURAL FEATURES. 

The town consists mostly of hilly lands and of a poor qual- 
ity of sandy and stony soil. In the western part the soil 
is a little better, and the surface more level. The Maxon 
mountain, a high table-land, occupies the entire northern 
part of the town. Hound lake lies near the centre of the 
town. It is a small body of water, and its outlet is de- 
nominated Hans creek. The manner in which it obtained 
this name is said to have been as follows : Sir William 
Johnson, who r&sided at Johnstown, Fulton county, was 
once, in company with one John Conyne, fishing for trout 
in this stream. Conyne was standing up in the canoe, and 
a sudden lurch caused him to involuntarily plunge into the 
waters. Sir William remarked that " Hans" (Gorman for 
John) had " gone after some trout." Ever afterwards it 
was called Hans creek, from that circumstance. Lake 
Desolation is another small body of water. It lies on the 
town line, partly in Providence and partly in Greenfield. 
Its outlet is Kennyctto creek, now more commonly known as 
Hagedorn's creek. This stream rises in the eastern part of 
Providence, flows southwest through the town, then westerly 
acro.ss Broadalbin, then northerly tlirough a portion of May- 
field, then northeasterly across Broadalbin, and empties 
into the Saeandaga river at Northampton through Mayfield 
creek. It runs a course of some twenty-two or three miles, 
and empties its waters less than eight miles from its source. 
Following the Saeandaga and Hudson to Waterfi)rd, it 
there joins its waters with those of the (Jhuctenunda creek, 
whose source is about one mile south of this stream, in Gal- 



way. The Chuctenunda flows westerly through Perth and 
IMontgomery county, and empties into the Mohawk at 
Amsterdam. Frenchman's creek is another small stream 
that rises in Providence and flows west into Fulton county, 
emptying into the Saeandaga Vlaie. 

This town may claim several excellent points from which 
to view the surrounding country. From Antioch hill in 
the Clute neighborhood, in the southeastern part, a very fine 
view of the country to the east, south, and west is afforded. 
For extent and variety it is a view seldom excelled. From 
other hills near the centre and from Maxon mountain fine 
views of the country to the west and north are obtained. 

III.— EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlers after the Revolution are said to have 
been Nathaniel Wells and Seth Kellogg. Of these men 
and their families nothing is now known. 

Thomas Shankland settled at Hagedorn Mills, and in 
178G built the first saw-mill in the town. This was fjuickly 
followed by a grist-mill, which was either the first or second 
grist-mill in town. The Schermerhorn mill, on Hans 
creek, is by some supposed to have been the first one. To 
support this theory they cite the fact that every timber, 
posts, sills, joists, rafters, girts, and even the braces, were 
of hewed timber ; while those of Shankland's mill were some 
of them of sawed timber. It might easily be, however, that 
the co.st of making a road over which to draw the sawed 
timber induced the builders of this mill to hew their timbers. 
Shankland built a frame hou.se, and kept an inn, which 
was the first in the town. In a few years, probably about 
1792, Shankland sold this property to Peter Morey, who 
held it till 180G, when he in turn sold to Jonathan Hage- 
dorn. Several of Shankland's children died previous to 
his removal, and were buried in a lot east of the present 
residence of Stejjhen Rockwell. These were probably the 
first deaths in the town, and this family burial-ground also 
the first in town. Some time ago quite an excitement was 
created by the finding of an ancient-looking grave-stone, on 
which the death was made to appear as having occurred in 
1707. After investigating a little further, however, a part 
of the stone that had been broken off was unearthed, and 
by putting the two pieces together it made the date read 
1797, which result lessened its value as an anticjue, but 
verified the truth of history. 

Martin Sleezer was among the very earliest settlere, 
coming into the town immediately after the close of the 
war, and settling near the western centre of the town. 
There being no mills in the vicinity, he frequently went 
to Schenectady, hired out, and worked till he earned a 
bushel of wheat, took it to the mills and had it ground, 

495 



496 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



and then carried it through the woods to his home, guided 
only by marks on the trees. Some of his descendants are 
still living in the town. 

Jonathan Finch was one of the " Minute-men of seventy- 
six," and was several times called out during the troublous 
times that preceded the breaking out of the Revolution. At 
one of their musters he was accidentally wounded in one of 
his hands and rendered unfit for further service. He drew 
a pension from the government on account of his wound. 
At the close of the Revolution he removed with his family 
from Dutchess county, and settled on the land now owned 
by H. T. Trevett, in the western part of Providence. Here 
he lived, raised a family, and died, full of years and good 
works. Upon the organization of the Baptist church he 
was licensed by it to preach the gospel, and officiated as pastor 
for many years, being ordained to the ministry soon after his 
license was given. He was a chaplain in the War of 1812. 
His father and mother came from their southern home and 
spent the last years of their lives in Providence. Jonathan 
and Jemima Finch had a family that grew up to manhood 
and womanhood, and have passed from the scenes of earth. 
Three of his grandchildren are still living, — Lansing and 
Thomas S. in Providence, and Samuel R. in Broadalbin. 

In the year 179G, David and Samuel S. Barker, two 
brothers, left their eastern home in Dartmouth, Mass., and 
came west to better their fortunes. David built a house on 
the place now occupied by Thomas Hughes, just north of 
Barkersville, and opened an inn for the entertainment of 
travelers. Samuel S. settled on the place now occupied by 
Jere C. Bogart. These two brothers built a saw-mill, a 
grist-mill, and shoe-shop and tannery, and carried on quite 
an extensive business. The saw-mill was built on the site 
of an old mill built by some unknown person, and, so far as 
we are able to discover, at some pre-historic time. Many 
descendants of these men are living in this and adjoining 
counties. Nathaniel Barker, of Galway, is a son of David 
Barker, and Mrs. Lydia Bogert, of Barkersville, is a grand- 
daughter of Samuel S. Barker. The village of Barkersville 
was named after these men. Mr. J. W. Briggs has a pair 
of tongs in his ]iossession that David Barker brought from 
Dartmouth with him eighty-one years ago. 

Stephen Rockwell and his family came from Dutchess 
county in 1784, and settled in Milton. Their eldest son 
enlisted in the United States naval service during the 
Revolution, and was never heard from afterwards. The 
other son, Jonah Rockwell, settled in Providence, having 
married Anna Temple, and raised a family of four sons and 
two daughters, all of whom are dead save two, Stephen 
and Polly Rockwell, who live at Hagedorn's Mills. Jonah 
Rockwell died in 1838. Stephen Rockwell is engaged 
in farming. Trustram Duel was a blacksmith living in 
Dutchess county. Becoming dissatisfied with his loca- 
tion, and hoping to better his condition, he removed to 
Providence in the year 1797, and settled near Hagedorn's 
Jlills. He built a house and a shop, and at once began 
working at his trade. This was the first blacksmith-shop 
in the town. He had seven children. Seneca Duel and 
Mrs. A. Manchester, living in Providence, are the only 
ones now living. 

Nathaniel Sowl was a sailor enjraged in whalinir, and 



at the time of the Revolution his vessel narrowly escaped 
capture by a British man-of-war. He abandoned the sea, 
and with his family removed to Providence, in 1787, com- 
ing from Dartmouth, Mass. For several years he lived on 
rented lands ; but finally, in 1806, he bought a small farm 
a mile north of Barkersville, and lived there till his dcatli, 
which occurred January 7, 1837. David Sowl, of Hage- 
dorn's Mills, and Rebecca Allen, of Amsterdam, are the 
only ones of his family of eight children that are now 
living. David Sowl has four children living in town, one 
daughter in Kansas, and another in Washington. One of 
his son.s, Joseph B. Sowl, in partnership with Mosher 
Chase, runs the saw-mill at Hagedorn's Mills, and deals 
quite extensively in lumber. 

Henry J. Trevett came from Newpoi't, R. I., with a 
married sister, in 1804. They settled in the western part 
of the town, near West Providence Post-Office. He mar- 
ried, in 1813, Joanna Shipnuin, and two of their chil- 
dren are still living in Providence. Mr. Trevett, now eighty- 
nine years old, is living in the town of Floriday, Mont- 
gomery Co. Both of the sons living here are engaged 
in the manufacture of chairs. Their factories are on 
Frenchman's creek. The mill owned by Henry T. Trevett 
& Sons was built by Fox & Lyon, about 1S27. It was 
purchased by the present owners in 1859. Though .sufi'er- 
ing from the general depression of business, they are still 
doing quite an extensive business. 

William Clark, from Dutchess county, settled near An- 
tioch Hill, a mile and a half north of Yoi'k's Corners, in 
1790. William Clark, for many years supervisor of the 
town, and Martha A. Fuller, of Saratoga Springs, are grand- 
children of his. 

Among the early settlers in the southeastern part of the 
town were Othniel Allen, Ichabod Ely, Zalmon Pulling, 
Henry R. Hagedorn, James and Jacob Coukling, David 
and Ephraim Root, William Beardsley, Gideon Allen, and 
Uriah Cornell. Jonathan Ferris, William Richardson, 

Peleg Hart, Shadrach Wait, Robert Ryan, Jones, 

Stephen Wait, Samuel Mosher, Judah Chase, Edmund 
Wait, Joshua Boreman, Jonathan Westgate, Jabez Man- 
chester, Wing Chase, James Ilaviland, and John Rosevelt 
were other early settlers in different parts of the town. 

The first mill at Fayville was built about 1800, by a 
man named Van Hoesen. It stood between the present 
road and the river. The present mill was built by Nehe- 
miah St. John, about 1835, and is owned by Lansing 
Finch. A woolen-factory was also built there about 1850. 
It was run but ii few years, and, after passing through sev- 
eral hands and being used for a variety of purposes, is now 
used as a cider-mill. 

The first woolen-factory in town was built by Isaiah 
Fuller, a half-mile west of Hagedorn's Blills, on the same 
stream, prior to 1807. This manufoctory consisted of a 
carding-machine and a cloth-dressing machine. After 
passing through the hands of several parties, the mill is 
now running under the management of Briggs Bros. 
They manufacture flannels, full-cloths, and common cassi- 
meres. It is what is known as a one-set mill, with four 
looms, and the annual production is about three hundred 
yards. 




STEPHEN ROCKWELL. 



Sti^phen Piockwell, son of Jonah and Anna Rockwell, was 
horn in Providence, Sept. G, ]S04. His parents were 
natives of Dutchess county, N. Y., and settled in Provi- 
dence about 1790. They were farmers by occupation. They 
had six children, namely: Hannah, Stephen, Jesse B., 
Seth B., Jas. H., and Polly, all of whom are living. Jonah 
Rockwell lived to be about seventy-four years of age, and 
at the time of his death was living in Orleans county, 
N. Y. Mrs. Jonah Rockwell died in 1813, in Providence. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell were members of the Society of 
Friends. 

Stephen Rockwell remained with his father on the farm 
until he was of age, when he commenced working by the 
month on the farm. He followed this about one year and 
then began making brick, which he followed some four 
years. Then purchased a farm in Providence, and has 
followed farming, more or less, ever since, and at the present 
time owns some three hundred acres. Li 1862 he pur- 
chased his present home of one hundred and twelve acres. 
At the time of purchase there was a good saw-mill on it, 
which was burnt June 10, 1873, and some fifteen hundred 



dollars worth of lumber. By the following October it was 
rebuilt and in running condition. 

Mr. Rockwell is identified with the Republican party. 
He is one of the most esteemed citizens of Providence. He 
has been called upon to occupy all the important oflices in 
his town. He served one term as justice of the peace in 
1847, and has been supervisor of his town some six terms, 
in all his official career giving general satisfaction. 

He married Miss Alice Chase in 1827, by whom two 
children were born, Susan and Alice. Susan is dead. Mrs. 
Alice Rockwell was born Sept. 27, 1811, and died Jan. 
9, 1837. Mr. Rockwell married Hannah Chase, sister to 
his first wife, about 1839. By this union three children 
were born, namely: Jas. H., Ovanda F., and Hannah. 
Jas. H. is the only one now living. Mrs. Rockwell died in 
1843. Mr. Rockwell married his third wife, Miss Laura M. 
Sleezer, in 1847. She died May 22, 1861, being thirty-five 
years and seven months old. Mr. Rockwell married his pres- 
ent wife, Miss Frances M. Page, a native of Wells, Hamilton 
county, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1866. She was born Oct. 8, 1846. 
Two children bless this union, Rosa Belle and Emma L. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



497 



At an early day Amos Wage built a saw-mill about 
three-quarters of a mile farther up Kennj^etto creek than 
Hagedorn's mill. 

William Paine Mason came to Hagedorn's Mills about 
1814, and built a store, tavern, and distillery. He was un- 
successful in business, and soon after sold his business and 
property to Calvin Wheeler, who kept the store and ran 
the distillery for many years. This store and the one kept 
by I'hilip Green at Green's Corners wore the first stores in 
the town. 

Stephen Ballard built a shoji at Barkersville about the 
year 1820, and put in a trip-hammer for the manufacture of 
scythes. After running a short time it was converted to 
other uses, and is now occupied by Willard Monroe as a 
turning-shop for the manufacture of rolling-pins, brush, 
tea-kettle, and stove-lifter handles, etc. Henry M. Lewis 
owns a saw-mill at Barkersville and deals largely in lumber. 
His yearly sales amount to about 1.5000. 

Henry Cluto, one of the oldest residents of the town, is 
of Dutch descent. His parents lived on Aal Plaats creek, 
near Schenectady, and he was left an orphan at an early 
age. He came to Providence and lived with Henry R. 
Hagedorn, a distant relative, and at the age of eighty-four 
is still living in the vicinity of his early home. Jacob 
Clute and Gershom H. Clute, two of his sons, also live in 
Providence. 

Jonathan Hagedorn was born in Watervleit, Albany Co., 
April 8, 1770 ; was married in Galway, Dec. 30, 17'J2, to 
Abigail York, a native of Stephentown, Rens.selaer Co. 
He resided in Glenville as a farmer until 179(5, when he 
moved to Galway and became a merchant. In 1806 he 
located in Providence, at Hagedorn's Mills, and engaged in 
farming, lumbering, and milling. Here he remained until 
his death, which occurred Jan. 15, 1860. He was the 
eldest son of Samuel Hagerdorn, and one of nine children, 
who all, but one, lived to quite an advanced age. The av- 
erage of their ages was nearly eighty-six years, and the av- 
erage of the eight who lived longest was almost ninety years. 
He had a family of seven children. Only one, Stephen L. 
Hagedorn, is living, and he, with his wife and two daugh- 
ters, remains on the old homestead. Mr. Hagedorn has one 
of the finest grist-mills in the county. It contains three 
run of stones, and is noted far and wide for the excellence 
of its products. He is also the fortunate po.ssessor of an 
unsurpassable picnic ground, in the shape of a beautiful 
grove of second-growth pines in the heart of the forest. 
This secluded glade is thickly carpeted with a profuse 
growth of the softest and mo.st delicate moss, has an excel- 
lent spring of water within easy reach, and forms one of the 
most romantic, interesting, and picturesque scenes imagin- 
able. A young and romantic couple celebrated their nup- 
tials there not long since. We are larsrely indebted to Mr. 
Hagedorn for his invaluable assistance in connection with 
this work. 

Some twenty years ago Henry Sandford built a tannery 
on Hans creek, on the site of the old Scbcrmerhorn mill. 
It was called " Glen Wild," and was quite a pretentious 
establishment, employing some thirty or forty hands in con- 
nection with it. It is now quite run down, and will proba- 
bly be abandoned. 
tio 



The first post-office in the town was Providence P. , 
located at Hagedorn's Mills, and established about 1820. 
Calvin Wheeler was the first postmaster. Thaddeus Scrib- 
ner was the mail-carrier, and came once a week, on Fridays, 
from the north. His route was from Ballston north to 
Hadley, up the Sacandaga valley to the Fish-house, then 
through Providence, Galway and Milton, buck to Ballston. 

This township appears to be slowly returning to its primi- 
tive state. Lands that years ago were under cultivation 
are now growing up to pine-forests. A general odor of 
decay pervades nearly every portion. Business is dull. 
Manufactures at one time quite prominent are now at a 
low ebb. Farms have been abandoned, buildings gone to 
decay and ruin. 

IV.— ORGANIZATION. 

On the 26tli of November, in the year 1705. a special 
meeting of the citizens of the town of (liilway was held 
to decide whether it was best to divide the town. It was 
decided to do so, and on 5th of the following February 
a bill passed the Legislature erecting a new town from the 
north part of Galway, and naming it Providence, after the 
city of Providence, li. T. This town, from which North- 
field (Edinburgh) was subse(iuently taken, lies on the west 
of the county near the centre. 

Tlie first town-meeting was held at " the logg meeting- 
house near Jonathan Finch's." This was the old Baptist 
meeting-house, built in 1793. The following is the record 
as it appears on the town-book : 

''Providence, Sept. 9th, 1796. 

" At the Annual Town Meeting in and for the Town of Providence, 
held at the Baptist Meeting house on the first Tuesdaj In April, A.D., 
1796, the fuUowmg gentlemen Were Duly elected to the several offices 
annexed to each of their names, viz.: Stephen Wait, Supervisor; 
Peleg Hart, Town Clerk; Daniel Washburn, Jr., Edmund Wait, 
El>enezer Hill, Commissioners of Highways; John Rhoads, Edmond 
Wait, Zebcdee Potter, Assessors; Thurston Wells, SulUvant D. Hub- 
bell, Sumuel Andrews, Constables; SuUivant D. Uubbell, Thurston 
AVells, Collectors of Rates; James Goodwin, Benjamin St. John, 
Ebenezcr Hill, Commissioners of Schools ; Elisha Mix, John Thomas, 
Overseers of the Poor; Daniel Washburn, Jr., Berry Chase, Jonah 
Roods, Fence Viewers; Elisha Mix, William Bentley, Gideon Sly, 
Pound Keepers. 

*' Also voted the following Town Law. . . . 

" The Town Shall Bee Divided Into Road Destricts By the Commis- 
sioners and Town Clerk. The overseers of highways to Be chosen 
by the Cora's. 

"Voted that hogs Run at Large from the 10th day of April till the 
first Day of October. Being yoked all that are one year ohL Shall 
ware a yoke of two feet Long, and yongger ones In Proportion. Boors 
Shall not run at Large, and if any one shall be found In the Common, 
the oner thereof Shall Pay a fine of ten shilling for each off"ence. 

" Sheep Rams Shall not Run at Large after the first Day of Sep- 
tember till the 10 Day of November; if any person's Ram Shall Be 
fuund out of his Enclosure -ivith the a Bove Limited time, the oner 
thereof Shall Pay a fine of forty Shillings for each offence. 

'* the Next annual Town Meeting is voted to Be held at the Same 
Meeting house as the Present Now is. 

*' A true Copy from the Minutes. 

"By Peleg Hart, Town Clerk." 

No record of the town-meetings from 1799 to 1867 
are in existence, and as a consequence our list of town 
officers is very incomplete. Probably the inhabitants had 
enough to do to secure a living, and paid but little atten- 
tion to the preservatittn of records or historical matter. 



498 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



By a careful perusal of the town records that exist we 
find that the people are exposed to the ravages of several 
unknown diseases, and it is a source of some wonder how 
so many of them escape and live to such a good old age. 
Among the list of " ills that flesh is heir to" we find 
" dyptheiia, cholera, fitts, and num palsey." And again, to 
show how mysterious are the ways of Providence, we find a 
mortgage recorded ten months before it was given, being 
dated " Nov. 13, 1870," and recorded "Feb. 12, 1870." 

The official list of the town shows that it has been rep- 
resented in the Legislature by William Oarpenter, 1805; 
Calvin Wheeler, 1810, 1813, 1829, 1838,1839; Jonathan 
Delano, Jr., 1820; Seabury Allen, 1837; and James 
Sumner, Jr., 1861. In 1841, Seymour St. John was ap- 
pointed a judge of the court of common pleas. William 
Carpenter, 180G; Othniel Allen, 1813; and Samuel S. 
Barker, 1815, were mastsrs in chancery. Seneca Duel 
was justice of sessions in 18G0-G1. Calvin Wheeler 
was superintendent of the poor from 1848 to 1852. Sea- 
bury Allen was deputy superintendent of common schools 
in 1843-1845. 



Supervisors, 
irae. Stuphen Wait. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

Town Clerks. 
I'elctr Hart. 



1798. " " 

1799. " " 

1800. " " 

1801. William Carpenter. 

1802. " 

1803. " " 
1801. " 

1805. " " 

1806. " " 

1807. Jonathan Shipman. 

1808. Othniel Allen. 

1809. Calvin Wheeler. 

1810. " " 

1811. " " 

1812. " " 

1813. " " 

1814. Jonathan Shipman. 

1815. Othniel Allen. 

1816. " " 

1817. Calvin Wheeler. 

1818. " " 

1819. " " 

1820. " " 

1821. " " 

1822. " " 

1823. " 

1824. " " 

1825. " " 

1826. " " 

1827. " " 

1828. " " 

1829. Jonathan Hagedorn. 

1830. Calvin Wheeler. 

1831. Sc.ibury Allen. 
1832. 

1833. " 

1834. Bavid Pago. 

1835. Calvin Wheeler. 

1836. " 

1837. " " 



Record lost. 



Collectors. 
SullivantD.Hubbell. 
Thurston Wells. 
SuUivantD. Hubbell. 
Thurston Wells. 
AViUiam Burch. 
Oliver Edmonds. 
Jeremiah Wait. 
Oliver Edmonds. 
Record lost. 



Artemus Chase. 
Record lost. 



Stephen Rockwell. 
James Conklin. 

a ii 

John Fritts. 



James Conklin. 
Thomas C. Closson. 
Joseph Tabor. 



1838. 
1839. 
1840. 
1841. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1S51. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1S55. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
ISfiO. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 

1863. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 



Supervisors, 
Hiram Carpenter. 



Town Clerks. 
Record lost. 



S. L. Hagedorn. 
Record lost. 



Nehemiah St. John. 
Hiram Carpenter. 
Nehemiah St. John. 
Hiram Carpenter. 
Abram Manchester. 

William V. Cl.ark. 
.Stephen Rockwell. 

William V. Clark. 

William S. Nash. 
William V. Clark. 

S. L. Hagedorn. 

William V. Clark. 
James Sumner, Jr. 

S. L. Hagedorn. 
Stephen Rockwell. 
William V. Clark. 



Ezra T. Austin. 
Wm. A. Sleezer. 
William S. Nash. 
Abram Manchester, 
if II 

Jer. Manchester. 
James Marihew. 



J. W. Briggs. 
Ji)seph H. Dudley. 
AVm. B. Carpenter. 
James L. Hagedorn 
AVm. 0. Sumner. 
J. W. Briggs. 



Mosher Chase. 
"William V. Clark. 



James Marihew. 
J. W. Briggs. 



Collectors. 
Stephen Rockwell. 

(f (( 

Martin Sleezer, Jr. 
Record lost. 

Jeptba Mosher. 
Ebenezer K. Clothier. 
William Shaw. 
William A. Sleezer. 
Hiram Parker. 
Josias R. Sherman. 
Henry Cadman. 
Walter W. Walker. 
J. W. Briggs. 
Electus Dye. 
Asa W. Duel. 
Abram Sleezer, 
Isaac Oakley. 
Henry Cadman. 
Sylvester A. Barton. 
Hiram Van Pelt. 
AV. H. Mosher. 
Dolphus Kimball. 
, William Clute, 
Martin Sleezer. 
John Rosevelt. 
Joseph B. Sowl. 

Harlow Tabor. 
Joseph B. Sowl. 



Stephen Rockwell. 
William V. Clark. 

ti n 

Philip Mead. 
Stephen Rockwell. 
Joseph P. Soule. 



" " James H. Rockwell. 
James L. Hagedorn. John Rosevelt. 

" ** John Shanley. 

" " Edgar Sandford. 

" " Jacob Cromwell. 

Asher Cook, Jr. George L. Evans. 

" " Peter C. Trevett. 

Willard Monroe. " " 

Henry M. Lewis. Henry Trevett. 

Willard Monroe. " " 



JUSTICES OP THE PEACE. 



Robert Cornell. 
Lyman Gates. 
Seneca Duel. 
Abram Manchester, 
Jacob Clute. 
J. C. Robertson. 
Wra. M. Stark. 
Seneca Duel. 
Henry Sandford. 
Jacob Clute. 
Anson B. Pease. 
Jacob Clute. 
Henry Sandford. 



1868. 
1869. 

1870. 

1871. 

1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Anson B. Pease. 
Henry Sandford. 
Elisha Alvord. 
Joseph B. Sowl. 
Abram Manchester. 
Jere C. Bogart. 
John Rosevelt. 
Charles E. Duel. 
Joseph B. Sowl. 
Jere C. Bogart. 
Jacob Clute. 
Charles E. Duel. 
Howland Briggs. 



v.— VILLAGES. 

Barkersville is a small hamlet near the centre of 
the southern half of the town. It has mills, and also 
stores, a hotel, church, and the school-house of district 
number two. 

Glenwild is near the centre of the northern part of 
the town. North and east from the place are the wild 
and unsettled portions of the town, and the scenery around 
is surpa.ssingly fine. Mills and a tannery, with a few 
dwellings, constitute what there is of the village. 

Fayville is in the northwest corner of the town, grown 
up from the bu.siness natural to the location of factories and 
mills. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



499 



West Providence, on the west side, below the centre, 
has a hotel, shops and mills, and a post-office. 

Hagedorn's Mills is a hamlet with shops and mills, 
and deriving its name from the Hagedorn family. 

Providence Post-Ofpice is on the line of Galway, 
southeast of Hagedorn's Mills. 

VI.— SCHOOLS. 
The town organized its system of schools under the law 
of 1812. The loss of the town records prevents giving 
the names of the commissioners and other school officers. 
The principal schools are at or in the vicinity of the vil- 
lages already named. 

commissioners' appportionment, march, 1878. 





g S i. 


O 


■ii: 


•D *; 










J 

£ 
■s^; 






£• 


o 


District. 


^•-l 


lg 


m 




o 
g 


u 








^2 = 




1 
3 


o 


No. 1 


46 


$52.14 


$31.64 


$31.36 


$1.53 


$116.67 


" 2 


36 


52.14 


24.76 


26.16 


1.20 


104.26 


" 3*.... 




none 


none 


none 


none 


none 


" 4 


34 


52.14 


22.70 


21.93 


1.10 


97.87 


" 5 


33 


52.14 


23.38 


25.56 


1.13 


102.21 


" 6t.... 


25 


none 


17.19 


17.42 


84 


35.45 


" 7 


29 


52.14 


19.95 


22.70 


97 


95.76 


" 8 


14 


52.14 


9.63 


20.51 


47 


82.75 


" 9 


23 


52.14 


15.82 


11.35 


77 


80.08 


" 10 


36 


52.14 


24.76 


22.13 


1.20 


100.23 


" 11 


44 


52.14 


30.26 


28.07 
$227.19 


1.47 
$10.68 


111.94 




320 


$469.26 


$220.09 


$927.22 



VII.— CHURCHES. 
BAPTIST CHURCH OP PROVIDENCE. 

The earliest records of this church now extant indicate 
that it was organized about 1790, with a possibility of its 
having existed as early as 1785. 

The original members are not known, the earliest roll 
having been made in 1796. On this roll appear the fol- 
lowing names, viz. : Elder Jonathan Finch, Samuel Halsted, 
William Burch, Jonathan Shipman, Gideon Bentley, Martin 
Sleezer, Isaac Negus, David Row, Robert Baker, Judah 
Chase, Jonathan Ferris, Peleg Hart, Peter Sharp, Daniel 
Washburn, Joseph Hewitt, John Finch, Benjamin Slater, 
Major Slater, Jeremiah Loveless, Zalnion Disbrow, Jona- 
than Finch, Sr., William Lewis, Thomas Dennis, Ebenezer 
Jones, Charles Jones, William Benson, Samuel Sherwood, 
David Marsh, Henry Roberts, Timothy Gaboon, Eli .Sprague, 
and Benjamin Tabor. Also the names of about the same 
number of female members from the same families. The 
first house of worship was a log building, erected about 
17915, near the present residence of Henry T. Trevett. It 
was a plain, unpretending structure, and gave place, in 1807, 
to a frame church built on the same site. This building 
was built by subscription, and many people not connected 
with the church gave liberally towards its erection. The 
first service was held in the new church Aug. 9, 1807, 
Elder Jonathan Finch preaching from Acts xvii. 18. This 

* No report, f Joint. 



church remained in use until 1847, in the summer of which 
year a new church was built at Hagedorn's Mills, and the 
society moved there. The dedicatory sermon was preached 
by Elder T. T. St. John. The fii-st pastor of the church 
was Jonathan Finch, who was licensed to preach in 1791, 
and subsequently ordained to the ministry. His pastorate 
closed about the year 1820, and during the next ten years 
the church was served by supplies, among whom we find 
mentioned Elders Finch, Seamans, and Corwin. Upon 
Jonathan Hagedorn most of the work and care devolved, 
and he was licensed to preach by the church. Then fol- 
lowed these ministers in the order in which they are named : 
Elders Ebenezer Hall, Adolphus F. Rockwell, Enoch P. 
Dye, William Groom, Henry G. Mosher, William Bogart, 

T. T. St. John, Myron H. Negus, William Garnett, 

Mack, Combs, A. S. Davis, Corwin, E. W. 

Brownell, Asher Cook. At different times assistance was 







REV. ASHER COOK. 



rendered by Elders Aaron Seamans, Stephen Wilkins, and 

Robinson. The first protracted meeting was held 

during the pastorate of Elder Rockwell, in 1832. The fiist 
sermon of the series was preached by Elder Aaron Seamans, 
from Solomon's Song, iv. l(j. As a result of these meet- 
ings, twenty-two wei'e converted and joined the church. 

The great revival of this church occurred in 1814-15, 
when forty-two were added to the church by baptism and 
even by letters. Revivals were also experienced in 1834, 
1835, 1840, 1842, 1850, 1856, 1863, and 1870, bringing 
into the church one hundred and thirteen precious souls. 
The salaries paid to preachers have ranged from $100 to 
$400. The largest donation was that given Elder Mack in 
1853-54, which netted $150. The present officers of the 
church are : pastor. Rev. Asher Cook ; clerk, Stephen L. 
Hagedorn ; deacons, Edward S. Trevett, Philip Mead. 



500 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Tlie Sunday-school was first organized about 1845, and the 
organization was completed more perfectly in 1847. The 
highest number of pupils was reached in 1849, when there 
were one hundred and fifty connected with the school. The 
present number is about forty, and Stephen L. Hagedorn 
is the superintendent. 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT BARKERSVILLE. 

This churcli was an ofishoot of the Galway church, and 
was organized May 3, 1845, with eighteen members. 
Their names were Asa, Ruth, Sarah, Stephen P., Ira J., 
Edward, and William C. Barker ; Latham and Susan 31. 
CofEn ; John and Rhoda Moshor ; Amos, James, and 
Rhoda JMarihew ; Hiram and Polly A. Carpenter; Belong 
Tabor ; and Mary Ferris. The first deacons were Hiram 
Carpenter and Amos Marihew. The church was built in 
the summer and fall of 1845, fiaislied off and dedicated in 
the spring of 1846. Rev. Allen Haywood preached the 
discourse on that occasion. The pastors, in their order, 
have been Latham Coffin, D. M. Fuller, Elder Daman, 
William J. Huyck, John Showers, J. Pratt, D. P. Warner, 
and Joel Gallup. 

About one hundred and seventy different persons have 
belonged to the church, and the present number of members 
is seventy-eight. The cjiurch is a plain structure, capable 
of seating three hundred people, and valued at $1500. 

The present officers are Joel Gallup, pastor-, Joseph 
Church, clerk ; Jacob Clute and Asa Duel, deacons ; Orren 
Wait, Nathan Parker, and Samuel B. Rogers, trustees. 

friends' meeting-house. 

At an early day the Friends, several of whom had settled 
in Providence, built a log meeting-house near the centre of 
the town on lands now owned by G. A. McOmber. Joshua 
Boremau, Jonathan Westgate, Jabez and Alice Manchester, 
Wing and Abigail Chase were among the members of the 
society. James Haviland was the preacher for many years. 
In 1815 this house was abandoned, and a frame meeting- 
house was built, about two miles west, on the farm of 
Charles Haviland. This house was finally taken down 
and moved away. The old burying-ground is still in ex- 
istence. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OP PROVIDENCE. 

The Protestant Methodists organized a church at West 
Providence in 1841—42, with about thirty members. 
Among them were Asa, Elijah, Mary, Eli-sha, and Eliza- 
beth Mosher ; Carmi, Rosa, Richard, and Rebecca Hart ; 
William and Henrietta Colony ; Philip, Polly, Sally, James, 
and Mrs. James Tabor ; James and Hannah Carpenter ; 
Mr. and Mrs. Blake; Solomon and Jane Cole; John, Mrs. 
John, Isaac, and Susan Oakley ; Mrs. Seth Rockwell ; Mrs. 
Susan Burdick ; Martin and Edward Sleezer. The church 
was built about one and a half miles northeast of Hage- 
dorn's Mills. It is twenty-six feet wide by thirty-six feet 
long, and cost $500. 

The first minister was Rev. Peter Esmond, and he was 
followed by Revs. Ransom Spear, Weaver, Walker, Cair, 
and Burnett. 

The society had an existence of thirty years, and died 



out in the fall of 1871, when a Methodist Episcopal society 
was formed, and the church property passed into their 
hands. The first trustees were Henry T. Trevett and 
John Shanley. The ministers have been Julius Stewart, 
Charles Armstrong, and Edwin Genge. 

At one time this society numbered upwards of one hun- 
dred members, but now has but about forty. 

There has always been a Sunday-school connected with 
the church till recently. It numbered at one time over 
sixty members. 

The present trustee is Henry T. Trevett. There is no 
pastor and no preaching. Have prayer-meetings instead. 

VIII.— BURIAL-PLACES. 

On the west side of the town there is a burying-ground, 
not far from the H. Beaman farm. There is also one north 
from Barkersville, in the Briggs neighborhood. One south 
of Barkersville, near W. Barker's. There are probably 
some other places of private burial. 

IX.— PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST. 

There are but few places that involve historic incidents 
of the oldon times. This town has passed along in a chan- 
nel of uneventful character. Sir William Johnson used to 
own a fishing-house just on the borders of the town, in 
Fulton county, and around it sprung up a. village ; part of 
which, under the name of Fayville, lies in this town. This 
place was named after John Fay, a prominent business man, 
who owned some property and kept a store there. There 
were some settlements in the town previous to the Revolu- 
tion, but these were abandoned, and all record of them and 
the settlers has become buried in the darkness of the past. 
When the .settlers came in after the close of the Revolution, 
decayed and ruined buildings, and clearings grown up to 
underbrush, alone remained to give token of the former 
presence of man. Few traces of Indian inhabitants are 
found, and but few relics to prove their presence, and yet 
the finny inhabitants of the streams, and the game that 
roamed the forest, no doubt often called the red aborigines 
to the vicinity to trap, fish, and hunt. Mr. Henry Clute 
has a stone gouge of Indian manufacture, used for tapping 
maple-trees to secure the sap for sugar-making purposes. 

X.— INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. 

The surface and condition of the town are not favorable 
to agriculture. The soil in many parts is sandy and poor. 
In other parts the country is rocky and mountainous. 
Fanning is only carried on to a limited extent. Lumbering, 
wood and bark business, mills, tanneries, and manufactories 
are the principal occupations of the people. 

XL— MILITARY. 

The War of 1861-65 called out a large number of men 
to serve in defense of our free institutions. If the town 
is not rich in fertile lands and towering manufactories, it 
nevertheless has a wealth of patriotic memories gathering 
around that eventful struggle when more than a hundred 
citizens periled their lives for the safety of the nation. 



HISTORY OF SARATOaA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



501 



WAR OF 1861-G5. 
Jiuiies Allen, priv., 69th N. T. Inf.; enl. Sept. 5. 18G3; died in liospital at M'ash- 

ington, D. C, Dec. 4, 18G4. 
Joseph Ainier, priv., 93d N.Y. Inf. ; enl. Nov. 25, ISGI ; re-enl.in same regiment, 

Dec. *2, 1863. 
James F. Austin, priv., Co. K, V7th N. T. Inf.; enl. Oct.23, 1S61; trans, to Vet. 

Bftt., 77th Uegt, Sept. 6, 1SG4; pro. to he 2d liL-ut. in the 102d N. Y. Inf.; 

disch. at close of the war ; living at Conklingville. 
Eli Bailey, priv., Co. H,7th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Dec. 31, 18C3; disch. at closfl 

of the war ; living in Providence. 
John G. Baker. 
James C. Barber, priv., 41st N.Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1SG3 ; pro. to corp. and to sergt. ; 

disch. at close of the war; lives in Providence. 
Daviii S. Barker, priv., Co. E, 77tli N.Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 10, i8G2 ; disch. with the 

regiment; living in Gloversville. 
Ira J. Barker, priv., 14th N.Y. Heavy Art. ; enl. Dec. IS, ISfil; pro. to 1st lieut.; 

di^ch. at close of the war; living in Gloversville. 
William W. Barton, priv., Co. H, 7th N.Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Dec. 31,1863; 

living in Providence. 
Wilson Barton, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Sept. 18G2; died of disease at 

Fredericksburg, Va., Jan. 15, IS63. 
Arnold Bates, priv., l;ith N. Y. Heavy Art. ; enl. Feb. 2G, 18G4 ; disch. at close of 

the war; living in FnUon Co., N. Y. 
Austin Bates, priv , 93d N.Y. Inf. ; onl. April 4, 18G4; disch. at close of the war; 

living in Providence. 
Charles H. Bates, priv., Co. F, 13t!i N.Y. Heavy Art. ; enl. Jan. 2G, 18G4 ; disch. 

at clcise of the war; living in Fulton Co., N. Y. 
Dennis Bates, priv., 13th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Aug. 20,1864; disch. at close of 

the war; living in Hamilton Co., N. Y. 
George Beem^n, seaman in U.S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 25, 18C4; discb. at close of the 

war; living in Herkimer, N. Y. 
James H. Bell, priv., 32d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 28, 1861 ; re-enl., private, 9th N. 

Y. Heavy Art., March, 18G3; discli. at close of the war; living in Broad- 

albin, Fulton Co., N. Y. 
James C. Benson, priv., Co. F, 13th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Jan. 21, 18G4 ; disch. 

at close of the war. 
Asa C. Bentley, Jr., priv., 93d N. Y. Inf ; enl. Oct. 11, 1861; re-enl., private, 

same regiment, Dec. 25, 1863 ; lost a leg in the Wilderness ; disch. at close 

of the war; died in Proviilpnce in 1873. 
George H. Bentley, priv., 9 id N. Y. Inf.; enl. Dec. 1861 ; rc-eul. same regiment, 

as piivate, Dec. 26, 1863; living in aiicliigan. 
Gilbert Bentley, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. Nov. 18, 1861 ; re-enl. Feb. 

18, 18G4, priv., 13th N. Y. H. Art. ; disch. at close of the war ; living at 

Fonda's Bush, Fulton Co., N. Y. 
Hector Bentley, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 1, 1861 ; honorably dis- 
charged ; living in Funda. 
John H. Bentley, priv., Co. E, 13th N. Y. H. Art.; enl. Jan. 13, 1864 ; dirtch. at 

cluse of the war ; living in Nebraska. 
Joseph J. Bentley, priv., Co. E, 13th N. Y. H. Art.; enl. Jan. 13, 1864 ; disch. at 

close of the war; living in Ohio. 
Nathaniel S. Bentl^-y, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 5, 1361. 
William A. Bentley, priv., 13th N. Y. H.Art.; enl. Feb. 18,1864; disch. at close 

uf war; living in Broadalbin, Fulton Co., N.Y. 
Charles Belts, seaman, U. S. Navy; enl. Aug. 30, 1SC4. 
Francis C. Belts, priv., 4th N. Y.H. Art.; eul. Dec. 25, 1861; re-enl. priv., same 

regiment, Feb. 17, 1863 ; disch. at close of the war; liviTig at Auburn. 
Wilhelm Bink, priv., enl. April 20, 1861 ; re-enl. sergt., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav., Aug. 

1863; disch. at close of the war; living in Broadalbin, Fulton Co., N. Y. 
Charles A. Briggs, priv., Co. E, 77th N Y. luf. ; enl. Oct. 25, 1861 ; died of disease, 

at Washington, D. C, Jan. 13, 1862, and buried there. 
Noah D. Bronson, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 18G2; died of disease, 

at Washington, D. C, Jan. 13, 1862, and buried there. 
EliBrooks, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 17, 1862. 

James B. Brooks, priv., llfith N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 7, 1862 ; killed by the ex- 
plosion of the magazine at Fort Fisher, N. C, Jan. 16, 1865. 
Uriah C. Buck, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf; enl. Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enl., priv., same reg- 
iment, Dec. 18G3; disch. at close of the war; living in the west. 
Norris Burfit, priv., 2d U. S. Col. Troops; enl. April 1, 1864. 
John Burns, priv,, 93d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Jan. 1864 ; disch. at close of the war ; 

living at Fayville. 
Nelson W. Cadman, priv., 7th N. Y. H. Art.; enl. Dec. 28,1863 ; died of wounds 

received in battle, at Washington, D. C, July 26, 1864. 
Seth Cadman, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 10, 1862; pro. to sergt.; 

disch. with the regiment; died of consumption, contracted in the service, 

in Providence, aftrrthe war. 
Wm. B. Carpenter, 1st lieut., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; cnl. Sept. 15, 1861 : piv. to 

capt. ; killed at battle of Spultsylvania, Va., May 19, 1864. 
John W. Clark, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 19, 1862 ; died of sickness and 

wounds, in Providence, Oct. 9,1864. 
Henry Clunis, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Oct. 5, 1861 ; disch. with the 

regiment ; living in Broadalbin, Fulton Co., N. Y. 
John M. Clute, priv., Co. E,77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 8,1862 ; slightly wounded 

in chin; pro. to corp.; disch. at close of the war; living at Gloversville 

N.Y. 
Simon Cohen, priv.; enl. Jan. 24, 1865 ; substitute for Henry Shipman. 
Arnold Cole, priv., 90th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 22, 1864 ; disch. with regimeut, 

May, 1865; living in Broadalbin, Fulton Co., N. Y. 



Charles Cole, priv, 151st N. Y. Inf; enl. Aug. 21, 1862; died of disease, at Bal- 
timore, Md., Dec. 29, 1862. 
James W. Coif, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 6, 1862 ; disch. for disability, 

Feb. 1863. 
William Cole, priv., 14tli N. Y. H. Art.; enl. Dec.l,18G3; died of disease, at City 

Point, Va., July 6. 1864. 
Wm. B. Collins, priv., 9l6t N. Y. Inf.; enl, Oct. 20, 1861; pro. to sergt.; disch. 

with the regiment, Oct. 1864; living at Northampton, Fulton Co., N. Y. 
Charles Colony, priv., 34th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. May 18, 1861 ; died of disease, at 

Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 2lj 18G2. 
James S. Colony, priv., llSlh N. Y. Inf ; enl. Sept. 1S62 ; pro. to sergt. ; died of 

remittent fever, at Fortress Monroe, Va., Aug. 31, 1863. 
George Colony, priv., Co. C, 115th N.Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 12, 1862; died of typhoid 

fever, at Hilton Head, S. C , July 8, 1863. 
Edward J. Colony, priv., 2d N. Y. Heavy Art. ; enl. March 5, 1864 ; missing, and 

never heard from. 
John H. Cook, seaman, U. S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 29, 1864. 
Thomas Cooper, seaman, U. S. Navy; enl. Sept. 14, 1864. 
Wm. H. Cornell, priv., 152d N. Y. Inf; enl. Sept. 18, 1862 ; died from efifects of 

imprisonment, about a mile from Andeisonville, Ga., while on his way to 

be exchanged. 
John Costello, piiv., 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 1862; disch. at close of the 

war; living in the west. 
Michael Costello, priv., 2 id N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Jan. 1862 ; disch. at close of war ; 

living in Blinnesota. 
Thomas Cunning, priv., 10th N. Y. Cav.; enl. Aug. 30, 1862; disch. for dis- 
ability; li/ing in Amsterdam, N. Y. 
John L. Daltiin, seaman, U. S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 30, 1864. 
Robert Dawson. 
Charles E. Duel, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 1861 ; wounded in hand 

while home on furlough ; discharged; living in Fayville, 
Thomas Donahue, seaman, U. S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 31, 1864. 
Edward Dumphry, priv., 1st Bat. Vet. Res. Corps; enl. Oct. 10, 1864. 
Mason Delano, priv., Co. E, 77th N.Y. Inf.; enl. 1862; died of disease, at 

Hagerstown, Md. 
Waldron G, Evans, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Dec. 27, 1861 ; disch. May, 1862 ; 

living in Providence. 
William George Evans, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf ; enl. Jan. 5, 1862; re-enl. corp., 

same regt., Dec, 1863; wounded at battle of the Wilderness; disch, for 

disability ; living in Providence. 
William W. Finoli, priv,, 77th N, Y. Inf; enl. Nov. 1861 ; disch. with the 

regt. ; re-enl., corp., 8th Bat. Vet. Res. Corps ; lost one finger in the ser- 
vice; living in Broadalbin, Fulton Co,, N. Y. 
John Flanagan. 

Timothy Foley, seaman, U. S, Navy; enl. Aug. 3n, 1864. 
William M. Fowler, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. April 5, 1865. 
James French, seaman, U. S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 30, 1864. 
Henry Frcy, seaman, U. S. Navy ; enl. Sept. 14, 1864. 
Levi Garwuod, seaman, U. S. Navy; enl. Aug. 30, 1864. 
Edward H. Gates, priv.. Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 27, 1862 ; tnms. to 

3d N, Y. H. Art. ; pro. to sergt. ; disch. at close of the war ; living at East 

Gal way. 
Elbridge Gates, priv., Co. H, 7th N. Y. H. Art. ; eul. Jan. 1864 -. died of disease, 

at Alexandria, Va., Feb. 28, 1864 ; buried at Glen's Falls. 
Hiram Gifford, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Iiif ; enl. Aug. 1862 ; injured by falling 

from a tree, and died in hospital. 
Ru.ssell W. H. Gifford, corp., Co. E, 77th Y. N. Inf. ; enl. Sept, 21, 1861 ; disch. 

at close of the war; living at Mayfield Corners, Fulton Co., N, Y. 
Irving Green, priv., 93d N.Y. Inf; enl. March 9, 1863; died of disease, at 

Washington, D. C, Oct. 15, 1863. and buried there. 
Chauncey Ilagedorn, priv., 162d N. Y. Inf; enl. Aug. 11, 1863; disch. at close 

of the war; living in Gloversville. 
H. Seymour Hall, 2d lieut., 27th N. Y. Inf.; enl. May, 1861 ; pro. to capt. and 

to lieut.-col. 43d U. S. colored troops; lost an arm in front of Peters- 
burg ; disch. at close of the war; living in Rochester, N. Y. 
Michael Hanigan, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Oct. 1861 ; trans, to 11th Bat, 

Vet, Res. Corps, Jan. 1864; wounded in the leg; living in Amsterdam, 

N.Y. 
Benjamin E. Ha- rison, priv., 44th N, Y. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 20, 1861 ; re-enl. in 22d 

Bat., Vet. Ris. Corps; disch. at close of the war; living at Rock CityN. Y. 
Edward Haye^, priv., 16yth N. Y. Inf ; enl. Nov. 1S62; living in the west. 
Alfred HickoU, priv., Co. C, 77th N. Y. Inf ; enl. Aug. 1862 ; living in Bruad 

albin, Fulton Co., N. Y. 
Ferdinand Hoffman, priv., Co. A, 86th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. April 6, 1865. 
John Holland, priv., 4th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Sept. 6, 1864; wounded in the 

face; disch. at the close of the war; living in Amsterdam. 
Joseph W. Honeywell, Corp., lUth N.Y. Cav.; enl. Aug. 31, 1862; killed in 

battle. 
James H. Jeffords, priv., Co. E, 77lh N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Oct. 14, 1861 ; died of dis- 
ease, at Yorktown, Va., May 3, 1862. 
Or\illo F. Jeffords, priv., Co. H, 7th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Dec. 12, 1863; 

wounded at battle of Petersburg, Va. ; died of wounds, June 12, 1864. 
Samuel King, priv., 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 18, 1862; wounded; disch, with 

regiment. May 18, 1H65; living in Edinburgh. 
Edward Lapoite, priv., 192d N. Y. Inf.; enl. April 5, 1865. 
Peter Lasher, priv., 115th N. Y, Inf; enl, Aug. IG, 1863; was taken prisoner; 

died ftt City Point, Va., of dieeaea. 



502 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



AdfH^on Like, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 18G1. 

Stephen Marihew, priv., Cu. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 27, 18G2 ; died of 
disease, at White Oak Oliurcli, Va., Feb. 13, 1863; buried at Barkei-sville, 
N. Y. 

Thomas McCorm'ck, priv., 111th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1864; was taken prisoner and 
held four month-*. 

Terence McGovern, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; diach. at 
the close of the war; living in Galway, N. Y. 

Thomas McGovern, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf; enl. Sept. 18, 1862; wounded 
at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va.; died in Michigan since the war. 

James McMahon, priv.. Co. K, 1st N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. March 22, 1864. 

Micliael McWilIiams, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861; trans, to Vet. 
Bat., 77th Rpgt., Dec. 2o, 1863; was killed in the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, while carrying the regimental colors; one ball shattered the flag- 
staff, and five others pierced its intrepid bearer. 

Philip Mead, 1st lieut.. 5th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. March 17, 1863 ; resigned Oct. 29, 1863 ; 
living at Hagedorn's Mills. 

Mich.iel Miller, priv., lat Bat., Vet. Res. Corps ; enl. Oct. 7, 1804. 

Thomas Mina, priv.,43fl N. V. Inf. ; enl. Aug. 18G1 ; rc-enl. Aug. 1864; wounded. 

A. N. Morgan, priv., Co. D, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. 1861. 

J. Morgan, priv., Co. I), 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. 1861. 

Ephraim D. Mosher, priv., lutli N. Y". Cav. ; enl. Sept. 5,1862; was injured by 
being thrown from his horse, and disch. for disability, March, 1863; 
living in Northampton, Fulton Co., N. Y. 

Lewis Mundell. 

Juhn Nadew, priv., enl. Jan. 27, 1865 ; substitute for Samuel B. Rogers. 

Elijah Olmstead, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 1862; died of disease, 
at White House, Va., Dec. 18G3. 

Jacob H. Olmstead, priv., 3d N. Y. Inf.; enl. May, 1862; pro. to Corp.; disch. 
at expiration of time ; living in Joiinstown, N. Y. 

Edward Ony, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. July 25, 1862 ; trans, to another regi- 
ment; disch. at close of the war ; living in Providence. 

George Packer, priv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 28, 1862; was a prisoner 
one month; discharged at close of the war ; living at Avoca, Iowa. 

Richard Parker, priv., 14tli N. Y. Heavy Art. ; enl. Oct. 11, 1864. 

William W. Pease, priv., 146th 111. Inf. ; enl. May 9, 1864, died of disease, at 
Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 5. 18G4. 

Benjamin Perry, priv., 152d N. Y. Inf.; enl. April 6,1864; died of disease, at 
Washington, D. C, Aug.. 1861. 

John A. Pettit, priv., 102d N. Y. Inf.; enl. March, 1865; disch. at close of the 
war; living in Iowa. 



William A. Pulling, priv., 1.57th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug., 1802; was a prisont-r 

two months. 
William Reed, priv., enl. Aug. 27, 1864; disch. at close of the war ; living in 

Albany. 
Larry C. Ric^, seaman, U. S. Navy; enl. Aug. 31, 1SG4. 
Edmund Ricketaon, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Dec. 18, 1861 ; missing, and never 

heard from. 
Joseph II. Rogers, priv., Co. F, 4th Vet. Cav.; enl. March 22, 1864. 
Robert Rnssell, priv.; enl. Sept. 3, 1864; sub>tiiute for Hiram Van Pelt. 
George S. Schermcriiorn, priv., 93d N. Y. Inf.; enl. Nov. 20, 1861; accident- 
ally wounded, and died in hospital, at Philadelphia, Pa., July 17, 1862. 
Daniel C. vSherman. corp., Co. I, 115th N. Y. Inf.; enl. Aug. 8, 1862; died of 

disease, at City i*oint, Va., Jan. 16, 1S6J. 
Jethro P. Sherman, priv., 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. ; enl. Aug. 6, 1863; disch. at close 

of the war; living in Providence. 
Philo D. Sherman, priv,, Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Sept. 27, 1861 ; disch. with 

the regiment; died of consumption, in Providence, since the war. 
Solomon Sherman, seaman, U. S. Navy; enl. Aug. 27, 1864; disch. at close of 

the war; living in Gloversville. 
William H. Sism,priv., Co. E. 13th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Jan. 13, 1864; disch. 

at close of the war; living in Providence. 
Alonzo P. Slocum, priv., Co. H, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav.; enl. Jan. 4, 1864; disch. at 

close of the war: living at Batchellerville. 
James A. Slocum, priv., 32d N. Y. Inf.; enl. April 26, ISGl ; wounded in right 

wrist; disch. for di-^ability; living at Batchellerville. 
Peter Smith, |)riv., Co. F, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art. 
William W. Smith, seaman, U. S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 31, 1864. 
David Sowl, Jr., priv., 34tli N. Y. Inf ; enl. April 17, 1861; re-enl. priv., 9th 

N Y^. Heavy Art., Aug. 1862; was held a prisoner for four months; 

disch. at close of tlie w.ir; living in Providence. 
Francis Sowl, priv., 9th N. Y. Heavy Art.; enl. Jan. 18, 1864 ; was four months 

in rebel prisons; disch. at close of the war; living in Providence. 
John Sparks, priv., U. S. Regulars; enl. Jan. 18, 1865. 
Henry H. Tabor, priv., Co. E, 77tli N. Y. Inf.; enl. fall of 18G1. 
P. D. Thompson, pnv., Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf. ; enl. fall of 1861. 
Ahmzo P. Van Epps, priv., oGth N. Y. Inf. ; enl. Si-pt. 18, 1863. 
Levi Whistler, .seaman, U. S. Navy ; enl. Aug. 29, 18G4. 
William J. Wuolsey, priv , Co. E, 77th N. Y. Inf.; eul. Oct. 7, 1861 ; killed in 

battle of AntietJim, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. 
Daniel Wylie, seaman, U. S. Navy ; eul. Aug. 1864; disch. at close of the war ; 

living in Montgomery Co. 



NAMES OF CITIZENS 

WHO ASSISTED AND CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE PUBLICATION OF THE HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY; 

WITH PERSONAL STATISTICS. 



VILLAGE OF SARATOGA SPRINGS. 

Jacob M. Adams, son of James I. and Hester A. (Winney) Adams, b. Rensselaer 

Co., N. Y., B. 1858, Proprietor Geyser Spring; residence, Geyser Spring; 

P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Jas. M. Andrews, son of Jaeon and Atina Andrews, b. Sftratoga Co., N. Y., 1810 

(retired); residence, Lake Avenue. 
E. F. Bullard, son of Alpheus and Hannah (Fitch) Bullard, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1821 ; residence, "li Circular St. 
O. L. Barbour, LL.D., son of Oliver and Rosamond B. (Walworth) Barbour, b. 

Washington Co., N. Y., a. 1833, Lawyer, Author, and Reporter; residence, 

109 Regent Street. 
Edgar T. Brackett, son of Wm. and Elizabeth A. (Sheinian) Bnickett, b. Wilton, 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., b. 1872, Attorney, Town Hall. 
A. Bockes, son of Adam and Diantha Bock'-s, h. Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N. Y"., 

Judge of Supreme Court; residence, Circiilar St. 
Wm. B. H. Bunce, son of Ephraim and Ruth (Harris) Bunce, b. Warren Co., 

N. Y., a. 1848, Attorney, Ainsworth Place. 
Jas. G. Bacon, son of W. A. and E. H. (Foster) Bacon, b. Massachusetts, b. 1867, 

Physician and Surgeon, 487 Broadway. 
Wm. C. Barrett, son of Sylvester and Anna (Cummings) Barrett, b. Fulton Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1854, Justice of the Peace, 14 Ainsworth Place. 
Job. Baucus, son of John and Blary Baucus, b. Schaghticoke, Rensselaer Co., 

N. Y., a. 1835 (retired); residence, 577 Broadway. 
C. R. Brown, son of Rowland and Mary Brown, b. Otsego Co., N. Y., s. 1859, 

Jeweler, 468 Broadway. 
Wm. Bennett, son of Joel Barlo Bennett, b. Philadelphia, Pa., 8. 1828, Proprietor 

American Hotel. 
John Burgay, son uf John and Matilda Burgay, b. Saratoga Springs, N. Y., 

1848, Baker and Confectioner, 443 Broadway. 
Bates, Rogers & Farnsworth, Proprietors Congress Hall. 
Anson M. Boyce, son of Ananias and Sarah Boyce, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

8. 1854, Teacher, corner Front and York. 
Wm. C. Bronson, son of Alvah and Sarah (Tinker) Bronaon.b. Moreau, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1810. Banker, 676 Broadway. 
Jos. Blackall, son of Wm. Blackall, b. Berkshire, England, b. 1832, Whitesmith, 

Broadway. 
Patrick A. Brennan, son of Wm. and Mary (CantwelUBrennan.b. Queen's Co., 

Ireland, s. March 25, 1851, General Grocer, corner Congress Street and 

R. & S. R. R. 
A. Bishop, son of B. and N. (Chittenden) Bishop, b. Conn., s. 1857, Superinten- 
dent Champion Spring; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
C. A. Ballard, sou of A. V. and Elizabeth Ballard, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1840, 

Lumber Dealer, Regent Street. 
C. C, Bedell, son of Henry and Elizabeth Bedell, b. Plattsburg, Clinton Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1843, Physician, 427 Broadway. 
Geo. Brokaw, son of Peter E. and Sarah Brokaw, b. Somerset Co., N. J., 8. 1874, 

Saddle and Harness-Making, 421 Broadway. 
J. T. Carr, son of Stafford and Rebecca Carr, b. Wilton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1822, Banker and Attorney, 204 Caroline Street. 
John W. Crane, son of Justus and Betsey (Bridges) Crane, b. Milton, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., September 30, 1827, County Judge, 76 Front Street. 
P. H. Cowen, son of E. and Betsey (Berry) Cowen, b. Saratoga Springs, 1819, 

Attorney, 15 Town Hall. 
Joseph G. Cooke, son of Timothy and Elizabeth (Westcutt) Cooke, b. Milford, 

Otsego Co., N. Y., s. June 1, 1860, Hardware, 41)4 and 40G Broadway. 
Daniel H. ('oUamer, son of Barker, Jr., and Maria (Foster) Collamer, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1826, Hardware, 434 Broadway. 
G. B. Croff, son of John F. and Harrit-t N. Croff, b. Vermont, 8. 1869, Architect, 

414 Broadway. 
Ransom Cook, son of Jos. and ULiry A. (Tolman) Ccuk, b. Wallingford, Conn., 

B. 1801, Mechanic, No. 2Ii> 8. Broadway. 
Chas. C. Cramer, son of G. F. and Lucy Cramer, b. England, s. 1873, Physician 

and Surgeon, 84 W. Congress Street. 
Davis Coleman, son of Solomon and Ibicbel Coleman, b. Newark, N. J., s. 1872, 

Manufacturer of Cigars, 457 Broadway. 
Oliver H. Cromwell, son of P. Cromwell, b. Saratogii Springs, N. Y., Felruary 

21, 183G, Buok-Kecpcr, Circular Street. 



Miss Mary C;illahan, daughter of Ell^n and Dennis Callahan, b. Easton, Wash- 
iiigtun Co., N. Y., 8. 1861, Dress and Cloak-Maker, 15 Ainsworth Place. 

Patrick Cogan, sou of James and Snsan (Sniitli) Cogan, b. Cavan Co., Ireland, 8. 
1848, Dealer in Wines and Liqiiors, corner Cowen and Congress. 

Chas. G. Dawson, son of Tinmiby J. and^Ruanna R. Dawson, b. Madison Co., 
N. Y., 8. 1877, Suju'rinteiident Congress Spring, 38 Clark Street. 

Chas. Ma'ion Davison, sun of John M. and S;irali 8. Davison, b. Saratoga SpringR, 
N. Y., 1853, Attorney and Conns. llor-at-Law, 13 Ainsworth Pla?e. 

John H. Darrow.sonof Jame.s H.and Mary J.Darrow, b.SaratogaSprin|:s,N. Y'., 
1851, Dealer in Boots and Shoes, 34G Broadway. 

C. E. Durkee, son of Paoli and Lydia S. Durkee, b. Shoreham, Vt., s, 1844, 
General Ticket Agent and Cashier Adirondack Ra Iroa-', Broadway. 

Chas. F. Dowd, A.M., son of Wyllys W. and Rebecca (Graves) Dowd, b. New 
Haven, Conn., s. 1868, Principal Temple Grove Seminary. 

W. H. Eustis, son of T. and Mary Eu^tis, b. St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., s. January 
1, 1875, Attorney-at-Law, 4u4 Broadway. 

Daniel Eddy, son of Daniel D. and Mary Ann Eddy, b. Saratoga Springs, N. Y., 
1840, Merchant and Town Clerk, Washington Street. 

Winsor B. French, son of Luther and Lydia French, b. Cavendish, Vt, s. 18o3, 
Attorney and ConnselUor-at-Law, Town Hall. 

Esther M. Fonda, daughti-r of Thos. and Mary Lottridge, b. Rensselaer Co 
N. Y., s. 1848 (retired), 384 Broadway. 

J. H. Farrinj^ton. son of Jacob K. and Lucretia E. (Austin) Farrington, b. 
Otsego Falls, Essex Co., N. Y., s. 1861, Wholesale Wine Merchant, 446 
Broadway. 

Geo. H. Fish, son of Miller and HuMah Fisb.b. Hartford, Conn., s. 1840, Drug- 
gist, o48 Broadway. 

Charles T. Fish, son of Geo. H. and Caroline rish,b. Saratoga Springs, N. Y., 
1845, Druggist and Apothecary, 348 Broadway. 

John Foley, son of Thos. and Margaret Foley, b. Waterford, Ireland, s. 1850, 
Lawyer. 

Carroll E. Gates, son of I. G. and H. L. Gates, b. Lamoille Co., Vt., s. 1873, 
Druggist, 388 Broadway. 

Chas. S. Grant, son of Chas. and Amanda Grant, b. Hobart, Delaware Co., N.Y., 
8. 1S67, Physician and Surgeon, 76 and 78 Blatilda Street. 

B.J. Guldemith.sonof T. D. and Marsha Goldsmith, b. Poland, s. 1863, Tobacco- 
nist, 376 Broadway. 

Wunil-ald Gnrtler, son of Leonard and Margaret Gurtler, b. Hamburg, Germany, 
8. 1861, Hotel-Keeper, 453 and 455 Broadway. 

Otto Geucke, son of L. Geucke, b. Berlin, Germany, s. July 27, 1874, Hotel- 
Keeper, 433 Broadway. 

E. J. Holing, son of Buckman and Mana (Smith) Huling, b. Milton, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1820, Editor Huratoga Seutmd, 435 Broadway. 
John C. Ilnrlbert, son of Luther anii Tamor Uulbert, b. Rutland, Vt, s. 1826, 

Attorney-at-Law (ex-Snrrogate, and ex-County Judge), 23 Arcade Build- 
ing. 
C. H. Holden.eon of Cyrus and Lavinia Holden, b. Bennington, Vt, b. 1858, 

Banker, 423 Broadway. 
J. W. Hill, son of Jonathan and Sallie (Wright) Hill, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1820, Attorney, 5 and 6 Ainsworth Place. 
W. n. Hull, son of M. Stillwell and Laura Hull, b. Waterford, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y,, 183!), Furniture Dealer, 426 Broadway. 
R. A. Heminway, son of Tyler and Anna Heminway, b. New Haveu, Conn., 

B. 1859, Insurance Agent, No. 2 Davison Street 
0. V. Howland, son of Daniel and Atma Howland, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1847, 

Clerk, No. 2 Davison Street. 
W. H. Hall, son of Farnham and Harriet C. Hall, b. New York City, s. May 10, 

1873, Physician, 71 Phila Street 

F. V. Hewitt, son of Richard and Esther Hewitt, b. Greenfield, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1820, Merchant, 456 Broadway. 
R. Hamilton, son of David and J. (Hewleft) Hamilton, b. Wales, ErieCi\ N.Y., 

s. Miirch, 1S54, Physician, 44 Franklin Street 
II. L. Hammonil, K<)n of Justin and Susan Hammond, b. Killingly, Conn b. 

August 25, 1871, Phy^irian, 427 Broa<lwny. 
DeWitt C. Hoyt, son of Caleb M. and Malinda (Drake) IIoyt,b. Milton, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1S24, Hotel, corner Caroline and Henry Steets. 
Iru Hale, son of Aaron and Tripbosa (Cha.«e) Hale, b. Greenfield, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 170'J (retired); residence, 12 Van Dam Street 

503 



504 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Dennia Hayfs, son of Dennis and Bridget Hays, b. Ireland, s. 1854, Groceries 

and Liquors, ^o Church Slreet, corner Railroad. 
J. B. Hodgnian, son of John and Ziltha (Buell) Uodgnian, b. Saratoga Co. 

N. Y., 1823, Blacksmith, Caroline Street. 
Chas. B, Harris, son of Berry and Jane (Morse) Harris, b. Malta, Saratoga Co. 

N. Y., 1851, Butcher, 14 and IG Church Street. 
B. F. Judson, son of Riilith and Polly Judson, b. Nassau, Rensselaer Co., K. Y., 

8. February 15, 1855, Publi.^her and Proprietor Snratogian twenty years. 

Postmaster since 1872; residence, 150 Phila Street. 
Jos. L. Jennings, sun of Jos. and Hannah (Fox) Jennings, b. Bcrket, Mass., s. 

1854, Jeweler, 352 Broadway. 
Mile J. Jennings, son uf Jos. and Hannah (Fox) Jennings, b. Berket, Mass., s. 

1854, Jeweler, 352 Broadway. 
Walter Jennery, son of Frank and Mary Jennery, b. Three Rivers, Canada, s. 

1857, Grocer, 428 Broadway. 
Walker R. Johnson, sou of Robert and Mary Johnson, b. Yorkshire, England, 

8. 1854, Proprietor Adelphia Hotel. 
H. W. Keith, son of Amasa and Sylvia (Bray ton) Keith, b. Jackson, Washington 

Co., N, Y., s. 1853, Superintendent Public Works, 156 Union Avenue. 
B. F. Knapp, son of Phineas and Nancy (Hogaboom) Knapp, b. Sodns, Wayne 

Co., N. Y., 9. 1870, Coal Dealer, 82 Congress Street. 
Chas. S. Lester, son of Chas. G. and Susan W. Lester, b. Worcester, Mass., s. 

October, 1843, Attorney, Broadway, over Commercial Bank. 
Jno. S. Leake, son of John W. and Julia Leake, b. Albany, N. Y., s. 1«49, 

Banker, 3G6 Broadway. 
Chas. K. Leland, ^on of A. P. and S. Leland, b. Londonderry, Vt., s. June 1, 

1805, Proprittor Clarendon Hotel. 
James M. Marvin, son of Wra. and Mary (Benedict) Marvin, b. Ballston, Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., 18it9, Banker; rehidence, Franklin Street. 
James Mingay, son of Richard and Ruth Mingay, b. Yarmouth, England, s. 

November 27, 1850, Apothecary, 472 Broadway. 
Daniel M. Main, son of Joseph and Martha (Lewis) Main, b. Easton, Washing- 
ton Co., N. Y., 8. 185G, Contractor and Builder, fiC Caroline Street. 
Simon H. Myers, son of M. S. and Caroline Myers, b. Germany, s. November, 

185G, Photogiapher, 4UU Broadwiiy. 
R. C. McEwen, son of R. D. and S. A. JIcEwen, b. Bainbridge, Chenango Co., 

N. Y., s. 1866, Physician, 377 Broadway. 
ThoB. Noxon, son of Clark and Letitia Noxon, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. 1818, 

Supervisor Saratoga Springs, 77 Spring Street. 
John Newland, son of L. F. and Jessie vWylie) Newland, b. Glasgow, Scotland, 

s. 185G, Lawyer, 117 Circular Street. 
G. A. Newton, son of Aaron and Laura Newton, b. Rochester, N. Y., s. March 

13, 1877, Manager Atlantic and Pacific Telegntph, 309 Broadway. 
A. B. OInistead, son of Zalmati and Rebecca (Harrow) Ulnistead, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1812, Attorney, No. 14 Town Hall. 
J. M. Ostrander, son of Juhn and Rebecca Ostrander, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1832, Merchant Tailor, 386 Broadway. 

John J. O'Neil, son of Wm. and Margaret O'Ned, b. Gahvay, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1847, Saloon-Keeper, 431 Brojwiway. 
Albert S. Pease, son of Dudley S. and Sarah Pease, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. 

1870, Editor of Tht Sun, 12 Town Hall. 
Levi Sewall Packard, son of Levi and Clarrissa (Sanford) Packard, b. Spencer 

Worcester Co., Mass., s. 1SG7, Superintendent of Schools, corner Caroline 

and Nelson Streets. 
L. B. Pike, son of Matthias A. and Sarah Pike, b. Fort Ann, Wjishington Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1852, Attorney-at-Law, 404 Broa<iway. 
S. J. Pearsall.son of Samuel and Eliza C. Pearsiill, b. Wil tun, Saratoga Co., N.Y., 

1833, Physician, 4G5 Broadway. 

John L. Perry, son of John L. and Harriet Perry, b. Saratoga Springs, N. Y., 

1840, Physician, Proprietor U.S. Hotel, Bmadwayand Division Streets. 
Col. D. F. Ritchie, son of Geo. G. and Catharine Ritchie, b. Rochester, Monroe 

Co., N. Y., 8. 1869, Ed. Daily and Weekly Suratotjiun, 8 Arcade Building. 
Ira D. Rood, son of Ira and Melissa (Deyoe) Rood, b. Greenfield, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., September 22, 1850, Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law, 6 Ainsworth 

Place. 
S. A. Rickard, son of Western and Betsey Rickard, b. Massena Centre, St. Law- 
rence Co., N. Y., 8. 1808, Merchant, 470 Bmadway. 
S. H. Richards, son of Lewis and Alniira Richards, b. Norwalk, Conn.,s. March, 

1854, Banker, Broadway and Phila Street. 
Tabor B. Reynolds, son of Henry and flLiry Reynulds, b. Wilton, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., Apiil 8, 1821, Physician, 493 Broadway. 
J. M. Ramsdill, son of Morgan and Catharine (Fort) Ramsdill, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1843, Proprietor Hoiden House, 423 Broadway. 
E. A. Record, son of Abdallah and Mary Record, b. Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., 

N. Y., 6. 1856, Photographer, 74 Caroline Street. 
CyruH F. Rich, son of Richard and Amy Rich, b. New York, s. 1848, Dentist, 

Broadway. 
Asa W. S. Rix, son of James A. and Sally Rix, b. Marblehead, Mass., s. 1872, 

Merchant, 362 Broadway. 
A. A^ Rice, daughter of E. G. and M. A. Henry, b. Now Vnrk City, s. 1875, 

(retired), South Street and South Broadway. 
J. T. Ryder, son of J. J. Ryder, b. Brooklyn, New York, s. April 4, 1877, Super- 
intendent Star Spring. Spring Avenue. 
Peter Stryker, son of Rev. Herman B. and Blendina Stryker, b. Fairfield, N. J., 

B. Juno, 1S7G, Clergyman ; residence, 485 Broadway. 
Buknian Huliirg Searing, sou of Wm. M. and Caroline M. (lluling) Searing, b. 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., February 28, 1847, R.al Estate Broker, Ainsworth 

Place. 






Col. W. M. Searing, son of Richard and Hannah (Stanley) Searing, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., December 1, 1821, Attorney, 26 Ainsworth Place. 
Jesse Stiles, son of James D. a.id Catharine Stiles, b. Wilton, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1851, Lawyer, No. 4 Ainsworth Place. 
S. S. Strong, son of Ebjah and Mary (Robinson) Strong, b. Greene Co., N. Y., 

8. 18.55, Physician and Surgeon, 90 Circular Street. 
Charles D. Slocnm, son of George and Olive Slocum, b. Valley Falls, N. Y., s. 

1850, Stationer, 374 Broadway. 
Henry Smith, son of McGuin and Marietta Smith, b. Kinderhook, N. Y.,s. 1861, 

Agent National Express Company, 105 Church Street. 
Fannie K. Simons, daughter of Jeremiah and Lucy Kibling, b, Chester, Vt., b. 

1853; residence, 109 Circular Street. 

B. Schermerhorn, son of B. and Margaiet Schermerhorn, b. Schenectady, N. Y., 

B. April 16, 1877. Pharniaci.'^t, 400 Broadway. 

C. H. Sturges, son of Wni. and Charlotte (Sherman) Sturges, b. Pittstown, 

Rensselaer Co., N. Y., s. 1854, Dealer in Hides, Leather, and Wood, 32 

Caroline Street. 
Valentine H. Stieglitz, son of John Stieglitz, b. Hesse-Cassel, Germany, s. 

May 0, 1874, Tailor, 435 Broadway. 
A. D. Seavpy, son of Chas. and Hannali (Dodge) Seavey, b. Brunswick, Maine, 

6. 1860 (retired); residence, 139 Circular Street. 
Hiram P. Trim, son of Moses and Lavela (Hulburt) Trim, b. Saratoga Springs, 

1818, Dealer in Hardware, 4-0 and 422 Broadway. 

C. B. Thomas, son of Felix and Hannah Thomas, b. New York, s. 1845, Deputy 

Postmaster and Coal Dealer, 75 Caroline Street. 
William B. Thorne, son of Sam'l B. and Caroline A. Thorn, Merchant, 466 

Broadway. 
M. H. Utiey, .ton of John and Elizabeth Utiey, b. Canandaigua,N. Y., a. Novem- 
ber, 1K7G, UouKeopathic Physician, Nos. 13 and 15 Arcade. 
John Van Rens-seiaer, son of Edward and Margaret Van Rensselaer, b. Green- 

fiehl, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Ur47, Attorney-at-Law, Ainsworth Place. 
A. Viele, son of John I. and Caroline Viele, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., s. March 17, 

1829, Insurance Agent, 384 Broadway. 
John J. Viele, son of John J. and Caroline Viele. b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 

20, 1839, Insurance, 384 Broadway. 
Lewis Varney, son of Stephen and Susan (Ogden) Varney, b. Luzerne, Warren 

Co., N. Y., s. 18'10, Attorney. Ainsworth Place. 
Wm. Veibeck, son of Mm. and Su«an Verbeck, b. Easton, Washington Co., 

N. Y., s. 1856, Farmer; residence, near Triton Spring; P. 0., Saratoga 

Sprinns. 
N. F. Vi.scher, son of John and Rachel (Fort) A''ischer, b. Vischer Ferry, Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., 1816 (retired); residence, 91 Congiess Street. 
P. P. Wiggins, son of Peter V. and Mary S. Wiggins, b. Saratoga Spiings, N. Y. ; 

residence, 203 South Broadway. 
SamM A. Willoughby, son of Antiustus and Elizabeth Willoughby, b. Nova 

Scotia. 8. 18(>4; residence, Broadway. 
Lewis E. Whiting, son of David and Rachel (Randal) Whiting, b. Plainficld, 

Hampshire Co., Mass., 8. 1844, Physician, 497 Broadway. 
F. D. Wheeler, Jr., son of F, D. and Ahigad (Mdler) Wheeler, b. Dnimnieston, 

Windhani Co., Vt., s. 185G, Principal of Schools, N. Broadway. 
Hiram A. WiUon, son of Abijah and Lucy (Wright) Wilson, b. Winchester, 

Conn., H. 1841 (retired); residence, corner Caroline and Circular Sts. 
Jennie N. White, daughter of R. and Margaret Wiley, b. Ticonderoga, N. Y., 

8.1842; residence, IGG Broadway. 
Wm. H. Walton, son of Henry and Matilda (Cruger) Walton, b. Ballston, N.Y., 

1808 (retired); residence, 107 Lake Avenue. 
0. A. Warrin, son of Wm. and Jane A. (Gillespie) Warrin, b. Brooklyn, N. Y., 

8. 1807 (retired) ; residence, S. Broadway. 

D. K. Wilson, son of Geo. C. R. and Charity Wilson, b. Ballston, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1831, Ticket Agent; residence, 105 Church Street. 
P. W. Weed, son of Seneca and Catharine P. Weed, b. Greenfield, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1833, Dentist, 390 Broadway. 
Edward Waterbury, sun of Philo R. and Mehitabel Waterbury, b. Saratoga 

Springs, August 28, 1831, Watchmaker and Jeweler, 378 Broadway. 
James H. Wright, son of Jasper and Enieline P. Wright, b. New York City, s. 

1855, Merchant Tailor. 361 Broadway. 
W. W. Warden, son of Charles and Elizabeth Warden, b. Malta, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1840, Lumber Dealer, corner C'huich and Adirondack Railroaii, 
Lewis Wood, son of John and Clarissa (Ilerrick) Wood, b. Charlton, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1818, Receiver of Taxes, 13 Town Hall. 



TOWN OF SARATOGA SPRINGS. 

Calvin Brown, son of John and Lydia (Sprague) Brown, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1806, Farmer; residence, Ballston Avenue; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
R. Chmchill, son of Sam'l S. and Sarah E. (Coburn) Churchill, b. Thetford, 

Orange Co., Vt., s. 1856. Supt. Eureka Springs; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Edwin L. Carrugan, son of Eleazer and Martha (Keech) Carragan, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1813, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Willard L. Chase, son of Lemuel and Sarah Chase, b. Middlebury, Addison Co., 

Vt., s. 1834, Farmer, Builder, and Mover, Lake Avenue; P. 0., Saratoga 

Springs. 
John D. Curtis, sou of Joshua and Maria (Eddy) Curtis, b. Saratoga Springs, 

N. Y., 1822, Farmer; I*. 0., Saratoga Spr.ngs. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



505 



Lewis Curtis, son of Henry and Ruth (Peck) Curt's, h. Saratoga Springs, N. Y., 

1815, Farmer; P. 0., Siiriitog;! Sinings. 
Wni. H. Cleveland, son of James and Ciilliarino (Brust) Clevdaiul, b. Keiis- 

selaer Co , N. Y., 182:i, Farmer ; P. 0., Santtofra Siirings. 
Henry D. Curtis, son of Zucliariah and !^ft^all (Moore) Cnrtis, b. Saratoga 

Springs, N. Y., 17DS, Fainiei ; P. O.. Saratugn Sprinj^s. 
Sarah Cromnielin, daughter uf Chas. and Ann (Nc-well) Crommelin, b. Flnsh- 

itig, L. I,, 8. 1853 (retired); re.sidence, Lake Avenue; I*. 0., Saratoga 

Springs. 
Ann Eliza Crommelin, daughter of Chas. and Ann (Newell) Crommelin, I'. 

Brooklyn, N.Y., 8. 1853 (retired); residence, Lake Avenue; P. O., Saratoga 

Springs. 
Myron Denton, son of Jacob and Eva E. ( Miller) Denton, b. Saratoga Spi ings, 

N. Y., 1819, Farmer; P. O., Suratoga Springs. 
D. C. Donel, son of E. A. and Ruth (Coggesliall) Deuel, b. Mnltavillc, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1844, Supt. Vit-hy Springs; residence, aialtaville; P. U., Sara- 
toga Springs. '^ 
Ethan A. Deuel, son of Stephen and Melinda (Palmer) Deuol, b. Stanford, 

Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. 1825, Farmer and IIotel-Koeper, Springdate ; P. 0., 

Saratoi;a Springs. 
J. W. Esmond, son of Jas. M. and Susan (TjU-r) Esnnmd, b. Pitt.stown, Kens- 

selaer Co., N. Y., b. 1855, Farmer; residence, Lake Avenue ; P.O., Saratoga 

Springs. 
John W. Eddy, sou of John and Margaret (Miller) Eddy. b. Colnnihia Co., N. Y., 

B. 1810, Farmer; residence, Kdd.v's Corners; P. O.. Saratoga Springs. 
Elijah N. Freeman, son of Wash. R. and Sarah (Foibes) Freeman, b. Ganse- 

voort, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1837, Hotel-Keeper, Lake Avenue ; P. 0., Sara- 
toga Springs. 
Lorau F. Freeman, son of Washington R. and Sarah (Forbea) Freeman, h. 

Gansevoort, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1S.J4, Hotel-KeepiT, L;ike Ave.; P. 0., 

Saratoga Springs. 
John C. French, eon of Moses SLand Sanianllia A. (Curtis) French, b. Saratoga 

Springs, 1849, Farnu-r; P 0.. Saratoga Springs. 
Isaiah Fuller, son of Jas. and Martha Ann iClark) Fuller, b. Giilway, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1840, ex-Member of Assi^-nddy, Nels()n Avenui; ; P. 0., Saratoga 

Springs. 
Benj. Freeman, son of Wm. and Sarah (Heniyj Fieeman, b. New York City, s. 

1853, Farmer and Gardtner; residence, Ballsion Avenue; P. 0., Ballston 

Spa. 
Robert Gillis, son of Archibald antl Miigdah-ne (Matthews) Gillii*, b. Argyle, 

Washington Co., N. Y., 8. 1838, Farmer; residence, Caroline Street; P.O., 

Saratoga Springs. 
Foster 0. Granger, son of Oscar and Caroline (Foster) Granger, b. Vernon, Oneida 

Co., N. Y., s. 1846, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
S. Gilbert, son of Jobu B. and Esther (Parks) Gilbert, b. Saratoga Spnng>, 1812, 

Farmer; residence, Lake Avenue; P. 0,, Saratoga Springs. 
Robert Gridley, son of Ir.i and Martha (Hawkins) Gridley, b. New Haven, Conn., 

s. 1835, Proprietor Gridley Trout Pond, and Ice Dealer; P. O., Saratoga 

Springs. 
Zilpha Hodgman, daughter of R. and Mary (Ci>co) Buell, b. Wbiting, Addison 

Co., Vt., 8. 1819 (retired) ; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Miss Caroline M. Hodgman, daugliter of John and Zilpha (Buell) Hodgman, b- 

Saratoga Springs, 1825, Farming; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
David L. Holland, son of Reuben C. and Betsey N. (Larkiii) Holland, b. Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y., s. 1856, Engiueer Water-Works, Spring Avenue; P. O., 

Saratoga Springs. 
Geo. P. Henniug, son of Peter and Louisa Henning, b. New Brandenbuig, 

Germany, s. 1853, Florist and Garciener, Lake Avenue ; P. 0., Saratoga 

Springs. 
Clarinda Haiglit, daugliter of Amos and Mary (Wagman) Peck, b. Old Saratoga, 

Saniti'ga Co., N. Y., 1800, Farming; P.O.. S.iratoga Springs. 
Conrad Ham. son of Wm. and Ljdia (Briist) Iliinii b. Brunswick, Rensselaor 

Co., N. Y., 8. 1833, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Geo. Hodges, son of Edward and Laura (Bninham) Hodges, b, Saratoga Springs, 

N. Y., 1844, Gardener, S. Broadway; P.O., Saratoga Sjirings. 
John B. Hall, son of John and Lydia (Pbillips; Hall, b. Greenticld, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1836, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Willis Unrlbnrt, son of Alfred and Betsey (Merr.ll) Hurlbnrt. b. Cornwall, 

Litchfield Co., Conn., s. 1841 (retired); residence, Geyser Spring; P.O., 

Saratoga Springs. 
Benj. Hutchins, son of Charles and Hannah (Berry) Hutchins, b. Half-Moou, 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., I8:i2, Farmer; P. O., Ballston Spa. 
Jolin Johnson, son of Solomon and Saiah (Page; Johnson, b. Hennikcr, N. H., 

6. 1830, Farmer, Ballston Avenue; P. O., Saratoga Spr.ngs, 
Henry B. King, eon of Henry and Harriet (Gilford) King, b. Greenfield, Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., 184u, Gardener; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Clias. Lingnau, son of Chas. and Sophia Lingnau, b. New Sireliiz, Mecklenburg, 

B. 1857, Gardener, Lake Avenue; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
R. S. Moscrip, son ot Wm. aLid Elizabeth (Buckley) Mo.scr.p, b. Delaware Co., 

N. Y., 8. 18G7, Hotoi-Keeper; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
C. B. Moon, son of Chas. H. and Lin-y (Brigg>) Moon, b. Hartford, W(Tshingt<)n 

Co., N. Y., s. 1834, Hotel Propri. toi', Saratoga Lake; P. O., Saratoga 

Springs. 
Chas. H. Moon, son of C. B. and Harriet (Hart) Moon, b. Saratog.i Springs, 1844, 

Proprietor Lake-Side House, Saratoga Lake; P. O., Saratoga Spr.ngs. 
Jesse Murray, sou of Calvin and Mary ^Valentine) Murray, b. Malta, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1S17, Farmer, Saratoga Lake; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 

64 



Rensselaer Kiley, aon of Andrew and Betsey Ann (Able) Kiley, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. v., 1809, Fiirnicr, Lake Avenue; 1*. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Jcffeison Hanisdill.son of Jonatlian and Mary (Uiley) Ranisdill, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., March 29, 1811, Farmer, Saratoga Lake ; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Morgan Ranisdill, son of Jonathan and Mary (Riley) Hanisdill, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., lSO-1, Wag.m-Maker, Saratoga Lake; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
John Riley, son of Andrew and Betsey .\nn(.\ble) Riley, b. Saratoga Co., N. T., 

182*2 Fanner; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Nelson Ra-nsdill, son of Jonathan and Mary (Riley) Ramsdill, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., May :!, 1819, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Spring';. 
Ann Slalia R ley, dangliter of Barnet Parmerton and Cornelia Levisee, b. Clif- 
ton Park, Saratoga Cu., N. Y., 1812, Farniiug ; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Peter Kiley, son t)f Andrns and Betsey Ann (Able) Riley, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

ISU (deceased). 
John C. Kamsdale, son of Zachari.ih and Elizabeth (Crawfordj Ramsdale, b. 

Malta, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 18al, Farmer, S. Broadway; P. 0., Saratoga 

Springs. 
David L. Rouse, son of John and Klizabeth (Pine") Rouse, b. Freehold, Greene 

Co., N. Y., s. 18.'iS, Farmer, S. Broadway ; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
H, A. Roblee, son of Thomas and Lanra Roblee, b. Washington Co., N. Y., 8. 

186.S, Farmer and Mdl Business, Geyserville; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Chas. Slade, son of Nelson and Eunice E. (Gibbs) Slade, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

s. 1847, Gardener and Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Geo. N. Slade, son of Nelson and Eunice E. (Gibbs) SlaJe, b. Rensselaer Co., 

N. Y., s. 1S17, Fanner ; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Frederick Sundler (2d), son of J.icob and Frederica (Monk) Sundler, b. Witten- 

burg, Germany, s. lSo2, Gardener, Lake Avenue ; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Wallace A. Swart, son of Wm. N. and Polly (Vroman) Swart, b. Middleburg, 

Schoharie Co, N. Y., s. September H, 1837, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga 

Springs. 
Emma J. Staunard, dau;ihter of Hiram and Emma (Pennfield) Wood, b. Milton, 

Saratoga Co., N. V., 184,",, Farming, Geyservdlc; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
R. H. Seaman, son of It. A. and A. J. (Yonn.,') Seam,an, b. Saratoga Co., N.Y., 

18:i9, Farnu-r. Ballston Avenue; P. O., Ballston Spa. 
Willis Bros., sons of Wm. and Jane (Allen) Willis, b. Roxburg.-hire, Scotland, 

B. 187.J, Veterinary Surgeons; P. O., Saratoga Spiings. 
Warren H. Waring, son of James and Phebe (Thomas) Waring, b. Saratoga 

Springs, N. Y., Is30, Fanner; P. , Saratoga Springs. 
Ellas L. Wakcman, son of Samuel S. and Sarah (Lee) Wakemau, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., ISlC, Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Sp.a. 



VILLAGE OF BALLSTON SPA. 

L. W. Bristol, son ot Lewis an 1 Sarah Bristol, b. Columbia Co., N. Y., s. 1848, 

Merchant. 
John Brotherson, son of Philip and Catharine Brotherson, b. Saratoga Co., N.Y., 

1808, Lawyer. 
George R. Beach, son of Daniel and Eliziboth Beach, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1S3.*>, Insurance and Real Estate. 
Wm. O. Ball, son of George and Mary Ball, b. Philadelphia, 8. ISol, Druggist. 
Thomas C. Bnnyan, son of Johu and Jane Buiiyan, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1847, 

Principal Union School. 
Mrs. Jane E. Blood, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1813 ; residence, Bloodville. 
B. J. Baiber, son of Henjamin and Polly Barber, b. Wan en Co., N. Y., s. 1839, 

Manufacturer and Inventor. 
Geo. C. Beecher, sou of Calender and Francis Bcecher, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1844, Insurance Agent. 
George W. Chapman, b. Sitratoga Co., N. Y., Lawyer. 
KuBsell P. Clapp, Bon of Chester and Eleanor Olapp, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1820, Trauspoitation. 
A. C. Dake, son of Alvah and Sally Dake, b. Saratoga Cki., N. Y., 1830, Lawyer. 
Walter W. French, son of Luther and Lydia French, h. VeiuionI, s. IS'M, 

Physician and Surgeon. 
Henry L. Grose, son of Henry and Elizalioth Giosc, b. Montgomery Co., N. Y'., 

8. 18511, Editor and Proprietor of Bulhlmi Spa Journal. 
Neil Gilnionr,son of John and Mary Gilmour,b. Scotland, s. 1861, Lawyer (State 

Supt. of Public Instruction). 
Samuel Gould, Jr., son of Samuel and MaiT A. Gould, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

18.38, Merchant. 
Joseph Gordon, son of Kenneth and Margaiet Gordon, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1797, Retired Farmer. 
J.ames W. Ilorton, son of Ezekiel and Clarissa Horton, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

181(1, County Clerk. 
Henry Harrison, son of William and Susan Harrison, b. Washington Co., N. T., 

8. 1859, Liveryman. 
Wm. J. Ilillis, sou of John and Jane Hilli.s, b. Albany N. Y., 8, 18.59, Lawyer. 
Samuel IIaight,s.)n of Samuel B. and Maiia llaight, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., s. 

1870, Leather Blannlacturer. 
Hiio Jones, son of Gilead and Anna Jones, b. Vermont, s. 1852, Banker (Pres't 

1st Nat. Bank). 
James 0. Leach, son of James and Elizabeth Leach, b. Massachusetts, s. 1844, 

Postmaster Ballston Spa. 
Edward W. Lee, son of Joel and Patience Lee, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 18(:9, 

Merchant. 



506 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



John J. Lee, son of Joel and Patience Lee, b. Saintogti Co., N. Y., 1S17, Cashier 

Biillston Spa Bank. 
J. S. Laiiioreaux, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Lawyer. 
Stephen C. Metlbury, son of Stephen B. and Sarah Ann Medbnry ; b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1847, Banker. 
Chaa. W, McCIe\v,son of Chas. and Jennette McClew, b. Montgomery Co., N. Y., 

8. 1841, Merchant Tailor. 
Henry A. Mann, Jr., son of lieu ly A. and Matilda Mann, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1850, Manufacturer. 
Jolin McKown, son of John and Jane MuKown, b. norili of Ireland, s. 1832, 

Furniture Dealer. 
Benjamin West Noxon, son of Charles and Lydia Noxon, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

is:i9, Physician and Surgeon. 
George G. Scott, son of James and Mary Scott, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., ISII, 

Lawyer. 
Andrew \V. Smith, son of SiimncI and Liicinda Smith, b. Saratoga Co , N. Y., 

1812 (retired). 
William W, Sweet, son of Thomas and Mercy Sweet, b. New Jersey, e. 1857, 

Lawyer. 
Franklin A. Sherman, son of Smith and Martha Sherman, b. Vermont, s. 18G5, 

Physician and Surgeon. 
John W. Thompson, son of James and Itboda Thompson, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1808, Banker and Lawyer. 
Joseph S. Thomas, son of George R. and Ur^nla Tliumas, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1842, Hardware Merchant. 
George L. Thompson, son of Jolm W. and Augusta J. Thompson, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1825, Banker. 
James W. Verbeck, son of AVm. and Margaret A. Verbeck, b. EeuFselaer Co., 

N. Y., Lawyer. 
W. S. Waterbury, son of Wm. and Mary Waterbury, J). Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

8. 18G7, Editor and PubHslu-r Democrut. 
D. F. Winney, son of Francis and Slaiia Winney, b, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1S:54, 

Sheriff Saratoga County. 
John H. Westcott, son of Reuben and Phebe Westcott, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1823, Merchant. 
Levi Weed, son of Eli and Betsey Weed, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1827, Physician 

and Surgeon. 
George West, son of George and Jane West, b. England, s. 1801, Manufucturer 

of Paper. 



TOWN OF BALLSTON. 

Hiram W. BuIIdey, son of Guidon nnd Fanny Bnlklcy, Ij. Massacbnsetts, a 

18:!9, Trincipal Bulklcy's Family School ; P. 0., liallston Spa. 
Samuel W. Buell, son of Asa and Siiloma Bvicll, h. Fulton Co., N. Y., s, 18G3, 

Lumberman ; P. O., Sonlh Ballston. 
Mra. Rebecca A. Botlieiick, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1S2I), Farming: P. 0., 

Ballston Spa. 
Mary S. Betts, daughter of Thomas and Catharine Sherwood, li. Saratoga Co., 

N. T., lS2o, Farming; P. 0., Jonesville. 
Alonzo B. Comstock, sou of John and Ann Cumstock, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

s. 1836, Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Isaac Cain, son of John and Margaret Cain, b. Schenectady, s. 1869, Farmer; 

P. 0., South Ballston. 
Barnabas Grossman, son of Barnaba.s aTul Pirces Grossman, b. Massachusetts, fi. 

1819. Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Albert S. Curtis, son of Sherman and Mary Curtis, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 182G, 

Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Centre. 
Henry I. Curtis, sou of Isaac and Lydia Cnrlis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1825, 

Farmer ; P. 0., Ballston Centre. 
0. W. De Crotr, son of Reuben and Elizabeth Do Grofi", b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1810, Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Henry Davis, son of Dr. Samuel and Mary Davis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1798, 

Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Sp[i. 
E. 0. Davis, son of Henry and Slary Davis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1821, Farmer ; 

P. 0., Ballston Centre. 
Mrs. Eveline K. Hewitt, daughter of Sotli and Margaret Kirby, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y"., 1816, Farming ; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
David R. Harlow, son of Aimer C. and Mary Ilarlow, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

18i!n, Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Ebenezer R. Jones, son of Kbenezer and Mary Jone-^, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

18UG. Farmer; P. O., Burnt Hills. 
Miss Electa Mann, daughter of Janu-s ami Trypliena Mann, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., ISOl, Farming ; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Orvillo Miller, son of Elisha and Jnlia Jlrller, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1802, 

Farmer ; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Stephen Merchant, son of Stephen and Electa Blercharit, b. Rensselaer Co., 

N. Y., s. 18:!", Farmer; P. O., South liallston. 
Henry L. McCormick.son of James F. and Marf^aret E. RliCorniick, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1840, F.arm.r; I'. U., Burnt Hills. 
T.%lcott Morehouse, son of Joseph and Maiy Moiehonse. b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1879, Farmer ; P. O., Jonesville. 
George G. Ostrander, sou of Cornelius and Esther Ustrander, b. Ulster Co., 

N Y., ISaO, s. 1863, Lum ernian and Coal Dealer ; P. , South Ballstim. 



Abram Post, son of Israel and Marlha Post, b. Washington Co., N. Y., s. 1807, 

Farmer; P. O., Ballston Spa. 
Samuel Rue, son of Samuel and Phebe Rue, b. New Jersey, s. 1814, Farmer; 

P. 0., Balhton Spa. 
Austin J. Slade, son of Israel and Hannah A. Slade, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

s. 18GG, Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Centre. 
Carmi Smilh, son of Samuel and Phebe Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1811, 

Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
James P. Smith, son of Thomas and Eunice Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1824i 

Farmer; P. 0., South Ballston. 
Nathan Seelye, son of James and Mehitabel Seelye, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y.,1810, 

Farmer; P. O., Burnt Hills. 
Alexander Sears, son of Alexander and Mary Sears, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1818, Farmer ; P. O., Ballston Centre. 
Samuel G. Slade, son of Israel and Hannah A. Slade, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

e. IS71. Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Cathei-ine Sherwood, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Lord, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y'., l"9!l; P. 0, Jonesville. 
William L. Sherwood, son of Thomas and Catherine Sherwood, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 18:j0, Farmer ; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Mary E. Trites, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1822, Farming ; P. 0., South Ballston. 
John Tibbets, son of John and Mary Tibbets, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1804, 

Fanner ; P. 0., Burnt Hills. 
John H. Tibbets, son of John and Lucy Ann Tibbets, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1S43. Farmer; P. 0., Burnt Hills. 
J. W. Turnlinll, son of Robert and Mary Turnbull, b. Schenectady Co., N. Y., 

s. 1870, Farmer; P. O., Ball-ton Centre. 
Ammi A^an Vorst, son of Abraham F. and Marlha Van Vorst, b. Schenectady 

Co., N. Y., s. 1846, Farmer; P. 0., Burnt Hills. 
Asa Waterman, son of David and Phebe Waterman, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1812, Farmer; P. O , Burnt Hills. 
William H. Wheeler, son of William and Sibyl Wheeler, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1810, Retired Farmer; P. O., Burnt Hills. 
Calvin S. Wheeler, son of William and Sibyl Wheeler, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1815, Retired Mechanic ; P. O., Burnt Hills. 



SARATOGA. 

R. N. Alwell. son of Paul P. and N.ilicy Atwell, h. Lake Pleasant, Hamillou 
Co. , N. Y.,s. April, 1832, Bookand Stationery Dealer; P. 0., Sclniylerville. 

Robert S. Atwell, son of Paul P. and Nancy Atwell, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan- 
nary 23, 1831, Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceiies, etc.. Postmaster, Victory 
Mills. 

C. H. Atwell, son of Paul P. and Nancy Atwell, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., January 

30, 1829, Merchant, Victory Mills ; P. 0. Victory Mills. 

D. A. Bullard, son of Alpheus and Hannah Bullard, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 

6, 1814, Paper Manufacturer and Farmer, Schuylerville. 
Oliver Brisbin, son of Oliver and Anzoletta Brisbin, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

December, 1844, Dealer in General Merchandise, Boots, Shoes, etc., Schuy- 
lerville. 
Geo. H. Bennett, son of Horace and Sophia Bennett, b. Washington Co.. N. Y., 

s. March. 1857, Miller, Schuylerville. 
Mrs. E. C. Buck, daughter of James P. and Abhy M. Cramer, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., May 28, 1832; residence. Broad Street, Schuylerville. 
C. M. Bullard, son of D. A. and II. S. Bullard, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., April, 1860, 

Paper Manufacturer, Schuylerville. 
A. Bush, son of Clias. P. and Betsey E. Bush, b. Ticonderoga, N. Y., s. 1837, 

Macliinitit, Victory Mills; P. 0., Victory Mills. 
Hosca Baker, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 23, 1817, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga. 
Horace 51. Bennett, son of Geo. W. and Lydia Bennett, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

February 17, 18.^i3, Farmer; P. ()., Dean's Corners. 
John Broders, son of Richard and Mary Broders, b. Ireland, s. July, 1848, 

Dealer in Groceries, and Blacksmith; P. 0., Covesville. 
T. D. Brighlman, son of lilartin and Eleanor Brightman, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

May 31, 1808, Farmer; P. 0., Quaker Springs 
J. C. Brisbin, son of James and Sarah Brisbin, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 22, 

1811, Farmer; P. 0., Schuylerville. 
Joseph Bois, son of Joseph and Clarissy Bois,b. Vermont, s. 1851, Farmer; P. , 

Quaker Springs. 
David Craw, son of Wm. and Mary Craw, b. Washington Co., N. Y., s. Septem- 
ber. 1842, Machinist ; P. O., Schuylerville. 
John Carlin, son of Hugh and Elizabeth Carlin, b. Providence Co., R. I., s. May, 

1853, Clerk, Victiuy Mills; P.O., Victory Mills. 
Wm. Cooney, son of James and Mary Cooney, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., August, 

ls:i9. Saloon, Schuylerville. 
Hugh Carlin, son of John and Mary Carlin, b. Ireland, s. February 10, 1853, 

P.ncker with Saratoga Victory Manufacturing Company, Victory Mills ; 

P. 0., Viclory Mills. 
J. H. Chubb, son of John H. and L.vdia Chubb, b. Washington Co., N. Y., s. 

March 12, 1808. Farmer and Dealer in Coal, Schuylerville. 
Philip Cramer, son of Geo. and Ann C umer. b. Saratoga Co ,N. Y.,1795, Farmer; 

P. O., Quaker Springs. 
W. R. Clothier, son of Uenj. P. and Eliueda A. Clothier, 1. .Saialtign Co.. N. Y., 

October 3, 1 834, Fai mer ; P.O., Schuylerville. 



HISTORY OP SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



507 



Hiram Cramer, son of James and Sarah Cramer, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 25, 

1S25, Farmer; P. 0., Victory Mills. 
Paul Dennia, son of John and Miirgaret Denni!i,li. Dnti^liess Co., N. Y., s. April, 

1818, Foundry, Schuylcrvillo. 
P. Davison, son of Poter I. and Nancy G. Davison, b. Chenango Co., N. Y., 8. July, 

1870, Jeweler, Schuylervillc. 
D. Dean, son of Josiah Dean, M.D., and Euphonva, b. Sanitoga Co., N. Y., 

August 20, 1835, Dealer in Groceries, and Justice of the Peace, Schuy- 

lerville. 
J. H. DiIIingh:im, son of Stephen and Arvilla Dillingham, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., November 3. 18-11, Agent, Schuylerville. 
A. M. Davis, son of Gideon and Hannah Davis, h. Saratoga Co., N. V., May lO, 

1S45, Farmer and Speculator, Quaker Spring's ; P. O., Quaker Springs. 
Jame9 Davis, son of George and Nancy Divis, b. Saratoga C«., N. Y., January 

23, 1813, Quaker Springs; P. 0., Qmiker Spring.s. 
J. 0. Davis, son of Patrick and Eli/abcth Davis, b. Iluntingdon Ci>., Pa., 8. 

May 4, 1870, Physician and Surgeun, Quaki-r Spriugn; P. O., Quaker 

Springs. 
I. M. W. Dusten, son of N. A. and Rosena IJ. Dusten, b. Keussidaer Co., N. Y., 

B. March 30, 185G, Farmer; P. 0., Quaker Springs. 
Andrew Dorland, eon of Samuel and llebecca Dorlaiul, b. Dutchees Ci>., N. Y., 

s. February, 1823, Farmer; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 
Michael Doty, son of Orman and Eh'auor Doty, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y.; P. 0., 

Dean's Cornere. 
Egbert B. Davis, son of James and Hannali Davis, b. Saratoga Co., N, Y,, May 

12, 1810, Farmer, Quaker Springs ; P. O., (Juaker Springs. 

J. n. Do Ridder, son of Henry and Catharine A. De Ridder, b. Washington Co., 
N. Y., s. August 8, 1804, Teller National Bank, Scbuylerville. 

R. English, son of David and Susan Engli-h, b Washington Co., N. Y., s. 1S47, 
Lumber Dealer, Schuylerville. 

Keubon Esmond, son of Charles N. and Saiah Esmond, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
February 5, 1S21, Carriage Manufacturer and Farmer, Quaker Springs; 
P. O., Quaker Springs. 

John M. Ellsworth, son of Charles and Maria Ellswurtli, b. S.ir itoga Co., 
N. Y., December 4, 1825, Wheelwright, Victory Mills. 

P. C. Ford, son of James and Ann Ford, b. Caledonia Co., Vt , s. July 5, 1872, 
Attorney and Editor Standard, Scbuylei ville. 

Rev. H. B. Fioegan, son of Thos. and Mary Finegari, b. Ireland, s. May, 1857, 
Pastor Catholic Chtircb, Schuylerville. 

Wm. Finn, son of Geo. and Mary Finn, b. Ireland, s. July, ISGO, Proprietor 
Schuylerville House, Schuylerville. 

Fieeman Fowler, son of Hiram and Mary Fowler, b. Ontario Co., N. Y., s, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1877, Groceries, Liquors, and Boarditig, Schuylerville. 

W. P. Fmcli, sou of Daniel and Sarah Finch, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., October 

13, 1S15, Dealer in Lumber and Plaster, Scbuylerville. 

Edward H. Fitch, son of Edward and Hannah Fitch, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
August 15, 1834, Farmer; P. O., Dean's Ciunors. 

F. F. Gow, son of Jamea and Lucie M Gow, b. Oakland Co., Mich., s. Novem- 

ber 12, 18G6, Pbysic'an ami Surgeon, Broad Street, Scbuylerville. 
A. M. Greene, son of Merritt and Betsey Greene, b. North Adams, Mass., b. 

March 3, 1850, Payniiister Saratoga Victory Manufacturing Company, 

Victory Mills. 
J. W. Gailey, son of Samuel and Mary Galley, b. Warn-ii Co., N. Y., s. Nuveui- 

bi-r 4, 1874, Propriftor Gailey House, Srhnylervillo. 
Daniel Griffin, son of Sauiuel and Abigail Griffin, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., SLirch 

17, 1819, Farmer, Quaker Springs; P. O., Quaker Splines. 
Austin E. Hornibrook, son of Edward and Bethatia Hornibrook, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., July 23, 1853, Book-Keeper Saratuga Victory Manufactu iug 

Company, Victory Mills. 

G. B. Holmes, son of John B. and Betsey Ilulnies, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Novem- 

ber 14, 1849, Farmer, Cuvesvillo. 
Daniel Hathaway, son of Richard and Hester Hathaway, b. England, s. April 

10, 1843, Farmer; P. O., Schuylerville. 
Henry C. Holmes, son of John B. and Betsey Ibdmos, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

March 17, 1832, Farmer and Speculator, Quak^-r Springs; P. O., (Quaker 

Springs. 
Daniel B. Howland, son of Jonathan and Hannah Howlaud, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., May 10, 1805, Farmer; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 
Samuel Howland, son of Jonathan and Hannah Howland, b. Saratogi Co., N. Y., 

May 20, 1-800, Farmi-r, Dean's Corners ; P. O., Dean'd Cvu-uers. 
H»'nry Hunter, son of Jesso and I'rudie Hutitei', b. Saratoga C<i., N. Y., Jaiinary 

18, 1820, Farmer, Ketcham's Corners; P. 0., Ketcham's (Corners. 
Chas. E. Ingerson, son of Asa and Eliza Inger^on, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Novem- 
ber, 1832, Dealer in Groceries, Dry Goods, Boots, and Shoes, Victory 

Mills. 
Wm. H. Ingham, son of Edward and Cathailne Ingham, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., 

B. April, 1858, Butcher, Victory Mills. 
Wm, J. Kennedy, son of John and Mary Kennedy, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Octo- 
ber 7, 1830, Mechanic, Victory Mills ; P. O., Victory Mills. 
S. Knickerbocker, son of John ami Susan L. Knickerbocker, b. RL*jisseIaer Co., 

N. Y., s, April 2, 180G, Fanner, Covesvillc ; P. O., Covesville, 
Mrs. R. D. Lewis, John R, and Abby H, Lewis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y,; residence, 

Broad Street, Schuylerville. 
C, W, Law, son of Amos and Juno Law, b. Washington Co,, N. Y., s. January, 

1808, Carder, Victory Mills; P. O., Victory Mills. 
Brill Lamon, sou of John G. and Mary Lamon, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., February 

2, 1852, Carpenter, Schuylerville. 



T. LosoG, son of James D. and Marrilla Losee, b. Sanitoga Co., N. Y., Septem- 
ber 10, 182G, Farmer, Quaker Springs; P. 0., Quaker Springs. 
G. T. Leggett, son of Thos. and Comfoit Leggett, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Septem- 
ber 27, 1793, Farmer; P. O., Dean's Corners, 
C. W. JIayhew, son of Abiah W. and Joanna Mayhew, b, Columbia Co., N. Y., s. 
November, 1838, Saratoga Victory ManuCicturing Company, Schuyler- 
ville; P.O., Victory Mills, 
Brown Mowry, son of Smith and Sarah Mowry, b. Providence, R, I., s. Feb- 
ruary, 1807, Superintendent Saratoga Victory Manufacturing Company, 
Victory Mills; P. 0., Victory Mills. 
A. H. Meader, son of Daniel and Abigail Meader, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Septem- 
ber 30, 1847, Harness-Maker and Carriage-Trimmer, Schuylerville. 
H. C. Monroe, M.D., son of Isaac and Mary Monroe, b. Washington Co., N. Y., 

s. May 11, n72. Physician and Surgeon, Schuylerville. 
Wm, II. Marshall, son of Jas, and Haniuih Marshall, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

May 11, 1818, Fanner, Victory Mills; P, 0., Victory Mills. 
F. K. Marshall, son of Thos. J. and Harriet Marshall, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y,, April, 

1853, Fanner and Dealer in Coal, Schuylerville, 
M, B. Moo, son of Michael and Ann Moe, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., October 22, 1820, 

Farmer, Victory Mills; P. 0., Schuylerville, 
Harrison Marshall, son of Thos. J. and Harriett Mar-hall, b. Saratoga Co., 

August G, 1830, Farmer, Victory Mills ; P. 0., Victory M.lls. 
George W, Munn, son of Ho*oa and Thankful Munu, b. Wasliiugton Co., N. Y.i 
s. 1837, Overseer Card Grinding, with Victory Sai'atoga Manufacturing 
Company, Victory Mills. 
F. W. Meader, son of Geo. F. and Charlotta H. Meader, b. Washington Co., 
N. Y., December, 1837, Carpenter, Quaker Springs; P. 0., Quaker 
Springs. 
Henry H. Mosher, son of Eliakim and Mary Mosher, b. Columbia Co., N. Y., 

s. 1837, Farmer, Dean's Corners; P. O., Dean's Coruera. 
H. A. McRae, son of Hector and Charlotte McRae, b. Andover, Mass., s. March, 

1864, Merchant, Schuylerville. 
Fred. McNaughten, s'Ui of Maloom and Phebe McNaughten, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., September 27, 1853, Book-Keeper Nat:oual Bank, Sciiuylcrville . 
McCrcedy Brothers, sons of Gamaliel and Naney McCreedy, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., Dealers in Groceries, Boots, and Shoes, etc., Schuylerville. 
Jeremiah McKinstry, son of John and Lydia McKinstry,b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

March 4, 1832, Farmer, Prospect Hill ; P. 0., Schuylerville. 
V. W. Ustrander, son of Wm. P. and Isabella C. Ostrander, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., February, 1848, Dealer in Hardware, Schuylerville. 
Jacob Osborne, son of Samuel and Maria, S. Osborne b. Bergen Co., N. J., a. 

July 4, 1834 (retired) ; P. 0., Schu) lerville. 
W. P. Oritrander, son of Christopher ami Mary Ostrander, b. R-n^stdaer Co., 

N. Y., s. 1821 (retired). Prospect Hill ; P. O., Schuylerville. 
J. R. Preston, M.D., son of Calvin and Rachael Preston, b. Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
s. May, 1831, Physician and Surgeon, Corner Pearl and Ferry Streets ; 
P. 0., Schuylerville. 
D. S, Potter, sou of Stephen and Amand.i Tutter, b, Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 

10, 1843, Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law, Schuylerville. 
Coruelius Pattei"son, son of Elnathan and Phebe Patterson, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., April 17, 1810, Farmer; P. O., Schuylerville. 
Arunah C. Peck, sun of Ira and Lydia Peck, b. Herkimer Co., N. Y., s. Septem- 
ber, 1820, Fanner, Dean's Curner-s ; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 
Richard Potter, son of Richard and Rachael Potter, b. Saratoga Co., K. Y., 
April 17, 1813, Farmer and Overseer of the Poor, Quaker Springs; 
P. 0., Quaker Springs. 
Miles Root, son of John and Mihalu Ruot, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y , January 31, 

1S28, Undertaking and Furniture, Schuylerville. 
Sarah E. Remington, daugliter of Joseph Weaver and Elizabeth Livermore 
Weaver, b. Wiishingtou Co., N. Y., s. April 1, 1870, Dealer in Groceries, 
Schuylerville. 
James 0. Reilly, son of Fnincis and Catharine Re;lly, b. Ireland, s. Septem- 
ber, 1807, Bleaching, Dyeing, and Finishing, Victory Mills. 
Amos Reynolds, sou of Samuel and Catharine Rcynobls, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

May 28,1817, Postmaster and Blerchant, Quaker Springs. 
M. D. Ramsdill, son of Mm-gau and Catharine Ramsdill, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., January 25, 1835, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Sam'l Sheldon, son of Juhn and Jane Sheldon, b. Washington Co., N. Y., s. May , 

1808, Lumber Dealer and Insurance. Schuylen-ille. 
H. Shaw, son of Thos. W. and Betsey Shaw, b. Warren Co., N. Y., s. April, 

ISGG, Dealer in Dry Goods and Groceries, Schuylerville. 
N. J. Scelye, son of Nathaniel and Mary Seelye, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb- 
ruary 2, 1842, Dealer in Dry Goods and General Merchandise, Schuyler- 
ville. 
Joseph T.Smith, son of Wm.T. and Sarah Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., October 
10, 1811, Justice of the Peace and Dealer in Jewelry, Hats, Caps, etc., 
Schuylerville. 
R. B. Scarritt, son of Josiah A. and Cynthia Scarritt, b. Vermont, s. March, 

18G4, Stage, Omnibus, and Livery, Schuylervilln. 
Robert Sample, son of Wm. and Mary Sample, b. Ireland, s. May, 1854, Factory 

Operator, Victory Mills; P. O., Victory Mills. 
John Sample, son of Wm. and Nancy Sample, b. Ireland, e. January, 1851 

Factory Operator, Victory Mills; P. 0., Victory Mills. 
Mrs. L. E. Seeley, daughter of James and Margiiret Dcyoe, b. Saratoga Co. 

N. Y., January 10, 1830 ; residence, Broad Street, Schuylerville. 
Geo. Strovor, son of John and Mary Devoe Strover, b. Samtoga Cj., N. Y., March 
12,1794 (retired), Scbuyleiville. 



508 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Wm. H. Smith, son of Tlina. and Mnry SniHli, li. Sar.itopft Co., N. T., March 

7, 1830, Supervisor and Farmer; P. O., St-liiiylei viUe. 
Rensselaer Stafford, son of Rensselaer and Lon-tta Stjiflbrd, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., December 25, 1834, Farmer; P. O., Schnylerville. 
C. H. Sailf, son of John ami Ann Sarlc, b. "Washington Co., N. Y., h. March 

18, 1874, Farmer, Covesville ; P. 0-, Covesville. 
Orville Sheai er, son of Jasou and Mary Shearer, b. Massachusetts, s. 1819, 

Farmer, Victory Mills; P. O., Victory Mills. 
J. Hicks Smith, son of Tbos. and Mary Smith, h. Saratoga Co,, N. Y., October 

11, 1838, Farmer, Quaker Springs ; P. 0., Schuylerville. 
Alvah M. Shepherd, son of Asa and Deborah "W. Shei)lit'rd, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., April 27, 1843, Farmer, Victory Mills; P. 0., Victory Mills. 
John Stephenson, son of Alexander and Maiy Stephenson, b. Sberington, 

Canada, s. 1837, Blacksmith, Victory Mills ; P. O., Victory Mills. 
J. E. Salisbury, son of Thos. and Sally Ann Salisbury, b. Sariitcpa Co., N. Y., 
B. November 19, 1S29, Proprietor Quaker Springs House ; P. 0., Quaker 

Springs. 
Milton Shepherd, son of James and Hannah M. Shepherd, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

August 6, 1821, Farmer, Dean's Corners ; P. 0., Dean's Cornei-a. 
J. W. Tibbetts, son of Isaiah and Mary Tibbetts, b. Franklin Co.. Me., s. June 

19, 1875, Overseer Spinning, Victory Mills; P. 0., Victory Mills. 
X. H. Thompson,-8on of Berry and Charlotte Thompson, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

March 8, 1839, Farmer; P. 0., Scliuylprville. 
Benj. B. Thomas, son of Thos. W. and Cynthia Thomas, b. Bennington Co.' 

Vt., B. May, 1847, Farmer; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 
SimonpTubbs, son of Juhn and Zilphya Tubbs, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., s. Novem- 
ber 21, 1796, Farmer; P. 0.. Ketrliam's Corners. 
J). K. Van Doren, sou of Jacob and It-u hael A. Van Doren, li. Somerset Co., 

N. J., s. August, 1874, Pastor Refoi med Cliurch, Schuylerville. 
Abram Vandercar, son of Ricliard and ]Maria Vandercar, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

May 22,1847, Carpenter, Victury Mills; P. 0., Victory Mills. 
Samuel WelLs, son of Wm. U. and Aseneth Wells, b, Warren Co., N. Y., s. Octo- 
ber, 1855, Attorney and Counsellur-at-Luw, Schuylerville. 
G. F. Watson, sou of George and Abby Watson, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1823, 

Cashier National Bank, Schuylerville. 
J. A. Wilson, son of Eckebcth and Cyntliia Wilson, b. Washington Co., N. Y., 

8. April 1, 1862, Manufacturer of Lumber, Schuylerville. 
I. Whitman, son of James and Hannah AVhitman, b. Pruvidence, R. T., s. Octo- 
ber, 1829, Dealer in Gents' Furni bing Goods, Clothing, etc., Schnylyr- 

ville. 
Seward Winney, son of F. D. and Maria Winney, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., June 

16, 1839, Farmer, Speculator, and Proprietor Meat Market, Schuyler- 
ville. 
P. S. Wheeler, son of Hiram and Louisa Wheeler, b. Massachusetts, s. April, 

18GG, Carder, Victory Mills; P. O., Victory Mills. 
R. M.Williams, son of Fredeiick and Liicretia Williams, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y,, 

8. April 9, 1820, Farmer, Schuylerville. 
J. S. Winney, son of Fiancis K. and Dorcas Winney, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

October 21, 1821, Farmer; P. 0., Schuylerville. 
F. E. Winney, son of Cornelius and Phebe Ann Winney, b. Saratoga Co., April 

23, 1845, Farmer, Grangerville ; P. O., Schnylerville. 
A. H. Woolley, son of Ncliemiah and Debra WooUey, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. 

1817, Farmer; P. 0., Schuylerville. 
Michael Welch, sou of Pierce and Margaret Welch, b. Ireland, s. October, 1849, 

Proprietor Grove Hotel, Sniithsville; P. O., Victory Mills. 
James Whah-y, sou of Jas. and Mary Whaley, b. Washington Co., N. Y., s. 1847, 

Farmer, Victory Mills; P. 0., Victoiy Mills. 
Stephen H. Winney, sou of Francis K. and Dorcas Winney, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., December, 1822, Farmer; P. O., Schnylerville. 
George H. Wbaley, son of James and Eliza Whaley, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

February 14,1847, Grocer, Victory Mills; P. 0., Victoi-y Mills. 
George W. Wandell, son of Peter J. and Nancy Wandell, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

January 23, 1824. Farmer, Quaker Spr'ugs; P. 0., Quaker Spiings. 
Joseph Wilbur, son of William and Pri-cilla Wilbur, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

February 2, 1807, Farme;', Dean's Corners; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 
C. J. Wright, son of Job and Best Wright, b. Saratoga Co , N. Y., January 13, 

1821, Farmei-, Dean's Corneifi; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 
John D. Wright, son of Lozee B. and Maria Wiight, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

December 25, 1847, Farmer; P. 0., DcJin's Corners. 
Gilbert Wright, son of Gilbert and Rachel Wright, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

April 7, 1813, Farmer, Dean's Corners; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 
Charles L. Wright, son of Dennis and S;trah Wright, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

January 26,1835, Farmer; P. 0., Dean's Corners. 



STILLWATER. 

P. C. Anderson, son of Orlando and Elvha Anderson, b. Warren Co., N. Y., s. 

February 16,1876, Dealer in Groceries, Boots, and Shoes; P.O., Stillwater. 
G. P. & E. Allen, sous of Sylvester and Sarah Allen, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

Carriage Manufactory and Livery; P. 0., Stillwater. 
William M. Bartlett, son of Julius and Nancy Bartlett, b Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

March 16,1810 (retired); P. 0., Stillwater. 
J. G. Becker, son of John and Ann Eliza Beckei-, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 

10, 1830, Grocer; P. 0., Stillwater. 



James K. Baker, son of David S. and Polly Baker, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., May G, 
1S4G, Faimer, Bemus' Heights; P. 0., Bemus' Hei<:hts. 

W. H. Blood, son of David and Man- Blood, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 28, 
1824, Farmer, Stillwater; V. 0., Stillwater. 

Wm. R. Britten, son of Reuben and Elizabeth Britten, b. Albany Co., N. Y., s. 
March, 1H7j, Farmer, Bemus' Heights; P. C, Benius' Heights. 

Peter K. Pest, son of .Jeremiah and Phebe Best, b. Columbia Co., N. Y.,8, April 

I, 1843, Farmer; P. O., Mecbanicville. 

Reuben H. B;irber,scm of Abiabani and Patience Barber, b. Saratoga Co., N.Y., 

October 22, 182-', Farmer. 
Jacob E. Best, i-on of Peter K, and Jane Best, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., August 

II, 1845, Faimer; P. 0.. Mecbanicville. 

Wm. H. Beach, son of Jonathan Stileg and Mary Beach, b. Saratoga Co., N, Y., 
Sept. 9, 1827, Paper Manufacturer, Ballston Spa; P. O., Mecbanicville. 

Collins Collamer, son of Thos. anil Mary CoUamer, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan- 
nary 18, 1809 (retired), Stillwater. 

Wm. P. Curtis, son of Zachariah and Sandi Cm tis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 
16, 18119, Farmer; P. 0., Bemus' Heiglits. 

Philip C. Colloii, son of Andiew and Catharine Colton, b. Columbia Co., N. Y., 
s. 1837, Farmer; P. O., Bemus' Heights. 

W. H. Davenport, son of John and AlHda Davenport, b. Washington Co., N. Y., 
8. April 1, 1SG5, Dealer in Dry Goods and Groceries, Stillwater, 

C. A. Deyoe, son of Peter and Eliza Deyoe, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., February l(t, 

1843, Dealer in Dry Gooils, Groceries, etc., Stillwater. 
Geoige A. Ensign, son of Charles and Sarah Ensign, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

October 22, 1830, Farmer, Speculator, and Manufacturer, Bemus' Heights. 
Wm. W. Esmond, sou of Watts and Sarah Esmond, b. Warren Co., N. Y., ?. about 

IH-W, Farmer; P.O., Bemus' Heights. 

D. W. Ellsworlh, son of Russell and Pamelia Ellsworih, b. Pensselaer Co., 

N. Y., s. March, 1S37, Farmer; P. 0., Ketcham's Corners. 
William B. Fuller, son of Gidet>u and Catharine Fuller, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
May 16, 181(1, Farmer; P. 0., Stillwater. 

E. Hewitt, son of E. P. and Mary Ann Hewitt, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Septem- 

ber 16, 1833, Postmaster and Proprietor Bemus' Heights Hotel, Bemus* 

Heights. 
Ephraim Hunt, son of Thos. and Jern«ba Hunt, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., June 

26, 18110, Farmer; P. 0., Ketcham's Corners. 
Sam'l Hewitt, son of E. P. and Mary Ann Hewitt, 1>. Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 

26. 1830, Faimer; P. 0.. Stillwater. 
Leonard Iludgnian, son of Amos and Jeniiina Hodgman, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

January 21, 1791 (retired); P. 0., Stillwater. 
Tunis Kipp, son of Isaac and Maria Kipp, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., s. April, 

1868, Paper Manufacturer; P. 0., Mecbanicville. 
Ebenezer Leggelt, son of Wm. and Rebecca Leggett, b. Westchester Co., Mass., 

8. April. 1823, Farmer; P. 0., Quaker Springs. 
George F. Lamb, son of Joseph and Freelove Lamb, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Octo- 
ber 3, 1829, Farmer; P. 0., Stillwater. 
Charles H. Landon, son of Robert K, and Patience K, Landon, b, Sai'atoga Co., 

N. Y., December 26, 1848, Farmer; P. 0., Stillwater. 
Philip Mosher, son of Reuben and I'hebe Mosher, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Decem- 
ber 23, 1825, Paper Manufacturer, Stillwater. 
Ezia Mnnger,8cin of Timotliy aid Naomi Munger, b. Saratoga Co., N.Y., August 

1, 1802, Farmer; P. O., Bemns" Heights. 
Mrs. Melia«a Munger, daughter of Joseph and Lydia Walker, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., August 2, 1808, Farming; P.O., Bemus' Height-. 
T. M. Myers, sun of Isaac and Dorcas fliyers, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., December 

19, 18n8, Fanner; P. 0., Ketcham's Corners. 
Mrs. John R. Myer.", daughter of Jacob J. and Elizabeth Esmond, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., September 27, 1811 {retired i ; P. 0., Ketcham's Corners. 
Isaac Myers, son of Thos. M. and Annie Myers, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1838, 

Farmer; P. 0.. Ketcbaui's Corners. 
John McFarlaue, son of John and Helen McFarlane, b. Scotland, s. March, 

1876, Proprietor McFarlane House, Stillwater. 
George W. Neilson, son of Charles and Elizabeth Neilson, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., March 7, 1817. Farmer; P. O., Ketcham's Corni-rs. 
Rial Newland, son of David and Mary Newlaud,b. Saratoga Co.,N.Y., January 

7, 1823, Proprietor Saratoga Hosiery Ulilis; P. 0., Stillwater. 
Henry Newland, son of David and Mary Ne« land, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y.. No- 
vember 28, 1S36, Propi ieb.r Saratoga Hosiery Mills; P. 0.. Stillwater. 
John B. Newland, son of Ephiaini and Sarah Newland, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

November 24, 1833, Lumberman ; P. 0., Stillwater. 
Barnard W. Osgood, son of Peter and Sabra Osgood, b. Maine, s. April, 1S46, 

Farmer; i*. 0., Stillwater. 
Wm. B. Osgood, son of Barnard and Eliza O-^good, b. Eaton, Canada, s. about 

1847, Fai-mer; P. 0., Stillwater. 
Lymau T. Osgood, sou of Barnard and Eliza Osgood, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

July 31, 1847, Farmer; P. O., Stillwater. 
W. R. Palmer, son of Jonathan and Mary Palmer, b. Schoharie Co., N. Y., s. 

April 1, 1874, Undertaker, Stillwater. 
Jacob W. Pitney, sun of Jacob and Abigail Pitney, b. Washington Co., N. Y., 

8. December 12, 1838, Farmer; P. 0., Stillwater. 
S. H. Phillips, M.D., son of Sam'l and Eliza Phillips, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y. 

s. July, 1874, Physician and Suigeon ; P. 0., Ketcham's Corners. 
Joseph B. Rodgers, son of Benjamin and Ann Rodgers, b. Reusselaer Co., N. Y., 

s. 1846, Farmer; P. O , Stillwater. 
Lyman Smith, son of Bliss and Esther Smith, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., October 

27, 1823, Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, etc., Stillwater. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



509 



G. B. Smith, son of Nathan and Nancy Smith, b. New London Co., Conn., s. 

1840. Dealer in IlartUvare, Stillwator. 
Stephen C. Stnitton, son of Benjamin and Ann Strattun, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

Jniie 4, 1S04. Farmer; P. O., Stillwater. 
Benjamin Sarle, son of Benjamin anil Hannah Sarle, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

Jnne 15, 1815, Fainier; P. O., Benius' Heights. 
Daniel Smith, son of Allen Jimi Jiiditli Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Septem- 
ber 11, 1S27, Proprietor Saw-Mill, Grist-M ill, Plaster, and Farming; P.O., 

Bemns' Heights. 
J. S. Strang, M.D., son of David and Nancy Strang, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb- 
ruary 23, ISll, Farmer; P. O., Keteham'a Corners. 
Geo. P. H. Taylor, son of George and Louisa Taylor, b. Turk*s Island, W. I., s. 

October, 187G, Pliyhician ; P. O., Stillwater. 
Frank Thoma!«, son of Charles G. and Maria Thomas, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., 

s. December, 1859, Merchant; P. O., Kctcbam's Corners. 
L. Vandemark, son of Sylvester and Henrietta Vandemark, b. Albany Co., 

N. Y., s. June, 1859, Attorney-at-Law and Poi^tmaster, Stillwater. 
Henry A. Van Wie, son of Amlrew and Susan Van AVic, b. Albany Co., N. Y., 

8. April G, 1854, Farmer; P. 0., Benius' Heights. 
Duncan Van Wie, son of Henry A. nnd Christiana Van Wie, b. Albany Co., 

N. Y., 8. April 6, 1854, Farmer; P. 0., Bennis' Heights. 
Evert Vandenburg, son of Kvert and Abigail Vandenburg, b, Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., November 10, 18U8, Fnrmer; P. O., Stillwater. 
Rev. It.Webtcott, S(in of Joseph and Freelove Westcolt, b. Plymouth Co., Ma.cs., 

S.1S57 (retiied); residence, Stillwater. 
Stephen Wood, son of Tlmnias I. and Hester Wood, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. 

April, 1844, Dealer in Lumber and Coal, and owner of Steam Planing- 

Mill, Stillwater. 
James Walker, son of Robert and Judah Walker, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., October 

24, 1811, Farmer; P. 0., Bemns' Heights. 
Palmer Williams, son of Gilbert and Luis Williams, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

8- 1803, Farmer; P. 0., Stillwater. 



CHARLTON. 



C. W. Backus, son of J. T. and A. E. Backus, b. Sclienect-idy Co., N. Y., s. 1876, 

Clergyman ; P. 0., Charlton. 
Wm. Bnnyan, son of Wm. and Elizabeth Bunyan, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1824, 

Farmer ; P. 0., West Charlton. 
Melancthon B. Callaghan, son of John and Maria Callaghan, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 18-.;2, Merchant; P. 0., CInirlton. 
Frank B. Cnrlis, .son of L. and Henrietta Curtis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1831, 

F.armer; P. 0., Charlton. 
David W. Cook, son of John and Nancy Cook, b. Saratoga Co., N. T., 1818, Far- 
mer; P. 0., Charlton. 
Aretas M. Cox, son of Asher and Jane Cox, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1830, Farmer ; 

P. 0., Galway. 
James Cavert, son of Wm. and Catharine Cavert, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y'., 1820, 

Farmer; P. 0., West Charlton. 
Wm. B. Consalus, son of Emmanuel and Catharine Consalus, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1844, Farmer; P. 0., West Charlton. 
Alexander Crane, son of Zadock S. and Elizabeth J. Crane, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1847, Farmer; P. 0., Charlton. 
Alexander Davidson, son <)f Wm. and Christina (McDonald) Davidson, b. Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., 1812, Farmer ; P. 0., Charlton. 
Wm. De Eemer, son of James and Elizabeth De Remer, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1802, Farmer; P. 0., Charlton. 
Mrs. Jane Dounan, b. Living.ston Co., N.Y., s. 1856, Farmer ; P. 0., West Charlton. 
Mrs. J. Gilchrist, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1839, Farming, P. O., West Oharllon. 
Sarah A. Gardiner, daughter of Isaac and Melissa Gardiner, b. Schenectady Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1804; P. 0., Charlton. 
Hiram Morehouse, son of Abillia B. and Buth Morehouse, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1813, Farmer; P. O., Charlton. 
John Mead, son of Henry and Elizabeth Mead, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1803, 

Farmer; P. 0., West Charlton. 
Henry W. Mead, son of John and Mary Mead, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1838, 

Farmer; P. 0., West Charlton. 
Cornwall M. Noxon, son of Clark and Letitia Noxon, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1818, Farnjer; P. 0., Charlton. 
Gilbert Tiblietts, son of John and Mary Tibbetis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1810, 

Farmer ; P. 0., Charlton. 
Wm. L. Taylor, son of Wm. and Lucy Taylor, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1808, Far- 
mer; P. 0., Charlton. 
Wm. Taylor, son of Wm. L. and Lydia D. Tayh.r, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1832, 

Farmer; P. O., Charlton. 
G. L. Valentine, son of Daniel and Hannjih Valentine, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1828, Farmer; P. 0., Charlton. 
James H. Watkins, son of James and Electa Watkins, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

Farmer; P. O., Charlton. 
Thos. Wicks, son of David and Dorothea Wicks, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1802, 

Farmer; P. 0., Charlton. 
Chas. T. Wicks, son of Thos. and Charlotte Wicks, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

Farmer; P. 0., Charlton. 
Dr. Frank A. Young, son of Edwin A. and Harriet Young, b. Schenectady Co., 
N. Y., 8. 1862, Physician and Surgeon ; P. O., West Cbarllon. 



WATERFORD. 

R. K. Anderson, eon of James and Arabella Anderson, b. Belfast, Ireland, 8_ 

October, 1S47, Farmer; P. O., Watcrford. 
Thos. Brcslin.son of Peter and Catharine Breslin, b, Saratoga Co., N.Y., Decem- 
ber 23, I8:ifi, Manulacturer of Hardware; P. 0., Waterford. 
Rev. Stephen Bush, eon of Oriy and Fanny Bush, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 8. 

1865, Clergyman ; P. 0., Waterford. 
Wm. Burton, son of John and Catharine Burton, b. Schenectady Co., N. Y., b. 

18C9, Sawyer and Dealer in Mahogany and all Fancy Woods; P.O., 

Waterford. 
Mrs. Hannah Coone, daughter of Moses and Jane A. Bedell, b. May 8, 1831 ; P. 0., 

Waterford. 
J. B. Enos, son of Joseph and Hannah Enos, b. Madison Co., N. Y., s. 1847, 

RIannfacturer of Flour; P. 0., Waterford. 
A. J. Griffin, son of Jas^per and Permelia Griffin, b. Chittenden, Vt., s. 1856, 

Manufacturer an<l Dealer in Sash, Blinds, Doors, Mouldings, etc.; P.O., 

Waterford. 
John Higgins, son of William T. and Jane E. Higgins, b. city of Litchfield, 

England, s. May, 1844, Druggist; P. O., Waterford. 
Wm. Holroyd, son of James and Msiry Ann Holroyd, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

July, 18;i4, Manul'acturerof Hardware, Stocks, and Dies; P.O. Waterford, 
James Holroyd, son of James and Ellen Holroyd, b. England, s. August, 1832, 

Manufacturer of Hardware, Stocks, and Dies; P. 0., Waterford. 
Pliilip T. Heartt, M. D., sou of Benjamin and Hannah Heartt, b. Vermont, s. 

May 4, 1840, Physician ; P. 0., Waterfurd. 
Joseph Harriman, son of Joseph and Mary Harriman, b. England, s. June 12, 

1857; Postmaster, Waterford. 
J. W. Hincs, son of Jahial and Eliza Hines, b. Connecticut, s. May, 1872, Manu- 
facturer of Shirts, Drawei s, nnd Hosiery ; P. 0., Waterford. 
Juhn S. Kelso, son of Alexander 11. and Susan A. Kelso, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

June 8, 1838, SLirble Dealer; P. O., Waterfurd. 
Mrs. Minor B. King, dangbier uf Wm. H. and Rhena Gray, b. Washington Co., 

N. Y., s. September, 184G; P. 0., Waterford. 
James H. Lluyd, son of Alexander and Mary Lloyd, b. Albany Co., N. Y., s. 

June, 1874, Photogiapher and Dealer in Frames, Views, etc.; P.O., 

Waterford. 
James Meeker, sun of Abraham and Bridget Meeker, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

Miiy 17, 184G, Groceries; P. 0., Waterford. 
E. G. Munson, son of Garry and Harriet Lyman Munson, b. Connecticut, s. 

September, 1855, Manager Mnnscn Mfg. Co.; P. 0., Cohoes. 
Helen L. Mclntyre, daughter of Samuel and Julia S. Cheever, b. Rensselaer 

Co., N. Y., s. Miiy IS, lS5.'i; P. 0., Waterford. 
R. D. Palmateer, son uf Wni. and Elizabeth B. Palmateer, b. Ponghkeepsie, 

N. Y., s. October, 1SG9, Publisher Adv. rtiser ; P. 0.. Waterford. 
Edward N. Page, son of Thomas and Mary Page, b. England, s. May, 1873, 

Rolling Mills; P. 0., Cohoos. 
A. B. Riggt^, son of Joseph and Rebecca G. Riggs, b. Sciota Co., Ohio, s. 1870, 

Pastor First Presbyterian Chureh; P. 0., Waterford. 
John B. Richmond, son of Elam and iVIary Richmond, b. Rome, N. Y., s. No- 
vember, 1857, Farmer; P. O , Half-Moon. 
William Scott, son of Ira and Elizabeth Scott, b. Saratoga Co., N. V., Febru- 
ary 10, 1794; P. 0., Waterford. 
Merwin T. Scott, son of Henry B. and Martha F. Scott, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

March 6, 184.T, Dealer in Fine Watches, Clocks, etc.; P. 0., Waterford. 
Wm. C. Shines, son of George and Elizabeth Shines, b. England, s. 1842, farmer; 

P.O., Mi.ldleluwn. 
G. Travis, son of Jacob and Mary Tiavia, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., s. 1812, Farmer ; 

P. O., Waterford. 
Henry C. Vandeniiergh, son of Wynant G. and Sarah Vandenbergh,b. Saiatoga 

Co., N. Y., January 1, 1824, Lumber Dealer; P. 0., Waterford. 
S. Theodore Viele.son of Stephen and Jemima Viele, b. Albany Co.,N. Y., s. May 

1, 1869, Dealer in House-Furnishing Goods; P. 0., Waterford. 
Miss Charity Van Derkar, daughter of Thos. and Maria Van Derkar, b. Samtoga 

Co., N. Y., Juno 8, 1822. Fanning; P. 0., Waterford. 
T. Dwight Walker, son of Timothy and Reumah Walker, b. Genoa, Cayuga 

Co., N. Y., B. 187G, Pastor M. E. Church; P. 0., Waterford. 
K. C. Waldron, eon of A. 0. and Elizabeth Waldron, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

September 7, 1S34, Dealer in Ments and Provisions; P. 0., Waterford. 
Mrs. Hugh Whifc, daughter of William and Sally Mansfield, b. Oneida Co., N. Y.. 

8. April 10, 1830; P. O., Culioes. 



HALF-MOON. 

Joseph Baker, son of James nnd Eulh Baker, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. 1800, 

Farmer; P. 0., Mech.-inicville. 
Ben,i. W. Baker, son of David and Polly Baker, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1843, 

Farmer; P. O., Meclianicville. 
Cornelia Baker, son of El.sba and Uboda Baker, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1825, 

Farmer; P. O., Meebaiiicville. 
John Callanan, son of Thomas and Emolino Callanan, b. Albany Co., N. Y., s. 

1S.^>3, Farmer; P. 0., Slechanicville. 
James II. Clark, son of James and Margaret Clark, b. Montgomery Co., N. Y., 

8. October, 1861, Merehant and Postnjanter; P. 0., Half-Moon. 



510 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



Isaac Gary, sou of Wm. Gary, M.D., and Hannah Gary, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

January 15, 1818, Resulent; P. 0., Half-Moon. 
Eli Coons, sou of Martin and Riitli Coous, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 15, 1822, 

Farmer; P. 0., MiiMIetuwn. 
Urias Datcr, son of George and v\nna Dater, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., a. April 13, 

ls:iG, Farmer; P. 0., Clifton Park. . 
E. D. Ellsworth, son of George and Sarah Ellsworth, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 

22, 1809, Blilitary Store-Keeper, with rank as Captain of U. S. Cavalry; 

P. 0.,Mechanicvil]e. 
Thomas Flagler, son of Richanl and Elizabeth Flagler, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

18U0, Farmer; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
Luther Gates, sou of Coleman and Polly Gates, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 3, 

1803, Cabinet-Maker; P. 0., Half-Moon. 
Saml. B. Howland, son of Knowlton and Susan Howland, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

July 27, 1824, Farmer; P. O., Meclianicville. 
George Hawley, son of Andrew and Samii Hawley, b. Albany Co., N. Y.,8. April 

1, 1837, Farmer; P. O,, Clifton Park. 
Anahel P. Hawley, sou of Lewis and Elizabeth A. Uawley, b. Saratoga Co., 

- N. Y., January 1, 1836, Farmer; P. 0., Haif-Moon. 
Henry L. Haight, son uf Hiram and Clarimla Haiglit, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

September 7,1829, Merchant, Postmaster, and Supervisor; P. 0., Crescent. 
Wm. H. Hollister, son of Soloniou D. and Zilpba Hollister, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., July 24, 1818, Dealer in Moulding Sand ; P. 0., Hail-Moon. 
Geo. T. Hoag, son of Geo. W. and Elizabeth Hoag, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

8. April 1, 1846, Farmer; P. 0., Crescent. 
William J. Mayhew, son of Samuel and Blary Mayhew, b. Es'es Co., N. Y., 

«. 1850, Blacksmith ; P. 0., Clifton Park. 

E. H. Philo, son of Nehemiah and Eliza Pbilo, b. Saratoga Co., N, Y., January 

14, 18;i2, Undertaker; P. 0., Half-Moon. 
James R. Raymond, son of Saml. and Ruth Raymond, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
Ai)ril 16, 1846, Farmer; P. O., Half- Moon. 

F. I. Steenberg, son of Elias and Geitrude Steenberg, b. Tompkius Co., N. Y., 

8. 184.5, Miller; P. O., Clilton Park. 

Lucius Smith, son of John I. and Hnphziliah Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan- 
uary 21, 1808, Farmer; P. O., Half-Moon. 

Hiram Smith, son of Samuel and Phebe Smitli, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 23, 
1818, Farmer; P. 0., Half-Moon. 

Giles B. Smith, son of Wra. and Siilly Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., June 2G, 
1834, Farmer; P. O., Mechanicville. 

EInatlian Smith, son of Hezekiali and Anna Smith, b.' Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1816, 
Farmer; P. 0., Clilton Park. 

Lewis E. Smith, son of Lewis and .Augusta Smiih, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., De- 
cember 23, 1815, Manager American Liueii Thread Works; P.O., Mechan- 
icville. 

John 1. Smith, son of Piatt and Margaret Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., June 
15,1838, Farmer; P.O., Mechanicville. 

Abner Tordoff, son of Zadecheause and Hannah Toidoflf, b. Burlev, England 
8. 1873, Manfr. of Covered Strings for Musical Insti unients; P. 0., Clifton 
Park. 

A. W. Vanveghteu, son of John P. and Esther Vanveghten, b. Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., FeLiruary IS, 1830, Farmer and E.xcise Com. ; P. 0.. Half-Moon. 

M. Van Yoorhees, son of Stephen and Anna Van Voorhee.s, b. Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., March 28, 1817, Farmer and Justice of the Peace; P. 0., Clifton 
Park. 

0. Van Der Vort, son of Nathan and Lucinda Van Der Vort, b. Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., 6. 1860, Farmer; P. 0., Clifton Park. 

John H. Vosburgh, sou of Martin and Emily Vosburgh, b. Sarat()ga Co., N. Y., 
April IG, 1S6G, Farmer; P. 0., Mech.inicville. 

Henry J. Wetzell, son of Philip and Sarah Wetzell,b. Alhany Co., N. Y.,8. April, 
1857, Farmer; P. 0., Chiton Park. 

Reinhold Werner, son of Miilconi and Rebecca Werner, b. Germany, s. 1855, 
Brewer, P. , Clifton Park. 

Peter Woodin, son of Peter S. and Sarah Woodin, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb- 
ruary 15, 1834, Farmer; P. 0., Cre.scent. 



GALWAY. 

James .\nderson, son of Peter and Cutliariue C. Anderson, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1802, Farmer; P. C, Galway. 
Wm. Bnrdick, son of Daniel and Nancy Burdick, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1822, 

Farmer; P. 0., Mosherville. 
Wm. Cornell, son of Job and Mill icon t Cornell, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y.,IS19, Man- 
ufacturer of Plows and Caatings ; P. 0., Mosherville. 
Ebeu C. Durkee, son of Pilgrim and Hannah H. Durkee, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1SU5, Farmer; P. 0., West Galway. 
James D. Hays, son of James and Mary Hays, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1824, 

Dealer in Produce and Lumber; P. O., Galwiiy, 
Isaac S. Hall, sou of Henry and Rebecca Hall, b. Fnlton Co., N. Y., s. 1850, 

Farmer; P. 0., West Galway. 
Sam'l E. Kidd, son of Tbos. and Ann Kidd, b. Canada West, s. 1859, Farmer; 

P. O., Galway. 
Wm. and Robert Kelly, sons ff Robert and Isabella Kelly, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., Farmer; P. 0., Galway. 
John La Dow, son of S. W. and Margaret La Dow b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1850, 

Farmer; P. 0., South G a . 



M. W. Lan'iing, son of J. C. and Sarah V. Lansing, b. Fulton Co., N. Y., s. 1864, 

Carpenter; P. 0., Galway. 
Levi Parkis, son of Solomon and Diantlia D. Parkis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1822, Miller; P. 0., Galway. 
Sam'l Stilwell, son of Tbos. and Affio Stilwell, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 179S, 

Farmer; P. 0., Galway. 
John Thomas, son of James and Margaret Thomas, b. Waterford Co., Ireland, 

B. 1868, Farmer; P. 0., Mosherville. 
George Vedder, son of Richard and Asenath C. Yedder, b. Fulton Co., N. Y., b. 

1857, Farmer; P. 0., Galway. 
Matthew West, son of Jonathan and Betsey West, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1815, 

Farmer; P. 0., Galway. 



EDINBURGH. 

Lucien DoGolia, son of Anthony and Sarah (Sprague) DeGoIia, b. Saratoga Co ., 

N. Y., 1826, Manufacturer of Wooden Ware; P. 0., BatchollerviUe. 
D. Y. Gordon, son of E. W. and Abigail (Wright) Gordon, b. Saratoga Co., N.Y., 

183o, Farmer: P. 0., Batchellerville. 
F. G. Macomber, son of P. H. and Elizabeth (Kasson) Macomber, b. Oneida Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1842, Farmer ; P. 0. We^t Day. 
Falkner Noyes, son of Enich F. and Louisa (Willis) Noyes, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. y., 1851, Merchant; P.O., Batchellerville. 
Isaac Noyes, Jr., son of Isaac and Dolly (Sawtelle) Noyes, b. Saratoga Co., 1828, 

Manufacturer of M''ooden Ware ; P. 0., Batchellerville. 
Hiram Person, son of Benjamin and Thooda (Wight) Person, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1821, Lumberman and Farmer; P. 0., Batchellerville. 
James Partridge, son of James and Amy (Herrick) Partridge, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1797, Farmer; P. 0., Northampton, Fulton Co., N. Y. 
Solomon Sumner, son of Amasa and Abigail (Ellithorp) Sumner, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1826, Farmer; P. 0., Edinburgh. 
Joel B. Simpson, son of Richard and Betsey (Greenfield) Simpson, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1827, Farmer; P. 0.. Edinburgh. 
Squire Stark, sou of Obijah and Elizabeth (Newell) Stark, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1805, Farmer; P. 0., Northampton, Fulton (^., N. Y. 
S. H. Torrey, son of Henry M. and Jane (Beecher) Torrey, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1833, Lumberman, Farmer, etc.; P. 0., Batchellerville. 
David A Torrey, son of Henry M. and Jane (Beecher) Torrey, b. Saratoga Co. 

N. Y., 1846, Farmer and Lumljerman ; P. 0., Batchellerville. 



MALTA. 

W. A. Collamer, b. Malta, s. 1829, Farmer; P. 0., Ballston. 

E. D. Face, son of Andrew C. and Perliua (Ferguson) Face, b. Rensselaer, a. 

1832, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Eliza Green, danjihter of Elliott and Daniaris (Brewster) Green, b. Stillwater, 

Saiatoga Co., N. Y., Oct. 29, 171)8, Farming; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
W. Haight, son of Obadiah S. and Lydia (Conger) Haight, b. Malta, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1820, Farmer; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
Olive S. Marvin, widow, etigaged in Farming, b. Malta, June 27, 1816 ; always 

lived there, with exception of twelve or fourteen years spent at Ballston ; 

deed of farm has been in Marvin family siric9 April 2, 1772; P 0., East 

Line. 
James Riley, h. Malta, Nov. 8,1820, Hotel-keeper; always lived at present resi- 
dence; P. 0., Ballston Spa. 
John D.Rogers, Superintendent Round Lake Camp-meeting Grounds and Post- 

ma-<ter ; resides at Round Lake, Malta township; b. Grafton, Rensselaer 

Co., March 4, 1842; resided in Sanitoga County since April, 1874; P.O., 

Round Lake. 
Elias Roreback, son of John and Rebecca (Bullock) Roreback, b. Schenectady 

Co., N. Y., s. 1846, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Jos. Rowley, son of David and Harriet (Gilbert) Rowley, b. Malta, Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1833, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 



CORINTH. 

Rodney D. Andrews, son of Henry and Sarah M. Andrews, b. Meredith, Del., 
s. 1869, Clergyman of Baptist Church ; P. 0., Corinth. 

David L. Burnham, son of Jonathan and S. Burnham, b. Saratoga Co., N, Y., 
1830, Millwright; P. 0., South Corinth. 

W. H. Barross, son of Joseph and Jane L. Birross, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1848, 
Farmer; P. 0, Corinth. 

Warren Curtis, Jr., sou of Warren and Catherine E. Curtis, b. Passaic Co., N. J., 
8. 1871, Superintendent H. R. & 0. P. Co., Palmer Falls; P. 0., Corinth. 

Luther Cole, son of Seth and Lucina Cole, b. Hastings, Oswego Co., N. Y., 8. 
1850, Millwright, Palmer Falls; p. 0., Corinth. 

William M. Clothier, son of Morgati L. and Nancy Clothier, b. Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., 1837, Farmer; P. 0., Corinth. 

C. R. Donsmore, son of Gershon and Alnieuia Densmore, b. Plattsburg, Clin- 
ton Co., N. v., 181?, .s. 1859, Physician, Adirondack Ave., Corinth; P. 0., 
Corinth. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



511 



Jared KggleBton, eon of John and Sarah M. Eggleston, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1833, Farmer ; P. 0., Corinth. 
Harvey Eddy, son of Jeieniiah and Betsey Eddy, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1819, 

Farmer; P. 0., Soutli Coiinth. 
J. B. Easlon, son of Nathaniel and Anianda Easlon, 1p. Oswego Co., N. Y., 8. 

1863, Farmer; P. O., South Corinth. 
Dr. Nathan M. Houghton, son of Filley and Lucy (Mitchell) Houghton, b. 

Coiinth, Saratoga Co., K. Y., 181C, Lumbering and Fanning, Jessup's 

Landing; P. O., Jessup's Landing. 
John S. Haines, son of P. C. and Clarissa (Rice) Haines, b. Herkimer Co., N. Y., 

8. 1857, Farmer; P. O., South Corinth. 
William A. Hawkes, son of William and Sally Hawkee, b. Warren Co., N. Y., 8. 

1849, Clergyman ; P. 0., Corinth. 
G. C. Ide, son of William and Sally Ide, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1840, Proprietor 

of Hotel, Corinth; P. 0., Corinth. 
Abrani R. Lawrence, son of Benjamin and Lois Lawrence, b. Madison Co., N. Y., 

s. 1844, Farmer; P. O., West Day. 
C. H. Nim, son of John and Louisa Nim, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1833, Proprietor 

of Hotel, Palmer Falls; P. O., Corinth. 
Peter A. Purqua, son of Peter and Abigail Purqua, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1837, 

Station Agent A. C. R. K. ; P. O., South Corinth. 
Augustus Schwabe, son of Augustus and Elizabeth Schwabe, b. Germany, s. 

1809, Paper Finisher; P. 0., Corinth. 
Mrs. E. J. White, daughter of John W. and Sar.ih M. Sager, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1867, Milliner; P. 0., Corinth. 
David L. Walker, son of Eleander and Hannah Walker, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1841, Contractor and Builder; P. 0., Corinth. 



NORTHUMBERLAND. 

A. B. B:niciis, son of Jcsepliand CatheriiieBauciiSjb. Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 5, 

1838, Farmer ; P. O., Bacon Hill. 
Stephen J. Burt, son of Jjiines ami Lucy Burt, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Septem- 
ber 19, 1821, Farmer; P. 0., Gansovoort. 
Stephenson Biuwn, ^ion of Aimer and Mary E. Brown, b. Saratoga Co., N, Y., 

March 11, 1854, Farmer; P. 0., CJansevoort. 
John Clinpman, son of Samuel and Sarah Cbajjuian, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

March 19, 1824, Farmer, also Grist- and Saw-Mill ; P. 0., Schuylcrville. 
Fiankliu Carpenter, son of Daniel and Maria D. Carjienter, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., January 27, 1830, Farmer; P. 0., Gansevoort. 
William J. Cook, son of Samuel and Sarah Cuoh, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., June 

2, 1823, Farmer; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Daniel H. Dryor, son of Daniel and Sarah Hf. Dryor, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

August 23. 1833, Farmer; P. O , Bacon Hill. 
Walter arni Jolin Doty, sons of Pliilander and Lydia G. Doty, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., Farmers; P. O., Fort Edward. 
A. L. Finne, son of John and Elizabeth Finne, b. Iteueselaer Co., N. Y., s. 1828 

or 18o0, Farmer; P. 0., Norttiumberlind. 
James A. Fake, son of John R. and Sarah A. Fako, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., No- 
vember 29, 1839, Farmer; P. 0., Bacon Hill. 
T. S. Fuller, son of Jonathan and Martha M. Fuller, b. Saratoga Co., X. Y., 

April 20, 183G, Farmer; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Lewis J. Gorliani, snn of Dai ins and Arvilla Gorhaui, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

s. 1840; Mercbant and General Grocer; P. 0., Ncuthnniherland. 
Mrs. John Harris, daughter of Joseph A. and Eliza Clark, b. Oneida Co., N. Y., 

B.May, 1832, Farming; P. 0., Fort Miller. 
P. H. Lasher, son of Jonas and Elizabeth L:isher, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., s. 

July 20, 1834, Farmer; P. O., Bacon Hill. 
George Lansing, son of Abraltam G. and Su.=anna Lansing, b. Albany Co., 

N. Y., s. February 18, 1839, Farmer; P. 0., Gansevoort. 
Morgan Lewis, snn of Samuel and Sarah Lewis, b. Sar.itoga Co., N. Y., August 

14, 1SU4, Farnn-r and Lumberman ; P. 0., Gatiflevoort. 
Mrs. William B. Marsliall, daughier of George and Eunice Griswold, b. Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y.. July lU, 1822, Farming; P. 0., Scbuylerville. 
D. D. Mullbrd, son of David and Magdalene Mnlford, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y , 

8. April, 1822, Farmer; P. O., Bacon Hill. 
Job Mulford, son of David and Magdalene Mulford, b. Washington Co., N. Y., 

M. April, 1822, Fanner; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Henry W. Peek, son of Amos and Mary Peck, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. July, 

1805, Farmer; P. 0-,BaL<.n Ilill. 
David Purinton, son of David and Mary Purinton, b. Albany Co., N. Y.,8. April, 

1814, Fa-mer; P. 0., Gansevoort. 
Ephraim A. Pettis, sou of Jonathan and Sarah Pettis, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

March IG, 1813, Farmer, Bacon Hill. 
Mary S. Rouse, daughter of Anms S. and Eliza Peck, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

January 27, 1823, Farming; P. 0., Bacon Hill. 
Harry Ross, son of John and Betsey S. Rv>s8, b. Saiatoga Co., N. Y., August 17, 

ISlfi, Farmer: P. O., Gansevoort. 
William H. RyalU, son of John and Elizabeth Kyalls, b. England, s. June 4, 1843, 

Farnn-r; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Chai les Stumpf, son of David and Sophia Stumpf, b. Germany, 8. May 2, 1851, 

Farmer; P. (>., Fort Miller. 
Edwin W. Tuwn,8on of Elijah and Mary Town, b. W;uihington Co., N. Y,, f. 

Septpmlifr fi, 1S41, Kwrmer and Postmaster; P. O.. NorthnmliprlHud. 



Mrs. Asa F, Thompson, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Chapman, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y , January 2G, 1834 ; P. 0., Bacon Hill. 
J. Howard Thompson, son of Sidney and Phebe Thompson, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., September 4, 1810, Farmer; P. 0., Bacon Hill. 
F. H. Terhune, son of Jeremiah and Nancy Terhune, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

July 17, 1844, Farmer; P. 0., Bacon Hill. 
William Tice, son of William and Mary Tice, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 8, 

1823, Merchant; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Isaac Van Dewerker, son of Sovereign and Lucy Van Dewerker, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., January 22, 1813, Farmer; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Samuel West, son of Francis and Sarah West, b. Tioga Co., N. Y., e. 1819, Farmer 

and House Joiner; P. O., Bacon Hill. 



HADLEY. 



J. J. Wait, son of Abner Wait, Jr., and Sally (Johnson) Wait, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1811, Millwright; P. O., Hadley. 
MnnliuB JefTcrs, son of Deodatus Jeffers and Eunice (Heath) JefTers, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., ISUi, Farmer; P. 0., Hadley. 



MOREAU. 

P, G. Austin, son of John D. and Polly (Jenkins) Austin, b. AVarren Co., 
N. Y., s. 1871, Farmer; P.O., South Glen's Falls. 

T. J. Ablioti, Jr., son of T. J. Abbott and Maria iRalph) Abbott, b. Rhode Is- 
land, R. 18G6, Farmer; P. 0., Gansevoort. 

Josiah Burnbam, son of Josiah and Anne Bnrnham, b. Warren Co., N. Y., 
8. 1822, Lawyer; P. 0., Glen's Falls. 

Alexander Canfield, son of Sackett and Sally (Sniith) Canfield, b. Warren Co., 
N. Y., s. 1842, Foreman in Saw-Mill; P. 0., Glen's Falls. 

Henry H. Day, son of P. E. and Martha (Putnam) Day, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
3841, Sawyer and Millwright; P. O., South Glen's Falls. 

Frank L. Day, son of P. E. and Martha (Putnam) Day, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
1834, Sawyer and Millwright ; P. 0., South Glen's Falls. 

Jonathan De Voll, son of Abner and Comfort (Hoag) De VoU, b. Rensselaer 
Co., N. Y., B. ISafi, Farmer and Insurance Agent; P. 0., Gansevoort. 

E. D. Hawley, son of Edward and Charlotte (Payne) Hawley, b. Sarati)ga Co., 
N. Y., 1853, Farmer; P. 0., Fort Edward, Washington Co., N. Y. 

E. P. Moore, son of Caleb S. and Harriot Moore, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1849, 
General Store Merchant; P. O., Glen's Falls. 

Duncan G. McGregor, son of James and Lonisa (Cameron) McGregor, h. Sara- 
toga Co., N.Y., 1808, Farmer, Glen's Falls; P. 0., Glen's Falls. 

S. A. Parks, son of Barzilla and Susan M. (Bnrghardt) Parks, b. Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., 1827, Manufacturer of Paper; P. 0., Glen's Falls. 

M. B. Parks, son of Solomon and Susan (Burnham) Parks, b. Saratoga Co., 
N. Y.. 1815, Farmer; P. 0., South Glen's Falls. 

John W. Shurter. son of William and Catharine (Reynolds) Shurter, h. Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., 183G, Commissioner of Schools, Saratoga Springs; P. O.i 
Saratoga Springs. 

A. P. Whipple, Bon of Dexter and Nancy (Wilcox) Whipple, b. Saratoga Co., 
K. Y., 1817, Farmer; P. 0., Glen's Falls. 



GREENFIELD. 

August E. Allard, son of Abiel and Aman'la M. (Sniith) Allard, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1849, Farmer; P. O,, Greenfield Centre. 
Warren Bockes, son of Ephraim and Sarah (Bump) Bockes, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1811, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Samuel Baily,3ou of Samuel and Eleanor (Westcott) Baily,b. Saratoga Co.,N.Y., 

1800, Reliied Farmer; P. O., North Greenfield. 
Calvin Butler, son of Silas and Sally (Forbou) Butler, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1805, Farmer ; P. O., South Corinth. 
Milton Barritt, son of Simon and Lydia (Moscraft) Barritt, b. Woodstock, Conn., 

s. ISGfi, Farmer; 1*. O., North Greenfield. 
Frank J. Barritt, son ol JUlton and Sarah A.iPInmmer) Bariitt, b. Boston, Mass., 

s. 18GG, Farmer; P. 0., North Greenfield. 
Dutee Ballon, son of Dniee and Lydia (White) Ballou, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1813, Farmer; P. 0., Porter's Corner. 
George B. Bixly, son of Joshua and Sarah (Tonrtelet) Bi,vly, b. Saratoga Co., 

N, Y,, 1812, Farmer; P. C, Porter's Corner. 
Alonzo B. Brackett, son of Rjiy "nJ Sylvania (Martin) Brackctt, b. Sarab>ga Co., 

N. Y., 1827, Farmer; P. O., Porter's Corner. 
Thomas W. Brown, son of Charles W. and Martha (West) Brown, b. Devon- 
shire Co., England, s. 1870, Paper Maker, Middle Grove; P. 0., Middle 

Grove. 
Luther Cady, son of Benjamin and Polly (Doyoe) Cady, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1834, Agent Porter's Corner Mercantile Association, Porter's Corner; 

P. C>.. Porter's Corner. 
Ziba Djinjels, stm of Nathan and Phobe, (Amy) Daniels, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1812, Farmer; F. O,, Suratotca Springs. 



512 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



J, T. Daniels, son of Nathan ani Phebe '^Amy) Daniels, b. Saratoga Co., N. T., 

ISIO, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
James Deoton, son of John and Mary J.Oliller) Denton, b. Saratoga Co., ?J. Y., 

18:J4, Parmer; P. 0^ Saratoga Spring. 
William C. Darrow, son of Effenezer and Lydia CHoyt; Darrow, b. Saratoga 

Co^ X. T., 1S16, Carpenter and Joiner; P. 0., S:*ratoga Springs. 
Jonathan A. Denel,son of Stephen and Asha 'Angel' Duel, b. Saratoga Co., X. Y., 

ISH, Farmer and Carpenter; P. O., S'>nth Cnhnlh. 
John ST. Donnan, Ban of Alexander and Elizabeth (McEindley) Donnan, b. 

Saratoga Co., N". Y^ lS-51, Farmer; P. O^ Saratoga Springa. 
B. H. Den-^raore, son of Henry and Jnlia f^Oti-*) Densmore, b. Warren Co^ JT. Y., 

s. 18-3o, Cabinetmaker and L'ndertaker; P. 0., South Corinlh. 
William L. Garnsey, son of Samuel L. and Haldah (Wuod) Gamsey, b. Steuben 

Co., N. Y., e. 1836, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Juliet Gardiner, daughter uf Howell and Eleanor (Groesbeck) Gardiner, b. 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1S07, Teacher; P. O., Middle GroTe. 
Jacob Gray, son of John K. and Mary (Duslerj Gray, b. Fulton Co., N. Y,, s. 

IS^i, Manufacturer of Wagons and Carriages, Page's Comers; P. O,, 

31iddle Grove. 
Charles Harris, son of Ephraim and 3fargaret (Salben) Harris, b. Saratoga Co^ 

>'. Y., Is35, Farmer; P. O., Porters Comer. 
Chester Harris, son of Ephraim and Margaret f Saiben) Harris, b. Saratoga Co^ 

N. Y., 1S25, Farmer; P. O.. Porter's Comer. 
William B. Hntchings, son of Asa and Lucy (Hood) Hntcbings, b. Maine, e. 1869, 

Ship-Master; P. O., Porter's Corner. 
H. C. Hewitt, 5<3n of Alexander and Sally (Kellogg) Hewitt, b. Saratoga Co^ 

X. Y^ 1831, Farmer; P. O., South Greeufleld. 
Zerab T. Hoyt, son of James T. and Rachel (Starr) Hoyt, b. Saratoga Co., 

X. Y., 1812, Clergyman ; P. 0^ South Greenfield. 
B, H. Ingb.-im, son of Rnfus B. and Betsey K. (Hickok) Ingham, b. Saratoga 

Co., jS. Y., 1826, Farmer; P. 0., Porter's Comer. 
Thomns Ives, son of John and Ives, b. Orange Co., N. Y., s. 1861, Stone 

and Brick 3Ias<>n; P. O., South Corinth. 
J. D. Ji>hn;M>n, M.D., son of D. and Amy (BiimeyJ Johnson, b. Saratoga Co., 

N'. Yt 18;il, Physician and Surgeon ; P. 0^ Greeufit-ld Centre. 
William H. Lane, 5ron of Wiillam and Mary (Ricej Lane, b. Dutchess Co., N. Y., 

8. 1867, Farmer, Merchant, and Manufacturer of Wagons and Carriages, 

Middle GroTe. 
Zimri Lawrence, son of Sirapon and Abigail (Chase) Lawrenc**, b. Saratoga Co., 

5i. Y., 1808, Farmer, t-x -Superintendent of Poor (_held public office eight- 
een yean) ; P. O., Greenfield Centre. 
S. H. Leyman, son of Truman and Betsey (Andenwu) Leyman, b. Warren Co., 

N. Y., 1851, Farmer; P. 0., South Greenfield. 
Miss E.S. Miller, dau;:iitT of John H. and 31atilda (Cox) Miller, b. Ontario 

Co., N. Y., s. 184.5, Teacher; P. O., Saratoga Springs, 
Chancellor Petiigrew. son of Reuben and Elizabeth Pettigrew, b. Ireland, s. 

18C9, Farmer; P. 0., Middle Grove. 
J. S. Ptracuck, sun of Henry and Ros^inna (Sax) Peacock, b. Saratoga Co^ X. Y., 

1811, Farmer and Liimberm in ; P. O., Porter's Comer. 
B. S. Robinson, son of WilU:im and Maria (Wright) Robinson, b, Saratoga Co., 

X. Y., 18;i8, Farmer, Jfi^tice of the Peace, S«;retary Agricultunil Society ; 

P, 0., Greenfield Centre. 
Joseph L. Rowland, son of Garni rdus and Lydia (Davi.^Jon) Ri>wland, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1816, Farmer, Snperri-f^r, wnd Surveyor ; P. 0., Porter's Comer. 
J. E. Kn>8ell, son *•( E-lward and Rachel (Pethamt Bussell. b. Wyndham Co., 

Yt., s. 18W, Farmer and Slanufacturer Fancy Biiskets ; P. O., Greenfield 

Centre. 
Binun Rowland, sou of ^aac and Olive (Francisco) Rowland, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y',, 180(1, Retired Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Moses D. RowcU, son of Stephen and Jane iStedman) Rowoll, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y'., lS:i7, Menhtnt, Middle Gruve; P. 0., Middle Grov^*. 
Nicholas Shant.eon of David and Catharine ("Hake' Shanl, b. Herkimer Co., 

N. Y'.. 8. 186i, Att'-mey-at-Law and Real Estiite Brok'-r, Middle Grove. 
James V. Smith, son of Juhn and Cynthia 'Hewitt) Smith, b. Saratoga Co., N.Y., 

1819, Farmer, and ex-Supervisor and ex-Justice of the Peace; P. O., 

Greenfield Centre. 

A. H. Scott, son of Lewi;* and Barbara (Dalmrople) Scutt, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y,, 

18<>4, Retired Farmer, and ex-Justice of the Peace; P. O., South Green- 
field. 
Charles W. Spaulding, son of AU\ and Lydia (Taylor) Spaalding, b. E^sex. Vt., 

s. 1845, Merchant and Lumberman, Greenfield Centre ; P. O., Greenfield 

Centre. 
Simeon Schouten, s«jn of John and Cliarity Schouten, b. Saratoga Co., X. Y^ 

1793, Retired Farmer; P. 0., Middle Grove. 
&u-faa B. Tompkins, daughter of John and Surah (Adie) Pearsall, b. Dutchess 

Co., X. Y., s. 1829 ; P. O., S;iratoga Springs. 
Thomas H. Tompkins, son of John and Marg^iret (Pearsall) Tompkins, b. 

Dutchess Co . >'. Y., 8. 1816 (deceased). 
Joel S. Tuller, son of Daniel and Harriet (^Gardue) Taller, b. New Lisbon. 

Otsego Co., N. Y, s. 1855, Manufacturer Fancy Baskets; P. 0^ Siiratoga 

Springs. 

B. L. Van Deusen, son of William J. and Maria (Laoe) Van Deuscn, b. Mont- 

gomery Co., N. Y'., s. 1866, Farmer; P. 0. East Gal way. 
Henry Van Buren, son of James and Elizabeth (Moi-ajii) Van Bnren, b. Colum- 

bU Co., N. Y., 8. 1870, Blacksmith ; P. 0., Greeufield Centre. 
Richard H. Van Buren, son of Henry and Anna M. (Tator) Van Buren, b. Troy, 

N. Y., 5. lS7n Faraier: P. . Greenfield Centre. 



Elihu Wing, son of Diniel and CI irissa rManchester) Wing, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1819, Fanner ; P. 0., South Greenfield. 
S. S. Westcott, son of Lewis and P. B. Westcott, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 182-5, 

Farmer; P. 0^ Saratoga Springs. 
George Waste, son of Cliarles and Charlotte (Lawton) Waste, b. Vermont, «. 

1828, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Seneca Weed, &m of Noah and Dorcas (Wing) Weed, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y, 

1797, Retire«i Farmf'r: P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Chauncey L. Williams, son of Jonathan and Betsey (Hawley) Williams, b. 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1817. Manafacturer Bricka and Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga 

Springs. 



DAY. 

I. W. Guilds, son of .\aron and AnriUa ' Uerrick) Guiles, b. Saratoga Co^ N. Y., 

1841, Farmer, Lumberman, and Hotel-Keeper; P. 0., Day, 
David Johnson, son of John and Fally (Allen) Johnson, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

183-2, Farmer; P. O.. Confclingville. 
H. W. Katfaau, son of Luke and Freelove (Allen) Eatban, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y, 1847, Hotel-Keeper; P. 0., Conklingville. 
Enos Murphy, son of James and Sarah (McLaughlin) Morphy, b. Canada, s. 

1862, Lumberman ; P. O., West Day. 
S. Y. Rockwell, son of Joseph and Esther (Wilder) Rockwell, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. y., 1812, Farmer; P. O., Day. 
W. A. Randall, son of Levi and Lucy (Allen) Randall, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1813, Fanner; P. O., We^t Day. 
John F. Stimson, son of Samuel and Mehitabel Sttmson, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1824, Farmer; P. 0., Day. 
Leonard Yates, son of Thomas and .\biga'l (Paul) Yates, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1817, Lumberman and Farmer; P. O., Day. 



WILTON. 

John J. Brill, «on of John and Harriet (PearsitUi Brill, b. Greenfield, Saratoga 

Co., N. y., 1827, Florist, Frait-Grower, and Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Sp. 
Jarvis Butler, son of .\mo« and Orry (Jeffers) Butler, b. S;iratoj^ Co., N. Y., 

1820, Farmer and Justice of the Peace; P. 0„ Saratoga Springs. 
John Bunce, son of Wm. and Sarah E. (Sturgis) Bonce, b. 3Iassachusetts, 

8. 1831. Farmer; P. O., Willonville. 
Wm. W. Comstock, son of Wni. and Mercy (Sprague) Comslock, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1811, Farmer; P. O., Wiltonville. 
H. B. Creal, .eon of James and 3Iary (Ellis) Creal, b. Saratoga Co- N. Y., 1815, 

Retired Farmer; P. O , Saratoga Springs. 
S. K. Cliase, son of Aaron and Ruth H. (Eixrl) C; ase, b. Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 

s. 1834, Farmer; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Aaron Cliase, son of Royal and Ruth (Barker; Chase, b. Portsmouth. R. I., s. 

18.^, Retirefl Fanner; P. O., Gansevoort. 
Wm. De Garmo, =on of Jacob and Mary (Sutfin) De Garmo, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1821, Farmer; P. 0., Wiltonville. 
John Freeborn, son of George and Jane (Mtnire) Freeborn, b. Ireland, s. 1848, 

Blacksmith and Furmer: P. 0.. Saratoga Springs. 

A. B. Ferris, son of James H. and Betsey (Dibble). Ferri«, b- Massachusetts, 

8. 1840, Famier; P. O., Gansevwrt. 

B. B. Grippin.son of L. A. and Olive (Carpenter) Grippin. b. Saratoga Co.,N. Y., 

1839, Farmer and Supervisor; P. 0.. Saratoga Springs. 
Edwin Hodges, son of Thomas and Mary (Hanford; Hodges, b. England, s. 1835, 

Farmer; P 0.,.Wiltonvil!e. 
Juhn Ham, son of Wm. and Lydia (Bruist) Ham, b. Bmnswick, s. 1822, Farmer ; 

P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Lucinda Ham. daughter of Juhn and Margaret (Ellswert) Miller, b. Saratog» 

Co., N. Y., 1815; P. O., Saratog:i Springs. 
G. W. King. 3I.D.. sou of Horace and Clar'ssa (Rapple) King, b. Saratoga Co, 

N. Y., 1826, Physician; P. 0., Saratog-a Springs. 
0. F. Lockwood, son of Jame^ L. and Eunice ^Carr) Lockwood, b. Saratf^a Co., 

N. Y., 1S37, Farmer; P. O, Saratoga Springs. 
David J. Milligan, sou of Robert and Eliz;»beth (Jacoxl Milligan, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y.. 1802, Retired Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs 
Henry Nefif, son of Nathan and Mary (Deel) Nt-ff, b. Montgomery Co., N. Y., 

s. 1844, Farmer and Carpenter ; P. 0., Saratoga Spr ngs. 
John I. Proper, son of Richard and Rebecca (Shaver) Proper, b. Rensselaer 

Co., N. Y., s. 1848, Famier; P. 0., Schuylerville. 
Wm. H. Perry, son of Demerick and Lydia J. (Grippen) Perry, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1828, Famier; P. 0., Wiltonville. 
Ira Roods, son of Simeon J. and Margant (Smithi Roods, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

182>t, Farmer; P. O., Saratoga Springs. 
Geo. H. Travcr, son of Henry H. and Chrstiana (Schnltz) Traver, b. Rhioebeck, 

Dutchess Co., N. Y., s. 1858, Farmer and Justice of the Peace ; P. O., Sara- 
toga Springs. 
David R. Taylor, son of Joshua and Catharine (Rouse) Taylor, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y'., 1811, Farmt^r; P. 0., Gansevoort. 
Perry J. Winney, sou of Rome and Sophia (Jacoi) Winney, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y'., 1852, Farmer; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
Cyrus Washburn, son of John and Sophia (Strong) Washburn, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1812, Lumberman and Farmer; P. 0., Wiltonville. 



HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUiSITY, NEW YORK. 



513 



CLIFTON PARK. 

John Applcton, son of John an<l Kli/jilioth (Wh»doS!>) Apploton, b. GooO- 

niiitihain, Yorksliire, England, s. If^GO, Farmer; P. O., HcxfonI Fhits. 
11. I). Arnold, son of John and Ruth Arnold, b. Saratoga CX)., N. Y., 1798, Uittirwl 

I'arinir; P. 0., Itexford Fluls. 
Peter Arnold, sun of Josopli and Blary (Althouso) Arnold, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., s. 1S30, Retired Farmer ; P. O., Rcxford Flats. 
Peter SI. AUlionse, son of John and Kliznbelh (Morse) Althouso, h. Saralot^ 

Co., N. Y., ISl,'), rnrnier; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
Zacliariali A. Bstme, son of David and Margaret (Ilerringcr) Bauic, b. Cohnnliia 

Co., N. Y., s. IS.'io, Farmer; V. O., Cliftcin Park. 
Perry K. Burtis, son of GatTctt and Esther (Kirtiy) Buiiis, b. Sanitoga Co., 

N. Y., 1829, Farmer; P. O., Clifton Park. 
Ransom Bentley, son of Christoplier and Laney Bentlej-, b. Saratoga Co., ISr-O, 

Farmer ; P.O., Re.\ford Flats, 
fillies Brooks, son of Aaron and Margiiret Brooks, b. Sarntogti Co.; N. Y., 1S2.'>, 

Farmer ; P. 0., Jouesville. 
Albert J. Benedict, son of Luther and Mindwell (Evans) Benedict, b. fanitoga 

Co., N. T., 1847, Fiirmcr; P. p., JoTiesville. 
Luther Benedict, son of Samuel and Ijydia (Dewoy) Benedict, It. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1811, Farmer; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
P. jr. l!nnt,l, son of Isaac and .\iny (Wix) Pantn, b. Saratoga O)., N. Y., 1825, 

Retired Farmer; P. O., South Hallston. 

A. J. Caldwell, son of Pet< r and Elizabeth fShyder) Caldwell, b. Rensselaer Co., 

N. Y., s. 1837, Farmer; P. O., Groom's Corners. 
n. M. Chitse, son of Peleg and Susan (Vanornuni ) Chose, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1S14, Farmer; P. 0., Groom's Corners. 
Avery B. Champion, son of Jotd and Joanna (Kenyon) Champion, b. Saratoga 

Co., X. Y., 1S18, Faimer; P. O., Clifton Park. 
John M. Clark, son of Cyrus and Xancy (DIorehouse) Clark, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y.. 1830, Farmer; P. 0., Clifton Palk. 

B. R. Caldwell, son of Peter (b. 1T8C, still livinK) and Elizabeth (Snyder) Cald- 

well, b. Schoharie Co., N. Y., s. 1?GS. Farmer, ex-Justice of the Pence, 

and ex-Superintendent ; P. O., Rcxford Flats. 
B. F. ChaJsey, son of Henry W. and Lncina (Neff; Ch.adsey, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., lS2:i, Retired Merchant; P. O , Visiher's Ferry. 
Henry C. Cooper, W.T>., son of Chris, and Catharine (Diorstcin) Cooper, b. Rens- 
selaer Co., X. Y., s. 1831 ; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
R. JI. Dedrick, son of P. G. and Hester (.Mbertine) Dediick, b. CoIuiTil.ia Co., 

N. Y"., s. 1S3.S, Manufacturer of Carriages, Sleighs, and Wagons: 

P. 0., Clifton Park. 
John L. Dows, son of Adam and Mary (Luuda) Dows, b. Rensselaer Co., X". Y'., 

s. 1804, Farmer; P.O., Clifton Park. 
James Edwards, sou of John and Margaret (Yauneyj Edwards, b. Fulton Co., 

N. Y., s. 18C9, Farmer; P. 0., Jouesville. 
Kanning V. Forte, son of ,\liram and Esther (Vischer) Forte, b. .Saratoga Co., 

X. Y., 18(19, Retired Farmer: P. 0., Vischer's Ferry. 
John Flagler, son of Collins and Catharine (Johnson) Flagler, b. Saratoga Co., 

X. Y'., 1828, Farmer; P. 0., Groom's Corners. 
Philip A. Fonda, son of Jacob I. and 3Iari.T(M.vers) Fonda, b. Schenectul.v Co., 

X. Y., s. 1826, Farmer: P. O., Groom's Comers. 
Henry Filkitis, son of rauiel and Mary E. (Palmer) Filkins, b. Saratoga Co., 

X. Y., 181G, Fanner ; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
E. B. Forte, son of Cornelius F. and Alida (Wilbur) Forte, b. Saiatoga Co., 

N. Y"., s. 1S42, Manufacturer of Carriages, Sleighs, anil Agricultural Im- 
plements; P. O., Vischer's Ferry. 
J. N. Forte, son of (^melius F. and Alida (Wilbur^ Forte, b. Saratxtga Co. 

X. Y., 1852, Merchant, Vischer's Ferry. 
Samuel Grooms, son of Jas. and Catharine (Taylor) Grooms, b. Saratoga Co., 

X. Y., 181.5, Merchant, and Manufacturer of Carriages and Wagons ; 

P. 0., Groom's Corners. 
Maria Garnsey, daughter of Xathan and Sallie (Thayer) Kingsley, b. Wjtsli- 

ingtou Co., N. Y., 8. 1829 (retired) ;■ P. 0., Jouesville. 
Elias T. Hayes, son of \Vm. and JIaria (Alsdorf) Hayes, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y'., 

1828, Farmer; P.O., Eexford Flats. 
Thos. Hall, son of James and Slary Hall, b. Warwickshire, England, s. 1850, 

Fanner ami Butcher; P. 0.. Groom's ('ornei-s. 
Samuel Hall, son of S. P. and Mary Hall, b. Wall ingford, Conn., s. 1820, Farmer ; 

P.O., Jouesville. 
Wm. Harmon, son of John and Barbara Harmon, b. Saratoga Co., X. Y., 1812, 

Fanner; P.O., South liallston. 
George H. Hubbs, son of John and Catharine Hubbs, b. Saratoga Co., X. Y., 

1823, Farmer; P. 0., Jouesville. 
Alexander Hubbs, 8cm of John and Catharine Hubbs, b. Samloga Co., X. Y., 

1,S16, Farmer: P. 0., Jouesville. 
A. R. Knowlton, son of John B. and Polly (Rexford) Knowlton, b. Schenectady 

Co., N. Y., 8. 1S22, Farmer ; P. O., Hex ford Flats. 
Robert Lasclier, son of John M. and Catharine (Cliinib) Lasclier, b. Columbia 

Co., N. Y., 8. 1829, Farmer ; Vischer's Ferry. 
George Loaee, son of Abraham G. and Phrbe (Ambler) Losee, b. S.irattiga Co., 

N. Y., s. 1830, Farmer; P. 0., Clifton Paik. 
Iliram O. Miller, son of Philip and Mary (Vamlenbergli) Miller, b. Saratoga 

Co., X. Y'., 18:i3, Farmer; P. 0., Vischer's Fcriy. 
Adam .Mott, son of Wm. R. and Anna (Wesll'all) Mott, b. Benssehier Co., X. Y., 

8. 1850, Farmer, Siipi'rvisor, and ex .lusticc of the Peace; P. O., Cliflon 

Park. 
65 



AHon McKnhi, son of Jnnips uml Jane (Pnff) HIcKain, b. Delaware Co.^ N. Y.» 

s. IS'o, K.timI Fiiniier; P.O., Rexfonl Flats. 
D. 51. N<trtliriip, son uf Bcnj. ami Catliaiine Northroii, l>. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1852, SlmnifactHrer of Carrlnges and Sleiglis; P. O., Joniwvillo. 
Bernaitl P. Ostroni, son of Rufua and Cliiisty (Snook) Ostroni, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1S40, Farmer ; P. O., Groom's Corncre. 
Petor Ostroin, sou of Paul and C^itliarine (Cole) Ostroiu, b. Bcnssclacr Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1S24, Farmer; P. O., Clllton Park. 
Solomon C. Pock, son of Abtjali and MindwcU (Close) Peck, b. Saratoga Ci*.^ 

X. Y., 17a:i, Uotirod Fanner; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
Aaron Qnivey, son of Ama8a and Clara Qiiivej-, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 18ii7, 

Fanner; P. O., Sonth liallston. 
Stephen Reed, son of Elijah F. and Mary (JacoMe) Reed, h. Rens«elaor Co., 

N. Y., 18;i0, Fanner and Grower of Frnits, Blannfacturer of Cider and 

Vinf'giir; P. O., Vischer's Ferry. 
Adam M.Scrafford.son of Martin and Agnes (Canine) ScrafFord, b. .Mbany,N. Y., 

8. 18.^9, Fanner; P. O., Rexford Flats, 
Jonas Southard, son of Isaac and Klizaheth (Northrop) Southard, b. Sanitoga 

Co., N. Y., ISOl, Retired Fanner; P. O., Rexford Flats. 
Jolni Snuthard, son of Isaac and Klizalieth (Xorthop) Southard, b. Samtnga 

a.., N. Y., 180i>, Fiunu-r; P. 0., Rexford Flats. 
P. J.Schennprhorn,S(m of Jacob D. and Kuth (Butler) Schernicrhoi-n, b. Grceno 

Co., N. Y., s. ISCo, Merchant and Fanner ; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
Nathan G. Smalloy, son of Jolin and Hannah (Barnes) Smallcy, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1821, Farmer; P. O., Rexfoni Flats. 
Moses Smith, son of 3Ioses and Anna Maria (Scribner) Smith, b. Brooklyn, 

N. Y., 8. 1854, Notary Public, Executor, Administrator, and Gnanlian of 

Kstates, and General Factotum ; P. 0., Jouesville. 
Isiiac Schauber, son of David and Maplet (Budloiig) Schanber, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., ISIJ8, Farmer ; P. 0., Sonth Ballston. 
Jeremiah Smith, son of Leonard and Marg!iret(Wnger) Smith, b. Rensselaer Co., 

N. Y., 8. 1S:JS, Retired Farmer ; P. 0., Rexfonl Flats. 
C. R. Sheffer, son of Nicholas and Maria (Vandcrworken) Sheffer, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y,, Merchant, Visclier's Ferry; P. 0., A'ischer's Ferry. 
George W. Taylor, son of Shubael and Klida (Tcachout) Taylor, b. Saratoga Co , 

N. Y., 1824, Farmer; P. O., Clifton Park. 
L. M. Tumor, son of Jonathan and Emily (Larkin) Turner, b. Sensselacr Co., 

N. Y., 6. 18.')i;. Farmer ; P. O., Clifton Park. 
Nicholas Yischer, son of Nicliohis and Catharine (Van Vranken) Vischei-, b, 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1822, Farmer, Dealer in Ilorses, and Veteriuiiiy 

Surgeon; P. O., Groom's Corners. 
Abium Van Vranken, son of Adam and Caroline (Witbeck) Van Vranken, b. 

Saratoga Co., N, Y,, 18:tS, Farmer; P. O., Viselier's Ferry. 
Richai'd Van Vranken, son of Adam R. and Elida (Bidl) Van Vranken, b. Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., 1S!7, Farmer ; P. O., Vischer's Ferry. 
C. N. Vischci-, son of N. F. and Eliai (Clute) Vischer, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

IS-H), Farmer; P. O., Groom's Corners. 
C. G. Vischer, son of Francis and Maria (Forte) Vischer, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y.. 1S13, Retired Farmer; P. 0., Vischer's Ferry. 
N. F. Vischer, son of Francis and Maria (Forte) Vischer, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. y., 1805, Retired Farmer; P. O., Vischer's Ferry. 
Andrew Vandoiibuigh,sun of John and Jane M. (Van Vranken) Vandetibnrgh, 

b. Montgomery Co., N. Y., s. 185*, Farmer ; P. O., Vischer's Ferry. 
John D. Van Voorhcs,son of Jtdin and Ann Eliza 'Van Wert) Van Voorhes, b. 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1844. Farmer ; P. O., Crescent, 
Christopln-r Westoff, son of Simeon and Helen (Weaver) WestofF, b. lU-nsselaer 

Co., N. Y., s. 1821, Farmer ; P. ()., Clifton Paik. 
E. V. Weldon, son of Michael and Maria (Vischer) Weldon, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1820, Farmer, Proi>rietor of Saw-filill, and Dealer in Ijimber; 

P. 0., Vischer's Ferry. 
Aaron Woods, son of Beuj. and Adriel (De Bois) Woods, b. Saratoga f>)., N. Y., 

1S12, Farmer; P. 0., Clifton Park. 
C. W. Weld, son of W. R. and S.-E. Weld, b. Ilamiltun Co., N. Y., s. KSCfi, Mer- 

cliant; P. 0., Jonesville. 



MILTON. 

Oscar W. Brown, son of Daniel and Elizabeth Brown, h. Washington Co., 

s. 18:;7, Farmer; P. 0., West Milton. 
Dr. P. Bi'llinger, son of Henry and Elizabeth Bellinger, b. Herkimer Co., 

s. 18.")7, Physician and Faiuu'r; P. O., Saratoga. 
Otis Bentley, son of John and Tliankfiil Bentley, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y. 

MiM-hanic and Farmer; P. 0., Sanit^'ga Springs. 
John O. Bentley, ^on of Otis and Theodosia BontIey,b. Saratoga Co., N. Y, 

Farmer ; 1*. 0., Saratoga Springs. 
M. Eiiglehart, b. Germany, s. 1852, Farmer; P. O., West Milton. 
AllVed Eighmy, son of Nicholas and Rachel Eighiuy, b. Siiratoga Co., 

•1812, Farmer and Mechanic; Milton Centre. 
John W. Eigbmy, son of Alfred aii>l Louisa Eighmy, b. Siiratoga Co., 

1845, Lawyci-; P. O., Anister<latii. 
Isaac K. Grenell, son of Alvah and Eliza Grenell, h. Saratogiv Co., N. Y. 

Farmer ; P. , Rock City Falls. 
Wui. H. Gray, son of George and Elizabeth Gray, b. Saratoga Co., 

1S44, Mechanic; P. O., West Milton. 



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N. Y., 



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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



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U. li. Hoyt, son of Sam'l S. and Roxie Iloj't, h. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1852, Stu- 
dent; P. 0., Saratoga Si»riuys, 
Isaac H. Johnson, son of Isaac and Auiilla Johnson, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

18U9, Teacher and Farmer ; P. O., BallBton Spa. 
Cbauncey Kihner, son of Peter and Eulh Kilmer, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1810, 

Manufacturer of Paper; P. 0., Eock Cily Falls. 
Nathaniel Maun, sou of Jeremiah and Rebecca Mann, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1819, Farmer ; P. 0., BaUston Spa. 
John Marcellus, son of George and Anna Marcellus, b. Schenectady Co., N. Y., 

s. 1805, Miller and Farmer ; P. 0., West Milton. 
James Thompson, son of James and Mary Thompson, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

]8:io, Farmer ; P. 0., Eallston Spa. 
Mrs. Sarah Walls, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1807 ; P. 0., West Milton. 
Wui. Waring, son of Joseph and PUebe Waring, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1837, 

Farmer ; P. 0., Saratoga Springs. 



PROVIDENCE. 

Charles L. Bnhannan, son of Orville L. and Elizabeth (MeOmber) Buhannan, 
b. Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y'., 1835, Farmer; P. 0., BarkersiiUc. 

How}and Briggs, son of Jctlin W. Briggs and Mary (Howland) Briggs, b. Fort 
Hunter, Jlontgomcry Co., N. Y'., s. 1875, Woolen Manufacturer; P. 0., 
Hagedoru Mills. 



Ilcnry Clnte, son of Jacob Clnte, b. Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1794, 

Farmer; P. 0., East Galway. 
Jacob Clute, Bun of lleni-y and Eunice (Perry) Clute, b. Saratoga Co., N. Y., 

1820, Farmer; P. 0., Barkeraville. 
Lansing Fincb,6on of Joshua and Betsey (Clemens) Finch, li. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1819, Miller and Fanner; P. O., Northampton, Fulton Co., N. T. 
Stephen L. Hagedorn, son of Jonathan and Abigail (Zook) Hagedorn, b. Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., 1811, Farmer and Miller; P. 0., Hagedorn Mills. 
Philip Mead, son of Ralph E. and Isabella (Stewart) Mead, b. Broadalbun, Ful- 
ton Co., N. Y., s. 1857, Farmer and Mechanic ; P. O., Hagedorn Mills. 
John F. Hasten, son of Josias L. and Lois (Hewett) Hasten, b. Fulton Co., N. Y'., 

s. 1800, Farmer; P. 0., West Providence. 
Wm. S. Nash, son of Samuel and Jemima (Craft) Nash, b. Winchester Co., N. Y., 

s. 1813, Farmer; P. 0., West Providence. 
Stephen Rockwell, son of Jonah and Anna (Temple) Rockwell, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., ISOi, Farmer; P. 0., Hagedorn Mills. 
Amanda M. Root, daughter of Ejibvaim and Alice (Hall) Root, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1820; P. 0., East Galway. 
Joseph B. Sowle, son of David and Betsey E. (Butler) Sowie, b. Saratoga Co., 

N. Y., 1S33, Farmer and Miller; P. O., Hagedorn Mills. 
Orlando E. Sism, son of Elias F. and Charity (Norkctt) Sism, b. Saratoga Co. 

N. Y., 1832, Merchant; P. 0., Hagedorn Mills. 
Jonathan S. Trevett, son of Henry T. and Abigail S. (Ciiapnian) Trevett, b. 

Saratoga Co., N. Y., 1842, Mechanic ; P. 0., West Providence. 
Wm. E. Trevett, son of Henry T. and Abigail S. (Chapman) Trevett, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1844, Mechanic; P. 0., West Providence. 
Henry T. Trevett, son of Henry I. and Joanna (Sliipnian) Trevett, b. Saratoga 

Co., N. Y., 1818, Mechanic; P. 0., West Providence. 



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